Car Rental Geneva

A quick guide to Geneva

Geneva’s multiculturalism is startling and welcome – it can seem like the whole world has arrived here and is getting on famously. Join in with the friendly vibe by launching yourself into this most charming of cities, lounge by the lake and feast on fondue.

Old Town favourites

Start your visit with a stroll around Geneva's beautiful Old Town, a warren of winding cobbled streets, narrow passages and hidden courtyards begging to be discovered. At its heart is the charming Place du Bourg-de-Four, a great place to sit and have a coffee before nosing around the quirky little shops of the Old Town. Close by is the Cathedral of St Pierre, where theologian John Calvin preached in the 16th century. Climb the 157 steps of the northern tower for picture-perfect views of the city and surrounding mountains.

Soaking up the sights

Lake Geneva is right in the middle of the city and is best appreciated on a boat trip. Visible from the lake, or in fact from almost anywhere in the city, is Geneva’s most famous landmark, the Jet d’Eau, a fountain which shoots a 140-metre-high tower of water soaring high over Lake Geneva. At any one time, seven tonnes of water are in the air, much of which sprays spectators on the pier beneath.

An UN-missable attraction

Take a short drive north of the centre and discover the stately marble Palais des Nations, built in the 1930s to house the League of Nations – the doomed forerunner to the UN. Overlooking Lake Geneva and offering fantastic views over the water, it has been home to the UN since 1966. Visits are by guided tour and include a one-hour tour of the building and entry to the lovely parks that surround it.

Bigger is better

Just 8km west of Geneva, you’ll find the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN). This is the home of the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator and the single biggest machine. You’ll learn all about the vital importance of the Higgs Boson during a two-hour guided tour in English. Book online up to 15 days ahead for this fascinating insight into modern science.

Taste temptations

Geneva has an enviable reputation as a gourmet town. The cuisine here is Swiss but is also highly influenced by France and Italy. You can enjoy local delicacies plucked from Lake Geneva such as ‘filet de perches’, ‘filet de féras’ and traditional dishes such as cheese fondue and raclette. One of the best places to enjoy Swiss specialities is Les Armures Restaurant in the heart of the old town, and for superb French-style cooking try Vertig’O, a Michelin-starred restaurant by the lake, on the ground floor of Hotel de la Paix.

Lakeside drive

Geneva is ideally placed to explore the scenic delights of beautiful Lake Geneva, the largest freshwater lake in Europe. In less than an hour and a half you can reach the beautiful town of Montreux, best-known for its legendary jazz festival, held in early July. Nearby is the utterly charming little town of Vevey, erstwhile home of Charlie Chaplin, while a short way south you’ll find Castle Chillon, beautifully located on an island in the lake. You can complete the lake circuit by heading west along its southern shore, stopping off at the exclusive spa resort of Évian-les-Bains, where the rich and famous take to the water. Car rental in Geneva is about more than just the city – it’s about unlocking the entirety of the luscious lake.

Driving in and around Geneva

Drive through the fantastic scenery around Lake Geneva and you’re in for a highly rewarding experience. The city is cut intwobytheRhône river which flows into the lake under the Pont du Mont-Blanc bridge. From here it’s a 10-minute drive north along the lake shore to the Palais des Nations and its lovely lakeside parks.

The main A1 motorway runs east along the northern shore of Lake Geneva to Montreux, 92 km away at the eastern extremity of the lake. Return to Geneva via the A9 and D1005 which runs along the lake’s southern shores. 

Not only is Geneva on the doorstep of the stunning Swiss and French Alps and some awesome Alpine driving routes, it’s also possible to make a day trip to Lyon, France's undisputed gastronomic capital, which is just under two hours away via the A40 and A42 motorways. Geneva Airport even has a French side, so if you arrive by air you can opt to go directly to France.

Driving in Switzerland is on the right-hand side. Speed limits are 120 km/h on motorways, 100 km/h on dual carriageways, 80 km/h on other roads and 50 km/h in built-up areas. Headlights must be on at all times of day and night. Note that some higher Alpine passes can be closed throughout winter until June dependent on weather.  

On-street parking in the centre of Geneva is limited so your best option is to use one of the car parks in the city centre or the park-and-rides on the outskirts of the city. These have no time limits and are relatively cheap to use.