Car hire in Lausanne, Switzerland

Use the same magic that powers our flight search to find cheap car rental in Lausanne

Compare car hire on price, ease of pick-up, a fair fuel policy and more

Find Lausanne car rental deals you can amend or cancel if your plans change

Select your Lausanne pick-up location

There are 11 car hire locations in Lausanne. Choose the cheapest or easiest now.

The most popular car rental companies in Lausanne

Hiring a car in Lausanne: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyEuropcar
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceR 3,146
Best time to book2 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Lausanne

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Lausanne car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Lausanne

  • Looking for a cheap rental car in Lausanne? With prices averaging R 3,146 a day, you're in gear for serious savings. Whether you're after a zippy economy ride, a large SUV, or anything in between, we compare all the best offers to make booking easy.

  • Lock in your ride in September and get the green light on savings. It's the cheapest month to rent a car in Lausanne, with average daily rates of R 618.

  • To score a cheap rental car in Lausanne, book in advance. Prices generally climb as your travel dates get closer, and you might have less to pick from.

  • Check out car hire deals in Lausanne from leading providers like Europcar, Sixt and Hertz.

  • Whether you go with Europcar or another supplier, double-check the coverage on your Lausanne car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as an optional extra.

  • Booking one-way could land you a discount on your car hire. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be moved between branches. Just choose 'Return car to a different location' when looking for a car for rent in Lausanne.

  • Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your car hire in Lausanne with a full tank, so you're only paying for what you use. You'll also skip the costly refueling charges rental agencies tack on.

  • Hit the highway without tracking every mile and racking up extra fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and choose 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you drive as far as you want.

Compare car hire types in Lausanne

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Lausanne gives you the freedom to explore for less. These compact, fuel-efficient rides are great for city driving and short trips.

  • Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine fuel efficiency, space and comfort. Easy to handle in traffic and roomy enough for longer drives, they're a reliable pick for most journeys.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the bags, the snacks, the everything. Large vehicles have got the space to carry it all without breaking a sweat. Ideal for long-distance journeys, this Lausanne car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: SUVs are ready whenever wanderlust hits. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for urban streets and rugged backroads alike.

  • Van: If you're after a car for rent in Lausanne that fits a small crowd (and their luggage), a van is the roomy ride you need. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're best suited for group trips, business use or moving.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers the fee you'd have to pay if your Lausanne car hire is stolen or damaged. While not mandatory, it helps cover you in a tough spot. Keep in mind that insurance policies vary between providers, so make sure you understand exactly what's offered.

  • Travel smarter when you rent a car in Lausanne by adding a few handy extras. Think things like a GPS unit to keep your trip on track, or reverse cameras that'll help you park like a pro.

Good to know

  • Age requirements for rentals often vary by company and even car type, so be clear on the rules before you book. Some suppliers in Switzerland may rent to younger drivers for an extra fee. If you're outside the typical age range, simply uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to explore your options.

  • If the kids are coming with you, see if you need to add a child car seat to your Lausanne car hire booking. Whether a legal requirement or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to travel.

Hit the road: Where to drive from Lausanne

  • Snap up an awesome car hire deal in Lausanne and then get ready to discover the city's biggest attractions, such as Olympic Park and Riviera, Ouchy, Lausanne. Driving may not necessarily be the best way to reach them, but you'll want to see these highlights before you take off.

  • Make the most of your time in Lausanne by staying at Ibis Lausanne Centre or Aquatis Hotel.

  • Around 80 kilometres north-east of central Lausanne, Bern deserves a place on your itinerary. Make a beeline for can't-miss sights like Old Town Bern and Zytglogge.

  • Comfy accommodation options in Bern include Novotel Bern Expo and Prize by Radisson, Bern City.

  • Add Biel/Bienne to your travel plans. Pick up your cheap car hire in Lausanne and drive roughly 80 kilometres north-east to discover hot spots like Bieler Altstadt / Vieille ville de Bienne and Lake Biel.

  • Unwind after a packed day exploring Biel/Bienne at Mercure Plaza Biel. Or coast into comfort and stay at Art Déco Hotel Elite.

  • Keep things moving and road-trip it to Winterthur, around 193 kilometres north-east of Lausanne. First, swing past Winterthur, then follow it up with Swiss Cience Centre Technorama.

  • Find a room at Ibis Budget Winterthur or My Home Hotel - Free Parking. Make one your base for exploring everything Winterthur has to offer.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Lausanne will set you back around R 3,149 per day or R 7,495 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Lausanne is an intermediate crossover (similar to SUVs). The most popular is Economy, 4-5 doors.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Lausanne is currently September.
On average, around R 7,495. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Lausanne is R 5,140.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Lausanne for a whole month is R 23,896. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Lausanne, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Lausanne that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Lausanne.
Most places – Lausanne included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is R 2,094 per day. The average price per day is around R 3,149.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Europcar, Budget and Hertz offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated my next level as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Lausanne.