Rental car from Switzerland into Italy - Taxes ? - Permits ?

I have rented a car and driven in Switzerland on two separate occasions. Neither time did I need a permit in Switzerland. About the taxes, one time while going from France to Switzerland, I had to pay a pretty steep toll. I seem to recall it was close to $50 or higher just to cross the border. Otherwise, I would have had to drive a long way around to avoid the toll. That was in Geneva on my way to the airport. There is a trick in the RS book to avoid it, which I intended to do, but I had to catch the flight so decided to pay the fee. Not sure about the Italian border. I have driven in Italy once before and did not have to pay fees or need permits, but I was staying in the country and did not leave that time. About Hertz...I have used them and Avis and they were both fine. I have also used Auto Europe before and they are OK too. If you use Hertz in the USA, then stick with what you know, especially if you are in the Gold Club.

There are no "border tolls", just tunnel tolls on the Mt. Blanc, Fréjus and Gran-St. Bernanrd tunnels. None of them are on the route you are going to take. Switerland is not part of Schengen space. Cars can be freely driven to/from Italy unimpeded without any special formality. Just some luxury cars are forbidden entry into Italy by your rental agreement (like top-end Mercedes, Porsches etc).

John, For driving in Switzerland, the Highway Tax Vignette is compulsory, but that should be provided with your rental car. The border stations between Switzerland and Italy are pretty much shut down, from what I've seen in the last few years. For driving in Italy, you'll need the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are easily obtained for a few bucks at any AAA office. Failure to produce an IDP if requested may result in fines on the spot! When renting the car in Switzerland, I'd suggest clarifying what insurance coverage is provided for trips to Italy. For just a one day trip, it might be worthwhile to just take the comprehensive CDW offered by the rental firm. How long will you be spending in Locarno and what sights are you planning to see there? You could also take the boat down to Stresa, as it's an enjoyable trip. You could also take the famous Cento Valli railway to Domodossola, connect with Trenitalia to Stresa and then take the boat back to Locarno. There are a few options. Happy travels!

If you are on Swiss expressways or motorways you will need a mandatory Vignette (costs CHF40 for 13 months from December 11 to January 13 for example) but if you are hiring the car in Locarno it should come with it, and if you stick completely to back roads you don't need it. No fee to enter Italy but if you are on the autostrada you will need to pay tolls as you come across them. I have no idea if Hertz allows cars into Italy but I bet they do on most but not the fancy ones. Have you asked them?

Rental cars registered in Switzerland already have anything they need to circulate in Switzerland!

Thanks everyone for the info. We would stay on the Lake road down from Locarno to Stresa and back, no toll roads. Sounds like the IDL just in case, and load up on all the insurance ( which we always do). Just checking on Italy entrance fees at the border, and vice versa going back. Soundslike the Swiss side willnot be an issue - since the car is from Locarno. Boats are not running down the lake by the time we will be there - hence the car. Will call Hertz to check, too, though likely the USA folks won't really know either. Regards to all. John

John, when you get the car mention that you are traveling into Italy. Ask them about the International Green Card. The International Green Card (Carta Verde in Italian) extends the insurance policy across the European States. It may not be mandatory, but in case of accident the procedure will be less cumbersome. When you drive down the Piemontese shore, the most beautiful town on the lake is Cannobio (at least in my opinion) shortly after you enter into Italy. Cannero Riviera is also nice. When in Stresa, which is also a nice town, take a boat across the Isola Bella. It's truly beautiful as the name suggests. (look those places up in Google Images).

John, Believe me: I've lived 80km of that border. There is no such thing as an "entrance fee" or "boder fee" between Italy and Switzerland or any other Western European country for that matter! At most you have tolls on tunnels. There are two toll tunnels between Switzerland and Italy: one in Aosta, other in Livigno

Ken's right about renting the car in Switzerland and then going into Italy. If you rented a car in Milan and went up to Switzerland, an expensive road tax would have to be paid. (Austria also has a road tax for autobahns.) You'll want to get all the insurance available before going into Italy, including theft insurance.