 Poster: A snowHead
|
I am flying into Geneva at the end of the month and driving to Tignes.
I have booked a car from the French side, but still have free cancellation and have been reading regarding Winter Tyres / Chains and Vignette.
Is it going to be easier to cancel the hire and rebook from the Swiss side? (it's around £20 more expensive)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Definitely easier and cheaper to hire from the Swiss side if it's only a £20 difference. If you get it from the French side you can avoid the Swiss motorways and not require a vignette, but you'll need to either rent or buy snow chains which will cost more than £20.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
@downinja, Swiss side is much easier all round imho For +£20 its a no brainer
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
For £20 I probably would - the difference is normally more than that.
Swiss you will get winter tyres and a Swiss motorway vignette (40CHF/£37 though you can take a route that avoids the Swiss motorways).
France you might get winter tyres - was confusing last year with the department the French hire car places are in having the "winter tyres required" rule, but with individual subprefectures able to opt out...which the French hire car one did, despite being 'land locked' by places that were opted in meaning they didn't HAVE to give you winter tyres - but you'd only be able to drive about 5 miles in any direction!
Anyone hire a car from the French side last year and know what the reality was on the ground?
One bit of advice on hiring on the Swiss side though - use someone like SkyScanner so you can see who's actually providing the car, then try to avoid the cheapest one. Normally there's 1 desk with a huge queue/almost nobody at the others, and who that is changes week to week depending who had a promotion on that week so was cheapest so every man and his dog booked with!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| boredsurfin wrote: |
| @downinja, Swiss side is much easier all round imho For +£20 its a no brainer |
I was pretty much coming to that conclusion but thought I would check.
Booking switched 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Quote: |
Swiss side is much easier all round imho For +£20 its a no brainer
|
I must be the only one then who always gets lost trying to find the motorway when leaving the Swiss side and gets carved up by everyone else on the roads returning. Never mind having to get the shuttle bus. Ignoring the vignette issue (that is going to become much more difficult with the electonic vignettes coming in shortly) it's usually easier to hire from the French side, but then again the Swiss side is sometimes cheeper. I always check both.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mjit wrote: |
For £20 I probably would - the difference is normally more than that.
Swiss you will get winter tyres and a Swiss motorway vignette (40CHF/£37 though you can take a route that avoids the Swiss motorways).
France you might get winter tyres - was confusing last year with the department the French hire car places are in having the "winter tyres required" rule, but with individual subprefectures able to opt out...which the French hire car one did, despite being 'land locked' by places that were opted in meaning they didn't HAVE to give you winter tyres - but you'd only be able to drive about 5 miles in any direction!
Anyone hire a car from the French side last year and know what the reality was on the ground?
One bit of advice on hiring on the Swiss side though - use someone like SkyScanner so you can see who's actually providing the car, then try to avoid the cheapest one. Normally there's 1 desk with a huge queue/almost nobody at the others, and who that is changes week to week depending who had a promotion on that week so was cheapest so every man and his dog booked with! |
Booked with EuropCar, got the app to do online check in and avoid all the form filling and have separate excess cover to prevent being scalped with the "all inclusive option" (annual).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Isn't the swiss vignette included in the cars hired from the swiss side? I've never bought it separately before and haven't paid attention to what routes navi was taking.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
| snowyc wrote: |
| Isn't the swiss vignette included in the cars hired from the swiss side? I've never bought it separately before and haven't paid attention to what routes navi was taking. |
That’s my understanding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
So, I would only add that swiss parking for car hires is walking distance from terminal so no need to wait for the bus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
This is the walking route from the rental desks to P.51 rental car pickup/return:
Note the location of the small petrol station half way along, which is your station of last resort if you haven’t managed to fill-up before you get here when returning the car.
When walking past the middle building you go through two waist-high pavement swing gates. Don’t let this put you off - there are no restrictions on using this route.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
Jan/Feb check your vignette is for 2024 as rental cars sometimes turn over so rapidly they can forget to replace the vignette. It’s valid through Jan the following year so the 2023 one is OK Jan 2024 but not from 1.2.24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You can follow the route in @LaForet’s post but the one marked just follows the edge of the airport to a pedestrian crossing opposite P51. Cross road, take lift down to the hire car pickups.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
@DJL, yours is the the route I use- only one road crossing, which has traffic lights, and you can take a trolley as there are no curbs or steps.
