Discover Geneva on Your Own Terms: Car Rental Guide and Tips
Geneva (official website of the city - www.geneve.ch) is an amazing city with a French-speaking population. The country is famous for its calm, well-established life. Geneva is a worthy representative of Switzerland. Well-to-do citizens of different countries choose to live in Geneva because of safety, cleanliness, peace, high standard of living. In 2009, the city was recognized as one of the most expensive in the world.
Political life is tumultuous in the city, as it is home to several UN headquarters. However, tourists love Geneva not only for this reason, but for its beautiful landscapes, haute cuisine, architecture, perfect service, luxury holidays.
Geneva is surrounded mountains, which directly affects the weather conditions of the city. Winter is warm here, frosts occur at night, but during the day, for the most part, the temperature is above zero. In the city, snowy weather does not last long, but in the mountains you can fully enjoy a ski holiday. Summer temperatures hover around 20 degrees.
The city is home to the international Geneva Airport, and the Cornavin train station. Public transport is well established, there is a network of trams, trolleybuses, and boats. A single ticket for all public transport has been introduced in the city, Unireso points are responsible for selling tickets, of which there are hundreds of them around the city. You can rent a car by visiting Bookingautos. Taxis around the city are quite expensive, so you can rent a bike in summer.
What to see in Geneva
Saint Peter's Basilica is the city's main attraction. It is made in the Gothic style, its construction was started in 1160. It's definitely worth a look. The interior of the cathedral is no frills, modest, because it is made in accordance with Protestant ideas. However, there is a very large collection of Gothic and Romanesque hoarders. The top of the tower offers tourists a beautiful and extensive view of the city and lakes. Adjacent to the cathedral is the Maccabee Chapel, which deserves no less attention. It was built in the 15th century. Inside the chapel is very colorful and beautiful. The entrance to the cathedral is free, but you have to pay to climb the tower.
Geneva Fountain or otherwise it is called the Jet d'Eau fountain. It is a central landmark not only of Geneva, but also of Switzerland itself. This miracle of architecture is located in Lake Geneva itself, from where a fountain hits at a heightof 147 meters. In the evening, special spotlights are turned on to illuminate it. A large number of swans live near the fountain, which tourists love to feed. Against the backdrop of this beauty, beautiful photos are obtained as a keepsake.
If you walk 20 minutes from the center, then you can get to the Patek Philippe watch museum (website - www.patek.com). It occupies 4 floors. On the ground floor, you can see the work of a real watchmaker, as well as look at various machines. There is also a cinema that belongs to the museum. The second floor contains exhibits from 1839 to 1989. Third floor - exhibits from 1500 to 1800. The fourth floor is an archive, a library. The main requirement of the museum is a ban on filming, as well as the need to hand over bags to the storage room. Children under 18 years of age enter free.
Where to go near Geneva
Annecy is located very close to Geneva. This is an old town, it takes only 45 minutes to get to it. The city is located in France, in the foothills of the Alps. An old city with many attractions. It is worth seeing the castle of Ile (1100), Annecy Cathedral (16th century), Saint-Maurice church (15th century). Tourists who love an active lifestyle can have fun on yachts, snowboards, skiing, scuba diving and much more.
City Lausanne can be really charming. The city will amaze you with its beautiful narrow streets, park areas, and architecture. Notre Dame Cathedral is famous not only in Switzerland, but all over the world. It is located in the city of Lausanne. It is the largest Gothic church in the country. It's also worth taking a look at the University of Lausanne, which is in the top 10 in Switzerland. The city has a large number of museums dedicated to art, geology, history, archeology, zoology. And if you want to walk along the narrow streets, look at old houses and beautiful lanterns, you need to look into the Ville Marche quarter.
For spa lovers, a trip to Lavie-les-Bains is a must. This is a village in Switzerland, which has hot low-sulphur springs. They are healing. In addition to swimming, you can enjoy massage services and a variety of beauty treatments.
