Practical guide : TAXI, VTC, VSL de la Haute-Savoie (74)
Whether you’re looking for an approved cab in Annecy for a medical appointment, a private chauffeur to take you to the ski resorts of Geneva or Chambéry, or planning to launch a career in passenger transport in Haute-Savoie (VTC, cab or VSL driver), this practical guide will help you every step of the way.
You’ll find detailed information on the services offered in the département, the working conditions of the various transport professions, the areas served (stations, airports), indicative fares, as well as the reimbursement terms for medical journeys covered by the Assurance Maladie.
✅ Services in Haute-Savoie
- All-distance transfers: to train stations, airports and ski resorts
- Assisted medical transport reimbursed by the CPAM (with medical prescription)
- Reservation-based services, 24 hours a day – 7 days a week, depending on service provider
🚆 Stations and airports served
- Stations: Annecy, Thonon-les-Bains, Cluses, Sallanches, Saint-Gervais…
- Airports: Geneva, Lyon Saint-Exupéry, Chambéry
- Ski resorts: Chamonix, Megève, La Clusaz, Morzine, Avoriaz, Le Grand-Bornand…
🏥 Medical transport (CPAM)
Do you benefit from a transport voucher prescribed by a healthcare professional? You can call on :
- An approved cab
- A CPAM-approved VSL (light medical vehicle)
👉 Services concerned :
- Hospitalization (admission/discharge)
- Regular treatments (dialysis, chemotherapy, rehabilitation…)
- Specialized medical examinations or consultations
📌 Always book in advance to guarantee vehicle availability, especially in mountainous areas.
🚘 Cab, VSL, ambulance or private chauffeur: which to choose?
| Type of transport | Target audience | Medical prescription | CPAM reimbursement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚖 Cab conventionné | Patients with transport vouchers | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| 🚗 VSL | Autonomous patients | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| 🚐 Ambulance | People lying down / emergencies | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| 🚘 Private chauffeur | Private or business travel | ❌ No | ❌ No |
👔 Becoming a driver in Haute-Savoie
📍 Conditions for becoming a VTC driver
- B driving licence for at least 3 years
- Initial training at an approved center
- Successful completion of professional examination (organized by CMA)
- Obtaining a professional card (Annecy prefecture)
- Entry in the official VTC register
- Compliant vehicle (size, comfort, professional insurance)
- Professional liability insurance
➡️ VTC drivers operate on a reservation basis only.
📍 Conditions for becoming a cab driver
- Full training (approx. 200 hours)
- Passing the cab exam (CMA Haute-Savoie)
- Professional card issued by the prefecture
- Obtaining an ADS (parking permit)
- Mandatory training every 5 years
- Possibility of signing an agreement with the CPAM
💡 ADSs are often in short supply in large towns like Annecy or Thonon. It is possible to lease a license from an existing operator.
💰 Haute-Savoie cab fares (indicative – 2025)
| Service | Average rate |
|---|---|
| Support | Approx. €3.50 |
| Price per kilometer | From €1.24 (day) to €3.72 (night) |
| Waiting time | Approx. €27.70/hour |
| Luggage/ski surcharge | From €2 |
| Geneva airport | Packages available on request |
🧾 Private chauffeurs offer fixed booking prices, which are particularly popular for long-distance journeys or to resorts.
🎯 Which type of transport is right for you?
| Situation | Recommended solution |
|---|---|
| Medical travel with prescription | 🚖 Cab or 🚗 VSL |
| Private or business travel | 🚘 Private chauffeur |
| Immediate seated transport in town | 🚖 Classic cab |
| Medical emergency or transport lying down | 🚐 Ambulance |
❓ FAQ – Frequently asked questions
📌 Is a VSL different from a cab?
Yes, the VSL (Véhicule Sanitaire Léger) is a medical transport service prescribed by a doctor for independent patients who need to get to a medical appointment. The VSL is driven by an ARS-approved professional trained in patient transport.
A conventioned cab can also carry out medical journeys reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie, without any health training requirement, provided it has signed an agreement with the CPAM.
📌 Is private chauffeur-driven transportation reimbursed?
No. The services of private chauffeurs (VTC) are not reimbursable, even in the case of transport for treatment or hospitalization.
Only cabs covered by an agreement or VSL may be reimbursed, subject to a valid medical prescription and compliance with the criteria laid down by the Assurance Maladie.
📌 Can I become a cab and a VTC at the same time?
Yes, but under certain conditions. A professional can combine the two statuses, provided he or she complies with the separate regulatory requirements:
- Specific training and exams,
- Two business cards,
- Registration VTC register and obtain a parking authorization (ADS) for the cab business.
