Car hire in Basel, Switzerland

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Choose from 31 pick-up spots

Find cheap car hire in Basel

These are the lowest Basel car hire prices we found over the next 30 days and are subject to change.

When's the cheapest time to hire a car in Basel?

Our data shows that October is the cheapest month to rent a car in Basel. It’s around 12 734 Ft per day in October, compared to the yearly average of 17 558 Ft per day.
Cheapest month avgOctober • 12 734 Ft
Yearly avg price17 558 Ft

Select your Basel pick-up location

There are 31 car hire providers in Basel. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

Car hire pick-up spots in Basel

Compare car hire prices at airports, train stations and in different neighbourhoods across Basel. You might find a better price, or the perfect pick-up point nearby. Start your journey where it suits you.
Filter locations
These are estimated prices to help you choose from a large number of options. Each is an average based on the lowest car rental prices found for each destination over the last 15 days.

Driving in Basel: What to expect on the road

Documents you'll need
Bring your driving licence, passport and a credit card to rent a car in Basel.
Most travellers can use their regular driving licence. If your licence isn’t in English, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Rental companies also check that your ID matches your booking details.
Navigating city driving
Basel has clear signs and simple routes across the city.
Driving is easy on main roads, though old-town streets are narrow and shared with trams. Navigation apps help you avoid restricted streets and guide you to bridges, museums and river areas.
Tolls, emissions zones and charges
Swiss motorways need a motorway vignette, a prepaid permit for using highways.
Most rental cars already include one, but it’s worth checking. Basel has no city tolls or emissions zones, so everyday driving in the centre is free for visitors.
Parking your car in Basel
Parking is easiest in car parks near the centre.
Street spaces are limited, especially close to the old town. Multi-storey car parks give simple access to shops and riverfront areas. Always check signposts, as time limits and fees vary by district.
Finding fuel or charging points
Fuel is easy to find, and EV charging stations in Basel are increasing.
Petrol stations sit along main roads and near shopping areas. Charging points are growing across the city, and apps like PlugShare help you check availability before longer trips.
Local driving style and tips
Drivers are calm and follow signs carefully.
Trams have priority in central areas, so slow down near crossings. Cyclists are common, and riverfront lanes can feel tight. Signal early and take extra care when turning near tram lines.
Find Basel car hire deals

The most popular car rental companies in Basel

Alamo
Europcar
Dollar
Hertz
Sixt
Budget

What's the most popular car to hire in Basel?

Based on recent Skyscanner data, the Volkswagen Polo is the most popular car to hire in Basel, with prices starting from 8 490 Ft per day. The Volkswagen Golf and similar models are also popular drives in Basel.
Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen Polo11% chose this
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Golf10% chose this
Renault Clio
Renault Clio9% chose this
Skoda Scala
Skoda Scala6% chose this
Most popular carVolkswagen Polo
Why?Small, practical, easy to park

Basel's cheapest car hire providers

Alamo has the cheapest car hire in Basel right now, with prices from 19 865 Ft per day. You'll save an average of 5 450 Ft per day when you book with them.
Alamofrom 19 865 Ft per day
Thriftyfrom 21 323 Ft per day
Unirentfrom 24 745 Ft per day
Flizzrfrom 29 878 Ft per day
Cheapest providerAlamo
Book with them to save around5 450 Ft per day

Choose from the best car hire companies in Basel

Hiring a car in Basel: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyAlamo
Most popular carLarge, fullsize SUV
Average daily price97 234 Ft
Best time to book3 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Basel

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 Basel car rental search.

Book now, cancel later

We clearly highlight car and van hire options in Basel that have free cancellation. So you can bag the best deal with total flexibility to change your plans if you need to.

Rent a car in Basel for a whole month

Want to hire a car for almost a month? Often, car rental companies in Basel avoid costly admin in between pick-ups by hiring out cars for longer periods. So see if monthly car hire is cheaper than the three weeks you need it for by selecting 30 days.

