Cheap car hire in Winterthur, Switzerland

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There are 5 car hire providers in Winterthur. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Winterthur

Hiring a car in Winterthur: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyFox - Rent A Car
Most popular carIntermediate/Standard, Crossover
Average daily price103 €
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Winterthur

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 Winterthur car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Winterthur

  • Whether you need a compact for cruising around town or a bigger ride for longer drives, we'll help you find a cheap rental car in Winterthur. Choose from options averaging 103 € a day and get on the road for less.

  • Daily rental prices in Winterthur start from just 99 €.

  • Staying a little longer and want to explore beyond the main attractions? 325 € is the lowest rate for a weekly rental.

  • Book early to lock in the best price for a Winterthur car hire. Beyond just getting a great rate, you'll be choosing from the full lineup, not what's left.

  • Check out the offers available with Sixt, Europcar and Dollar. They're among the top-rated providers in the city.

  • Whether you book with Sixt or another supplier, make sure you understand the coverage on your Winterthur car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as an optional extra.

  • Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to land a bargain if the provider needs to shift cars between sites. Find the best available rates by clicking 'Return car to a different location.'

  • Avoid any surprise charges by choosing a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, and pay only for what you use.

  • Hit the road without watching the miles and racking up additional fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and choose 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you explore further.

Best value car hire options right now

  • The best value for money comes from this company, with average prices at 89 € a day.

  • Offering daily rates of around 174 €, this provider is next in line.

  • The third option also performs well on price. Hop into one of their rentals for roughly 198 € a day.

  • The Intermediate rental category is a dependable pick if you're unsure what kind of wheels you need. It's also the vehicle type that's booked more than any other in Winterthur.

Compare car hire types in Winterthur

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Winterthur may be small in size, but they come with big advantages. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're nimble, fuel efficient, and perfect for city driving or short trips.

  • Medium: Not too big, not too small, it's the definition of just right. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they strike a balance of interior space and fuel efficiency and are good for small families and couples.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the suitcases, the snacks, the works. Large vehicles have got the capacity to handle it all without breaking a sweat. Ideal for longer drives, this Winterthur car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: SUVs are adventure on four wheels. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for urban streets and scenic backroads alike.

  • Van: Go for this vehicle category when you need a car for rent in Winterthur that can handle the big jobs. Featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's supplies, baggage or whoever's along for the ride.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Car rental excess insurance isn't a necessity, but is something you should consider. If you're in an accident, no matter how minor, it can save you from paying a big excess fee. Different Winterthur car hire providers have different insurance policies and coverage levels, so check the terms before booking.

  • Take your ride to the next level with handy extras like mobile Wi-Fi or a reverse camera. These features can make your drive more efficient and enjoyable when you rent a car in Winterthur.

Good to know

  • Age requirements often vary by supplier (and even car type), so be clear on the rules before you book. Some providers in Switzerland may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you're outside the typical age bracket, simply uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to unlock the right options.

  • Add a car seat to your Winterthur car hire reservation if you're travelling with small kids. Requirements change from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their age, size and weight is always the safest choice.

  • Make sure you have the necessary documents when you get to the rental counter. As a rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card with enough funds to cover the excess (most companies don't accept debit cards), and another form of photo ID. Your booking will lay out the exact list.

  • If it's your first time driving in Switzerland, don't forget that traffic here sticks to the right side of the road.

  • Local speed limits are usually about 45kph through urban areas and around 110kph on highways. Always check the posted signs, as limits may vary.

  • In Switzerland, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.05%. If you're planning to drink, leave the driving to someone else or find an alternative way to get around.

  • Around 8am is one of the busiest times for traffic around this destination. Try to avoid rush hours if you want a smoother run.

  • You'll be using the Swiss franc (CHF) for all your purchases and expenses on your trip. You may find it helpful to carry a mix of cash and cards to cover you in every situation.

  • German (Swiss German) is the language spoken by most people in this country.

Best hotels in Winterthur for drivers

  • Offering accessible parking, Hotel Rubus adds extra convenience to your stay. This hotel is around 8 kilometres from central Winterthur and also comes with express check-in and a laundry.

  • Centra Hotel Winterthur is also a good option if your plans involve plenty of driving. It features parking, along with room service and bicycle rentals. Make this your base and you'll be roughly 2 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse the range of hotels in Winterthur for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to find exactly what you're after. You can also apply the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to limit results to EV-friendly stays.

  • After you've locked in a car hire deal in Winterthur and the right hotel, all that's left to do is decide where to head to first. Get things started with big attractions such as Winterthur, Swiss Cience Centre Technorama and Kunst Museum Winterthur | Reinhart am Stadtgarten.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Winterthur

  • Buckle up and make tracks to Zurich. Around 21 kilometres southwest of central Winterthur, you'll find must-sees like Bahnhofstrasse and Cirque du Soleil - Grand Chapiteau.

  • They've got hospitality down to a fine art at Crowne Plaza Zürich by IHG and Züri by Fassbind, two reliable accommodation options with parking in Zurich.

  • Alternatively, collect your cheap car hire in Winterthur and travel roughly 88 kilometres west to Basel. Featuring Art Basel and Christmas Lightshow, its highlights live up to the hype.

  • Relax after a day of exploring Basel at B&B Hotel Basel or Novotel Basel City. These hotels cater to visitors bringing their own car.

  • Ready to go the extra mile? Lugano is a top road trip destination that's around 161 kilometres south of Winterthur. Consider making a few pit stops at Lungolago di Lugano and Aussichtspunkt San Salvatore.

  • Book a room at Villa Sassa or Hotel Splendide Royal. They make it a breeze to experience everything Lugano has to offer. They also come with parking.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Winterthur will set you back around 103 € per day or 358 € per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Winterthur is an intermediate crossover (similar to SUVs). The most popular is Intermediate/Standard, Crossover.
The cheapest car hire companies in Winterthur are currently Unirent and Hertz.
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 Winterthur is currently March.
On average, around 358 €. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Winterthur is 325 €.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Winterthur for a whole month is 523 €. 

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 Winterthur, 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 Winterthur 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 Winterthur.
Most places – Winterthur 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 100 € per day. The average price per day is around 111 €.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Fox - Rent A Car, Enterprise and Alamo offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Thrifty 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 Winterthur.