 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
We are a group of four flying in to Geneva on the 12th Feb (half term!) and are going to the Paradiski area (probably La Plagne)
I have been looking at the various ways of getting from airport to resort and using a transfer company is very expensive so I suppose hiring a car wouldbe the next best thing unless anyone else knows of any other ways?
We would need an estate car at the minimum (due to snowboard bags) and the cheapest I have found is roughly £350 all in for 5 days.
Anybody know of any cheap car hire companies that they have used?
Any advice massively welcome
Cheers
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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holyjasper, Walk - you'll probably get there faster than trying to drive...
Overdoing it a bit on the estate car 'as a minimum' - done MUC to Kitz, 5 up with 2x board bags (in the car) and it was quite squashed but do able..
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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?
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holyjasper, Try a car hire comparison site such as www.carrentals.co.uk . It is showing £260 for an estate car for those 5 days from Geneva. Also look at both the Swiss and French sides when renting from Geneva airport. Sometimes you find a difference in price, more availability etc.
The pros and cons of renting from the French or Swiss side have been discussed many times on snowheads. If you do a search you will find loads of opinions on the best option.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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If you are going Saturday - Saturday and you aren't set on getting a car we might be able to help with Geneva Transfers by mini bus to Paradiski, Espace Killy and 3 Valleys throughout winter 2010/11. Contact me joanne.mountainsunltd@talktalk.net
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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holyjasper, rent a car, it is easy and cheaper than buses or taxis. You can get a oneway rental for each day you travel if you do not wish to keep the car all week. Just book it with Europacar, online is cheapest. You have to drop the car off in Bourg and collect it from there but if you are in Les Arcs that is not a problem.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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holyjasper, if I infer correctly that you have not yet booked your accommodation, I'd do that first before deciding on the transfer option. In some accommodation a car of your own could be very useful.
where are you based? I think most of the english half terms start the following week.
Presumably you'll be renting an apartment then coming back before the end of the week? that'll make your journey back to Geneva a lot more civilised.
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I think Bens Bus (www.bensbus.co.uk) stops at Bourg if you are going to Les Arcs - about £60 - £70 return. Otherwise, check whether your accom offers cheap transfers.
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Holyjasper,
You could get altibus from GVA to Bourg - quite costly as I recall it was about 50-60 euro for a one-way from BSM to the airport last summer.
The car hire route has much going for it; try Holiday Autos or Car3000, both are well reviewed by SH community. Be aware that swiss-side car hire comes with winter kit, sometimes French side is an extra charge (also car return to French side is a bit of a bug to find, and I talked with someone recently who was charged £200 by the car hire company because he left his french-side hire car in the swiss-side car park bcause he got lost and ran out of time for his flight).
See you on the slopes of Paradiski 
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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.
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detailed directions elsewhere on snowheads - but the Swiss side is generally better for a variety of reasons, mainly the snow tyres you always get (though not always without an extra charge).
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pam w, if you ever have to pay for winter tyres on the swiss side they are breaking the law as there insurance requires all rented cars to have them if registered in switzerland. That is what the TCS (Swiss AA) told me when I asked them.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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snowcrazy, there are several reports of exactly this happening at Geneva. They're not breaking the law - the cars are fitted with winter tyres - but some Snowheads have also had to pay the additional charge. There was extensive discussion about it at the time. There was no option to avoid the charge by NOT having winter tyres - because they are compulsory. Yes, it's a bit mad but yes, it sometimes happens.
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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.
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Look at getting car from the french side of GVA... It is generally a fair bit cheaper, but as has been said, the return can be an back bottom to locate, so leave plenty of time...
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can be an back bottom to locate
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only if you don't know where it is - there are detailed instructions on snowheads.
The key problem with the French side is the lack of winter tyres and - sometimes - difficulty of getting even a set of chains. The price differences vary, they're not invariably cheaper. If you have to spend 40 francs on a motorway vignette that also eats into any difference.
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You know it makes sense.
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AlpineAddict, [quote]
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Look at getting car from the french side of GVA... It is generally a fair bit cheaper, but as has been said, the return can be an back bottom to locate, so leave plenty of time...
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As pam w, says, it is quite easy when you know how. Don't turn off the motorway at the exit for Geneva airport but take the one after it and follow the signs for Ferney. Turn left immediately after the French border control and you follow the road all the way to the car hire return.
You can even go on google maps, steetview and do a trial run before you go out there (at least the bit on the Swiss side where you exit the motorway).
It is also possible to buy a vignette before you go out there. They are available from official sources but are a lot cheaper on ebay.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Hi,
In my experience, if you don't need a hire car for the accomodation, this options turns out to be more faff than it's worth. By the time you've spent 30mins picking the hire car up, you might as well have jumped on the public bus.
You can book the public bus here: http://www.altibus.com/index.aspx which goes to La Plagne, Les Arcs or Peisey Valandry. For Montchavin / Les Coches stop see if your holiday company can pick you up from Bourg.
The other option to think about is a minibus transfer. They generally work out not too much more than the public bus if you can fill the seats, and have the advantage that fitting the boards in is someone else's problem! Have a look at cool bus (http://www.thecoolbus.co.uk/) who have a forum where you can hook up with other groups.
Happy planning!
Heather
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Poster: A snowHead
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Guys
Thanks very much for all the advice and after much deliberating I have found a minibus transfer for roughly the same price we would heva paid for the car and to save on all the hassle if anything goes wrong and also to allow me (the nominated driver) to have a few beers on both the transfer days I have decided to book this option.
Many thanks once again!
George
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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holyjasper, sounds a good idea; you'll be specially glad if it's chucking it down with snow.
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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?
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Sounds perfect - have a great holiday.
Heather
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