Hiring a car is a good option especially if you are in a group. Geneva, on the French-Swiss border, is a modern airport with many car hire companies operating here.
Choose from economy, estate, luxury or 4-wheel drive. Hired cars will be clean, fully serviced, checked and usually they will be under 6 months old. You can expect to find a full tank of petrol and you should return your vehicle with a full tank.
A very interesting fact about Geneva airport is that part of it lies in Switzerland and part of it lies in France. Therefore you are required to have your passport ready if you decide to look around the whole building!

Booking in advance
For peace of mind, book as far ahead as you can. You will not want to arrive at the airport and have to hang around trying to organise your vehicle. If booking and paying for your vehicle over the internet, it is a good idea to print out all paperwork and keep for easy reference. Also remember to save the information on your computer to be doubly safe. You will be given a vehicle booking reference number. In the event of your flight being delayed, the hire company will hold your car as you will have supplied them with your flight number when booking. Be aware that the make and model of your car cannot always be absolutely guaranteed. However, should your desired vehicle not be available, your hire company will almost certainly provide a model similar to that requested or you may be upgraded at no extra cost.

Information and Documentation Needed
You will need identification in the form of your passport (photo ID), UK driver’s licence and a valid credit card preferably in the driver’s name.

Driving in Switzerland
Driving in Switzerland is on the right. All roads are well maintained and signposted. Regulations are strictly enforced, and you are not allowed to use the horn after dark. Remember in Switzerland, you may need to carry snow chains and ski tyres if you intend travelling to the mountains. Snow chains should be carried everywhere in winter. If you do not carry and fit them when conditions demand it, the police can stop you from continuing your journey. A warning triangle is compulsory.
Make sure you always carry your driving licence, vehicle registration document and passport.
Do not drink and drive; you can face imprisonment. There are on-the-spot fines for some traffic infringements. All grades of unleaded petrol, diesel and some LPG are available. Petrol in a can is allowed. You are required to use dipped headlights during the day. Seat belts must be worn.
Motorway driving in Switzerland requires the use of a “vignette” pass. This must be displayed on the windscreen and can be obtained from the Swiss National Tourism Offices which are found throughout the country.
Motorway speed limits are 120 kilometres per hour. In towns the limit is 50 kilometres per hour and on major roads 80 kilometres per hour. These limits are strictly enforced so watch your speed.
Switzerland prides itself on the cleanliness of its towns and cities and of its environment. When waiting at traffic lights or railway crossings, you are required to switch off your engine to avoid traffic pollution.

General Facilities at Geneva Airport and Finding Car Hire Desks
The car rental companies are situated in the Arrivals Hall. The airport at Geneva is one of the best in Europe. It is approximately 5 kilometres from the city centre. It has direct connections to expressways. As it is located on the border with France, Geneva Airport has a “French sector” which enables passengers to enter or leave France without having to enter Swiss territory. Therefore a visa for Switzerland is not required in this instance.
In 2007, almost eleven million passengers passed through Geneva airport. As you would expect of a modern airport, facilities include duty-free shops, bureaux de change, lost luggage and car rentals. There are also numerous restaurants and bars. In fact, there are over 60 shops and services operating 7 days a week! There are good facilities for the disabled. Swiss Francs and Euros are accepted in shops and car parks. Switzerland is not a member of the European Union and its currency is Swiss Francs. You may be able to use Euros in many places but your change will be in Francs!
Four languages are spoken in Switzerland: German, French, Italian and Romansch (the old Swiss language). Most signs will be in different languages.