Car Hire Geneva
- Best price ensure – in the unlikely event you find a lower Hertz price, we’ll refund the difference
- No cancellation or amendment fees**
- No hidden extras to pay – theft and harm cover included
- No credit card fees
Geneva is far from a conventional destination. That starts at the airport, which has both a Swiss and a French side, albeit the city is most certainly located in Switzerland. This Alpine city has much with which to charm the visitor, whether you’re there to ski, sight-see or conduct business. Geneva attracts both tourists and commerce, with many of its serene buildings also home to international companies.
We have several branches in Geneva, including one at the airport, and this is a flawless area to explore by car. Pick the right one for you and we’ll have you on the road to see the picturesque Lake Geneva, the glorious Alps and much more. And pack light – there are chocolate shops galore. Plus, with no hidden extras or credit card fees and the option to pay before pick-up, you’ll be in your car quickly and lightly.
Pickup Locations Geneva
Geneva Airport
Opening hours: Mo-Su 0700-2330
Address: Geneva Cointrin Airport,
60 Rue de Berne
Opening hours: Mo-Fr 0730-1900, Sa 0730-1700, Su 0900-1300 1500-1900
Acacias-23 Route des Acacias
Opening hours: Mo-Fr 0730-1830, Sa 0900-1300, Su closed
Address: Route des Acacias 23
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Driving in and around Geneva
Driving in Geneva and nearby can be a beautiful practice. With snow-topped Alps and deep, aqua-blue lakes, the landscape makes driving a pleasure. The key difference from the UK is that you’ll be driving on the right, and overtaking on the left, as in much of the EU. Seatbelts must be worn by all passengers at all times, and children under twelve cannot sit in the front passenger seat without an adequate restraint. No under 7’s can sit in the front at all.
Speed boundaries are marked in kph, and are 120kph on ‘green sign’ motorways, 100kph on dual carriageways, 80kph on other roads and drop to 50kph in built-up areas, town and city centres and 30kph in residential areas.
Parking on the street can be difficult in the centre of Geneva, but there are slew of car parks and garages, plus park and rail schemes if you want to leave your car on the outskirts and come in the city on public transport. You can find a useful parking map here.
The Rhone sits at the mouth of the vast Lake Geneva and splits the city in two, with frequent crossings including the Pont du Mont-Blanc and the Rue des Moulins. If you want to explore some of Europe’s grandest drives, you’re in the flawless place, with routes through France, to Italy, taking in the seven mile Mont-Blanc tunnel. West leads to Lyon, ideal for a day excursion before you head back to Geneva.
Car Collections
With a broad range of travellers passing through our locations every day, we’ve got a broad range of vehicles on suggest to suit your needs – from wise executive saloons to compact family hatchbacks. ***
***Specific cars may not be available when booking
A quick guide to Geneva
There’s an indisputable air of luxury about Geneva. It attracts the jet-setters, the wealthy and the captivating, but is also remarkably friendly and accessible. The 2nd largest city in Switzerland puts on a demonstrate all year round, whether it’s pristine skiing conditions, the annual motor showcase or the summer Fates de Geneve. Throw in some fine dining and you’ve got the flawless city to explore.
Collide with CERN
It may be slightly off the hammered track – just over five miles to Geneva’s west – but the CERN laboratory is a unique tourist attraction. Home to the Large Hadron Collider, there are also a duo of permanent exhibitions and the capability to tour the facility. You’ll soon be talking with superb authority about the Higgs Boson.
Wander the Old Town
Kicking off at Grand-Rue, potter around the graceful old town of Geneva, taking in the glances and sounds. The philosopher Rousseau was born at No. Forty in 1712, and it now houses a petite exhibition. Proceed on to the Cathedrale St-Pierre, which had its foundations laid in the twelve th century, hosted John Calvin in the sixteen th century and has some fine Gothic touches. Excavation below it has uncovered Roman remains, and the Roman crypt and Monk’s Cells are open to visitors. Maison Tavel is Geneva’s oldest house, and now hosts a museum about the city’s history.
Fans of more latest history should make a beeline for the Hotel de Ville, where the League of Nations was founded, and the Geneva Convention initiated. There’s slew more to see here, before you stop for a coffee or hot chocolate in the Bourg-de-Four Square.
Lake life
While most of Lake Geneva is serene, that can’t be said of the Jet d’Eau. The centrepiece attraction of Geneva’s harbour, it’s a spout of water jetting one hundred forty metres into the air – what used to be a safety valve is now a lure for tourists.
You can choose to walk up the left or right bank of the lake, down promenades packed with markets, shops and cafes. Look out for the one thousand nine hundred fifty five flower clock, paying tribute to Geneva’s reputation for watch-making, and then join the locals at the Bains des Paquis. These public swimming baths, along with an artificial beach, are ideal for summer. And if it’s cooler, there are saunas, Turkish baths and a hammam. The winter fondues at Buvette des Bains here are the stuff of legend.
Chocs away
Swiss chocolate is famed the world over, and there are dozens of boutiques dedicated to the sweet stuff in Geneva. L’Escalade, the city’s chocolate festival, takes place just before Christmas every year, but you can sample it year-round with choc-making tours at Auer or Stettler. Just outside of Geneva, in Versoix, is the Favarger factory, founded in 1826. Pre-arrange a visit here and you can take a guided tour before the master chocolatier helps you make your very own treats in their workshop. And then pack the boot of your hire car at the factory shop, obviously…
As you can see, Geneva offers science, sweets, lakes and lovely walks and we haven’t even touched on watch-making, art, skiing, Mont Blanc, or the rest of the Alps. Car hire in Geneva will give you the best possible chance to fit all of these and more into your journey to the shores of the Lake.
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