Renting a car French side at Geneva

[cashmax]

Any experience - just booked a last min trip next week and I would normally rent Swiss side, but just noticed I have booked a car (Alamo) on the French side.

[Bill]

Depends where you're going. Lack of winter tyres could be an issue, and they tried to sell us breakdown cover upgrade as we apparently wouldn't be covered in Switzerland.

[shirt]

As above. The car may or may not have winters fitted and, if not, the you’ll pay to upgrade to one which does.

Swiss peage may or may not be attached, so another 40chf if it doesn’t.

IME there’s no saving to be made hiring from the French side in winter if you’re going to be driving in Switzerland.

[Cheib]

The above certainly was correct once hired French side because for some bizarre reason our flight was to the French side. Car has no winter tires, chains or vignette. That was quite some time ago though. I think since 2021 winter tyres are now mandatory in a lot of parts of France.

If you are going to the mountains you really need winter tyres and chains….heavy fresh snow and chains become a must. Depends on how much flexibility you have in times you drive.

[shirt]

Swiss law doesn’t technically necessitate winters, but says that your vehicle must be equipped for the conditions.

It’s against the law to rent out a vehicle that isn’t equipped for the conditions, the blanket change of the fleet on to winter tyres is to cover off that risk.

Winters are mandatory in some departments of France but strangely not the one bordering Geneva, hence no legal requirement to equip them.

[cashmax]

Thanks guys - I am driving to a resort in France, so I can go via Geneva city centre to avoid the Swiss motorway, but there is a chance I will need Winter tyres.

[Bill]

Or chains.

[balham123]

Finding French car hire return was a nightmare when I rented. We went round the airport 3 times until we found the access road. If you don't get in the right lane quite a long way out, it's too late and you end up in the right place but on the wrong level underground. All the signs point to the swiss side. Car hire companies obviously make a fortune from people returning cars to the wrong country.

Above was a few years ago, relying on the in car sat nav. Hopefully someone can suggest how to it

[Bill]

I find the start of the road corridor on Google maps satellite view and put a pin.

[cashmax]

shirt said:

Winters are mandatory in some departments of France but strangely not the one bordering Geneva, hence no legal requirement to equip them.

This map appears to show that it wouldn't be possible to leave the French side of the airport without driving into a zone where winter equipment was mandatory?

https://www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/chacun-son-m...

[ozzuk]

balham123 said:

Finding French car hire return was a nightmare when I rented. We went round the airport 3 times until we found the access road. If you don't get in the right lane quite a long way out, it's too late and you end up in the right place but on the wrong level underground. All the signs point to the swiss side. Car hire companies obviously make a fortune from people returning cars to the wrong country.

Above was a few years ago, relying on the in car sat nav. Hopefully someone can suggest how to it

This, my boss got caught out with this and we were too late for flight to return it ourselves, I think it was an extra 200 euros to send it back for us.

[shirt]

cashmax said:

shirt said:

Winters are mandatory in some departments of France but strangely not the one bordering Geneva, hence no legal requirement to equip them.

This map appears to show that it wouldn't be possible to leave the French side of the airport without driving into a zone where winter equipment was mandatory?

https://www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/chacun-son-m...

That has changed recently then, wasn’t the case 2winters ago as I remember googling when arguing the toss at the desk.

In which case if there’s a clear price difference over Swiss side then that’s a win.

[cashmax]

shirt said:

cashmax said:

shirt said:

Winters are mandatory in some departments of France but strangely not the one bordering Geneva, hence no legal requirement to equip them.

This map appears to show that it wouldn't be possible to leave the French side of the airport without driving into a zone where winter equipment was mandatory?

https://www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/chacun-son-m...

That has changed recently then, wasn’t the case 2winters ago as I remember googling when arguing the toss at the desk.

In which case if there’s a clear price difference over Swiss side then that’s a win.

Ended up hedging my bets and I have booked a cancelable 2nd car on the Swiss side, so if the French option doesn't work out I can go back to the Swiss side.

[shirt]

How did you get on? I’d be interested to know what the score is now for future reference.

[cashmax]

shirt said:

How did you get on? I’d be interested to know what the score is now for future reference.

The French side didn't include winter tyres or chains and I would have needed a Vignette, so I used my Swiss reservation and the car had all the gear.