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Hi
We're fortunately able to take the kids abroad this summer - first time on a plane for the pair of them 🙂
We've booked flights to Geneva and accommodation near Morzine for a week in August.
Looking for car hire advice as it's the first time we've done something like this - we'll need something big enough for 2 adults, 2 kids and a few bags. We'll also need child seats (aged 4 and 7). Mainly to get to and from the airport as well as day trips etc.
Any pointers? Picked up from other car hire threads - lots of photos upon collection, and possibly to take the extra cover if it's not too much.
Does anyone have any advice on companies and if we should pick up from the France of Geneva side of the airport?
Thanks as always!
Don't take the extra cover from the car hire place - buy online. Google car hire excess insurance. It will be way cheaper.
Bring your own car seats for the kids. Should be included in flight luggage allowance for children. Car hire will charge you something like €10 per day per seat which adds up quickly.
If you hire from France side it's slightly cheaper but doesn't include the vignette you need for swiss motorways (it's actually e-vignette now not a physical sticker). It's possible to get to/from Morzine to GVA without going on a motorway but not as easy.
As an alternative view, hire on the Swiss side as it is much more convenient. Pay for the super collision damage waiver from the car hire place and no need for photos or any hassle when you return the car. I know it is more expensive, but way way more convenient and stress free, which is actually worth a lot to me. I just use Google to compare car hire prices. Found a subsidiary of Hertz (dollar) through the holiday autos website and it was about half the price of a Hertz car that is the same class (Kia Ceed estate or equivalent). Sounds like it would suit you as long as you're not taking bikes. £480 for the week. Add £70 for the damage waiver.
Thanks both for your input - it's appreciated. Sounds like hiring from the Swiss side is the way to go, as does taking car seats as part of our luggage allowance.
Off to Google for a search out a deal!
Thanks again 👍
Car hire on the Swiss side for me as you get the vignette and winter tyres in the ski season. Take your own car seats as said as it is cheaper even if you pay for extra baggage? Not relevant here but avis made me buy snowsocks last year rather than rent chains. Another little money making scam to be aware of..
Car hire desks are a short walk from arrivals but they suggest a bus to the multistory that all the car hire firms use.
Quicker to walk if you miss a bus and have to wait for the next one but be sure to know where you are going?
The multistorey has particularly tight spaces and is chaotic at peak season, be sure to be careful reversing and getting out of the place especially if you are getting a large vehicle? I've kerbed wheels before so been glad of the collision damage waiver.
Be sure to fill up before you return as most companies are full to full. There is a pump just before you return your car but it is automatic, not completely intuitive and I find I can do without the additional stress of queuing for it watching folk slowly work out how it works.
Last time the pump was out of order as I smugly drove past it!
I travel out to the Portes du Soleil about 6 times per year. In winter, yes I hire from the Swiss side, because you’re guaranteed winter tyres. However, in summer I normally use the French side. And I find the French side much more convenient since the cars are kept right at the terminal - no need for a bus ride to the car park.
disclaimer: it does have to be said that getting in and out of the French side is more circuitous. Once you’ve done it once, I don’t consider this an issue. But it is definitely confusing the first time you do it.
also note that you now need to pay a cross border surcharge if you take a Swiss rental car into France, or a French rental car into Switzerland. This typically adds £80 onto the Swiss rental. I stay near Chatel, but the French rental desk confirmed that they had no problem with me driving through Geneva on the way to and from Chatel. Which should be the same for Morzine I guess.
So honestly, every time I hire, I price check both France and Swiss side and take the cheapest.
Just for the sake of saying it, if you didn't already, know you can get cost-effective bus shuttles to Morzine from Geneva airport.
Once in Morzine (with a MultiPass, another great thing for family, again if you didn't know already) Buses, Non-Bike lifts and the little road train are all free and a great way to get around Morzine or over to Les Gets or Avoriaz. Also makes the pool 'free'.
Have a great Hol, Morzine is a fantastic resort for family hols, it's not all just about bikes.
Thanks for the additional input - knew this forum would help 🙂
I'll spend the b/h looking at options and get something booked!
Thanks again
Thanks for the additional input - really useful. Singletrack always has the answer 😀
I'll spend some time over the b/h weekend looking at hire options.
Thanks again!
By the way, as a family (when my kids were younger) I think our favourite things to do were swimming at Lac du Montriond and the goat village at Les Lindarets. The lake is just stunning, and the cable car to the goat village runs up from the other end of the lake.
sorry for the unexciting photo - this is the only one I can find right now.