In Haute-Savoie, for example, this means you can combine city trips with long-distance transfers to ski resorts or airports.
📌 Do I need to book a cab or private chauffeur in advance in Haute-Savoie?
Yes, especially during thewinter, school vacations and tourist events. Reservations guarantee the availability of a suitable vehicle (4×4, van, sedan), fix a rate in advance and enable you to plan your journeys to popular destinations such as Chamonix, Megève, La Clusaz or the airports.
📌 Do cabs in ski resorts charge a special rate?
Additional charges may apply depending on the time of day (nights, weekends, public holidays), traffic conditions or equipment required (chains, snow tires).
Fares are governed by the Haute-Savoie prefectoral decree, but vary according to the commune in which you live. Additional charges may apply for bulky luggage, ski equipment or journeys at altitude.
📌 Can a driver pick me up at Geneva airport?
Yes, provided that the professional is authorized to carry out cross-border transfers. Many VTC drivers and cross-border cabs serve routes between Haute-Savoie and Geneva-Cointrin, but it’s important to check that the service provider complies with Franco-Swiss regulations (insurance, licenses, customs clearance, etc.).
📌 Are journeys to the stations shared or private?
Most transport services are private, i.e. reserved for a single family or group. This service offers greater comfort, flexibility and personalized care.
Some local companies also offer shared shuttles, which are less expensive, but with fixed schedules and no personalization.
📌 How can I find out the price of a trip to a ski resort?
Cabs generally operate on a regulated meter, with packages sometimes offered for long-distance journeys (e.g. Annecy → Avoriaz).
VTCs, on the other hand, display a fixed fare upon reservation. The price depends on :
- The distance,
- Estimated duration,
- Season (high or low),
- Type of vehicle (sedan, van, SUV),
- Options included (personalized welcome, snow equipment, baby seat, etc.).
📌 Are drivers based in Haute-Savoie authorized to drive to ski resorts in Savoie (73)?
Yes, VTC drivers and cabs based in Haute-Savoie can make trips to ski resorts in Savoie, as long as they comply with the booking and operating rules specific to their activity.
Inter-departmental transport is a common practice in the Alps, particularly between Haute-Savoie (74) and Savoie (73), which share a vast mountainous territory and many famous ski resorts.
For example, a driver based in Annecy or Chamonix can easily provide transfers to major Savoyard resorts such as :
- Val d’Isère and Tignesfamous for their extensive ski areas and international appeal,
- The Three Valleys (Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens), the world’s largest linked ski area, is a favorite with high-end customers,
- La Plagne or Les Arcswhich are part of the Paradiski area, accessible from Haute-Savoie by car or VTC.
👉 Cab or VTC in Courchevel– premium transfers to Savoie resorts
These inter-departmental routes are particularly popular with skiers who want to combine comfort, time-saving and personalized service, especially at the beginning or end of their stay.
📌 How do I get from Annecy to Geneva airport?
The journey from Annecy to Geneva Airport takes around 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic and border crossing formalities.
Here are the main options for making this journey:
- 🚖 Private cab or VTC :
The fastest, most comfortable and flexible way. Perfect for early-morning departures, family trips or trips with bulky luggage (skis, suitcases, strollers…). The driver will pick you up at your address and drop you off directly in front of the terminal. - 🚌 Direct shuttle:
Several airlines offer regular services between Annecy and Geneva Airport, with fixed timetables. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during winter and summer vacation periods. - 🚗 Personal or rental car:
AtGeneva airport, several parking lots available : - P1: covered parking lot, very close to the terminal, ideal for short stays.
- P20 & P26: parking lots for longer stays, with online booking facilities.
- P51: low-cost parking lot further away, served by a free shuttle bus to the terminal.
- 💡 Tip: most of these parking lots are on the Swiss side. If you are using the A1 freeway to get to the airport, don’t forget to have a valid Swiss motorway vignette.
➡️ For a stress-free trip, a private chauffeur remains the most comfortable solution, especially in winter conditions or for early morning departures.
🔗 Need a private chauffeur in Haute-Savoie?
Whether it’s a medical trip, sightseeing tour or airport transfer, book easily from Annecy, Thonon, Chamonix or Courchevel.
Contact us for personalized service, available 7 days a week:
📞 Telephone : +33 (0)1 89 86 40 14 / +33 (0)6 30 73 24 79 Call/SMS
📧 Email : contact@alpstransfers-cab.com
👉 Book a driver in Haute-Savoie
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