Car rental at Geneva : Discover all our stations

Geneva is situated in the south of Switzerland, 170 miles from the capital, Zurich. A glamorous city, with its buildings set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Geneva, it is home to several international organizations, bringing a multicultural element to life here. You can marvel at the Old Town, break the bank in the luxury shops along the Rue du Rhone, and discover the surrounding Jura countryside. 

Tour the city and the surrounding mountainous region in style and comfort with our extensive range of economy and luxury models.

There are six Europcar stations in Geneva. If you are flying in, collect your car at Geneva Cointrin Airport, there are also other conveniently located stations at the Hotel Ramada Encore in Carouge and Balexert to the northwest of the city. 

Europcar Geneva offers a huge fleet of economy and larger car rentals. From the Volkswagen Golf to the Seat Ibiza, there are plenty of options for navigating the city in small groups. Families and bigger parties can choose from models including the Skoda Octavia and the Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan.

If you are moving larger loads around Geneva, van rental is also available. Both cars and vans are available for short or long periods.

In Switzerland, the speed limit is 120 km/h for cars on freeways, 100 km/h on highways, and 80 km/h on other road types. In Geneva and other urban areas, the limit is 50 km/h but varies according to signposting. In residential areas, it is 30 km/h or lower.

Parking in Geneva is divided into different zones. The white zone is for paid and limited parking which is enforced Mon-Fri (9am-2pm and 5pm-8pm) and the maximum stay is 90 minutes. In the blue zone, parking is free but limited to a maximum of one hour (Mon-Sat, 8am-11.30am and 1.30pm-7pm). There is free parking outside of the city center.

The location of Geneva, close to the borders of France and Italy, makes it ideal for exploring the wider area by car. In under an hour you can be in Annecy, a beautiful medieval town with a maze of streets and canals, often referred to as the Venice of the Alps. Make sure you photograph the picturesque town from one of the canal bridges.

Enthusiastic skiers will be pleased to hear that top destinations such as Morzine and Chamonix are just an hour away by car. Rent skis for a day and take to the slopes, embracing the clean mountain air, and be back to Geneva in time for dinner.

For wine buffs, Lavaux is the largest wine region in Switzerland, spanning over 2,000 acres alongside Lake Geneva. The vineyards are UNESCO protected due to their cultural significance, and most of the wine you will find here is not exported, so you are in for a rare treat.

No trip to Switzerland is complete without passing through Gruyères (75 miles away), the home of Gruyère cheese and with stunning views from the valley.

Grenoble (90 miles), Lyon (95 miles) and Zermatt (145 miles) are all easily reached by car from Geneva. 

The best views of Geneva and the surrounding area are found at the top of Mont Salève, around 40 minutes from the city. Despite its impressive size, it is only a two-hour hike to the top, or there is a cable car for a more relaxed option. This is open every day from 9.30am to 6pm, but closes once a year (usually towards the end) for repairs, so be sure to check it is open before you visit. However you choose to reach the top, travel to Salève with your rental car and use the sizable parking lot. Don’t forget your passport - Salève is over the border in France.

Around six miles west of Geneva is CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Housing the most complex tools dedicated to scientific research, including the Large Hadron Collider, the biggest machine in the world, there is plenty to marvel at. If your visit is well timed, you may get to step inside the Large Hadron Collider and see where the magic happens. If not, there is lots more to see in the permanent exhibitions which explain its work. The guided tours are very popular, so be sure to book, and bring photo ID.

From a winding maze of streets in the Old Town to the flashy parade of high-end boutiques along Rue du Rhône, Geneva is a shopping haven. Make a visit to the iconic Jet d’Eau, firing water 460 feet into the air from Lake Geneva.

The city is the headquarters of the World Trade Organization, the Red Cross, branches of the UN (take a tour around the Palais des Nations to learn about its history) and several large banks. But it has a playful side, too. The melting pot of business and politics has brought many great cuisines to the city, from Swiss classics such as fondue and raclette to Italian and Peruvian dishes.

We are proud to be European leaders in car rental. To find out more about the Europcar car hire experience, be sure to visit our car rental page!