Compare fuel policies

To save money on topping up the tank as you take off in Basel, look out for deals with a 'full to full' fuel policy, as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

Skip the queues

We call out keyless pick-up when you search for cars with us. No keys to pick up, means no queues. Just turn up at your preferred Basel car hire location, hop in and hit the road.

Frequently asked questions

The average car hire cost in Basel is 97 234 Ft per day or 287 358 Ft for a seven-day rental. If you're looking for a cheap deal, the lowest price we found is 8 490 Ft per day for Small hire from Sixt. Need a specific type of car? Here's how prices compare:
Economy
Average price: 28 938 Ft per day.
Cheapest price found: 8 490 Ft per day.
SUV
Average price: 46 860 Ft per day.
Cheapest price found: 9 393 Ft per day.
Premium/Luxury
Average price: 103 539 Ft per day.
Cheapest price found: 18 962 Ft per day.
Electric
Average price: 119 005 Ft per day.
Cheapest price found: 55 453 Ft per day.
The cheapest car to rent in Basel is Small, mini. The most popular is Large, fullsize SUV.
The cheapest car hire companies in Basel are currently Alamo 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 Basel is currently October.
On average, around 287 358 Ft. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Basel is 59 425 Ft.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Basel for a whole month is 553 199 Ft. 

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 Basel, 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 Basel that have free cancellation
If you've booked car hire with free cancellation, you can usually cancel or change your booking without paying a fee. The deadline depends on the car hire company, but it's typically around 48 hours before pick-up. If you cancel after that, you may be charged. If your booking doesn't include free cancellation, you'll need to check the car hire company's cancellation policy. Depending on when you cancel, you might have to pay a fee or you won't get a refund.
Yes. Most car hire companies in Basel offer same-day car hire. If you're looking for last-minute car hire in Basel, search for today's date on Skyscanner to compare what's available.
The best time to book car hire in Basel is usually as early as you can. Booking ahead often means cheaper prices and more cars to choose from. You can sometimes find a good last-minute deal, but it's never guaranteed and availability is often more limited.
A good deal for car hire in Basel is usually around 72 925 Ft per day or less. That's about 25% cheaper than the average price in Basel, which is 97 234 Ft per day. The cheapest price we found in Basel is 8 490 Ft per day with Sixt for Small car hire.
It depends on the car hire company. Some companies in Basel will let you drive your hire car abroad, often for an extra fee, while others don't allow it. If you're planning to cross a border, check with the car hire company before you travel. Driving your hire car abroad without permission could invalidate your insurance or break the terms of your rental agreement.
It depends on the car hire company. Some accept debit cards, others require a credit card. Either way, you'll need enough money on your card to cover a security deposit which you'll get back when you return the car.
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 Basel.
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is 8 490 Ft per day. The average price per day is around 28 938 Ft.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Alamo, Europcar and Dollar offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
The best car hire company depends on what's most important to you. If customer ratings are your priority, here are some of the highest-rated car hire companies in Basel, based on Skyscanner reviews. We've also included their average daily prices to help you compare your options.
Europcar
4.8/5 (from 1 reviews)
Average daily price: 55 262 Ft
Flizzr
4.8/5 (from 1 reviews)
Average daily price: 69 768 Ft
Sixt
4.6/5 (from 4 reviews)
Average daily price: 60 288 Ft
You don't have to get it, but it's worth thinking about. In Basel, the excess (what you pay if the car gets damaged or stolen) ranges from 581 384 Ft to 2 133 954 Ft depending on who you book with. The cost of excess insurance also varies by car hire company. You can buy excess insurance separately, which is usually cheaper than buying it through the car hire company.
Most people hiring a car in Basel book it for 3 days. If you're deciding how long to go for, here's what you can expect to pay on average:
1 day: 97 234 Ft
1 week: 287 358 Ft
2 weeks: 574 716 Ft
1 month: 553 199 Ft
If your travel dates are flexible, try changing the dates and number of days when you're comparing prices on Skyscanner. A few extra days can sometimes work out cheaper.
Yes. Most car hire companies in Basel let you add an extra driver. You usually need to pay an additional driver fee which costs around 12 741 Ft per day. Some companies include it at no extra cost, so check the details before you book.
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 Basel.