Your driving plan
Hotel/garage parking in Zurich / Geneva / Bern / Lucerne.
What this solves
Most driving cost calculators show fuel + vignette and stop there. The real Swiss price tag also includes toll tunnels (CHF 28 each way), city parking (CHF 20–45/night in central Zurich), EV charging at premium stations, and the multi-lane fine if you forget the vignette. This tool sums all four.
Use it to compare against the SBB + Half Fare alternative (see SBB Pass Advisor) — often the train wins in pure CHF once you add parking.
How to read the results
- Per-person divides all costs by the number of passengers — vignette included.
- Fuel cost uses 2026 average Swiss pump prices (petrol ~1.80, diesel ~1.85, EV ~0.40 CHF/kWh at Ionity fast-charge, cheaper at home charging).
- Parking uses CHF 25/night average for Swiss city hotels. Some charge CHF 45+ — verify at booking.
- Hidden cost is the per-person CHF/km you can compare against SBB Half Fare train cost (~0.25 CHF/km).
What this calculator ignores
- Car rental base fee (CHF 60–150/day) — assumed already paid.
- One-way rental drop-off fees (CHF 100–250) — sometimes the single biggest cost.
- Speeding fines — small towns in Ticino and Vaud use mobile speed cameras with on-the-spot fines up to CHF 500.
- Winter tyre surcharge (CHF 10–20/day in winter, mandatory in snowy conditions).
Common questions
Is diesel still worth it in Switzerland?
Marginal. Diesel prices are similar to petrol (within 5 cents), and there's a small CO2 advantage but a tiny road-tax sur-charge. For short trips petrol is simpler.
Where do I charge an EV?
The biggest Swiss network is Ionity (highway fast-charging, ~0.40 CHF/kWh) and Tesla Supercharger (~0.45 CHF/kWh). Coop and Migros charging points at supermarkets are ~0.30 CHF/kWh and usually free if you shop there. PlugShare lists them all.
Why is parking in Zurich so expensive?
Zoning. Public space is limited and the city discourages car use. Hotel garages charge CHF 30–45/night. Street parking (white zones) is rare and time-limited. Park & Ride outside the city is the typical workaround.