Jet d'Eau
Geneva's iconic water fountain shooting 140 meters into the air. Take tram 12 to Rive, then a short walk along the lake promenade.
City Essentials
- Population: 203,000 (city), 600,000 (metro)
- Language: French
- Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
- Climate: Mild with lake influence
- Main Station: Geneva Cornavin
- Transit Network: Trams, buses, boats, regional trains
- International: Home to UN and over 30 international organizations
Language Tip: Geneva is in Switzerland's French-speaking region. While many people speak English, knowing basic French greetings like "Bonjour" (hello) and "Merci" (thank you) is appreciated.
Train Connections & Transport
Main Rail Hub: Geneva Cornavin
Geneva's central station is an international gateway connecting Switzerland, France, and beyond. Its elegant architecture and central location make it an ideal starting point for exploring the city and wider Lake Geneva region.
Premier Connections
- Geneva → Lausanne: 36 min (InterCity service every 30 min)
- Geneva → Zurich: 2 h 44 min (InterCity service hourly)
- Geneva → Bern: 1 h 44 min (InterCity service hourly)
- Geneva → Paris (France): 3 h 11 min (TGV Lyria 6-8x daily)
- Geneva → Lyon (France): 1 h 57 min (TGV Lyria 5x daily)
- Geneva → Milan (Italy): 3 h 58 min (EuroCity service daily)
Geneva Airport Station
Located directly beneath the airport terminal, this station offers direct trains to major Swiss cities and connects to Geneva Cornavin in just 6 minutes. Ideal for travelers arriving by air.
City Transit Network
Your Swiss Rail Pass includes free travel on Geneva's comprehensive public transport network, allowing seamless exploration of this compact, lakeside city.
Transit Options
- Trams: 5 lines covering major routes through the city center and suburbs with frequent service
- Buses: Extensive network reaching every corner of Geneva and nearby French communities
- Mouettes Genevoises: Yellow water taxis crossing Lake Geneva, included with transit passes
- Léman Express: Modern regional train network connecting Swiss and French communities around Lake Geneva
Transit Advantages
- All hotel guests receive a complimentary "Geneva Transport Card" for unlimited public transit during their stay
- Most attractions are within a 20-minute transit journey from Cornavin station
- Trams and buses run from approximately 5:00 AM until midnight
- Night buses (Noctambus) operate on weekends
- Download the TPG app for real-time schedules and route planning
- Lake crossings via Mouettes water taxis offer scenic views and photography opportunities
City Highlights
Old Town & St. Pierre Cathedral
Medieval quarter with cobblestone streets and historical sites including Calvin's church. Take bus 36 from Cornavin to Cathédrale.
Palais des Nations (UN)
European headquarters of the United Nations with guided tours and impressive grounds. Tram 15 to Nations stop.
CERN
European Organization for Nuclear Research with interactive exhibitions at the Globe. Tram 18 from Cornavin to CERN.
Parc des Bastions & Reformation Wall
Historic park featuring monument to Protestant Reformation leaders and giant chess boards. Tram 12 to Plainpalais.
Lake Geneva Cruises
Scenic boat tours on Europe's largest alpine lake. Departures from Quai du Mont-Blanc, walkable from Cornavin.
Rail Excursions
Day Trips by Rail
Lausanne & Olympic Museum
Elegant lakeside city home to the International Olympic Committee and its acclaimed museum. Direct trains every 30 min from Geneva Cornavin (36 min journey).
Montreux & Chillon Castle
Scenic resort town with palm-lined promenades and the medieval castle that inspired Lord Byron. Direct trains hourly from Geneva (1h 10min journey).
Annecy (France)
"Venice of the Alps" with picturesque canals, medieval old town, and crystal-clear lake. Direct trains (35-45 min) or buses from Geneva.
Chamonix & Mont Blanc (France)
Alpine paradise at the foot of Western Europe's highest peak. Train to Martigny, then scenic Mont-Blanc Express (2h 30min total journey).
Swiss Scenic Routes
Golden Pass Line
Spectacular panoramic train journey connecting Lake Geneva to the Bernese Oberland and Central Switzerland. Board at Montreux (1h from Geneva) for the full experience.
