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Cheap Car Rental Geneva Airport French Side
There are certain benefits to hiring a car on the French side of Geneva Airport (GVA). One which will concern many people is price. There can in some cases be significantly cheaper car hire deals available on the French side of the airport compared to the Swiss side.
It can get quite complicated for travelers due to the split of countries within the airport. What happens if you need to reach the French sector but have arrived in the Swiss area? In this situation you would go through passport control and leave the Swiss area from the arrivals hall.
You would then walk upstairs to check-ins. There is no need for a visa for Switzerland to get to the French part of the airport. You can easily travel to nearby French areas without running into Swiss territory.
Car Hire Geneva Airport French Side FAQ
| How much should I expect to pay per day for car rental in Geneva? |
| It depends on demand/time of year and which side of the airport you hire a car. Prices can work out as low as £25 per day. |
| How many car hire firms operate on the French side of Geneva Airport? |
| There are currently 6. Budget, Avis, Hertz, Enterprise. Europcar and Sixt |
| Do you recommend a specific car hire model or company? |
| No, it depends of course on the purpose of your trip. A people carrier could be ideal if a ski resort is your final destination. If your goal is to tour more city areas then a compact rental might be a good idea as there are many tight streets to manoeuvre. |
| Is it hard to find parking spots in Geneva City? |
| No, the easiest option is probably to use one the large underground spaces. It's gets a little complicated at street level with a colour coded system in operation. There are various areas for residents etc so look out for information signs when parking. You may need to purchase a permit for certain areas. |
| Is petrol and diesel expensive in Geneva? |
| Not particularly. It works out quite similar to most western European destinations. |
| How many airport are there in Geneva? |
| Just one...but with two sides...French and Swiss. |
| So is Geneva in France or Switzerland then? |
| It's in Switzerland but you could be in France after just 10 minutes of driving. |
| How much would a taxi from Geneva Airport to the city cost? |
| You can expect to pay around £25 for the relatively short trip? |
| Does Uber operate in Geneva? |
| Yes, it should work cheaper than a taxi but can sometimes be a less professional service. |
| What is the distance between Geneva airport and the City Centre? |
| It's about a 5 km drive. Traffic depending it shouldn't take long at all. |
| Which side of the road do you drive on in France? |
| The right side. |
| Can I use my mobile phone when driving in France? |
| It must be a hands free device. Wearing headphones or an in-ear device is not allowed. |
| What are common courtesies expected when driving? |
| Similar to most countries, you should not have your lights blaring and dim when appropriate. You should also give way to traffic approaching on the right side when otherwise not indicated. |
| What are the speed limits for cars in France? |
| In towns and cities, you can expect to drive 50 km per hour. On motorways, it's up to 130 km per hour with countryside areas set at 90 km per hour. Always look for signs as these are general limits. |
| What are the requirements when using a child seat? |
| For children weighing less than 9 kilograms, you will need a rear faced seat. Children under 10 years old must also be accommodated with a child friendly booster seat or other. |
| What are some of the main tourist sights in Geneva City? |
| So many, particularly in the old town. Must sees include Saint Pierre Cathedral, Bourg-de-Four Square, Jet d’Eau Water Fountain plus an abundance of museums and galleries. |
| What are the nearest ski resorts to the French side of Geneva Airport? |
| All of the following are within a 90 minute drive. Chamonix, Morzine, Les Gets, Flaine, La Clusaz, Valmorel, Samoens. |
Geneva Airport Car Hire France Side Pickup
Take note of your travel dates and start searching today. Switzerland can be an expensive place so why not save some money on essentials such as transport. Compare car rental Geneva Airport France side offers.
Picking up a rental car on the French side is quick and easy. You don’t need to worry about getting a shuttle bus as you will find all you need within walking distance.
Make sure you choose the correct pickup and return point from our booking engine as there are quite a few choices in Geneva besides the airport such as city centre locations and Geneva train station.
Budget, Automatic, Family or Luxury Car Hire Geneva French Side deals
Choose the correct vehicle for your trip. Ski equipment and luggage requirements will likely be a major factor.
Selecting the people carrier hire class is probably a good place to start when looking for quotes. Here you will mostly find 5 and 7 seater cars.
If you are looking for a 9 seater then you can select that class separately and start a new search. The usual budget options are of course also available.
You can compare the best available offers from numerous firms with a quick search here today. Our car hire Geneva Airport Swiss side deals are also available if required.
Some examples of the rental cars available are listed below separated by class.
Budget Car Hire
- Citroen C1
- Fiat 500
- Toyota Aygo
- Renault Twingo
- Peugeot 208
Intermediate
- Renault Scenic
- Toyota Avensis
- Peugeot 3008
- VW Passat
- Opel Insignia
Full Size
- Mercedes C Class
- Bmw 3 Series
- Renault Megane
- Ford Focus Estate
People Carrier
- Peugeot 5008
- Renault Scenic
- Opel Vivaro
Premium and Luxury
- Audi A5
- Mercedes E Class
- Volvov90
Snow Tyres and Ski Chains
Once you decide on which car to rent, you may want to think about optional extras such as winter tyres, ski chains, ski racks, baby seats etc.
Keep in mind, that winter equipment such as this is more likely to be all inclusive on the Swiss side. Cars rented on the Swiss side of Geneva Airport tend be more road ready for snow and winter conditions.
Of course you can also arrange these options on the French side. Just include the add-ons you need during the booking process.
Directions for pickup and drop off
You will see signs within the airport titled “Destination France” which will lead you easily to the French area of the airport. To reach the Swiss side, look for the sign “ABCD / Suisse”. Maps are found within the terminals. Be aware that there are some restrictions when crossing between sides.
Driving from Geneva Airport
When you depart the French section of the airport, you will likely discover Ferney Voltaire which is a delightfully pretty region and home to some lovely little towns and villages. You are now within easy access of some fantastic ski resorts.
Annecy
Annecy is also within easy reach and well worth the trip. Drive to the Jura Mountains Park which offers a fun day out for all the family. There are lot of great sporting activities to enjoy here as well as marvelous views.
Chamonix
Keep in mind that the proximity of the French Alps means you have no shortage of ski resorts to choose from. Chamonix is just over an hour away by road with a cheap car hire Geneva Airport deal.
You only need to worry about buying a vignette if you are traveling within Switzerland.
Compare Car Rental Geneva Airport French Side Quotes
You can compare quotes from all the major rentacar firms operating at the airport using our car hire Geneva Airport French Side price comparison service.
Car Hire Desks on the French side
- Avis
- Budget
- Enterprise
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Sixt
If you are still unsure which side of the airport is best to arrange car hire on, take a look at our pros and consFrench or Swiss side list.
Address: Route de l’Aéroport 21, 1215 Le Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland
Airport Code: (GVA)
Phone: +41 22 717 71 11