SwitzerlandHotels.com (Geneva Transportation Info)

GENEVA TRANSPORTATION TIPS

(SwitzerlandHotels.com)

Geneva Cointrin International Airport

The Geneva Cointrin International Airport (airport website) sits at an elevation of 1,410 feet and is just 5 km (3 miles) northwest of the city center. Many major airlines fly in and out of Cointrin (list of airlines). Public transportation options to reach the center of Geneva include:

* Trains: 3 or 4 trains leave each hour from the Geneva Airport rail station to Geneva city. Travel time is only 7 minutes. (The airport rail station is within walking distance of the Arrivals/Departures level.) A second class ticket costs CHF 5, a first class CHF 8.40. (The station also offers direct train service to Basel, Brig, Lausanne, Milan, Rome, Venice and Zurich. Click here for Swiss Rail.)

* Buses. Several bus services operate from outside the Arrivals and Departures levels:

To Geneva:
Bus 10 to Place Bel Air departs every 10 minutes.
Bus 18 to the United Nations Building leaves every 30 minutes.

A ticket for unlimited travel for one hour costs CHF2.20. A 7-day network-wide travel card costs CHF30. Tickets are available from machines at the bus stops.

The Aero Ski-bus connects many French ski resorts with the airport. For details see the Accueil France counter in the French sector of the airport, or phone 4122 798 2000 (fax 4122 788 0082).

Aero-Express Geneva, a shuttle coach service, links the airport to Grenoble, Chambery and Lyon. The Grenoble/Chambery service has two routes, a fast route and a slower route which avoids toll costs. Details from 0438 021333, fax 0438 020842. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance. For the Lyon service booking should also be made in advance on 3347 235 9496.

Hotel Courtesy Buses run about every 20 minutes (starting at 6 am) from the Airport to the following hotels:
In Geneva:                               In Chavannes-de-Bogis:
Forum Park Hotel                     Novotel France
Movenpick Geneva                   Manotel
Movenpick Geneva-Meyrin
Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza

* A taxi from the airport to downtown costs CHF 30 to 35. While Cointrin Airport has plenty of taxis, you can also prebook by phoning 33141 33. You should arrive in the center city within 15 minutes.

* Rental cars can be reserved at the airport at great rates through Otels.

Geneva Region

Click on regional map of Swiss Cantons to see more detailed surrounding areas.

Arriving by Train

See notes above in the airport section. Click here for Swiss Rail, and for a larger map of European rail lines, click here .

Traveling by High-Speed Train (TGV) to France

The Geneva-Med train is a high-speed TGV (train a grande vitesse) linking Geneva with Avignon, Marseille, Lyon, Cannes and several French Mediterranean destinations. The TGVs have recently been re-furbished with more comfortable seats, improved lighting and additional luggage space; there is also an information center onboard. The Geneva-Med can be reserved 60 days prior to departure. Rail Tickets charge a $25 booking fee on all Geneva-Med bookings. Fares are available for sale 14 April - 31 December 2006

   Geneva's Tram and Rail System: click here

Bicycle Tours

For bike trips all over Switzerland with Duvine Adventures, please click here.

Sightseeing info

The city of Geneva (www.geneve-tourisme.ch) sponsors walking tours of the Old Town each morning from Pont de la Machine at 10:00 am.
To explore Lake Geneva, consider CGN (www.cgn.ch), Geneva’s largest boat company. It has four departure locations with one-hour cruises available from SFr. 12 for adults and SFr. 6 for children. Evening sunset cruises offer starlit views and dancing. CGN also runs regular ferries to destinations around the lake including Nyon, Yvoire, Thonon, Evian, Lausanne-Ouch, Montreux, and Chateau de Chillon.

SwitzerlandHotels.com wishes you an enjoyable stay in Geneva!

* A taxi from the airport to downtown costs CHF 30 to 35. While Cointrin Airport has plenty of taxis, you can also prebook by phoning 33141 33. You should arrive in the center city within 15 minutes. * Rental cars can be reserved at the airport at great rates through Otels.

Geneva Region Click on regional map of Swiss Cantons to see more detailed surrounding areas. Arriving by Train See notes above in the airport section. Click here for Swiss Rail, and for a larger map of European rail lines, click here .

* A taxi from the airport to downtown costs CHF 30 to 35. While Cointrin Airport has plenty of taxis, you can also prebook by phoning 33141 33. You should arrive in the center city within 15 minutes.

* Rental cars can be reserved at the airport at great rates through Otels.

Geneva Region

Click on regional map of Swiss Cantons to see more detailed surrounding areas.

Arriving by Train

See notes above in the airport section. Click here for Swiss Rail, and for a larger map of European rail lines, click here .