Among European cities, Geneva is one of the best connected by low-cost airlines. Altogether, there are more than a hundred direct daily flights landing in Geneva connecting it to European capitals and important cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Madrid and Lisbon.

Geneva’s international airport is located in the NW of town, 4 km from Geneva city center and very well connected to the city center.

For further information about airport network, please visit the website of GVA Airport.

If you arrive at Zürich Airport, you can reach Geneva either by train (approx. 3 hours) or book a domestic flight (approx. 45 min).

Flight information: 0900 57 15 00

Bus information :  https://www.tpg.ch/

To reach the HUG from airport:

BY BUS

• Bus line No 5, direction Thônex-Vallard: travel time approximately 35 minutes (19 stops) get off at stop Lombard and then walk 260 m to the entry of HUG.
• Frequency : approx. every 10 minutes.
• Price : You can pick up a free ticket for public transport from the machine in the baggage collection area at the Arrival level. This unireso ticket, offered by Genève Aéroport, allows you to use public transport in Geneva free for a period of 80 minutes.

BY TRAIN

• Train SBB (IC1/ IC5/ IR15 or IR90): travel time approximately: 30 minutes (1 stop); get off at stop Gare Cornavin and then take bus 1 direction: Hôpital Trois-Chêne get off at stop Lombard .
• Frequency: approx. every 10 minutes.
• Price: approx. CHF 8.00

BY TAXI

• Taxi to the HUG will take about 20/30 minutes, and cost approx. CHF 58.00

Switzerland’s rail network meets the highest European standards. Thanks to its central location, Geneva is easily accessible by train, e.g. Paris (3h30min) or Milan (3h50min). Cornavin station is the central station in the heart of the city with a non-stop connection to Geneva airport (6 min).

Switzerland’s national rail network keeps Geneva connected to the rest of Switzerland as well as Europe. For further information, please consult the SBB website.

Thanks to the highly efficient road network throughout Switzerland and Europe, Geneva is easily accessible by car. Arriving from the direction of Zürich you can reach Geneva via the A1 motorway.

Please note that a motorway sticker, “vignette”, is compulsory to drive on motorways and semi-highways. Valid for 1 year, the vignette costs CHF 40.00 and is on sale at post offices, petrol stations and customs offices. Read more.

Zürich: 279 km
Paris: 541 km
Munich: 588 km

TO REACH THE HUG BY BUS

To go to HUG by public transport you can take tram 12, 14 or 18 and stop at Augustins. You can also take the bus 1, 5 and 7 bus station “Hôpital” or the bus 35 bus station Augustins.

Unireso stands for a group of 7 transportation companies in Geneva and its region. The circuits represent more than 450 kilometers in Geneva and into the near vicinities of the canton Vaud and France. With one ticket, you have the possibility to benefit from the whole network (buses, trams, boats, etc.).

Unireso tickets and day passes must be purchased before boarding the vehicle from one of the automatic vending machines located at the stops.

A valid ticket must always be carried during the journey and presented in the event of a control. Fares are CHF 3.50 for one hour public transport in Geneva, or CHF 2.00 for a “saut de puce” (max. 3 stops or 1 transfer by boat, “Mouettes Genevoises”).

Unireso stands for a group As of January 1st 2007, all visitors staying at a hotel, youth hostel or camping site in Geneva can benefit from the Geneva Transport Card, available free of charge.

This personal and non-transferable pass is established upon the visitor’s check-in at the hotel of his choice, enabling its holder to use the entire Geneva public transport network without restriction network (UNIRESO: bus and tram (TPG), train (SBB) and boats (“Mouettes Genevoises”). It is valid for the entire duration of the stay including the departure day. Furthermore, on the arrival floor at the airport, visitors can retrieve their free 80-minute ticket from a ticket machine in the luggage retrieval hall.

For more information please visit tpg website.

You can also borrow bicycles for FREE! Enjoy getting around on two wheels and pedal throughout the city during your stay.

Find a borrowing site HERE

Among European cities, Geneva is one of the best connected by low-cost airlines. Altogether, there are more than a hundred direct daily flights landing in Geneva. It’s so easy to take a city break!

The Geneva Pass is a true Open up! With more than 47 tourist attractions and activities, free or at preferential rates, including a few gifts. Get all of Geneva for a budget price!

More about the Geneva Pass

In Geneva city and around Geneva you will be able to find several hostels for low prices. Please discover here the Geneva tourism list.

Unireso stands for a group As of January 1st 2007, all visitors staying at a hotel, youth hostel or camping site in Geneva can benefit from the Geneva Transport Card, available free of charge.

