Hertz car hire in Zurich

Hire a car in Zurich to experience the cultural metropolis of Switzerland’s largest city. A global hub for the world’s banking and finance industries, Zurich is also famed for its beautiful Old Town, alongside Romanesque and Gothic-style churches and Cathedral.

Cruise to the city in just 15 minutes from Zurich Airport and swim in the idyllic Lake Zurich on the city’s southern edge. Gaze at the magnificent scenery, experience the spectacular Kunsthaus Gallery and head to the picturesque Old Town for souvenirs from your Swiss adventure.

Head further afield to the spectacularsnow-topped Alps of Geneva, just a three-hour drive away in your hire car. Make the hour-and-a-half trip to the breath-taking Swiss Capital,Bern, and marvel at the art galleries and museums the city has to offer.

Browse our range of family-friendly SUVs and stylish sports cars and hire a car in Zurich with Hertz online to explore this magical city today.

Driving in and around Zurich

Parking in Zurich

• High Promenade (8001) is a multi-storey car park located in central Zurich, under five minutes’ walk from the Kunsthaus Museum. It’s open 24/7 and has more than 400 spaces.
• Urania (8001) is built into the hill of Lindenhof, the perfect walking distance from Lake Zurich. This multi-storey facility is open 24/7 and contains more than 475 spots.
• Central Station (8005) has parking spaces available 24/7 and is an ideal place to leave your rental car, if you plan on taking the train to explore the surrounding area.

Key roads in Zurich

• A4 motorway takes you to the breath-taking Mount Titlis in an hour-and-a-half from Zurich’s centre.
• A1 motorway between Zurich East Interchange to Effretikon is one of the most used motorways in Switzerland, travelling to Bern in the west and Winterthur in the north-east.
• Zurich Northern Ring Road is a very heavily used road in Switzerland. Over 100,000 vehicles travel along it each day.

How to get from Zurich to Basel

It takes just over an hour to drive the 54 miles from Zurich to Basel, the third most populous city in Switzerland.

1. Leave the city centre via Sihlquai and continue onto Hardturmstrasse.
2. Turn left onto Forrrlibuckstrasse and right onto Route 3.
3. Stay left to merge onto the A1H toll road.
4. Continue onto A1/A3 for around 10 miles.
5. Use the right two lanes to use the E60/A3 exit toward Basel.
6. Stay on this road for 32 miles.
7. Keep left to continue on A2/A3 and follow into the city centre.

How to get from Zurich to Lucerne

The small town of Lucerne, with a backdrop of the glorious Alps, is less than an hour away in your Zurich hire car. Simply leave central Zurich via the A3W toll road, then use the A3 exit. When you reach the 31-Zurich-West junction, use the left two lanes to join the A4. Continue on the A14 and finally, merge onto the A2 to arrive.

A quick guide to Zurich

Best hotels in Zurich

The Dolder Grand

Kurhausstrasse 65, 8032 Zürich

One of Zurich’s most prominent landmarks, The Dolder Grand bears five stars and an on-site members’ club and spa. This exclusive hotel has been a premier destination since 1899. Behind the chandeliers and prestigious artworks, you’ll find rooms with complimentary skincare products and views of the Swiss Alps.

Park Hyatt Zurich

Beethovenstrasse 21, 8002 Zürich

For a taste of contemporary Zurich with shopping on the doorstep, try this luxury Hyatt hotel. It’s a fantastic place to mix business and leisure, thanks to the well-equipped meeting spaces, fitness center and restaurant with an open kitchen. Reserve a family room or suite for group vacations.

Baur au lac

Talstrasse 1 Temporärer Eingang, Glärnischstrasse 18, 8001 Zürich

Baur au lac showcases the city’s elegant heritage, but there are modern elements too. Drive into the hotel’s own private park, pass the two Michelin-starred Restaurant Pavillon and climb to your air-conditioned room. Don’t let the artful style fool you on the way in, since this hotel offers more than looks – at the top-floor fitness centre, services include physiotherapy.

Best restaurants in Zurich

Clouds

Maagplatz 5, 8005 Zürich

Experience some of the best views in Zurich from Clouds, a gourmet restaurant where the panoramic windows offer almost as much as the menu. It’s set inside Prime Tower, close to several art galleries. Dig into a delectable club sandwich or indulge in a three-course meal complete with mussels, schnitzel and creamy Swiss Rahm to finish.

Josef

Gasometerstrasse 24, 8005 Zürich

This wood-panelled European dining room specialises in small plates of Mediterranean fare. Beneath the gallery of black and white photographs that adorn the walls, you can enjoy simple weekday lunches or delicious dinners from the a la carte menu. Dig into seafood risotto or enjoy homemade ravioli.

White Elephant

Neumühlequai 42, 8006 Zürich

Experience fragrant Thai flavours in one of the best Asian restaurants in Zurich. At White Elephant, modern decor is paired with traditional cooking methods. Drive just two minutes out of town to try tod man pla fishcakes, curries served with jasmine rice or ginger-infused tofu stir fries.

Best things to do in and around Zurich

Kunsthaus Zurich

Heimplatz 1, ZH 8001 Zurich

Explore one of the most important art collections in Switzerland in this prestigious art gallery. Become immersed in the dynamic art pieces and let your imagination run wild. With collections dating from the 13^th Century to contemporary artists, the gallery has an eclectic mix of compositions from artists such as Monet, Picasso and van Gogh.

Grossmünster

Grossmünsterplatz, 8001 Zurich

Visit the spectacular Evangelical Reformed church in Zurich Old Town. Grossmunster is built in the Romanesque style and lets you immerse yourself in the socio-political dialogue at a vital site of the Swiss Reformation. There’s also the chance to attend a concert, service, or enjoy an art installation at this historic building.

Lake Zurich

Bürkliplatz 8001

A trip to Zurich is not complete without enjoying Lake Zurich. Whether you gaze at the view from the promenade, fancy a taste of adventure with paddle boarding or opt for a romantic boat trip out to enjoy the water up-close – the magnificence of the lake is not to be missed.