Interlaken car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Interlaken
The best car rental companies in Interlaken are Sixt, Hertz, Avis. Prices start from €50/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Interlaken
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€54/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€57/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€53/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€52/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €350Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€49/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€56/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€50/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€59/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Europcar Interlaken Local
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationDowntown
From€47/day
base rate
View Europcar Interlaken Local deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Interlaken
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €50 | VW Polo | 4 |
| Compact | €58 | Škoda Octavia | 4 |
| SUV (AWD available) | €90 | VW Tiguan 4Motion | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €105 | VW Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €135 | Audi A6 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Interlaken
Airport — Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Switzerland's main international gateway, about 2 hours' drive from Interlaken; nearly every major rental company has a full desk here, making it the default arrival point for visitors.
Downtown — Interlaken town center (near Interlaken Ost / West stations)
Local desks near the train stations suit visitors arriving by rail who want a car mainly for exploring the Bernese Oberland valleys and mountain passes.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | ZRH airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €15–25/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €6–10/day | Per extra driver |
| Swiss Autobahn vignette | ~CHF 40 (annual sticker) | Any driving on Swiss motorways — required for the full calendar year, usually provided by the rental company |
| Mountain pass restrictions | No extra fee, but check seasonal closures | Driving passes like Grimsel, Susten, or Grosse Scheidegg outside summer months |
| Refundable deposit | €350–600 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Interlaken
- Switzerland requires a Autobahn-Vignette (an annual sticker costing around CHF 40) for any driving on its motorway network — this is mandatory, not optional, and rental companies usually provide it, but confirm at pickup.
- Interlaken has no airport of its own — the main gateway for rental cars is Zurich Airport (ZRH), about 2 hours away, with Geneva (GVA) and Bern (BRN) as alternatives.
- Scenic Alpine mountain passes near Interlaken — Grimsel, Susten, and Grosse Scheidegg — are popular drives but some are seasonally closed in winter due to snow.
- Nearby valleys like Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald have partial vehicle restrictions in places, with some sections better reached by the region's well-developed mountain railways.
- Interlaken sits directly between two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and serves as the main hub for reaching Jungfrau-region resorts.
- Switzerland's roads are well-maintained but mountain routes can be narrow and winding, so an SUV or car with good handling is worth considering for pass driving.
- Public mountain railways are extremely popular in this region, so many visitors combine a rental car for valley-to-valley travel with train travel up to the highest points.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Interlaken
Do you need a car in Interlaken?
It helps for reaching surrounding valleys and mountain passes, though many of the top attractions (like Jungfraujoch) are accessed by train rather than car.
Do I need a vignette to drive in Switzerland?
Yes, the Autobahn-Vignette is mandatory for any motorway driving — it's an annual sticker (~CHF 40), and most rental companies fit it automatically, but always confirm at pickup.
Which airport do you fly into for Interlaken?
Zurich Airport (ZRH) is the main gateway, about 2 hours away by car. Geneva (GVA) and Bern (BRN) are alternatives.
Are mountain passes near Interlaken open year-round?
No — passes like Grimsel, Susten, and Grosse Scheidegg are seasonally closed in winter due to snow, typically reopening in late spring.
Can I drive into Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald?
Partially — these valleys have some vehicle restrictions in places, and many visitors use the region's mountain railways for the final approach.
Is a rental car expensive in Switzerland?
Yes, Switzerland is one of the pricier car rental markets in Europe — economy cars start around €50/day, with SUVs from about €90/day.
What is the cheapest car type in Interlaken?
Economy cars like a VW Polo start around €50/day. For mountain pass driving, an AWD SUV from around €90/day is a safer choice.
Nearby trips
