Few airports in the world can compare with Geneva Cointrin Airport (GVA) for convenience of location and ease of access by public transportation. Genève Aéroport is a mere 5 km (3 miles) from the center of Geneva right on the Swiss-French border. Buses and trains are available directly from the airport to downtown Geneva and other parts of Western Switzerland.
- Due to the proximity of Geneva International Airport to the city, walking or cycling to the airport are fairly sane options too.
By Train or Bus from Geneva Airport to Downtown Genève
The fastest way from Geneva Airport to the downtown Genève Cornavin Main Train Station is by train. The train takes only 6 minutes and runs every 12 to 20 minutes.
Various bus lines pass by the airport but are best avoided when carrying bulky luggage. Most buses end or pass by Genève Cornavin train station from where connecting buses and trains are available to all parts of Geneva and Switzerland.
The following buses run from Geneva Airport:
- Bus 5 – to Cornavin via Palexpo & Nations
- Bus 10 – to Cornavin via Bouchet
- Bus 23 – to Lancy in Southern Geneva (not via Cornavin)
- Bus 28 – to Botanical Gardens via Palexpo (not to Cornavin)
Currently, passengers arriving at Geneva Airport (GVA) can draw a free public transportation pass from ticket machines inside the luggage claim area before reaching customs. The pass is valid for 80 minutes in the “Tout Genève” region, which covers the whole Geneva Canton.
Taxis are expensive and charge from CHF30 upwards depending on the distance.
Both train and bus services generally operate from around 6 am to around midnight.
By Train from Geneva Airport to Swiss Cities and Towns
Direct trains run from Geneva Airport – station Genève-Aéroport – to many cities in Switzerland. Many further connections depart from downtown Genève station.
Direct, hourly trains to Genève-Aéroport are available from Bienne / Biel (2 hours), Neuchâtel (90 minutes) and Yverdon-les-Bains (70 minutes). Two trains per hour arrive from Fribourg / Freiburg (90 minutes) and Berne / Bern in just less than two hours. Around four trains per hour go from the airport to Lausanne in less than an hour – many continue to Montreux (about 25 minutes more).
Checking in at Swiss Railway Stations for Flights from Geneva and Zurich Airports
It is possible to check in at around 50 train stations in Switzerland for most flights from Geneva and Zurich Airports. Depending on the station and airport, this can generally be done up to 24 hours in advance and usually the night before the flight.
The cost of this Fly Rail Baggage service is CHF20 (US $20) per bag or CHF10 (US $10) for hand luggage only. Depending on the airline and route, boarding passes and seat reservations are issued at the same time too.
- Fly Rail Baggage is generally not available, or restricted to checking-in luggage only, for flights to the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Travelers to France can use various trains, direct buses, and transfer services to major cities including Lyon as well as popular Alpine winter sport resorts. Geneva Airport is popular with both charter flights and low-cost airlines with a particularly high number of flights once the ski season opens.
Henk Bekker - Henk Bekker is a freelance travel writer currently living on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
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