irishdame

We are a family of 7 renting a van for 3 days near Geneva. Is it cheaper to rent on the Swiss or French side of Geneva's airport, (GVA)? We'll be taking the TGV from Geneva to Paris, is the train station right in the airport? If not, how close is it as we must return the rental van to GVA?

Thank you for your help!

Intrepid1

Yes, there is a train station right at the airport (Swiss side) which is about a five-minute ride to the main Geneva station (Cornavin) from which you'll take your TGV.

Underhill

On the Swiss side there is, if I remember correctly, no VAT charged on car rentals, while there is on the French side.

suze

There is a train station at the airport, but the downtown Geneva station is the next stop (~7 mins.).

Are you sure you want a van? Trains in Switzerland are pretty amazing.

irishdame

Thanks all for your responses. Intrepid, 5 min ride to Cornavin? Do you mean taking a local train from GVA to Cornavin, then switching to the TGV?

Suze, yes, we need a van. We are traveling to Annecy and several small towns nearby that are not accessible via rail.

Thanks again!

kappa

> Do you mean taking a local train from GVA to Cornavin, then switching to the TGV?

Correct, except you can take ANY train leaving Geneva Airport station. They all stop at Geneva Cornavin.

kappa

If you rent a car at France side and return it at Swiss side, there should be a drop off charge for returning in a different country, shouldn't there? Maybe not much though since the distance is so short. Also if you rent it at the airport and return it at Geneva Cornavin, you don't have to pay the train Airport > Cornavin.

Barbara_in_CT

Reserve the TGV more than two days in advance although there are plenty of alternative trains to Paris.