GregY2

Following a family holiday in Provence ( where he will have a French rental car) my son will be driving from Avignon and his itinerary takes him through Switzerland and on to Munich where he will catch his homeward flight.
The fees for dropping the car off in Germany are very high and we have heard that it is possible to drop off the French rental car in the French sector of Geneva airport, take a short walk through to the Swiss sector, and then pick up another rental car to continue the journey. Can anyone confirm that this is practical?

Clearly, this doesn't fully solve the problem as the Swiss car would still incur fees if dropped off in Germany. Is anyone aware of locations on/near the Swiss-German border where a similar swap could be done?

Alternatively he could take a train from within Switzerland to cover the last leg of the journey but the Geneva idea is what interests us the most so we would appreciate any comment.

wesleymarsh

You'll find the answer to your question when you shop and do the math. Prices in Switzerland are high. Based on my recent research for automatics, car rentals in Geneva are super expensive. My car rental for Spring is $400 more expensive on the Swiss side for the same dates I'm renting from the French Sector. I don't know what the fees are for dropping in Germany but if there is no significant savings when you compare prices, the convenience of keeping the car could outweigh a higher cost.

neckervd

If your son wants to drive anyway (I suppose with his whole family), why doesn't he drive with his "French" car up to the French/German border (St. Louis, Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg airport, Mulhouse, or wherever he can drop off the car), cross the border by public transport and rent a second car in Germany.
The distance between Geneva and Basel is 250 km (all motorway).
Avignon - Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg airport:
same distance via Geneva and Switzerland or all through France, via Bourg-en-Bresse - Besancon.
There are at least 5 daily buses from Freiburg to Munich, Fare 19 EUR, no reduction for kids

GregY2

Thanks for these replies.

We are expecting the Swiss rental to be more expensive than in France/Germany but if it is as bad as you suggest then maybe it could be worth just accepting the drop off fee (suggested to be 600 euro by the way!)

We looked at the Basel/Mulhouse option but their Switzerland itinerary made that impractical. They are spending a few days in Switzerland, it's not just a transit to Munich.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Dukey1

Wedded to a car...too bad.

Michael

<i>They are spending a few days in Switzerland, it's not just a transit to Munich.
</i>

And I would spend the couple extra hours to drive to Basel to safe 600€.

GregY2

Thanks Dukey1, very helpful.

neckervd

"We looked at the Basel/Mulhouse option but their Switzerland itinerary made that impractical. They are spending a few days in Switzerland, it's not just a transit to Munich"

What's the problem?
You may drive from Avignon through Switzerland to Basel, drop off the car at the French side (St. Louis, airport French side, etc.), take a Basel citybus, tramway or commuter train (S-Bahn) to the German side (Loerrach), rent there a German car and drive through Switzerland and Germany to Munich.

GregY2

Thanks Neckervd, I hadn't thought that through - I was thinking they would still need a Swiss car but of course you are right they would have a German car for drop off in Germany. I'll check it out. It does make for a long day in the car but it might be an answer.