Top 5 best scooter rentals in Zürich

Zurich rewards anyone willing to leave the tram behind. Rent a scooter and the city opens up fast: cruise the flat Seepromenade from Utoquai to Zürichhorn with the Alps sitting on the horizon, then climb toward Uetliberg for a summit view over the lake that most day-trippers never bother reaching. A scooter turns those into a single afternoon instead of three separate errands with a transit map.

The reason it works so well here is Zurich's shape. The Altstadt is a tangle of narrow, cobbled lanes that a car can't touch and that get old fast on foot, while Uetliberg and Zürichberg add real inclines that make walking or pedaling tiring. Traffic is orderly and distances between sights are short, so you're not covering highway miles — you're darting between a church, a lake, a hill and a nightlife district, and a scooter closes those gaps faster than waiting for the next tram.

Top 10 things to see in Zurich by scooter

1. Lake Zurich promenade (Seepromenade / Utoquai to Zürichhorn) — a flat, easy ride along the water with skyline and Alps views, finishing at Chinagarten and Zürichhorn park.
2. Uetliberg — Zurich's local mountain, with a winding road up to a summit viewpoint over the city and lake that spares you the hike.
3. Altstadt (Niederdorf and Lindenhof) — cobbled Old Town lanes and the Lindenhof terrace, a classic view over the Limmat river.
4. Grossmünster and Fraumünster — the twin-towered landmark churches facing each other across the Limmat, minutes from most pickup points.
5. Bahnhofstrasse — the city's grand shopping boulevard, running straight from the main station to the lake.
6. Zürich West / Prime Tower area (Escher-Wyss-Platz to Im Viadukt) — a former industrial quarter now full of nightlife and design shops.
7. Rheinfall (Rhine Falls) near Schaffhausen — Europe's largest waterfall, a favourite longer day trip for confident riders.
8. Zoo Zürich / Zürichberg — a forested hill above the city with the zoo and lookout points, good for a longer loop.
9. Kunsthaus Zürich — the city's main art museum, an easy stop on an old-town circuit.
10. Chinagarten and Zürichhorn park — the natural turnaround point at the end of the eastern promenade, with picnic spots and summer lake swimming.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Zurich?

For scooters capped at 45 km/h you need a moped licence; anything faster requires a motorcycle category, though a full car licence generally covers small scooters at most rental shops. Minimum age is commonly 18, sometimes higher depending on the operator, and an International Driving Permit isn't legally required for most visitors. Expect a deposit on your credit card, with the amount scaling to the size of the scooter.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Zurich?

Our own listings start around 5 CHF/day for a basic model in low season, with standard scooters more typically running 15–20 CHF/day off-peak. In high season, prices for standard models climb to roughly 25–45 CHF/day, and premium or larger-displacement scooters can reach 50–80+ CHF/day.

• Prices rise through June, July and August, and spike further around events like the Street Parade in August or the Christmas market in December.
• Prices drop from November through February, with March and October offering good shoulder-season value.

When to book a rental scooter in Zurich?

High season runs June to September, so book a few weeks ahead if you want your pick of models at the best rate. Low season stretches November through March, when prices are lowest but the selection can be thinner — booking even a couple of days out is usually enough. If your dates are flexible, shoulder weeks in March or October split the difference nicely.

Local traffic rules in Zurich

Switzerland drives on the right, and helmets are compulsory for every scooter rider and passenger. Daytime running lights must stay on at all times, even in bright sun. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on rural roads and up to 120 km/h on motorways, though many central streets are posted at 30 km/h or even 20 km/h. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, so plan your evening accordingly if you're riding back from dinner.

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!