Instead of booking each leg separately, you hire vehicle and chauffeur by the hour — with a fixed rate, transparent billing and Mercedes comfort.
SWIVON offers this form of private transport in Zurich, throughout German-speaking Switzerland and across the Alpine region. Below we explain when an hourly booking makes sense, what the official SWIVON rates are, and how to secure a 5% instant discount on every reservation.
What does "chauffeur by the hour" mean?
With an hourly booking, SWIVON provides you with a vehicle and chauffeur for an agreed number of hours. You determine the route, the stops and the pace — the chauffeur waits between appointments, drives you to the next location, and ends the assignment only when you wish.
Included in the hourly rate: chauffeur, vehicle, fuel, insurance, bottled water on board and Wi-Fi. Each hour comes with a set distance allowance depending on vehicle class. Waiting time at meetings, restaurants or during delays at ZRH is not charged additionally, as long as the booked hours are not exceeded.
When is a chauffeur on an hourly basis a good choice?
Booking on an hourly basis makes sense whenever a standard A→B transfer does not fit your itinerary. Typical scenarios include:
- Business trip with multiple appointments in Zurich, Zug or Baden — including waiting time between meetings.
- Roadshow or investor day with stops at multiple banks and family offices.
- Day excursion for international guests to Lake Lucerne, the Engadin or the Rhine Falls.
- Short stays at Zurich Airport with a layover, lounge change or city tour.
- Wedding, gala or corporate event with a dedicated chauffeur for several hours.
If, on the other hand, you are travelling directly from ZRH to St. Moritz, Zermatt or Gstaad, the per-kilometre rate is usually more cost-effective — more on this below.
Pricing — Hourly Chauffeur Rates at SWIVON
All rates are fixed prices and include 8.1% VAT. Each hour comes with 25 km of driving distance included; additional kilometres are charged at the per-km rate.
| Service | Duration / km incl. | Business | Business VAN | First Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | 1 h / 25 km | CHF 90.– | CHF 100.– | CHF 120.– |
| Half Day | 4 h / 100 km | CHF 400.– | CHF 440.– | CHF 500.– |
| Full Day | 8 h / 200 km | CHF 800.– | CHF 880.– | CHF 1’000.– |
| Per km (additional) | – | CHF 3.75 | CHF 4.25 | CHF 4.75 |
Vehicle classes at a glance:
- Business Class – Mercedes-Benz E-Class, ideal for 1–3 business travellers.
- Business VAN – Mercedes-Benz V-Class, up to 7 passengers or extensive luggage.
- First Class – Mercedes-Benz S-Class, prestigious comfort for executives, diplomats and VIP guests.
For minibus (16 seats) and VIP coach (up to 50 seats), we provide individual quotes — price on request.
Sample calculation for a half day with additional kilometres
Suppose you book a half day (4 h, 100 km included) with a Business VAN for a roadshow Zurich–Zug–Lucerne and actually cover 140 km instead of 100.
- Half-day rate Business VAN: CHF 440
- Additional kilometres: 40 km × CHF 4.25 = CHF 170
- Total: CHF 610 incl. VAT
This formula (flat rate + extra km × per-km rate) applies transparently to any duration. There are no hidden service fees.
What is included in the rate?
At SWIVON, all relevant services are included in the hourly rate:
- Experienced, professionally dressed chauffeur
- Premium vehicle of the chosen class, fully maintained and insured
- Fuel, motorway vignette, mineral water, Wi-Fi
- Meet & Greet at Zurich Airport on request
- Multilingual communication: German, English and Italian
Not included are out-of-canton tolls (e.g. Gotthard tunnel reservation), parking fees during long stops and ferries — these are passed on transparently as incurred.
Hourly rate or transfer price — which suits you better?
A simple rule of thumb helps you decide:
- Book by the hour when waiting time is involved, several stops are planned or the return time is open.
- Book per km / transfer rate when the route is longer than approximately 80 km without intermediate stops — for example Zurich → St. Moritz, Zurich → Zermatt or Zurich → Geneva.
Example Zurich → Basel (90 km, no stops):
- Transfer rate Business: 90 km × CHF 3.75 = from CHF 338 — a direct transfer here is significantly cheaper than three hours at the hourly rate.
If you are unsure, our dispatch team will calculate both options and recommend the more economical one. For more on our service, visit our page.
Booking in three steps — with 5% instant discount
- Book online via the booking form at — you receive a 5% instant discount on your reservation.
- Confirmation by email with chauffeur contact, vehicle details and fixed price.
- Pickup punctually at the agreed location — Zurich Airport, hotel, private address or company headquarters.
Alternatively, our team is available around the clock at +41 78 320 66 40 — also for last-minute requests, or via our contact form.
SWIVON benefits at a glance
- Fixed prices, no taximeter, no surprises
- 24/7 availability, including holidays and overnight
- Mercedes fleet from E-Class to V-Class van and VIP coach
- Multilingual chauffeurs (German, English, Italian)
- Airport service ZRH, BSL, GVA with Meet & Greet
- 5% online discount for every reservation via the form
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Hourly Chauffeur Service
How much does an hourly chauffeur cost in Zurich?
At SWIVON, the hourly rate starts at CHF 90 per hour in Business Class, CHF 100 in Business VAN and CHF 120 in First Class. Each hourly rate includes 25 km of driving; all prices include 8.1% VAT.
What is the minimum number of hours I must book?
The minimum booking is one hour. For longer assignments, we recommend the half-day rate (4 h, from CHF 400) or full-day rate (8 h, from CHF 800), as the effective price per hour is lower.
What is included in the hourly rate?
Chauffeur, vehicle, fuel, insurance, mineral water, Wi-Fi and 25 km per hour. Waiting time between meetings is fully covered within the booked hours — at no additional cost.
Is it better to book a chauffeur on an hourly basis or pay a transfer rate?
An hourly rate is ideal for multiple stops, waiting times or an open return schedule. For a direct, longer route without intermediate stops (e.g. Zurich–St. Moritz), the per-km transfer rate is usually more cost-effective. Our team will gladly calculate both options.
Can I book an hourly chauffeur directly at Zurich Airport?
Yes. SWIVON offers 24/7 Meet & Greet at Zurich Airport. Your chauffeur will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a name sign and remains at your disposal for the booked duration — ideal for layovers, city tours or multi-stop programmes.
Which vehicles are available for hourly bookings?
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (Business), V-Class (Business VAN, up to 7 passengers) and S-Class (First Class). For groups of 8 or more, we arrange a minibus or coach on request.
How do I secure the 5% instant discount?
The discount is granted automatically when you reserve via the booking form on swivon.ch at /en/chauffeur-booking/. It applies to both hourly and transfer bookings and cannot be combined with other promotions.