Car hire Geneva CH International Airport (GVA) information
Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland after Zurich, and is known the world over as the Peace Capital. Like New York, it is a big financial hub and has its own UN building too. Visitors will love the serenity of this lakefront city and unique attractions like the Jet d'au. This is a French speaking region, and the border with France is nothing more than a line on a map. Visitors can cross over from Switzerland into France at Geneva Airport itself, since it sits right on the border and straddles both countries. This means you have more options when it comes to getting a car hire at Geneva Airport. You can pick up the car in Switzerland and drop it off in France, or the other way around, depending on your itinerary.
Hire a Car in Geneva Airport for a Holiday Tour
If you plan to spend some time sightseeing in Geneva and explore the lakefront, then you will need to get a car hire from Geneva Airport. Do not miss the aforementioned Jet d'lau and UN building. Other must-visit attractions include Saint Peter's Cathedral, the Flower Clock and Place du Bourg-de-Four. You might also enjoy the Reformation Wall, Place Neuve and Carouge.
Scenic Drive Itineraries and Road Trips from Geneva
Geneva is fronted by the lake and surrounded by French territory. So your best option for a scenic drive is to poke around Lake Geneva or head into France. You can set off from Geneva on the E25 towards Lausanne and continue on to the other end of the lake at Montreux. Then turn around and come back on the D1005, which takes you past Thonon Les Bains in France. Or you could just forget about the lake and head into France for a city break in Lyon or Grenoble.
Geneva Airport's Dual Citizenship Explained
Switzerland is not an EU member state, and passengers landing at Geneva Airport (GVA) who want to visit France must pass through Swiss customs, then go up one level and do the same at French Customs to get into French territory. Note that passengers flying in from other cities in France and going directly to the French sector of the airport do not have to face Swiss customs. You can get both Swiss and French car rentals at Geneva airport, and choose which country you want to disembark into, regardless of which country's car you chose. It's quirky, but that's the beauty of having an airport that straddles two nations.
Geneva Airport Rental Cars Made Easy
There are eight agencies to aid passengers who want to rent a car in Geneva Airport. One is on the French side and the other seven are located on the Swiss side, at the arrivals terminal and Route de l'Aéroport. Use an online tool to compare all these agencies, find the best deal and book your car right now so that it will be ready and waiting for you when you arrive in Geneva.
