Category: Travel

There is a lot of debate on this one but for me the French-side swings it. It is located on site (no need to wait for a bus – albeit its only a 5 min trip); is usually a good deal cheaper but is a little harder to return to than the Swiss drop-off (see below).

One thing you need to be aware of when driving from Geneva airport to is that  if you choose to go on the Motorway (and it is a lot easier), a “Vignette” sticker should be displayed in the window of the car. It can be purchased at the border, costs around £30 and apparently lasts a year (all the good that will do you since you’ll only be on the Swiss motorway for around 15 mins). You can risk not getting one but there’s a 80% chance you’ll be stopped on the way back in – which might slow you down when you’re rushing for a flight.

Cars hired on the Swiss-side usually have a Vignette sticker already and so the £30 difference may make the Swiss prices more attractive (Swiss cars also come with winter tyres in winter).

It is possible to avoid using the motorway by driving through Geneva (you can find the directions from the French side here – thanks Ma for the scans) but it will take a little longer and there’s a good chance of getting lost).

The biggest hurdle to hiring from the French side is the return. If you mistakenly end up at the Swiss drop off (as we once did in panic) you may be charged a lot by the rental company (Sixt didn’t but I think Hertz do)

The little rat run from the hire location to the road drops you right at the border crossing in an area known as Ferney-Voltaire. So look for directions to here when you are returning. You head past the airport and take an exit which also has indications to the “Palexpo” area. The GPS location for entrance to the rat run is N 46° 15.024 E 6° 07.081

Car hire from Geneva Airport/French-side (on site)

GPS for return
N 46° 15.024
E 6° 07.081