|
how
to save around GBP 100 on a typical car hire! |
|
| The closest airport
to Chamonix is Geneva and most people believe it is in Switzerland.
In fact, Geneva airport straddles the
border with France and most of us choose the Swiss side because
it's so easy. However, you can choose to enter or leave on the French
side. This is very much the back door and you end up in the French
suburbs of Geneva rather than straight onto the autoroute. In the past we've always recommended you hire cars on the
Swiss side, BUT the difference in the cost of hiring on the
French side rather than the Swiss is so astonishing that it's
worth reconsidering. |
|
|
First, we checked
with Europcar
that it was OK to drive a French hired car in Switzerland and
they said;
"This is possible but you will need to purchase a
Swiss motorway pass once the vehicle is on hire. These come at a
cost of around 40 CHF".
These "vignettes" are included on Swiss hire cars so
this is the first issue to remember. The second appears to be that
"Swiss side" cars have snow tyres and chains included
but "French side" do not.
1) So do you need to use the
Swiss autoroute?
No, if you are heading for Chamonix you simply come out of the
French side, cross the border into Switzerland, follow the signs
to the city centre, then to Chamonix and join the French
autoroute in Annemasse. Map
and driving instructions
2) Do I need snow chains?
Yes in the winter. You may need to add them to your reservation
or be prepared to buy some en route. (supermarkets are cheapest
eg Carrefour in Sallanches map.)
They cost roughly the same whether you add them to the hire
or buy some, GBP30/Euro45. Snow tyres are desirable but not
essential.
|
| --------------------------------- |
|
|
We have long maintained
that you should shop around rather than going for the airlines
"preferred partner" and it's still clear there are
good savings to be made.
For the purposes of this
article we selected a typical "Intermediate 4-Door"
and compared easyJet's partner Europcar
with holidayautos
and Hertz
and looked at typical 3 night weekend break, 1st - 4th Feb.
When you are looking at rates select "France" then
"Geneva airport"
|
| Conclusions
|
If you book
using easyJet
/ Europcar and are prepared to put up with a
little inconvenience you can save around GBP100
on a typical hire.
If you shop around you can save even more!!
For least hassle go for holidayautos
on Swiss side!
|
|
