Geneva Airport - Swiss & French Side
Comprising a good proportion of the awesome Alps mountains, Switzerland is the perfect destination for those who love nature and the great outdoors. The cities of Bern, Geneva and Zurich all lie on the Swiss Plateau and are convenient start points for exploring the Alps with car hire in Switzerland.
The old city precinct of Bern was built on an oxbow bend in the River Aare and dates back to medieval times. It is one of several UNESCO Heritage Sites in Switzerland. The International Red Cross Museum is located in Geneva and one of an estimated 1,000 museums in the country. Switzerland's events calendar is busy and visitors often time their trips to coincide with major happenings such as the Locarno Film or Montreux Jazz festivals.
Geneva
Or Geneve, as it is also refereed to, is sometimes mistaken as the capital of Switzerland, with its association with banking and watch making. However it is the third largest and is clean, safe and great for shopping if a little more expensive.
Basel
Has the popular Basel-Mulhouse Airport, also referred to as Euro Airport. The airport is situated between Mulhouse in France and Basel in Switzerland.
Zurich
Is ideal for a weekend break. If you have a little extra time, visit the Uetiberg, with its breathtaking views of Switzerland. Visitors arrive and hire drive away quickly from
ZurichInternational Airport.
Cheaper Swiss SUV, MPV & 7, 9 passenger minivans.
Save on MPV rental costs when book here.
Good discounted holiday auto prices throughout Switzerland.
Manual & automatics at discounted rental costs.
Going skiing? Easy booking of estates at Sion Airport.
CDW insurance cover also available.
When visit Switzerland
Switzerland looks fantastic throughout the year and can be visited at any time. If you want to spend your time on activities such as hiking or sightseeing then late spring or autumn is best. The lakes are warmer in summer and water-sports are more fun at this time.
Most ski areas are open between November and May, but at those resorts with glaciers, like Zermatt, you can see all year round, although would just be mornings, before the sun gets too far overhead, but leaves the rest of the day for other pursuits.
Recommended Swiss drives
Take the road around the north shore of Lake Geneva links Geneva to Lausanne and Montreux. Parts of the roads are raised and give commanding views of the lake. Chateau de Chillon is a magical edifice just south of Montreux. Martigny is 40kms south of the chateau and one end of the legendary Great St Bernard Pass to Bourg St Pierre. The pass is noted for its stunning mountains. Martigny has ample draws among which are a well-preserved Roman amphi-theatre and the Earth Science Museum.
In the high-altitude Alps south of Lucerne, three interconnected passes offer an unmissable road trip.The three passes are the Furka, Grimsel and Susten. Brig-Glis is home to the fabulous Stockalper Palace and the east end of the passes. The Furka pass was immortalised in the James Bond film, Goldfinger.
Skiing in Switzerland - If you are landing at Sion Airport, then one resort you might be going to is
Zermatt is a must see ski resort at anytime of the year. The town nestles in a bowl of five mountain peaks, capped by spectacular views of the very impressive Matterhorn mountain. These conditions guarantee excellent snow conditions for skiers, snowboarders and langlaufers in winter.
There are also a number of safe walkways through the mountains for the non skier. In fact spring, summer and autumn, are also popular times for mountain bikers, hill walkers, shoppers and even skiers who can ski the glacier at Klein Matterhorn all year round.
No Cars in Zermatt
- Cars are not allowed in the town of Zermatt and are left at the train station below Zermatt, and everyone catches the train into the town centre, where electrified taxis are waiting to take you to your hotel. This should make walking around the beautiful streets much safer, but you still need to keep an ear out for the electrified noise of a taxi sneaking up behind you. However a taxi is most welcome for getting home after a long day skiing, especially if stopping for some apres-ski in the Popperla Pub or Grampis.
Sion Tourism
For more on what to do in the land of Swiss Army knives, cuckoo clocks, banking and yodeling, go to the
Switzerland Tourist Board to find out more.
15th Sept 2020