Car Hire Grenoble Airport

Car Hire

Grenoble-Isere Airport is the low-cost and charter carrier hub for travellers to the Rhone-Alps region of southeastern France. Set at the foot of the French Alps, 25 miles from the city, the terminal sees almost half a million visitors pass through its doors every year, with many heading for the region’s popular ski resorts. Overlooked by the snowy mountain massifs, Grenoble is within an easy 45-minute drive of the ski stations for Deux Alpes, Alpe d’Huez and other popular winter sports resorts. Coach, minibus and taxi are the ground transportation options for accessing the city and other places in the region.

Who to Book With
Avis is the only car hire company serving Grenoble Airport, with its office open for business during the winter season from Friday through Monday. Opening times are geared to flight arrivals and are 08:00 to 12:00 Monday, 14:30 to 21:00 Friday, 08:00 to 22:30 Saturday and 08:00 to 18:00 Sunday.

Need to Know Essentials
You will need to show the following documents at vehicle collection:

- Your home country driver’s licence
- The credit card used to make the reservation
- A passport to confirm your ID
- Confirmation of booking if made in advance

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
New regulations state a breathalyser must be carried along with a reflective jacket and warning triangles. Snow chains are compulsory in winter and dipped headlights must be used during the day. Parking regulations are rigorously enforced, with urban Blue Zone parking areas needing the display of a blue disc, purchased at a shop. Fines and towing away are the result of non-compliance. Petrol stations accept card payments although automatic pumps may not accept UK credit cards. Drivers from the UK are now allowed to purchase telepeage tags allowing for the use of the toll road automatic tag lanes.

See our guide to France for more information on driving here.

Transport

The fastest and most convenient way to reach Grenoble from the airport is by self-drive, with alternatives such as coaches and Ben’s Bus ski transport buses taking at least 35 minutes at a cost of around £10. The coaches run infrequently and offer services to major ski resorts, including Chamrousse, Les Deux Alpes and Alpe d’Huez. Taxis and limos can be hired, but are expensive.

Taxis
Taxis can be hired via the information desk in the airport’s Arrivals hall or can be booked in advance. Limos with bilingual drivers are available. Taxi travel to the ski resorts is by shared minibuses which are usually booked in advance rather than by regular taxis. Popular taxi firms with a presence at the airport include Premier Classe Transport, Herve Bringer and VIP Limousine.

Taxi prices:
Grenoble Airport to Grenoble city centre is about £50
Grenoble Airport to Alpe d’Huez is about £200
Grenoble Airport to Les Deux Alpes is about £210

Buses
During the winter ski season, Grenoble Altitude offers an hourly coach service from the airport to the city centre, taking around 50 minutes, costing £10 and arriving at the city’s coach station for connections with coach services to more than 20 ski resorts in the French Alps. AG Bus connects with Lyon and the Tarentaise Valley, just over an hour’s drive away.

Facilities

Terminals
Grenoble Airport is small, with its single terminal, built in 2002, hosting around half a million passengers every year, most of whom arrive during the winter sports season. EasyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and Monarch offer the majority of low-cost flights from London and regional airports in the UK, with Thomson and Thomas Cook the major charter carriers. All flights to Grenoble Airport operate on a seasonal basis.

Parking
Terminal pick ups and drop offs are free for the first 10 minutes and are charged at £4 and upwards for longer stays and at up to £12 for 24 hours. The main P1 car park has 500 spaces and is located close to the terminal. It charges between £0.80 for 30 minutes and £10 for the first 24 hours, with a £5 charge for subsequent days. Payment is by credit card at automatic ticket machines, at the information desk by cash, card or cheque, or at the exit gate by card.

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi internet access is not available.

Information Services
An information desk is available in the terminal.

Useful Numbers
Service Centre: +33 47 665 4848

Accessibility
In compliance with EU rules, assistance for disabled passengers is available, with those in need asked to contact their carrier in the first instance. Facilities include adapted toilets, wheelchairs, designated parking bays and wheelchair-friendly ramps to all areas in the terminal.

Restaurants and Bars
The newly-opened Restofly Restaurant, located on the terminal’s mezzanine level, offers a full lunch menu as well as a bar serving drinks, sandwiches and snacks, and a good view of the airport operations. On the ground floor, there’s a snack bar serving sandwiches, pastries, desserts and drinks.

VIP Lounges
A VIP lounge and meeting rooms are available at the terminal.

Money and ATMs
Several ATMs are available in the terminal, but there is no currency exchange or banking services.

Shopping
The airport’s duty-free shop has recently been renovated and now offers more choice and more space to shop in comfort. Cosmetics, wines, spirits, perfume and gifts, as well as local specialist foods are offered. A new gift shop crammed with souvenirs and local treats, such as chocolate and Chartreuse, is located in the terminal, and Relay on the ground floor has books, magazines, newspapers and tobacco products.