Cheap Car Rental in Basel

Car rental in Basel: famous Switzerland’s cultural center

Situated on the river Rhine, at the intersection of the Swiss, German, and French borders, Basel is considered to be one of Switzerland’s best cultural centers in the German part of the country. Since 1970, it has hosted Art Basel every June - widely considered to be one of the world’s most significant contemporary art fairs. Basel also offers a broad range of activities for anyone who heads out there, including museums, ghost tours, chocolate-making tours, and much more.

What to See in Basel

Basel Munster is the city’s stunning and majestic cathedral, and probably Basel’s most famous landmark. The cathedral’s colorful roof tiles accentuate its red sandstone walls – a sight that attracts thousands of visitors throughout the year. Its hilltop position overlooking the Rhine gives viewers stunning views of the city, and from the same position you can see some of the other architectural classics within the city.

Another gem is the Basel Paper Mill Museum, which combines an exhibition space with production workshops, all housed in a Galician Mill. The museum is a rarity in Europe, being one of the very few remaining original museums demonstrating papermaking. Visitors can also witness the authentic artisanal methods of bookbinding and printing.

With over thirty-six museums, Basel’s cultural life has something for everyone. Though the focus is heavily on fine art, visitors can also delight in botanical gardens, teddy bear collections, and caricatures.

Cheap Car Rental

As a rule, rental cars in Switzerland tend to be pricier than elsewhere in Europe. However, that’s not to say that no cheap deals are available. If you pre-order and book two months in advance, then you will be offered prices ranging from $37 per day through to $50 per day, depending on the type of vehicle. Booking closer to the time of travel will see costs rise. Outlined below are just a few of the excellent rental options that are on offer right now.

• Ford Fiesta or similar (mini class) – $36/day
• Volkswagen Polo or similar (economy class) – $37/day
• Volkswagen Golf or similar (compact class) – $39/day
• Skoda Rapid or similar (intermediate class) – $40/day
• Volkswagen Passat or similar (standard class) – $51/day

It should be noted that these rates are for cars rented for a week - vehicles rented for just a few days tend to have a higher daily rate. Prices will also vary slightly depending on the required travel dates. For specific information regarding your trip, use the search function on this page.

How to Find Cheap Auto Rentals

Basel is a stunning and popular area of Switzerland; however, this means that there can be high demand for car rentals. Although prices are seasonal, one way to save some money is by being organized and booking your vehicle in advance.

It is also important to check the various pickup locations throughout Basel, as some are slightly pricier than others. For example, Basel Airport and Basel Railway station both offer cars around $37 per day, whereas the rates for downtown Basel comes in at $35 per day. As you can see, convenience will cost slightly more but can be worth it for the sake of having a vehicle straight from the airport or station.

Using our comparison site is another failsafe way to ensure you get the best deal. We compare the prices from a number of different suppliers, allowing you to see exactly what is available at any time. Choosing a smaller car than the one you would typically drive will also give you a reduced price - the larger the vehicle, the higher the rate.

Finally, it is also a good idea to rent a car for a longer period. One-week rentals have a significantly reduced day rate, and in Basel, this is commonly around $42 per day, while vehicles that are rented for just two or three days offer prices of as much as $92 per day for the smallest type of car.

Rules of the Road

Driving is on the right side of the road.

Vehicles need to have a motorway vignette in order to pay tolls. Rental cars will have this already attached and it must not be removed – if you do, you risk a fine.

Headlights must be turned on even during the daytime.

Speed limits vary, with the speed on motorways set at 75 miles per hour and in towns at 30 miles per hour.

Parking on the pavement is illegal

Any mountain driving requires specific skills, and it may not be permitted in certain seasons.

Rental Car Regulations

• The driver must be at least 20 years old though this can vary depending on the class of vehicle
• Although drivers under the age of 25 can legally drive and rent, companies may apply additional fees
• Drivers must have had a full license for at least a year before they can hire a car
• Seatbelts must be worn at all times by everyone in the vehicle