Geneva Travel Guide

Geneva is home to the world’s largest international organizations, one of the safest banking centers in the world, and manufacturers of life-saving medical instruments. Entrepreneurs, artists, doctors, bankers and students book flights to Geneva for education and advancement in some of the world’s leading careers. While Geneva is certainly a city of progress and strength, there’s something for tourists, too.

Its proximity to the Swiss and French Alps make flights to Geneva an easy escape for vacationers. Travelers can take part in some of Geneva’s famous cultural events or tour the museums lined around the city center. Its excellent transportation system makes it easy for Geneva travelers to tour the city and beyond. Before boarding your Geneva flight back home, make sure to purchase a piece of jewelry. Geneva is home to some of the largest manufacturers of watches in the world.

What’s the weather like in Geneva?

Summer is warm with temperatures in the mid-70s, and July can be in the upper 70s. Fall is mild as temperatures drop to the low 70s and into the 50s in October. Winters are cold with daytime temperatures ranging from the upper 20s to the 40s, and when the bise (north wind) blows, it can be bitterly cold. Spring is mild with temperatures reaching the 60s. Rain falls year-round, and September usually gets the most rain.

How long is the flight to Geneva?

Travelers can find direct flights to Geneva from the United States. Flight time from New York City takes a little over eight hours, flights from Houston take about 11 hours, flights from Chicago take about 9.5 hours, and flights from Los Angles take about 12.5 hours.

Which airlines fly to Geneva?

Switzerland’s flagship carrier, SWISS airlines, offers direct flights from the U.S. to Geneva. Major U.S. airlines include United, Delta, and American Airlines, with United offering direct flights. International air carriers that provide flights to Geneva include British Airways, KLM, Air France, and Air Canada. Flights will arrive at  Geneva Airport.

What should you pack for a flight to Geneva?

Geneva’s climate changes with the season, with temperatures reaching 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and dropping to 20 degrees in the winter. For warm weather travel, be sure to pack lighter skirts, dress, shirts, and pants. Layers are important during the winter months, and thermal underwear, scarves, gloves, and a hat will protect you against the wind. you will also want to pack a nice dress or a jacket and tie for evenings out.

Getting to and around Geneva

The airport is only 3 miles away from the city, making transportation extremely easy. You can opt for a train which takes approximately 6 minutes to finish the journey from the airport. You can get to the airport railway station directly from the arrivals Terminal and is a great choice. Another option is to get a bus. They run regularly, too, and you can find full information about which bus will better suit you from the information kiosk in the airport itself. Failing those two options, you can hail a taxi, however, due to the ease of travel with the train this isn’t really necessary, especially considering a taxi will cost a lot more money.

The best way to see Geneva requires you to slow down a little. You can walk through the city or pick up one of the free bicycles that are available outside Genève Roule, the main train station, from May to October. The public transportation is very reliable and fast, but you’ll miss some of the lovely city if you’re speeding by on a tram, bus or trolley. You can travel on a bus or tram from early morning to midnight. After that a night bus runs until the next morning. Purchase your tickets ahead of time and don’t forget to validate them when you board. Buy a week-long pass if you’re staying long enough and save a bit of money. To get across the lake and back, hop aboard the seagull shuttle boats (les mouettes), which are part of the public transportation system. Bus tickets and les mouettes tickets are interchangeable. You can also lounge around the lake on one of the many cruises offered. Float around for the whole day, half a day or just an hour, whatever your heart and travel schedule desires. Taxis are easy to find, but fairly expensive. Parking is so difficult that it’s not worth the hassle of renting a car. Instead, try hiring a car and driver for the day.

What are some things to do in Geneva?

Geneva is a modern, cosmopolitan city due to its designation as the headquarters of many international associations. The city sits along Lake Geneva and the Rhone River, and offers plenty of outside recreation, entertainment and nightlife. Many travelers enjoy spending the day in the city’s Old Town, which dates back to the ancient Rome. Here you will find  Place du Bourg-de-Four, a tree-lined square filled with cafes, restaurants, and shops. Stop by during warm weather and enjoy coffee at one of the outside tables.

