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I remember once having issues hiring a car in the swiss side of Geneva airport and taking it to France.
Is this still a thing? Google isn't conclusive, and yes its cheaper to hire in the swiss side than the french side.
Thanks
Usually cheaper to hire in France or at least it is in winter
I had no issues hiring in France and driving to Italy, Goldcar from Nice airport if that makes any difference.
What problem did you have before?
No issues for me last autumn when I rented a car at Geneva airport (swiss side) to drive to Morzine for a last minute trip
Rentals include the vignette usually too
https://www.chamonix.net/english/travel/rent-a-car-from-geneva-airport
Im assuming this is still current. II’m f you buy the Swiss motorway vignette it it may well negate any savings you get on the hire. Whether you “need” the vignette is a question (& finding one to buy adds a hassle) Suspect you would be unlucky to get stopped between the airport and the closest French border as it’s only a few miles, it might affect your insurance though?
Did it 2 weeks ago. Zero issues. hired on the Swiss side to make sure we had the vignette to drive directly to Les Carroz in France
If you're going to Morzine, Samoens, Les Carroz, Flaine are it's well easy to not go on the motorway anyway so wouldn't need a vignette, although hire from Swiss side and they'll have one on the window anyway.
I've never had a problem hiring from Swiss side and driving to France.
Go through the airport on the French side and hire there
Also
https://www.carhiregeneva-airport.co.uk/car-hire-geneva-airport-french-or-swiss-side/
Seems to say similar things. The snowtyre thing maybe different now as I think all cars in French mountain departments have to have “winter” tyres in the winter months by law now.
When that Icelandic volcano erupted and stopped all flights, I hired in Bern and drove to Dieppe and back one weekend. No issues but the hire company were a little surprised at the mileage I had done in a Fiat 600 which was the only car they had left for that weekend.
No issues with the Swiss / France border. Be aware that the French police will issue on the spot speeding fines and drive you to a cash machine to get the money out. The Swiss will send you a letter with a larger fine. If you ignore the letter then send another. Then a court hearing. Then a letter that threatens you with arrest on re-entry to the country. You can plea that you had sent them a cheque when you got the first fine and send a photo of the cheque and letter. Make sure you manually adjust the time on your phone camera so the timestamp ties up with the date you claim to have taken it. Umm, apparently.
Thanks will go for the swiss hire. Should've added it's for summer
I remember previously turning up and being told we couldn't take the car into France, almost 10 years ago so I've always hired from the french side, until this year where the price difference is near to half a week's lift passes.
Never had an issue going Geneva to France - it's very, very common at that location! But SOME hire car companies now charging CHF10 per day in cross border fees into France. Alamo don't but Avis and several others do - only since 1st Jan.
Just check prices both sides (France / Swiss) as sometimes it's cheaper one side or the other (and not consistently so). Check small print of company you intend to hire from if you intent to cross the border as it may negate any savings. Swiss cars usually have a vignette but not always (we had one last week without).
Car hire excess bought in advance from an independent is loads cheap that what they try and whack you with at the airport desk.
Oh and book early with free cancellation then keep an eye in case prices drop later... They sometimes do but again, inconsistent!