Geneva car hire, French or Swiss side?

I know this has been discussed before many times but I can't find the relevant tread so here goes.
Myself and a buddy are flying to Geneva in December for three days in Meribel so are going to need car hire and I seem to remember that hiring a car from the Swiss side makes for easier and faster access to The mountains.
Am I correct?
Thanks.

I thought the french side was best for france?
Something about the motorway carnet?

Haven't hired for a few years so vague on details - sorry.
Mind you getting back to the french side of the airport for return was a bit of a fiddle as the route isn't well signposted if I remember.

Is there also something about winter tyres fitted as standard on one side (Swiss?) and not the other?

bedrock barney wrote:Is there also something about winter tyres fitted as standard on one side (Swiss?) and not the other?

Swiss side, winter tyres are fitted as standard, Not so the French an extra charge is made, so the moral to the story is hire from the Swiss side but beware the bus ride to pick up the car :evil:

Swiss side will have snow tyres. It is mandatory during winter months. I'd also be interested to know, other than the tyres, which is easiest and cheapest.

It's not the way it used to be. Only Air France (and maybe other French lines from French airports) now arrives to the French side of Geneva airport, so unless you are arriving from somewhere in France you will have no option but to get out on Swiss side as your luggage will be there. So makes sense to get a car on Swiss side. Airport is on a motorway and you will be in France in 5 minutes or less. You can get out on Swiss side, get your luggage and then go through check-in floor to the French side. On the way back near Ferney customs you will see signs Aeroport secteur France and follow them. However for destinations outside of France you will have to check in through Swiss sector.

Adam67 wrote:Swiss side will have snow tyres. It is mandatory during winter months. I'd also be interested to know, other than the tyres, which is easiest and cheapest.

I normally use a bucket shop in the Uk to hire cars from a lot of airports, I really don't think there is a lot in the price apart from getting the winter tyres as standard :thumbup:

www.arguscarhire.com

Didn't hire companies used to make a bit of a fuss about taking their cars up mountains? Or have they accepted the inevitable now?

i.e. arrive Geneva with skis = likely to want to drive to ski resort = almost certain to be up a mountain!!