Book a Hertz Geneva Airport Car Hire Swiss Side deal. This article covers: where the desk is, exactly how to reach the cars in P51, and how to return without looping around the terminal.
If you’re comparing all providers first, start here: https://www.carhiregeneva-airport.co.uk/car-hire-geneva-airport-swiss-side/
Quick facts (Swiss-side Hertz at GVA)
- Official listing (airport): Hertz is listed in the Swiss sector of Geneva Airport. The airport’s Hertz page is here: https://www.gva.ch/fr/Site/Passagers/Acces-Transports/Location-voitures/Suisse/Hertz
- Hertz Geneva Airport page (opening hours + location): https://www.hertz.ch/p/en/car-hire/switzerland/geneva/geneva-airport
- Where the cars are: Swiss-sector rentals typically collect/return from car park P51, about 500 m from Terminal 1.
Pickup: step-by-step from arrivals to your Hertz car (Swiss side)
1) Get to the rental desks (Swiss side)
- Arrive, clear passport control (if needed), collect bags and walk into the public arrivals area.
- Stay on the Swiss side of Terminal 1. Do not follow “Secteur France / Gate F” signs (that’s the French sector).
- Follow airport signs for “Car rental / Location de voitures”. The Swiss-side rental desks are in the terminal (airport listing confirms Hertz is in the Swiss sector).
2) Paperwork at Hertz: do these checks before you walk away
- Confirm the return location on your agreement shows Geneva Airport (Swiss side) and mentions P51 (or the Swiss-side car park) for return.
- Ask what to do for out-of-hours return (key drop location and whether the fuel check is done later).
- Clarify cross-border plans if you’re driving into France (e.g., Chamonix) or Italy (e.g., Aosta). Some rentals require this to be noted on the contract.
3) Reach the cars in P51 (this is the part people miss)
At Geneva Airport Swiss side, the cars are commonly parked in P51, which is not inside the terminal building. The typical flow is:
- Leave the terminal by the main exit after your paperwork.
- Follow the car-rental / P51 instructions provided at the desk. Many Swiss-sector agencies use a shuttle between the terminal area and P51.
- At P51, locate the Hertz bays (signage is usually by brand). Check the bay number / row on your paperwork if provided.
- Do a 2-minute walkaround before driving off: photos of all panels, wheels, windscreen, fuel gauge, and the odometer.
Return / drop-off: how to get back to P51 cleanly
Best approach (what to put in sat nav)
For returns, aim for P51 (Geneva Airport) rather than “Geneva Airport Terminal” to avoid being routed to passenger drop-off loops. P51 is commonly signed and is around 500 m from the terminal.
Step-by-step return flow
- Drive toward Geneva Airport (Swiss side) and follow signs for P51 / Car rental return.
- Enter P51 and follow “Car rental / Retour véhicules” signage to the rental return level/area.
- Park in the Hertz return bays (or the shared return area if instructed).
- Final checks: remove belongings, photograph fuel + mileage + car condition again, then return keys as instructed (desk if open, otherwise key drop).
Fuel: where to refuel before P51
If your rental requires a full-to-full return, refuel before you commit to the final airport approach. The last few kilometres can be slow in peak periods, and you don’t want to overshoot the P51 turn and loop back.
UK driver checklist (what usually causes problems at the desk)
- Driving licence: bring your physical photocard licence. If your licence details recently changed (address/name), allow extra time at pickup.
- Card for deposit: most airport rentals require a credit card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit. Debit cards can be refused or can trigger extra restrictions.
- Insurance and excess: if you have third-party excess cover, keep the policy docs handy and understand the claims steps (you still typically pay Hertz first, then claim back).
- Winter driving (Nov–Apr): if you’re heading to resorts, ask at the desk what’s fitted (winter tyres) and whether you need chains for your route.
Swiss side vs French side (one practical rule)
If your plans involve a lot of driving in Switzerland (or you’re staying Swiss-side), collecting on the Swiss side avoids the French-sector access road and internal border walk. If your accommodation is in France and you don’t need Switzerland at all, compare both sides before booking.
FAQs: Hertz Geneva Airport Swiss Side
Is Hertz at Geneva Airport on the Swiss side?
Yes. Geneva Airport lists Hertz in the airport’s Swiss sector. Always double-check your booking confirmation because the airport also has a separate French sector.
Where do I pick up the Hertz car after signing the paperwork?
Swiss-sector airport rentals commonly collect vehicles from P51 (a multi-storey car park around 500 m from Terminal 1). Follow the desk instructions and airport signage for the exact handover point.
How do I return the car to the Swiss side?
Follow road signs for P51 / Car rental return, park in the Hertz return area, then return keys as instructed (desk or key drop).
Can I return outside opening hours?
Usually yes, but the procedure varies by desk. Ask Hertz at pickup where the key drop is and how the fuel/condition is recorded when staff are not present.
What should I do if my sat nav keeps sending me to the terminal drop-off lanes?
Search for P51 Geneva Airport (or set “P51” as your destination) rather than “Geneva Airport Terminal” to reduce the chance of being routed into passenger drop-off loops.