This personal and non-transferable pass is established upon the visitor’s check-in at the hotel of his choice, enabling its holder to use the entire Geneva public transport network without restriction network (UNIRESO: bus and tram (TPG), train (SBB) and boats (“Mouettes Genevoises”). It is valid for the entire duration of the stay including the departure day. Furthermore, on the arrival floor at the airport, visitors can retrieve their free 80-minute ticket from a ticket machine in the luggage retrieval hall.

For more information please visit the TPG website.

374m (1,227ft) above sea level

Geneva has a temperate climate, temperatures range from -2 to +5°C (28 to 41°F) in winter and 12 to 28°C (54 to 82°F) in summer . The annual rainfall is aproximately 1 000 mm/year (including 32cm of snow) The average temperature in June is 18°C.

Swiss Franc (CHF or SFr) Average rate: 1 Euro = CHF 1.10. The exchange rate for the Euro and the Swiss Franc is not officially fixed and is subject to daily market fluctuations. Conversion rates are available at foreign exchange offices, banks and in newspapers.

In town speed is limited to 50 km/h or 30 km/h in some areas, on national roads beyond city limits 80 km/h, and on motorways 120 km/h. A motorway sticker, « vignette », is compulsory on highways and semi-highways. It is valid for 1 year and available at the price of CHF 40.00 – at post offices and customs offices. Wearing seat belts, both in the front and in the back of a vehicle is compulsory.

220 volts. Plug type J, socket converters are available in local shops and CICG (CHF 15.00).

The public transport network in Geneva covers perfectly the entire city. It is reliable and used by the majority of the population. All visitors staying at a hotel in Geneva can benefit from this personal and non-transferable pass with free of charge.

Geneva is an amazing city to visit, with its gardens, manufacturers and lake views you will enjoy your stay.
A city pass will offer you preferential fares, free entries, and gifts. Valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours it is your “open Sesame” to museums, cruises, visits, tours and many other surprises. For more information about the city tours and Geneva pass, please click here.

There are four official languages in Switzerland: French, German, Italian and Romansh.
The official language in the western part of Switzerland and therefore also in Geneva is French. Due to its international character English and also German are often spoken in Geneva.

City and Canton: 476 006 inhabitants.

City of Geneva: 194 458 inhabitants.

Prices in hotels, restaurants, taxi fares etc. include taxes and service. A tip, therefore, is not indispensable, but justified for good service.

The Geneva Airport is largely accessible to persons with disabilities. The airport is well connected by public transport. There are regular trains connecting the airport to Gare Cornavin (the train station). Bus routes 5 and 10 connect with the airport. For more information other bus routes, you can consult the Geneva Airport website.

If using public transport on arrival, you should remember to get a free public transport ticket that is valid for 80 minutes. The free ticket machine is located in the baggage claim area, just before the exit to the main arrival hall.

For persons using wheelchairs, the bus is a better option to and from the airport as the trains are usually not accessible. To use the train you are required to book special assistance at least an hour in advance for assist in boarding and getting off the train. However, no special notice is needed to use the bus. The bus stop is located at level E (Enregistrement, in French, departure level). From the arrival lounge take the lift to level E, exit out of the terminal and go toward the left for about 15 meters. Cross the road over the pedestrian crossing and you will reach the bus stop.

Most hotels in Geneva will give you a free transport card. This card will allow you to travel for free on bus, tram, and boat in Geneva. If you do not have a free transport card, then you should buy your ticket from the machine before you get on the bus/tram/boat. Please be aware that not all ticket machines provide change.

Most trams and buses are accessible and the Geneva transport authority is constantly replacing inaccessible vessels with accessible ones. However, on any route, if there is an inaccessible bus or tram that you encounter, then ask the driver when the next accessible bus or tram will be arriving, and she or he may call the dispatcher to find out.

While there is a button to press to indicate to the driver that a person with disabilities wishes to board, you need to indicate to the bus driver directly that you wish to board the bus. The driver will come and open the ramp so that you can enter. Let the driver know the stop where you want to get off. For the tram, while it is completely accessible, it is better to get into the carriage right behind the driver as those are indicated as accessible. Moreover, the driver can provide assistance if required.

Mobilité pour tous (Mobility for All) is a program in partnership with Geneva Public Transport service network that provides free service to enable persons with vision impairments or walking difficulties (not wheelchair users) to travel on public transport network with a guide. The guides mostly speak only French.

The service is available from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. You need to book the assistance 48 hours in advance. Tel.: +41 22 328 1111. More details of the program are available in French on the website.

Regular taxis must be reserved in advance, as they cannot be hailed in the street. Tel.: +41 22 331 4133.

UBER service is also readily available throughout the city.