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Renting car in Geneva but going to France for 7 days first - rental car help

I’ve heard about the border fees to be paid when crossing from Switzerland to France with a rental car - what do I need to know? How much? Is that something we pay at the rental office or how do we do that?

Is it likely that we will get the required safety equipment for travel in France even though we rented in Switzerland? We have already disclosed to the rental company that we will be traveling to France for a few days.

I understand that most, if not all, rental car companies in Switzerland provide the vignette needed to pay for tolls in order to drive on roads where tolls are required. However, when I booked my car directly through Budget, there was no mention of the vignette being provided. I called them. The woman could not answer that for me.

No one at the Budget Car Rental office has been able to answer any of these questions for me - either online or on the phone.I've also sent an inquiry by email to the Geneva office. So far, no response.

We are not wanting any surprises at rental counter. Any advice will be helpful. Thank you. First time driving in Europe.

Posted by
22553 posts

Where exactly are you going? You can rent a car on the French side, but it may or may not come with a Swiss vignette. If you rent on the Swiss side it will have a Swiss vignette. If you rent in France and need a vignette, it is 40 CHF. Only required if you travel on a Swiss motorway.

Posted by
10 posts

We are going about 8 - 10 miles into France to Segny and Ferney-Voltaire for 3 days, then Evian-les-Baines for 4 days. The rest of our travels are in Switzerland and will return the car in Zurich.
We contemplated the French side pick up with vehicle, but knew we would need the toll vignette for the majority of our travels through Switzerland.
Suggestions? Thoughts?

Posted by
22553 posts

Since you are returning the car in Zurich, rent it on the Swiss side.