Worth noting that this year, Avis on the Swiss side is charging about £10/day cross border charge to take the car out of Switzerland. This is only obvious in the later stages of the booking when, buried amongst the various offers for child seats and ski racks, is the cross border option.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
@snowdave, per DAY!  30CHF or whatever for the entire trip is bad enough, but a daily charge is daylight robbery!
Some companies still appear to allow you to cross the border for free thankfully.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
There's a lot of confusion about the French rules. They do NOT require winter tyres, but if you don't have them, you must have chains or snow socks in the boot. Same as in Italy. I suspect that only a minority of French skiers driving down from Paris to the ski resorts will have winter tyres.
It is easier, in summer, to rent from the French side but in winter Swiss side wins. Getting to and from the airport without the Swiss motorway is more complicated and you need to use a map, or have good directions, not rely on satnavs (which will with maddening determination take you to the international (Swiss) side).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Post trip report back.
Car hire was straight forward on the Swiss side. Winter tyres included, no charge for going out of the country (Europcar). Already had a valid vinette.
Bus transfer to parking garage (it was about to set off), pretty much straight in the car (pretty new Golf Alltrack R).
Drive to Tignes was easy, no snow until got in the village. Drive back also easy despite warnings of French farmers blocking the road (they did a slightly half arsed job in the other direction). Petrol station was about a mile from the airport (Tamoil).
Only drama was EasyJet in Geneva not allowing a separate boot bag (that Manchester had allowed on the same booking), but that's a different story 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
| snowyc wrote: |
| So, I would only add that swiss parking for car hires is walking distance from terminal so no need to wait for the bus. |
depending on how much luggage you have! We were in a rush once so thought it would save time to do a quick walk, which it really didn't!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| downinja wrote: |
Only drama was EasyJet in Geneva not allowing a separate boot bag (that Manchester had allowed on the same booking), but that's a different story |
Do tell!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
on a side note I hired a car in Zurich airport through Hertz, when I left the car back they said there was a small chip in the windscreen and charged me 400CHF extra for the damage. They gave me very blurry photo evidence of a miniscule chip which was almost certainly done before I got the car and would never have been noticed. Be careful renting from Hertz they are nothing more than thieves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@downinja, with EJ if you book skis as your sports item its “skis and boots” then you get a boot bag on top of a ski bag, if you book Snowboard the its just a snowboard bag, no boot bag. Odd, yes, clear on website , so so.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update on the cross-border charge. On return, I asked Hertz about what it was for, i.e. why I had to pay it.
The explanation was "breakdown recovery in a foreign country". It was c. £30 for the week.
Now I'm off to check if my RAC cover would actually suffice and I'll try rejecting next time...
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Flizzr - Any experience/feedback?
Just booked a GVA flight with easyJet and Flizzr were one of the car rental companies they linked to: they came out cheapest and I wondered if anyone had any feedback from actually using them?
They say they're an 'associate' of Sixt but I don't quite understand what that means. Their prices are the lowest and competitive with two adults travelling return on an SBB Saver Day Pass.
But many of the TrustPilot reviews are extremely negative with a few 'we had no issues' responses. In fact, there are so few positive responses on TrustPilot that the rare 5* ratings look suspicious.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Wed 29-05-24 20:41; edited 2 times in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@LaForet, I just searched my email and found that I used them back in December 2022 and was given a Renault Captur. I can’t recall there being any issues. Just check that that return is at the airport and not an off-airport depot which can be the case with cheaper rentals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
@LaForet, We used them Geneva to Val T in April. Very good, if I recall it was all done via the Sixt desk, but it wasn't in my name, so can't be 100%. Good car, winter tyres etc. I'd happily use them again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
Hi, I am searching for car hire from GVA for a December trip.
Ive always hired from the French side and manage to avoid paying the Vignette.
The questions I have are:
How much typically do the french hire car companies charge per day for snow chains?
