Motorcycling Tours - FAQs
Guide My Ride offers organised motorcycle tours around the Alps. We are based in a chalet, so you won’t have to transport your luggage from place to place. Our home is in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, providing access to both the French and Italian Alps.
You can choose from three pre-organised motorcycle tours, or you have the option to create your own custom tour.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask; we hope we’ve addressed many of them below.
What Should I Pack for Motorcycling in the French and Italian Alps?
Packing for a motorcycle tour of the French and Italian Alps can pose some challenges, as the weather in the mountains can vary widely.
Guide My Ride offers pre-designed chalet-based motorcycle tours. Our setup lets you bring as much luggage as you want, giving you the freedom to take all your gear and leave some items at home if, for instance, it’s a hot day.
We also advise you to pack the following essential items for all motorcycle tours:
What you will need on every ride:
Motorcycle clothing
Helmet
Motorcycle jacket and trousers
Gloves
Boots
Ear plugs
Throw-over waterproofs
What you should bring just in case:
Cold-weather gloves
Neck warmer/buff
Lightweight down jacket
Sunglasses
What Paperwork Do I Need for Motorcycle Rental in France?
Make sure your licence is valid for the motorcycle size you have chosen to rent:
In France, a foreign licence from an EU member state is accepted; other nationalities may need an International Driving Permit or a translation.
Some bikes require an A2/A licence (for higher displacement) or a minimum age (e.g., 21 or 23), as per the rental terms.
Carry your passport, valid licence, ID, proof of insurance, and rental agreement at all times, ready for inspection.
How Much Luggage Should I Bring on the Motorcycle Tour?
If you choose our motorcycle rental option and are flying into Geneva Airport for your motorcycle holiday, you can bring as much luggage as you like.
We recommend packing the essentials as detailed in “What do I need to pack for motorcycling in the French and Italian Alps?”
On arrival, you will be met at Geneva Airport and taken to our Motorcycle Hire partner. From here, our transfer provider will take your luggage to the chalet while you enjoy your first experience of Motorcycling in the French Alps, luggage free.
On the departure day, your luggage will be collected from the chalet and taken to the Motorcycle Hire partner, where you will return your motorcycle.
The transfer provider will then return you and your luggage to Geneva Airport.
If you are coming on your own motorcycle, you are responsible for transporting your own luggage to the chalet.
Where Will I Stay for My Motorcycle Tour?
Guide My Ride’s pre-designed tours operate from our chalet accommodation, providing a fixed base for allour tours.
Our beautiful, traditional chalet offers all the home comforts you need after a day’s ride and is located near the Alpine resort of Les Arcs.
For the Ultimate Alps tour, one night in Italy is included in the tour price.
If a fixed base isn't what you’re looking for, our custom motorcycle tour option offers a range of accommodation options tailored to your requirements.
What Insurance Do I Need to Ride a Motorcycle in Europe?
If you're hiring a motorcycle in France with our motorcycle hire option, full European cover is included in the rental price.
If you are coming on your own motorcycle, you will need to ensure that your insurance policy covers motorcycling in Europe, including Switzerland. It is also advised to have European breakdown cover.
We strongly recommend that you have comprehensive travel and health insurance that includes coverage for motorcycling on public roads in Europe and for repatriation. The following companies offer comprehensive motorcycle insurance in Europe:
Top tip: If you are part of a Motorcycle Club or Association, you may already benefit from Motorcycle Insurance cover in Europe as part of your registration fee.
Do I Need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to Ride a Motorcycle in Europe and Switzerland?
If you hold a motorcycle license from a nation outside Europe, you are obliged to carry an international driving license alongside your current, valid motorcycle license.
Please refer to the government sources in your home nation for the correct advice and instructions on how to apply.
Allow enough time for the processing of your request for an International Driving Permit (IDP) before starting your motorcycle tour.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Ensure that your IDP has the motorcycle category “A” stamped.
How Much Experience Do I Need to Ride a Motorcycle in the French and Italian Alps?
Motorbiking in the French and Italian Alps can require some experience due to the nature of the roads.
All of Guide My Ride's pre-designed motorcycle tours are intended for riders with at least 2 years of experience and who ride regularly.
If you are concerned about booking one of our motorcycle tours due to your level of experience, please contact us to discuss further.
We can also create custom motorcycle tours of the French and Italian Alps to suit your own riding requirements.
What Fitness Level Do I Need to Motorbike in the French and Italian Alps?
It is essential to have a fitness level suited to motorcycling in challenging conditions, given the demanding roads and mountainous terrain in France and Italy.
The required fitness level for riding a motorcycle in the French and Italian Alps is based on handling the motorcycle for a full day of riding throughout the tour.
If you are concerned about booking one of our motorcycle tours because of your fitness level, please contact us to discuss further.
We can also create custom motorcycle tours of the French and Italian Alps to suit your own riding requirements.
I Have a Pre-existing Medical Condition. Can I Still Book a French Alps Motorcycle Tour?
Yes! You can still book a motorcycle tour of the French and Italian Alps with us.
However, you may need to provide a doctor's authorisation confirming your suitability for riding a motorcycle.
Please see our terms and conditions for more details.
Can My Non-riding Friend/Partner Come with Me?
Yes, if you are booking one of Guide My Ride’s chalet-based tours, non-riders can join you on your holiday.
