Geneva - Post Report Question and Answers
What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
There was two days of snow in Geneva this whole winter. It’s nice to have four wheel drive if you are hitting the mountains in the winter, but even that is not necessary. If you have good snow tires, which are required, it is probably good enough. - Jun 2022
I'd say get a local car. If you are in a major European city, you might check out car sharing or rely on public transportation. - Jul 2018
It's Europe so small is best as parking spots are very tight and there are many shockingly narrow roads. On the other hand, if you're big into skiing you'll want something that can get you up into the mountains easily. While winter tires are not technically required by law, you are required to have the appropriate tires on for the weather conditions so most people do swap out tires for winter. They are available locally but are costly. - Mar 2014
Winter tires and chains if you are going skiing. - Mar 2014
I'm not sure about local duties because we bought our car here, but in terms of size, the smaller the better for manoeuvering around and getting into parking spaces. We have one big car and one small one, and I always take the small one when I do errands or I just don't go at all. Taking the big one is not worth the trouble. - Mar 2013
Any kind. But small parking spaces. I find it difficult to park our van in underground parking lots. It barely gets through the place where you take your entrance ticket and the arm goes up to let you through. But we have another car, a normal Volvo sedan, and that's mostly fine. The smaller the better though, if you plan to park in city areas a lot. - Feb 2012
The public transportation system works quite well here, and if you are planning on living in Geneva, a car would be almost more hassel than it is worth. If you are planning on living in a surrounding area, then having a car is advisable to provide more fleixibility. The buses only run once an hour in some outlaying areas. For sightseeing and getting to a ski area, the trains do run to many, and also some hotels offer shuttles to and from train stations. I prefer being on my own clock, so I have a 4-wheel drive car, which is VERY advisable for CH. Also, it is law to have chains for your tires in the car during winter, so plan accordingly. The import regulations are pretty strict, and be prepared for costly repairs or upkeep to meet Swiss requirements. - Jul 2009