Glacier Express (Full Day)
World's slowest express train with panoramic cars through breathtaking Alpine terrain. Connect via Visp from Geneva for the full St. Moritz to Zermatt route.
Chocolate Train (Seasonal)
Vintage Belle Époque cars or modern panoramic train visiting Gruyères village and the Cailler chocolate factory. Operates May-October from Montreux.
Lavaux Vineyard Terraces
UNESCO World Heritage site with spectacular terraced vineyards overlooking Lake Geneva. Take train to Cully or Epesses (50-60 min from Geneva).
International Organizations
Geneva hosts more international organizations than any other city in the world, earning its reputation as the humanitarian capital of the globe.
United Nations (Palais des Nations)
Impressive headquarters with art-filled chambers and beautiful grounds. Guided tours available in multiple languages. Take tram 15 to Nations stop. Bring passport for entry.
Tour Information
International Red Cross Museum
Interactive exhibits on humanitarian work and the organization's 150+ year history. Take bus 8 to Appia stop. Advanced multimedia experiences available in multiple languages.
Museum Information
CERN
Home of the Large Hadron Collider and birthplace of the World Wide Web. Free guided tours of this cutting-edge physics laboratory. Take tram 18 from Cornavin to CERN.
Visit InformationCross-Border Advantages
Franco-Swiss Connections
Geneva's unique position on the Swiss-French border offers travelers convenient access to two countries during one stay.
Rail Connections to France
- TGV Lyria: High-speed connections to Paris (3h11m) and Lyon (1h57m)
- TER: Regional services to Annecy, Chambéry, and Grenoble
- Léman Express: Revolutionary cross-border commuter rail network connecting Swiss and French communities
Léman Express Network
Inaugurated in December 2019, this modern rail system is the largest cross-border regional network in Europe, connecting 45 stations across Geneva and neighboring French communities with six lines and regular service.
Border Essentials
Important Information
- Switzerland is not in the EU but is part of the Schengen Area (no systematic border controls)
- Carry passport or ID card when crossing the border
- French side uses Euro (€), Swiss side uses Swiss Franc (CHF)
- Some Swiss Rail Pass benefits extend to French border areas
- Time zone is the same on both sides (Central European Time)
Shopping Tips
- VAT/sales tax differences mean certain items may be cheaper on one side
- Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds for purchases in France
- Swiss chocolate and watches are VAT-free for export (Global Blue services)
- French supermarkets are popular for grocery shopping
Practical Information
Dining Near Geneva Cornavin
Inside the Station
- Migros Restaurant: Self-service Swiss chain with reasonable prices and lake views from upper floor
- Starbucks: Coffee and light meals
- Prêt à Manger: Fresh sandwiches and salads
- Upper Crust: Artisan bakery and sandwich shop
Within 5-10 Minutes Walk
- Brasserie Les Augustins: Classic Swiss and French cuisine in historic setting (Rue Jean-Violette 14)
- Café du Soleil: Famous for fondue since 1902 (Place du Petit-Saconnex 6)
- Chez Ma Cousine: Affordable roast chicken and sides (Place du Bourg-de-Four 6)
- Parfums de Beyrouth: Authentic Lebanese cuisine (Rue de Berne 18)
Travel Essentials
Tourist Information
Geneva Tourism Office is located at Rue du Mont-Blanc 18, near Cornavin station (open 9:00-18:00 Mon-Sat, 10:00-16:00 Sun).
Accommodation
- Luxury: Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Hotel d'Angleterre (Lakefront)
- Mid-range: Hotel Kipling, Hotel Auteuil, Hotel Jade (near Cornavin)
- Budget: ibis Styles, Hotel des Tourelles, Hotel Central
- Youth Hostel: Geneva Youth Hostel (walkable from Cornavin)
Money & Banking
- Switzerland uses Swiss Francs (CHF), not Euros
- Many establishments accept Euros but give change in CHF
- Credit cards are widely accepted
- Geneva is one of the most expensive cities in the world