All non-riders can take advantage of the resort of Bourg Saint Maurice/Les Arcs during the summer season and the surrounding Tarentaise Valley. Many activities can be organised.
Check out the non-riders page on our website for more information and pricing.
Can I Hire a Motorcycle for My Tour of the French and Italian Alps?
Yes, you can hire a Motorcycle for your Alps tour. Prices for motorcycle hire are included on the pages for each of Guide My Ride’s individual Alps motorcycle tours.
Our motorcycle hire prices for all our French and Italian Tours vary based on the motorcycle you choose.
The price of motorcycle hire includes insurance, as detailed in our terms and conditions.
Motorcycle hire option can be included in any custom motorcycle tour of the French/Italian Alps.
Can I Hire Motorcycle Equipment for the Tour of the French and Italian Alps?
Yes. You can hire motorcycle equipment for your French and Italian Alps Tour. Our motorcycle hire partner in France provides the motorbike equipment available to rent.
To obtain a quote for motorcycle equipment hire for your Alps motorcycle tour, please contact us.
Motorcycle Equipment Hire Items:
Motorcycle helmet
Gloves
Outerwear
Waterproofs
Boots
Motorcycle equipment hire can be included in any of Guide My Ride’s custom motorcycle tour options. Contact Guide My Ride for more details.
What Documents Do I Need for Motorcycle Hire in France?
Documents you need to hire a motorcycle in France include the essential paperwork for motorbike hire and driving.
To hire a motorcycle in France, you will have to have these documents available for the French motorcycle hire company at the start of your holiday.
List of essential documents for motorcycle hire in France (original documents):
A valid category A driving license.
International driving permit if applicable (specifically for motorcycles, category A).
Passport.
Proof of home address (utilities bill).
What Documents do I Need to Ride a Motorcycle in Europe?
Knowing which documents to bring to ride a motorcycle in Europe legally can sometimes be confusing. Always ensure you have the following documents for riding a motorbike in Europe:
List of documents needed to ride a motorcycle in Europe:
Valid, category A driving permit.
International driving permit, if applicable.
European Motorcycle Insurance.
Passport.
Vehicle ownership documentation, or, in the case of rental, a photocopy of this document.
If you want to hire a motorcycle, you may need additional paperwork as detailed in our section “What documents do I need for motorcycle hire in France?”.
Which Airport Best Serves the French Alps?
Geneva Airport (Switzerland) is the only airport from which our pre-designed motorcycle tours operate. Geneva Airport offers the best air access to the French Alps.
Inbound and outbound flights for all of our motorbike tours must be booked to/from Geneva airport. If you are unable to fly to Geneva Airport, please contact Guide My Ride.
What Time Should I Arrive at Geneva Airport for the Start of the Motorcycle Tour?
All of our Alps motorcycle tours operate from Geneva Airport. We recommend that you arrive at Geneva Airport no later than 12.00h (midday).
The private transfer to the motorcycle rental company in France will depart at 13.00.
For any delay to this departure from Geneva Airport up to 16.00, additional fees will be charged by the private transfer company.
The latest departure from Geneva Airport will be at 16.00 in order to arrive at the motorcycle rental company in France during opening hours.
The Flight Options Land at Geneva Airport After the Airport Pick-up Time. What Shall I Do?
If you are unable to arrive at Geneva Airport before midday on your scheduled arrival day, you may need to travel the day before and stay in a local hotel.
You will need to be at Geneva Airport for the private transfer to the chalet at 13.00.
Please contact Guide My Ride, and we can discuss the situation together if you cannot arrive at Geneva Airport for your motorcycle holiday before 13.00 local time.
Please note that any additional costs associated with the requirement of extra night(s) are not included in the price of a motorcycle tour.
What Happens if My Flight to Geneva Airport is Delayed?
If your flight to Geneva Airport is delayed and you are unable to make the latest private transfer departure time of 16.00, you will be responsible for collecting your motorcycle from the rental company in France and making your own way to the chalet.
Our team will be on hand to guide you through the process. Please see our Terms and Conditions for details.
I Fly to Geneva Airport the Day Before the Specified Start Day of my Tour. What Accommodation Options Are There in Geneva?
There are many accommodation options in Geneva and around Geneva Airport. We recommend that you stay near Geneva airport, which is the meeting point for the start of all of Guide My Ride’s motorcycle tours of the French and Italian Alps.
Recommended hotels near Geneva Airport:
Please note that any additional costs associated with the requirement of extra night(s) are not included in the price of a motorcycle tour. Please contact us to discuss your situation.
Are the Flights to Geneva Airport Included in the Cost of my Alps Motorcycle Tour?
No, the cost of flights to Geneva Airport is not included in the price of any of our Alps motorcycle tours.
What Time Can I Arrive at the Chalet if I am Riding my Own Motorcycle to France?
If you are coming to France on your own Motorcycle, you can arrive at the chalet any time after 15.00.
There is private, covered parking for your Motorcycle at the chalet, and our host will greet you on arrival.
Please aim to arrive at the chalet no later than 18.00 so you can settle in and join the welcome meeting before enjoying your first delicious home-cooked dinner.
Can you Provide Organised Motorcycle Tours Outside of the Alps Region?
Yes, Guide My Ride’s Custom Motorcycle Tours lets you design your own European motorcycle tour.
It is also possible to benefit from a pure guiding experience, where you can organise your own trip and just book our guiding services.