Posted on January 10, 2011 by Fiona Hilliard

Car hire from Geneva Airport can be a tricky business. It’s a bit of a tale of two rental desks – the French side  or the Swiss side. Depending on where you’re going, you may be in for extra charges. Take three guesses at which side is more expensive…

I’ll give you a few hints:

• This country elects a president EVERY year
• 20% of its inhabitants are foreigners
• It has 4 official languages
• Famous exports include the tennis player Roger Federer, Heidi, Toblerone and Renee Zellweger…

Yes, you’ve guessed it – it’s Switzerland. If renting car hire in Switzerland from the Swiss sector of Geneva airport, you’ll find that the car hire desks in the Swiss sector are located in the Arrivals area, right beside the La Poste.  Drivers should also be aware that if they rent a car in Switzerland but return it to the French sector, their car rental company may charge them a fee. So that’s another extra expense!

Meanwhile for cars hired in the French sector:

If you’re collecting Geneva Airport car hire in the French sector, you can still reach the French sector even if you have landed in the international one.

How?

Once you arrive, pass through passport control and pick up your luggage. Exit through the Swiss side along with the other passengers at arrivals level. Proceed upstairs to the check-in level to reach the French side. Cross customs (on the right of the check-in hall, close to the Air France KLM desks). Departures: When departing, take your car to the French side and complete your check-in there. Once you’ve left this area, continue onwards until you reach the internal sector via the transit area. Be careful however, if you hire a car in the French sector, but drop it back to the Switzerland, your rental car company may charge you a fee.