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Getting There
Air
Geneva International Airport ( GVA ) ( +41 22 717 71 11 / http://www.gva.ch/ ) is a mere 3 miles from the city center, and may be the only airport in the world to hurdle the border of two countries, in this case France and Switzerland.
The terminal is divided by the Swiss Sector and the French Sector. Both sections are loaded with retail outlets including a wide array of duty free options, and cafes. The Skycom Business Center ( +41 22 788 14 30 ) has 11 meeting rooms as well as the usual business services. Three banks, ATMS, and a post office are also onsite.
Airlines that service this airport include:
Aer Lingus ( +1 800 474 7424 / http://www.aerlingus.com/ )
Air France ( +1 800 237 2747 / http://www.airfrance.com/ )
Air Malta ( +33 ( 0 )1 58 18 64 05 / http://www.airmalta.com/ )
BMI Baby ( +0890 710 081 ( France ) / http://www.bmibaby.com/ )
British Airways ( +1 800 217 9297 / http://www.ba.com/ )
Condor ( +1 800 524 6975 / http://www7.condor.com/ )
Continental ( +1 800 231 0856 / http://www.flycontinental.com/ )
Easy Jet ( +33 8 25 08 25 08 / http://www.easyjet.com/ )
FlyBe ( +871 700 0535 / http://www.flybe.com/ )
Jet 2 ( +44 207 1700737 / http://www.jet2.com/ )
KLM ( +1800 447 4747 / http://www.klm.com/ )
Lufthansa ( +1 800 803 5838 / http://www.lufthansa.com/ )
SAS ( +1 800 221 2350 / http://www.scandinavian.net/ )
Sterling.dk Airline ( +457 033 3370 / http://www.sterlingticket.com/ )
Swiss Air ( +1 877 359 7947 / http://www.swiss.com/ )
TAP Portugal ( +351 707 205 700/ http://www.flytap.com/ )
Virgin Express ( +32 70 35 36 37 / http://www.virgin-express.com/ )
From the Airport
Rental Car Companies:
To get into Geneva, follow the N1. A road tax will be assessed. To skip Switzerland and go directly to France follow the exit signs from the airport to Ferney-Voltaire and pick up the D-984 to Collonges. From there you can wander over on the N206 to the A40.
Avis ( +1 800 230 4898 / http://www.avis.com/ )
Hertz ( +1 800 654 3001/ http://www.hertz.com/ )
Alamo ( +1 800 462 5266 / http://www.alamo.com/ )
Europcar ( +1 877 940 6900 / http://www.europcar.ch/ )
Budget ( +1 800 527 0700 / http://www.budget.com/ )
Sixt ( +49 180 525 2525 / http://www.e-sixt.com/ )
Bus:
Geneva Public Transport's Bus #10 ( +41 22 308 3434 / http://www.tpg.ch ) heading to the city center leaves every 10 minutes from both the arrival and departure areas of the terminal. Aero Express links the airport with Chambery, Grenoble and Lyon in France, and Aero Ski ( +41 22 798 20 00 / http://www.alpski-bus.com/ ) zigzags up the hills to various ski resorts.
Taxi:
Taxis are readily available outside the arrivals area, but considering the cost for such a minuscule drive ( although counting traffic and the usual road diversions you are still looking at 20 minutes ) it is not necessarily the most frugal option, unless you are toting a barge of luggage.
You can hire taxis from taxi service providers like AA New Cab SA and Taxi Phone.
Bus
Long haul international bus service to Geneva is rather limited, especially compared with other European towns, but if you are traveling from the old Eastern Bloc, Eurolines ( +41 22 716 91 10 / http://www.eurolines.com/ ) has more options, although most are via Zurich. Several coach companies, including the national post office, provide extensive regional service to France, mountain resorts on both sides of the border and coverage across Switzerland. Buses arrive and depart at Gare Routiere ( +41 22 732 02 30 / http://www.gare-routiere.ch/ ).
Car
A hoopla of expressways converge one Geneva from all surrounding points making driving into town from other cities in Europe a breeze, although an expensive breeze considering tolls and the highway tax you have to pay once you touch the Swiss border.
Train
Swiss Federal Railways ( SBB/CFF/FFS ) ( +0900 300 300 / http://www.rail.ch/ ) has daily service to most domestic cities from Geneva's Gare de Cornavin.
International trains are also abundant and arrive and depart to and from all points throughout Europe. Other train companies include:
TGV trains ( http://www.tgv.com/ )
Cisalpino ( +41 1 225 7788 / http://www.cisalpino.ch/ )
Elipsos ( http://www.elipsos.com/ )
City Night Line ( +41 1 247 75 76 / http://www.citynightline.ch/ ) and InterCity Express ICE ( http://www.bahn.de/ ) provide routes to Germany and the Netherlands.
Panoramic views are part of the ticket price when you hop on the Golden Pass Line ( +41 33 828 32 32 / http://www.goldenpass.ch/ ) that runs between Zurich and Geneva.
Getting Around
Car
Cars are good if you intend to ultimately head to the mountains or explore Lake Geneva, but while you are in town it is best to park the car and rely on your feet and public transport. Roads toward the historic districts become narrow and are generally one way. Parking areas are marked by colors: "white" equals unrestricted time ( metered in many cases ), "blue" equals a 90 minute limit and "red" is a mere 15 minutes. In order to park in non-metered areas you must obtain a parking disc on which you note time of arrival and place on the dashboard. These discs are available from rental car companies, police stations and banks.
Taxi
Although taxis are not the cheapest form of getting around town the availability is always a convenient option in a crunch. Taxi pick up areas are marked by yellow either in the form of a sign or paint on the ground. Hailing is not uncommon, but it is better to find a rank or radio ahead at Taxi Phone ( +41 22 331433 / www.taxi-phone.ch/ ).
Public Transport
Transports Publics Genevois ( +41 22 308 3434 / http://www.tpg.ch/ ) maintains the award winning public transit system which consists of an expansive bus and tram grid. Tickets are based on zone travel and available at kiosks at most stops. Multi-day passes are available. The Swiss Pass allows use on the public transportation networks of 37 cities around the country, plus is good on any of the scenic railway journeys. It is available in 4, 8, 15, 22 days or 1-month blocks. Various other cards are tailored to the agendas of different travelers.
Ferry
Steamer ferries from Compagnie Georale de Navigation ( CGN ) ( +41 848 811 848 / http://www.cgn.ch/ ) cruise Lake Geneva during the summer calling on numerous ports around the lake including Montreux and Evian.
Besides offering various cruises, Swissboat ( +41 22 732 29 44 / http://www.swissboat.com/ ) has a seasonal three-line shuttle service on the inner harbor that sails every 10 minutes from 7:30a-6p.
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