Geneva Airport is one of Europe’s main points of entry and it offers air connections with numerous world cities. It is a modern and easy to navigate airport with great facilities and several transport options. Once in Geneva, buses, taxis, boats and bicycles link all the major attractions and suburbs, while trains provide direct access to other major European centres.

Geneva’s Cointrin Airport is located only a few miles north of the city centre and it serves dozens of major airlines, making it a major European hub. The airport serves up to 10 million passengers annually and it has excellent facilities including a comprehensive business centre, quality shopping options and easy transportation to the city centre.

There is just one terminal at Cointrin Airport, which comes with Swiss and French sectors. Facilities are extensive and include cash machines and bureaux de change, left luggage and lost property services, a post office and a medical centre. A great selection of cafés, restaurants, bars and duty-free shops are also available.

All transport options are available for getting to Geneva from the airport including buses, trains, taxis, limousines and hire cars. The train station is just a few minutes walk from the terminal building and it has services direct services to Geneva, while buses and taxis go from directly outside the terminal.

The cheapest transport option from Geneva Cointrin Airport to the city is to take a number 10 bus, which depart frequently from outside the terminal. In addition, bus number 18 runs to the United Nations building to the north of the city, while buses from the French part of the airport run to French towns and destinations in Spain, Portugal and Eastern Europe. If you are here for skiing in the winter, the AeroSki Bus runs from the airport to most of the top French ski resorts.

Trains run directly from the airport to Geneva-Cornavin Station in the city centre throughout the day. If you are intending on travelling on from Geneva, travelling by train is a good option, as services run from Geneva to destinations throughout Switzerland and Europe from the central station.

Taxis and limousines await passengers outside the Arrivals area of the terminal building and run 24 hours to the city centre, hotels and to nearby towns and ski resorts. Those with pre-booked hotels should also check ahead of time to see whether an airport transfer service is included in the deal.

Geneva-Cointrin Airport has parking for more than 4,000 vehicles in both short-term and long-term car parks. Short-term parking is best for those who are dropping off and picking up passengers, while the long-term car park provides discounted parking for longer periods. Disabled parking spaces are also available in both car parks and those with special needs can call their airline ahead of time to request porter assistance.

There is no metro system in Geneva, but the town’s small size and good bus coverage ensure it is easy to get around. If you are thinking of travelling around the lake or anywhere else in Europe, the central train station (Gare Cornavin) is a modern facility with numerous daily arrivals and departures. Gare Eaux-Vives train station, just outside Geneva, offers connections to regional French destinations.

Utilising the local bus system is the best way to get about the city if you prefer to use public transport rather than walking. The city is divided into zones and bus prices reflect this. The bus system is highly efficient and tickets can be bought from vending machines at bus stops and newspaper stands. Automatic ticket machines only accept coins and do not give change.

If you have booked a guided city bus tour, daytrip or ski bus tour, it will go from the central bus station (Gare Routiere) at Place Dorciere. Intercity buses also run from this bus station to destinations within Switzerland and to other European destinations.

Taxis can also offer fast transport, although the efficient bus system negates the need for taking a taxi unless you prefer comfort and style or you need to get from one end of Geneva to the other end quickly.

Ferry shuttles also operate between the right and left banks of Lake Geneva daylight hours. Boats sail every 10 to 30 minutes for a nominal charge and provide tourists with the perfect photo opportunity of seeing Geneva from the water.