Geneva to Nice car hire

[Hbommie]

I’m flying to Geneva and travelling down to Nice this summer and BA.com gives the option to pick up a car on the French side, would this cause any issues or is this normal? As you can probably tell this is my first trip into Geneva airport.

[Lady London]

Yes this is fine. I’ve done it at Geneva and Basel. You will only pay the French oneway drop charge
Make sure you exit the airport at the French immigration side not the Swiss!

[Hbommie]

Thank you LL,

Annecy for a couple of days at the start and a week in Villefranche sur mer, just need to work out a few days in between?

[Rich_A]

Usually fine, but be careful. When I was there last month there was no possibility to get to the French side through the usual door in the terminal, because of building work. If you arrive on the Swiss side (which you will, unless you’re on a French domestic flight) you would have to get a taxi round to the French side.

Even if that doesn’t get you, there have also been Covid restrictions recently, so that you would need a relevant BP (departure from the French sector) to access it.

[Rich_A]

(Meant to add: the Covid restrictions may well no longer be in place.)

[EwanG]

Thanks for this @Rich_A, wasn’t aware of the temporary closure of the French sector. Gva.ch airport site has details and work started Sept 2021 due to take 4 mths (completion due Jan 2022) but perhaps delayed as message still there?

OP said summer trip so expect will be finished before then (and I have a trip in April so I hope it is).

One thing to add to OP about hiring in French sector is car unlikely to come with Vignette for CH motorways so factor in the scenic route to get to A40! Unless you want to gamble on getting stopped and paying the CHF40 for the sticker!

[Hbommie]

Thanks for the tips re the work and possible covid restrictions, the trip is in June and I’m sure the world will have worked out this covid palaver by then. I’ll read up on the best route to Annecy.

[Rich_A]

Useful info on getting to the French side by road:

https://blog.alpine-property.com/2017/01/26/french-side-geneva-airport/