Do the French side companies have winter tyres on their cars?
How much do the french hire car companies usually charge per day for a baby seat?
If I hire from the Swiss side does this guarantee a Vignette sticker?
Any other insight into the differences in Swiss/French side hire also appreciated.
Thanks!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| dh900 wrote: |
How much typically do the french hire car companies charge per day for snow chains?
Do the French side companies have winter tyres on their cars?
How much do the french hire car companies usually charge per day for a baby seat?
If I hire from the Swiss side does this guarantee a Vignette sticker?
Any other insight into the differences in Swiss/French side hire also appreciated.
Thanks!! |
For most of these you’ll be best off searching on the relevant car hire website for a definitive answer and posting here to help the next person. Charges vary massively by company. I’ve seen £80/week for chains, £50 for baby seats. Some French cars have winter tyres, some don’t, but in my experience pre booking a car specified with winter tyres is no guarantee that you’ll get them on the French side.
I’ve always had a vignette on the Swiss side, but it won’t be a sticker once it’s all gone electronic.
Both sides now have cross border fees, tho not every operator charges them. Avis and hertz both do. Let us know which ones you find that do or don’t.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
@dh900, Swiss side guarantees a vignette and winter tyres. Note they may have an e-vignette and no sticker. You can get prices for chains and baby seat for the French side on a rental site if you did a mock booking. Probably best to take your own baby seat if you can as most airlines allow you to take these FOC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Swiss side will usually include chains but it's worth checking - and if it's the sort of day when you won't be allowed up the mountain without them, a quick check that they're the right size! We helped people with two Swiss hire cars faced with a very snowy Saturday. they had no idea how to use chains and it was going to be extremely snowy in the morning - they needed to put chains on on the Friday night. One couple had to buy chains in resort - they were refunded by the car hire company but although it's rare to need chains if you have good winters, it happens, either because of a particularly snowy day in resort and some steep drives etc or because the police are insisting on chains. We heard later from those people that they would definitely not have made it to the airport in time without chains.
Though, on the other hand, those very snowy days seem to be vanishingly rare, these days. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
@Origen, Swiss Side mostly no longer includes chains - only winter tyres. Chains legally not needed for France if you have winter tyres. They have even refused to provide when I’ve requested chains stating that the car I had rented did not support chains (Alfa Stelvio) due to transmission. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Quote: |
Chains legally not needed for France if you have winter tyres.
|
They might not be legally needed but you might not be allowed up the mountain without them. It happens rarely, but it happens. I recall some reports of this even just last year, on the road up to Tignes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
@snowyc, Equally, if loaded up with skis etc, the bus is good too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@Ozboy, The invisible vignette sticker threw me a few weeks back. That explains it (yes I did check verbally)
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Origen wrote: |
| Quote: |
Chains legally not needed for France if you have winter tyres.
|
They might not be legally needed but you might not be allowed up the mountain without them. It happens rarely, but it happens. I recall some reports of this even just last year, on the road up to Tignes. |
This is indeed a risk/issue but chains no longer seem to be a concern on the Swiss side which is frustrating.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you google "Hertz car hire Geneva winter pack" or similar (and other firms) there are plenty of references to chains being available. I've not hired in the winter from Geneva for ages - done summer rentals, when it's not been an issue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I just did a dummy booking for Europcar for Christmas. Chains were offered as one of the optional extras. £63! I expect that's the same with other firms too. It did note that that pesky cross-border charge is mandatory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
| Origen wrote: |
| If you google "Hertz car hire Geneva winter pack" or similar (and other firms) there are plenty of references to chains being available. I've not hired in the winter from Geneva for ages - done summer rentals, when it's not been an issue. |
Problem is when you arrive they give a AWD vehicle that is incompatible with chains. I do it many times every year and use Hertz as my preferred option. I don’t worry about it as I go to Châtel to 1200m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Origen wrote: |
| I just did a dummy booking for Europcar for Christmas. Chains were offered as one of the optional extras. £63! I expect that's the same with other firms too. It did note that that pesky cross-border charge is mandatory. |
In the summer I used Enterprise because cross border was listed as included with no extra charge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
