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Hertz car hire in Geneva
Hire a car in Geneva to start wandering through this classic cultural hub, nestled on the border of Switzerland. Discover centuries of history in the city’s museums, world-famous landmarks such as the Geneva Water Fountain and dine out at critically acclaimed restaurants.
The city is in a prime location on the French border, letting you drive along the Alps and take in the sites of Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva. Stop off at nearby French cities such as quaint Annecy, or visit the beautiful blue Aix-les-Bains.
Take advantage of Hertz car hire in Geneva and choose from a selection of city-exploring two-seaters and spacious SUVs for the perfect family getaway. Whatever your dream holiday car, our helpful advisers are always on hand to get your adventure started.
Plan your culture-packed city break to Geneva today with online car hire from Hertz.
Driving in and around Geneva
Parking in Geneva
- Parking des Alpes (1201) is close to Monument Brunswick, Rotonde du Mont-Blanc, and the Geneva Water Fountain.
- Lombard (1205) offers more than 725 spots, situated in the Saint Francois area of the city.
- Saint-Antoine (1204) contains more than 425 spaces and can be found near the Musee d’Art et d’Histoire, Promenade de Saint-Antoine and Place du Bourg-de-Four.
Key roads in Geneva
- A1 freeway connects Geneva, in the south-west of Switzerland, to the country’s north-western cities, such as St. Gallen and Winterthur.
- A40 autoroute is a motorway that connects France to Swiss border cities, including Geneva.
- A41 autoroute, or l’autoroute alpine, is another French motorway that passes through the alps and connects with the A40 near Geneva.
How to get from Geneva to Lausanne
It takes around an hour to drive the 39 miles from Geneva to Lausanne.
- Exit the city via Rue du Temple and Rue des Terreaux-du-Temple.
- Make a slight left onto Pl. de Cornavin.
- Continue onto Rue de Lausanne/Route 1.
- Use the right lane to take the A1a toll road for 32 miles.
- At the 17-Ecublens junction, use the right two lanes to follow signs for Lausanne.
- Continue onto the E25 toll road.
- Take the 2nd exit at the roundabout onto Avenue des Figuieres.
- Use the 3rd exit onto Avenue du Mont-d’Or.
- Take a left onto Chem du Resposoir.
- Continue onto Avenue Marc Dufour to arrive.
How to get from Geneva to Chamonix
Chamonix is little over an hour’s drive from Geneva. Follow Route de Malagnou to Route Blanche, following signs for the A411. Once on the A411, take the A40 exit towards Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, and continue onto the E712. From there, simply follow the A40, then N205 until the Route Blanche exit.
A quick guide to Geneva
Best hotels in Geneva
Grand Hotel Kempinski
Quai du Mont-Blanc 19, 1201 Geneva
This entertainment complex, luxury hotel and spa brings together everything you need for a fun-filled getaway in Geneva. When you aren’t swimming in Geneva’s largest private indoor swimming pool, you can shop in the hotel’s boutiques or sink back into a plush king size bed.
Hotel de la Paix
Quai du Mont-Blanc 11, 1201 Geneva
For more than 15 decades, this Ritz-Carlton hotel has charmed Geneva’s visitors. Its bright and airy rooms come with Illy coffee machines, Asprey bath amenities and smooth robes. If you dine onsite, you’ll enjoy Nordic-fusion bites and seafood in an environment with Art Deco echoes. The in-lobby Philippe Pascoët chocolate shop is a great place to collect mouth-watering souvenirs.
Hotel Les Armures
Rue Otto Barban, 1204 Geneva
With five stars and an enviable Old Town location, Hotel Les Armures makes a quirky base for weekends in Geneva. There are curiously quaint 17th-century features in the communal areas and traditional cuisine to match, such as Zurich-style veal and Swiss cheese fondue. Rooms come with crisp sheets, work desks and safes.
Best restaurants in Geneva
Bayview by Michel Roth
Quai Wilson 47, 1201 Geneva
You’ll find some of Geneva’s finest dining at this Michelin-starred chef’s eatery. The menu is sprinkled with seasonal staples – you might find fish from Lake Geneva or Jussy poultry, along with colourful vegetables. There’s a specialist pastry chef at Bayview, so it’s smart to save room for dessert.
L'Auberge d’Hermance
Rue du Midi 12, 1248 Hermance
A gastronomic hideaway just half an hour from Geneva, L’Auberge d’Hermance makes the perfect stop-off on lakeside road trips. If the medieval surrounds aren’t charming enough, you’re bound to love the adventurous flavours. Try truffles, experience coffee mousse paired with mackerel or swing by for a taste of mountain cheeses.
Windows
Quai du Mont-Blanc 17, 1201 Geneva
When you perch on the ornate furniture at Windows, it’s hard to know whether to look at the vibrant plates set before you or out at spectacular Mont Blanc. The menu is no stranger to life’s finer things – there’s caviar, lobster and saffron flavours in the mix. Visit for afternoon tea to make the most of the views in daylight.
Best things to do in and around Geneva
The Geneva Water Fountain
Quai Gustave-Ador, 1207 Geneva
Possibly the city’s most infamous landmark, the Geneva Water Fountain, or Jet d’Eau, has sat proudly on Lake Geneva since 1886. Firing 500 litres of water 140 metres up in the air every second, the fountain is so large, the water can be seen from the windows of planes flying above the city.
St Pierre Cathedral
Cr de Saint-Pierre, 1204 Geneva
This original Roman Catholic cathedral, now Reformed Protestant, was once home to one of the leaders of the Reformation, John Calvin. It was first founded in the 4th century and has gone through many changes throughout the years. Its late-gothic architecture is still something to behold, and the site makes for a great day-trip destination.
Musée d'Art et d'Histoire
Rue Charles-Galland 2, 1206 Geneva
The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire is one of the largest museums in Switzerland and Geneva’s biggest. The building you see today was built between 1903 and 1910, though the museum itself dates back to the mid-19th century. Wander through vast fine art collections, sculpture halls and thousands of years’ of history in the archaeology section.
