Geneva Getting Around

Getting around Geneva
Most tourists will be happy to walk around most of the city. Geneva public transport has an excellent reputation and consists of buses, trams, trains and small harbour ferries on the lake. A trip on Lake Geneva is a must. The Geneva Transport Card comes in 2-day and 3-day versions and covers two people at the weekends. The card includes discounts at museums and attractions.

Getting to/from Geneva airport
The best way from Geneva airport to the centre of the city is by train. Frequent trains run to Gare de Contravin in the city centre in just 6 minutes. Airport buses take 35 minutes. A taxi will take about 20 minutes.

Walking
Walking in Geneva is by far the easiest and most pleasant way around the city, and is the only way to properly appreciate the compact Old Town. Most of the major Geneva sights are within easy walking distance of each other, including the Grand Theatre, the Flower Clock and St Peter’s Cathedral. The river is crossed by a series of bridges. Geneva Quays is an interesting area for walking.

Bicycle
Cycling is a popular way of getting around on a city break to Geneva. The city is well provided with cycle lanes. Bicycles can be rented from Cornavin railway station and many other outlets. Genèv'Roule rents out bicycles for free.

Buses & Trams & Trolley buses
Geneva public transport operates between 0500 and 2430. Tickets for Geneva transport are interchangeable. A day ticket is valid from 09.00 to 24.00.  The ticket includes travel on trams, buses, trains to the airport, and the smaller ferries.  Tickets for buses and trams must be bought and validated before boarding. Buy tickets from machines at bus and tram stops. Tickets are valid for one hour on buses, trams, airport trains and Mouettes Genevoises harbour shuttles. A cheaper ticket allows a 3-stop journey and return in 30 minutes. A 24 hour ticket (cartes journalières) at the weekend is great value as it is valid for two people. Available at machines, stations, shops and tourist information offices. Night buses (Noctambus) operate at weekends only.

Train
Geneva trains serve the airport and smaller towns in the immediate vicinity.

Taxi
Geneva taxis are fast and efficient but quite expensive. Surcharges for the airport, evenings, Sundays and luggage. A tip is not necessary. Find taxis at designated taxi ranks or telephone.

Lake Geneva
The cheapest way to travel on Lake Geneva is to use les mouettes, the small public ferries operating on the lake shore and the River Rhone. These are included in the day pass for public transport. Several companies operate boat tours on the lake and the river. Longer ferry trips include Lausanne, Montreux, and smaller Swiss towns, plus Thonon-les-Bains, Yvoire and Evian-les-Bains in France.

Geneva sightseeing tours
As well as lake and river trips, several companies offer bus tours of Geneva and excursions into the Alps. The lakeside cities of Montreux and Lausanne are popular Geneva day trips.

Geneva City Breaks  Getting Around Geneva

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