Car Rental Geneva Airport

Exiting Geneva Airport on the French side couldn’t be simpler – take Route de Ferney north across the border to emerge into France. You’ll instantly join Route de la Faucille (D1005). This mountain highway spans 26 kilometres of cliffs and bends from Gex to Les Cressonnieres.

From here, a web of mountain roads stretches through the French Alps. Use the D436 highway to take a scenic drive through the Haut-Jura Wildlife Park or use the D991 to venture south towards the popular nature reserves and hiking spots around Lélex.

To reach the fabled beauty of the Haute-Savoie, use the A40 Autoroute to skirt into the rugged mountains and lofty ski slopes east of Geneva. Here, you’ll find many incredible destinations to explore – including the Aravis mountain range, the Les Portes ski resort and the incredible peaks of Mont Blanc.

Chamonix is the star, where quaint colourful buildings are crowned with a glacial backdrop. Simply use the D909 mountain road to connect with other beautiful alpine towns such as historical Annecy. To venture even further into the snow-capped wilderness, take the A41 Autoroute south towards Grenoble, where you’ll find a vibrant cultural scene set between three national and regional parks.

You can also use Geneva Airport as a portal into the wonders of central France – take the A40 towards the town of Mâcon in Burgundy, where you can venture south on the A6 to Lyon, Valence and the luscious National Parks that frame the French Riviera. 

In Geneva itself, there are plenty of parking lots where you can leave your car to explore the historic, cultural and gastronomic sights on foot. If you’re planning to take your rental car across the border into Switzerland, you’ll need to use a special vignette if you plan to use Swiss highways. You can buy these stickers from the Swiss Customs Office at the airport or border.

The French speed limit is typically 130km/h on autoroutes and 50km/h in the more urban areas. The motorways outside of towns on the Swiss side limits are lower, however, varying between 100 and 120km/h. Always check the signs in case of any changes.

Geneva Airport’s French side provides a convenient gateway to the wondrous French mountains – perfect for adventurers, ski vacationers or travellers wishing to witness some of Europe’s most beautiful spots.

Take to the slopes 

Alpine skiing is a must-do when visiting Europe’s largest mountain range. The French portion of these rocky summits is filled with purpose-built ski resorts for families, beginners or advanced snow gliders.

Some of the best ski resorts in France are located in the Espace Killy area, just 200 kilometres from Geneva Airport by road. Alpe d’Huez has one of Europe’s most expansive ski slopes for beginners, while the iconic terrain at Chamonix offers something a little more challenging for the advanced skier.

If you’d like to combine culture with the action, head to Courchevel, where the snow sports are spread between five villages, each with unique personalities.

Luscious lakes and quaint charm 

Of course, you don’t need to glide down snowy slopes to take in the beauty of the region beyond Geneva. Colossal glaciers and expansive glistening lakes provide peaceful beauty all year round.

Lake Annecy is perhaps the most breathtaking spot in this region. Here you can take a dip in the clear, fresh waters or enjoy water sports in the summer with stand up paddle boarding, sea kayaking and rafting just some of the activities available.

Walk around the lake’s edge to take it all in; here the crystal-clear waters are fed by pure mountain springs.

The French Venice 

Contrast the hues of nature with some vibrant colour and a dose of European culture in the quaint local towns. Medieval Annecy is home to the Au-delà des Apparences gallery, where glass sculptures and intricate paintings glisten beneath the mountains, ideal for a break from the snow.

Beneath the hot air balloon-filled skies at the foot of the Megève mountains, you can see artwork from multiple continents. If you’re searching for simple, historic beauty, venture to Veyrier-du-Lac beside Lake Annecy. This beautiful town is home to charming chateaux, glimmering galleries and is sometimes called the French Venice.

Magnificent Mont Blanc 

Western Europe’s grandest summit hypnotizes thousands of travellers every year, with a steady stream of hikers and explorers venturing to the icy summit. Climbing Mont Blanc is not for the faint-hearted but there are package tours that will provide the necessary training should you desire the challenge. If you’d rather not scale the extreme slopes, the mountain views are just as impressive from the Chamonix valley below.

You’ll find some of the best views on top of the Aiguille du Midi, where thrill seekers can ‘Step into the Void’ in a glass box hovering one kilometre above the ground. In summer, you can even take a cable car across the otherworldly crevices of the Glacier du Géant.

Travellers who prefer to keep their feet closer to sea level will also find impressive views from the many scenic drives of the Savoyan Alps. See it all with car rental from Geneva Airport.