Geneva Essentials

Geneva Essentials & Tourist Information

Currency	Swiss Franc
Flight Time	UK 1 Hour 45 minutes aprox
Time Zone	GMT = +1 hour
Language	French
Voltage	240 V (European two-pin plugs)

Geneva Tourist Attractions
Enjoy an interesting and enlightening view of global politics with a visit to the commanding United Nations building in Geneva. Extremely popular, it houses many permanent exhibitions and history defining artifacts. A tour of the building costs from Sfr10. Altogether more satisfying for younger visitors is the Geneve-Plage, an immense leisure complex housing swimming pools, water slides, tobogganing and a multitude of other sports facilities. It costs Sfr15 and is open from 10am - 10pm.

French Phrases For Tourists  

Hello	Bonjour		Do you speak English?	Parlez vous Anglais?
Goodbye	Au revoir		Excuse me	Excusez moi
Good Evening	Bonsoir		How much is it?	Ça coûte combien?
Yes	Oui		Where is...?	Ou est …?
No	Non		Hotel	L'hotel
Please	S'il vous plait		The bill pease	L’addition s’il vous plait
Thank you very much	Merci beaucoup		Beer	Une Biere
How are you?	Comment allez vous?		Coffee	Un café

Geneva Opening Hours
There are strict rules on opening hours of shops and banks all across Switzerland and shoppers are likely to find almost all establishments in Geneva close down for a lunch break between the hours of 12noon and 2pm. The few exceptions are large department stores and those located in large shopping centre’s. There is late night shopping in the city centre each Thursday until 9pm. 

Tipping & Etiquette in Geneva
The culture of tipping is more discreet than in other European nations however a small gratuity will always be very welcome. Restaurants will include all service and tax charges on bills so no further reward is necessary. In line with most cities, it is common to offer a small tip to taxi drivers and hotel porters.

Geneva Food & Drink
A visit to Geneva offers many delights, not least the opportunity to to sample some delectable Swiss cuisine. Pork Fricassee is one of its most endearing dishes and can be found on most menus. Try a meal of braised beef or the freshest trout and char direct from the nearby lakes. Let your taste buds run riot with a traditional Leckerli - a spiced honey cake topped with icing sugar. 

Useful Numbers
• Calling the UK from Geneva – 0044 + area code minus zero + number
• Police – 112
• Ambulance – 112
• Fire – 112

Disabled Access
Visitors with reduced mobility or wheelchair users will find Geneva a fairly accessible place to get around although a small part of the city is undulating and assistance will be required. There is a good supply of disabled parking spaces for drivers which allows easy access to many of its attractions and local transport is hassle free for all.

Embassies
• GB Embassy - Avenue Louis Casal 58 1216 Cointrin Geneva Switzerland Telephone: (41) 22 918 24 00
• Switzerland Embassy - 16-18 Montagu Place London W1H 2BQ (0)20 7616 6000

Geneva City Breaks  Getting Around Geneva

Things To Do In Geneva  Geneva Weather