Car rental in Basel, Switzerland

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Choose from 34 pickup spots

Find cheap car rentals in Basel

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

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

Our data shows that September is the cheapest month to rent a car in Basel. It's around 39 € per day in September, compared to the yearly average of 50 € per day.
Cheapest month avgSeptember • 39 €
Yearly average price50 €

Select your Basel pickup location

There are 34 car rental providers in Basel. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pickup spot.

Car rental pickup spots in Basel

Compare car rental prices at airports, train stations, and in different neighborhoods across Basel. You might find a better price, or the perfect pickup 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 driver's license, passport, and a credit card to rent a car in Basel.
Most travelers can use their regular driver's license. If your license 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 highways require a highway 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 center is free for visitors.
Parking your car in Basel
Parking is easiest in parking lots near the center.
Street spaces are limited, especially close to the old town. Multi-story parking garages 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.
Gas stations are located 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 rental deals

The most popular car rental companies in Basel

Alamo
Thrifty
Dollar
Hertz
Europcar
Budget

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

Based on recent Skyscanner data, the Volkswagen Polo is the most popular car to rent in Basel, with prices starting from € 16 per day. The Volkswagen Golf and similar models are also popular choices 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 rental providers

Dollar has the cheapest car rental in Basel right now, with prices from € 16 per day. You'll save an average of € 31 per day when you book with them.
Dollarfrom € 16 per day
Thriftyfrom € 21 per day
Alamofrom € 55 per day
Europcarfrom € 66 per day
Cheapest providerDollar
Book with them to save around€ 31 per day

Choose from the best car rental companies in Basel

Renting a car in Basel: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car rental companyAlamo
Most popular carLarge, fullsize estate
Average daily price252 €
Best time to book2 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 rental 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 rental 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 rent a car for almost a month? Often, car rental companies in Basel avoid costly admin in between pickups by renting out cars for longer periods. So see whether monthly car rental is cheaper than the three weeks needed by selecting 30 days.

Compare fuel policies

To save money on filling 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 lines

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

Frequently asked questions

The average car rental cost in Basel is 252 € per day, or 910 € for a seven-day rental. If you're looking for a great deal, the lowest price we found is 16 € per day for Small rental from Rentscape. Need a specific type of car? Here's how prices compare:
Economy
Average price: 131 € per day.
Cheapest price found: 16 € per day.
SUV
Average price: 145 € per day.
Cheapest price found: 23 € per day.
Premium/Luxury
Average price: 235 € per day.
Cheapest price found: 87 € per day.
Electric
Average price: 252 € per day.
Cheapest price found: 21 € per day.
The cheapest car to rent in Basel is Small, mini. The most popular is Large, fullsize estate.
The cheapest car rental companies in Basel are currently Alamo and Hertz.
Scoring the best car rental deal depends on when you book – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. However, according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Basel is currently September.
On average, around 910 €. But the best price we found for a car rental for a week in Basel is 111 €.
If you're looking for freedom to explore Basel, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car rental deals with a "full to full" fuel policy as opposed to a "half-full to full" one.

We also clearly highlight car and van rental options in Basel that have free cancellation
If you’ve booked a car rental with free cancellation, you can usually cancel or change your booking without paying a fee. The deadline depends on the rental company, but it’s typically around 48 hours before pickup. If you cancel after that, you may be charged. If your booking doesn’t include free cancellation, you’ll need to check the rental 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 rental companies in Basel offer same-day car rentals. If you're looking for a last-minute rental car in Basel, search for today's date on Skyscanner to compare what's available.
The best time to book a rental car 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 last-minute availability is often more limited.
A good deal for a rental car in Basel is usually around 189 € per day or less. That’s about 25% cheaper than the average price in Basel, which is 252 € per day. The lowest price we’ve found in Basel is 16 € per day with Rentscape for Small rental.
It depends on the car rental company. Some companies in Basel will let you drive your rental 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 rental company before you travel. Driving your rental car abroad without permission could invalidate your insurance or break the terms of your rental agreement.
It depends on the rental 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.
The easiest way to compare rental car prices in Basel is to look at lots of companies at once rather than checking each one individually. Skyscanner searches 18 rental companies and compares prices across 478 available cars so you don’t have to.
Public transportation 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, and for as long as you want. You'll also be able to discover more outside of Basel.
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is 16 € per day. The average price per day is around 131 €.
Of course. Most major car rental companies like Alamo, Thrifty and Dollar offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
The best car rental company depends on what's most important to you. If customer ratings are your priority, here are some of the highest-rated car rental 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: 158 €
Flizzr
4.8/5 (from 1 reviews)
Average daily price: 189 €
Sixt
4.6/5 (from 4 reviews)
Average daily price: 220 €
You don’t have to get it, but it’s worth thinking about. In Basel, the deductible or "excess" (what you pay if the car gets damaged or stolen) ranges from 1.584 € to 5.822 €, depending on who you book with. The cost of excess insurance also varies by rental car company. You can buy excess insurance separately, which is usually cheaper than buying it through the rental car company.
Large rentals—like the Volvo XC60—average 252 € per day in Basel. According to our data, the lowest price for Large rentals in Basel right now is 71 € per day with Unirent.
Luxury car rental, like the Volvo XC60, costs an average of 235 € per day in Basel. The cheapest price we could find is 87 € per day with Dollar.
Medium car rental, which is usually something like the Volkswagen Golf, averages 218 € per day in Basel. The lowest price we found for Medium car rental in Basel is 21 € per day with Thrifty.
Yes. Most car rental companies in Basel let you add an extra driver. You usually need to pay an additional driver fee, which costs around 17 € per day. Some companies include an additional driver at no extra cost, so check the details before you book.
Yes – van rental is available in Basel.
No, it's around 281% more expensive to rent a car at Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Airport. The cheapest car rental at Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Airport starts from 61 € per day, while options in Basel start from 16 € per day. That said, if you're flying into Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Airport, picking up your car when you land is more convenient. Central Basel is around 6.8km away from Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Airport. It'll take you around 15 minutes to get there by car or 48 minutes by public transport, so it's worth weighing up the price difference against the time and cost of traveling into the city.