Food: the best restaurants in Geneva
The city can be called the gastronomic capital of all of Europe. It is here that the most restaurants and cafes per capita. Here you can find restaurants of all cuisines of the world.
Connoisseurs of Asian, Chinese cuisine can go to the restaurant King Curry (tel. +41227338248). Numerous reviews are positive. There is a separate menu for vegetarians, vegans, and a gluten-free diet. Restaurant address: Rte de Meyrin 4, 1202 Genève, Switzerland.
Brasserie-Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville (tel. +41223117030) - offers a wide selection of Geneva cuisine (meat dishes, fried perches, etc.). Restaurant address: Grand-Rue 39, 1204 Genève, Switzerland.
Restaurant Spinella (tel. +41225034186) is ideal for connoisseurs of Italian cuisine. There is a menu for vegetarians. Here you can order takeaway food. Restaurant address: Rue Liotard 4, 1202 Genève, Switzerland.
Where to park in Geneva
Parking in Switzerland is quite difficult, because the city is very expensive, so parking here is either expensive or hard to find. They are marked with different prices, the payment depends on this. If you come across a parking space marked in blue, then the first hour of parking here is free.
Parking Mont Blanc is the largest, most comfortable and can accommodate 1450 cars. Works around the clock. The cost of parking varies greatly depending on the time of day. Parking address: Quai du Général-Guisan, 1204 Genève, Switzerland.
Vernets parking has 93 spaces. The first 15 minutes are free. If you take the work of parking from Mon.-Fri. from 7.00 to 19.00 payment during this period will be 1 CHF per hour of work. Parking address: Rue Hans Wilsdorf 4, 1227 Genève, Switzerland.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Budget
Most popular car class
Mini
Average price
35 € / Day
Best price
25 € / Day
Monthly price chart: Average price per week of rent
January
€200
February
€121
March
€126
April
€139
May
€181
June
€224
July
€241
August
€246
September
€157
October
€127
November
€105
December
€151
* Prices are based on orders processed over the previous 2 years.
In August rental companies located in Geneva rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Geneva is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €22 for a Compact car.
During the summer months in Geneva there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental Chevrolet Camaro will cost you €181.
Average prices for 1 day rental for different car classes:
4x
2x
A/C
3x
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
€14 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
4x
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
€18 / Day
5x
3x
A/C
4x
Audi A4
Audi A4
€32 / Day
5x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
5x
BMW X1
BMW X1
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
4x
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
€45 / Day
8x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
€55 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
2x
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
€65 / Day
We offer a wide range of vehicles to suit every budget:
Economy cars - a great solution for everyday trips;
Premium segment - for those who love quality and comfort;
Business class is ideal for people who are used to being first.
Convertibles, SUVs and station wagons, as well as minivans and sedans are in demand among customers. The choice of car depends not only on personal tastes, preferences and its cost. Rental conditions are important, which in some cases should be taken into account in the first place.
We offer reasonable and fully justified rates with no overpayments or hidden fees. The cost is calculated taking into account the class of car and the duration of the rental period. The longer the period, the lower the daily rate. For compact models of the middle segment the daily price starts from €13, the fee for a middle-class car is €32-€51 per day. Business class will cost more - you will have to pay for it from €69 and above. The cost of rent depends on the season. Moreover, during the peak period, the price increases significantly. Especially for convertibles and rare models. For a popular model among our customers Chevrolet Camaro you will have to pay at least €80 per day.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of KIA E-Niro when ordering in Geneva will cost quite a modest amount.
Required documents for rental cars
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Key Tips for a Smooth Car Rental Experience
Download Google maps offline
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Geneva is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Fiat Panda or VW Polo. These models are the most popular with our customers in Geneva.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Renault Megane Estate will cost €38 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in Geneva may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:
If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Unlimited mileage
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Geneva, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Geneva - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Car pick-up procedure
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Geneva
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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