Geneva has several excellent museums that you will want to spend a day or two exploring. The Ariana Museum focuses on Swiss glass and ceramics productions, with more than 25,000 items lining its rooms. At the Musee d’Art et d’Histoire, you will find galleries devoted to ancient artifacts, Renaissance art, and works by Geneva artists. The Temple de Saint-Pierre is a gorgeous  Romanesque church and a prominent focal point in the city. Climb one of its 13th century towers for a panoramic view of the city and lake. Nearby is the  Palais des Nations, or UN headquarters, which offers daily guided tours and is a must-see for any visitor.

For outdoor activities, you will want to head to Jetée des Eaux-Vives, along the city’s harbor. Here you will see one of Geneva’s most famous landmarks, a 45-meter water jet. you can also swim the lake or have lunch at one of the waterfront cafes. Afterwards, visit Jardin Anglais  to view the flower clock and rose garden, or to take a boat tour of the lake.  At the Jardin Botanique, walk among over 12,000 species of plants and visit the world’s largest herbarium.

Tips for your stay in Geneva

• Geneva is known for watches and clocks. One more unusual version is the flower clock in the Jardin Anglais. The huge clock is planted with many flowers and keeps perfect time. Its second hand is the largest of any clock in the world (at nearly 7 feet long).
• Walking tours of the city center are available through the tourist board and are an excellent way of seeing the main tourist spots along with some less well-known attractions. Among the tours on offer are “Art, Architecture and Urban Development”, “Geneva through Tales and Legends” and, fitting with the city’s location, “A Walk with Water”.
• The town of Lausanneis situated near to Geneva on the banks of the lake and is an easy day trip to make. The famous town was once known for its restorative qualities because of its position on the lake. Today, it is a vibrant and fascinating city, with some stunning Swiss architecture.
• Shopping is a popular pastime in Geneva. As well as watches, other good buys to take home include the famous Swiss Army Knife (made by only two companies in the world) and chocolate.
• Geneva is the main arrival point for skiers to the Frenchand SwissAlps. Be aware that the airport is divided into two sections and you can exit by either the French or Swiss side depending on your destination. As you exit the airport in the winter season, you’ll be faced with lots of ski reps collecting passengers for their buses. If you’re not booked on a package, don’t worry. It’s very easy to catch to the snow train to the major resorts. Failing that, try sweet-talking one of the reps headed to your resort to let you on the bus. If they’re not full up, it’s likely they will take you.

Finding Flights from Geneva

Switzerland is a small country, so travelers can find short, inexpensive flights from Geneva to other Swiss cities.

You can also use Geneva as a base city for exploring other parts of Europe. Here are some popular routes, were you can find excellent deals from Cheap flights:
Cheap flights from Geneva to Paris
Cheap flights from Geneva to Rome 
Cheap flights from Geneva to Prague

Geneva airport is easily accessible from the city center by public transportation. Trains depart Gare Cornavin Central Railway Station approximately every 15 minutes and arrives at the airport about six minutes later. several bus lines run from the city to the airport, such as the 5 and 10. You can also find taxis throughout the city. since Geneva airport is a major international airport, you will want to leave plenty of time to get through security and arrive at the gate for your flight.

Geneva, Switzerland airport overview

Located just 2.5 miles (4km) from the center of Geneva, Geneva Cointrin International Airport (GVA) offers excellent rail and bus connections. A quirk of its location on the French-Swiss border is the separate French and Swiss sectors of the airport, each of which maintains their own customs channel.

Queues for check-in and security are notoriously long and frustrating, especially at peak periods. Unfortunately, once you get past it there isn’t much to do, as there are only a couple of shops and restaurants.

Flights to Geneva Cointrin International Airport are easy to find from destinations all over Europe and the Middle East, including London, Glasgow, Paris, Vienna, Madrid, Moscow, Rome, Casablanca, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain, Amsterdam, Athens and Lisbon. There are also a handful of inter-continental flights to Montreal and Washington DC.