FROM GENEVA TO RESORT
PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER OR CAR HIRE
We are all familiar with the time consuming burden that comes with being the organiser for a group or a family ski/snowboarding holiday. Once the resort is decided on, the accommodation and flights are booked, the final hurdle you face is working out how you are all going to get there.
Public transport from Geneva Airport to Meribel or Courchevel Valley is not that simple as there isn’t a direct train or a great bus service that doesn’t involve changing in Moutiers. It is a bit like Planes, Trains and Automobiles!
The costs can come as a bit of a shock to first timers, and often the assumption is that a car hire must be cheaper. But is it really? We decided to get to the bottom of this debate.
Fuel = 48 Euros total (based on diesel @1.62)
Tolls = 41.20 in total if you go via motorway or if via Annecy 17.80 Euros junction 17
Swiss Vignette = 43 Euros
Buy online – https://via.admin.ch/shop/dashboard
The fine for driving without one is 200CHF
Costs= 132.20 via Motorway or 108.8o via Annecy
To work out the average cost we looked at hiring a medium sized car, driver +25 yrs old from various companies including Hertz, Avis, Sixt & Holiday Autos
4 passengers, 1 x large case, 2 x small cases for 1 week, weekend /weekend, different dates & times
Average Cost = 666 Єuros
We discovered that not all hire cars come automatically fitted with winter tyres. (what???!!)
In Switzerland it is not compulsory to have them fitted and therefore when you a hire a car from Geneva Airport you need to check what this will add on to your cost.
You might be wondering if you will actually need winter tyres and the answer is YES, you do.
By contrast the Savoie and Haute Savoie it is mandatory by law to have winter tyres fitted from Nov 1st. The fine for driving without any will set you back 135 Euros.
From Nov 1st 2024 All Season tyres may not be accepted that are only M + S. They must be 3PMSF – 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake.
Winter tyres = approx 104 Euros for the week
Snow Chains. Do you need them or not? Some say no however there is always a risk of snow in the winter in the Alps – FACT
And you should also take note that if there is a heavy dump the Gendarmes will stop you from driving up or down. Therefore having them on board is a legal requirement when you are in the zone and the road to resort has the signs.
Cost of Snow Chains = from 26 Euros & up to 80 Euros
More info on government website: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/actualites/A14389?lang=en
OPTIONAL EXTRAS –
Child Seat – costs from 40 to 80 Euros depending on type of seat you need. (we provide them free)
Additional Driver – around 100 Euros.
Excess Insurance – Most will have this sorted via your Credit Card but watch out for this.
Speeding and Parking Fines, Accidents…. Etc – Parking & Speeding fines do happen. Especially when you are on holiday and not aware of speed limits and specific zones.
GPS – Sometimes the phone doesn’t kick in straight away in Switzerland.
Late Charges – if you do not show up in a certain window of time you could lose the car all together.
Damages – it’s a well known fact that they love to find a scratch or a small ding
Then there is the parking …….. which is like gold dust in Meribel and Courchevel.
Most residents and chalets in resort do not include a parking space. Free spaces are rare but you can get lucky.
Make sure you do not park anywhere as you might be towed or snowed in by a grumpy snow plow driver 😉
You may also need to pre-book this on the busy weeks. See the Mairie websites for more information.
Cost of Parking = roughly 110 Euros for the week
DRIVING IN THE ALPS
Not included in the costs so far but just as valuable, if not more so, is the safety aspect of being in the hands of an experienced driver who knows the route. Especially if there is bad weather, after a long day and maybe even a delay which is a risk that comes with flying in the winter.
Your driver is also more knowledgeable than Waze when it comes to skipping the horrendous traffic queues and the bonus is that usually we can bypass the police checks as we have local plates.
The stress factor of travel should also be considered. Finding your way out of the airport and to the border can be a challenge and possibly add that it could be late at night and in the bad weather.
Then there is the tiredness. On average the travel time works out to be approx 9.5 hours from the time you left the house to arriving at your accommodation. That is without any delays or any other hiccups.
THE SUMMARY OF COSTS
Here is the breakdown of hiring a medium sized car for 4 passengers – weekend dates, 1 large case, 2 small cases and driver +25yrs old
928.20 Euros – via Motorway incl fuel, tolls, vignette, winter tyres and snow chains
878.80 Euros – same costs but via Annecy and also deducted snow chains but kept the winter tyres
774.80 Euros – and the cost if snow tyres are deducted (bearing in mind that this is illegal in the winter, the fine is 135 Euros)
608.80 Euros – cheaper car hire option for 500 Euros, via Annecy, no chains, may have winter tyres but no chains… & a small prayer
Not included – parking, child seats, extra driver
NOTE – LIMITED LUGGAGE SPACE, i.e. skis not possible
The rates for a private door to door Airport Transfer in a new minibus from Geneva to Courchevel or Meribel Valleys –
810 Euros – for a group of 4 to 8 passengers on the weekend (not including loyalty discount for returning clients)
680 Euros – Week Day rate is even cheaper.
Includes parking, tolls, petrol & all the optional extras are free, i.e. child seats.
Shared rates are also good value for 1 to 3 passengers starting from 85 Euros pp if timings match up with the shuttle
Extra long wheeled van with lots of extra space for skis, snowboards and a pram.
THE CONCLUSION
The convenience of an airport transfer from Geneva Airport to resort is not only the practical solution, but also offers the best value when looking at 4- 8passengers. Smaller groups are not left out completely as they too can find a deal for our shared shuttle options.
We drive, You Relax
Your friendly driver will meet you in Arrivals, and from this point we can you just relax. We will help with your bags, whisk you away to the minibus, sort out the child seats, get you all settled in comfortably, give you invaluable tips on where the best mountain top lunch place is or where the best powder can be found, and no need to worry anything like paying for parking or the tolls or which direction to go. BLISS!
