Cheap Car Rental in Lausanne

Car rental in Lausanne: Getting Acquainted with Lausanne

Lausanne is one of the most peaceful towns in an already quiet country. Often missed out by people who visit, this is the home to a prestigious university with the likes of the King of Thailand being among the alumni. The town itself is chock-a-block full of culture and history, with a pedestrian center boasting a number of excellent markets and restaurants. The rest of the town is comprised of several individual districts that each have their own character prominently displayed through the style of shops and cafes that are available.

What to See in and Around Lausanne

Its proximity to both Geneva and Lake Geneva do make this a rather excellent stopping off point. Its sporty nature is boosted by the term ‘Olympic City’ to which it is linked. The town shuts down on Sundays in order for the locals to head off for a swim, paddle or run up at Ouchy, one of the town’s lakeside neighborhoods. If this is not quite your cup of tea, then take in the stunning Sauvabelin trails either by bike or on foot. This area offers numerous lookout points showing off the stunning vistas that are available in this area. Reaching the top of the trail will reward the determined hiker with a stunning lake and a mountain view. A short drive out to Lutry will afford you a trip around the Lavaux vineyards; though remember to take a designated driver for this trip. Quieter less strenuous options include a trip to the Olympic Museum and the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts where the Treaty of Lausanne was signed. The Cathédrale de Notre-Dame, the town’s Gothic cathedral, rounds off the selection of historic buildings and stands tall in the center of the old town. Be aware that streets in this area can be quite narrow if you are bringing the car here.

Saving on Car Rental

Hiring a vehicle in Lausanne is a straightforward process, with cars usually being available for around $30 per day for a small one. Prices will vary depending on the vehicle class and how long it is rented for. Listed below are some of the best rental deals currently available and it should be noted that these prices are for weekly rentals.

• Skoda Citigo or similar (mini class) – $45/day
• Skoda Fabia or similar (economy class) – $46/day
• Peugeot 2008 or similar (compact class) – $65/day
• Skoda Octavia Estate or similar (intermediate class) – $67/day
• Audi A3 Sportback or similar (standard class) – $85/day

The prices listed will vary slightly depending on the time of year, which dates are chosen, how far in advance they have been booked and more. Searching on our site will afford you the chance to make some comparisons of your own and help you to find the best car rental deal possible.

Finding Budget Car Hire

There are a few ways that you can save when hiring a vehicle and these depend on the choices that you make. In some cases, being organized and booking ahead can be very beneficial to a price reduction. For example, booking a week in advance will see a rate of around $40 per day whilst booking two months in advance offers a significantly lower price of around $32 per day. Peak times will also have an impact, with winter in Lausanne generally being more expensive than the less popular summer.

Booking for a longer period will also have a bearing on how much your car rental will be. A vehicle rented for just three days will be around $52 per day whilst the same car hired for a week offers a rate of $40 per day. The pick-up and drop off location in Lausanne also affects the price. Lausanne Downtown offers a $10 difference in price when compared to a same day rental picked up from Lausanne Railway Station or Lausanne Crissier area.

However, as a rule, this being Switzerland, vehicle hire is unfortunately generally more expensive than it is in other areas so make use of the budget tips that we have provided.

Rules of the Road

• As is the case with the majority of Europe, driving is on the right side of the road.
• Cars need to have a motorway vignette (tax sticker). These should already be attached to the rental vehicle.
• Headlights must be on even during the day time
• Speed limits vary with motorways set at 75 miles per hour and towns at 30 miles per hour.
• Traffic from the right has priority.
• Any driving in the mountains requires special driver skills.

Rental Car Regulations

1. The driver must be at least 20 years old, though this can vary depending on vehicle class.
2. Drivers must have had a full license for a year.
3. Seatbelts must be worn at all times.