Geneva Layover Guide (GVA)

What are you looking for in GVA?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Geneva Airport (GVA) is an international airport located in Cointrin, near Geneva, Switzerland. It’s situated about 4 km (2.5 miles) from downtown Geneva. The airport officially opened in 1919. Geneva is the second-largest city in Switzerland and a global hub for diplomacy and finance. The city is renowned for its picturesque setting by Lake Geneva and the Alps, as well as its vibrant cultural scene and numerous outdoor leisure activities.

Can you leave Geneva Airport (GVA) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
Travellers on a layover at Geneva Airport (GVA) may exit the international transit zone and freely clear Schengen border control with valid entry rights. Nationals requiring a Schengen visa must obtain a short-stay Type C visa before arrival; eligible visa-exempt passengers may enter visa-free for stays up to 90 days. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• Jet d’Eau Soaring water fountain landmark shooting 140 meters into sky, symbol of Geneva’s innovation and beauty. Marvel at water jet against lake backdrop and panoramic cityscape. (Time required: 20 minutes. / Airport to here: Tram 10 to Rive station, 25 minutes.)
• Geneva Old Town (Vieille Ville) Cobblestone streets winding through historic Old Town reveal centuries of charm with artisan boutiques, cozy cafés, and hidden courtyards. Discover elegant squares, ancient architecture, and vibrant local culture. Walking tours. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Tram 5 to Molard, 30 minutes.)
• Palais des Nations (UN) Guided visits inside Palais des Nations, Europe’s second largest UN center, offer insights into diplomatic history and global policy. Pause in Ariana Park’s rose gardens afterward for serene reflection. Prebooking. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Tram 5 or 10 to Nations stop, 20 minutes.)
• St. Pierre Cathedral Climb hilltop St. Pierre Cathedral towers in Old Town for breathtaking city and lake panoramas. Explore archaeological site beneath floor and impressive neoclassical interior details. Admission optional. Self-guided audio available. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Tram 17 to Place Neuve, 30 minutes.)
• Patek Philippe Museum World-class Patek Philippe Museum showcases exquisite timepieces spanning five centuries. Admire intricate watches, automata, and horological innovations highlighting Geneva’s watchmaking excellence since 1839. Audioguide included. Book online. Advance booking recommended. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Tram 15 to Plainpalais, then 5-minute walk, 25 minutes.)
• Lake Geneva Boat Cruise Relax aboard scenic Lake Geneva cruise offering stunning Alpine and city views. Choose short round-trip itineraries with audio commentary to glimpse iconic landmarks like Mont Blanc on clear days. Reservations. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Train to Cornavin station, then 10-minute walk to pier, 20 minutes.)
• CERN Visitor Centre Explore CERN’s free visitor centre to learn about particle physics breakthroughs. Interactive exhibitions, Globe of Science and Innovation, and guided tours showcase Large Hadron Collider wonders. Photo ID required. Booking. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: Bus 28 to CERN stop, 15 minutes.)
• Carouge District Stroll Carouge’s bohemian quarter with its Mediterranean-style architecture, artisan galleries, and vintage boutiques. Savor artisanal chocolate and coffee at local cafés before returning to airport refreshed. Local vibe. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Tram 12 to Carouge-Bachet stop, 25 minutes.)

Things to Do in Geneva Airport (GVA)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
Geneva Airport offers several pay-per-use lounges, including Swissport Aspire and the Swiss Business Lounge, plus airline-specific facilities for eligible passengers. Lounges provide comfortable seating, complimentary snacks and drinks, Wi-Fi, shower suites, quiet zones, newspapers and conference rooms—ideal for work or unwinding between flights. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
The on-site Novotel Geneva Airport, linked by a covered walkway, features 24-hour reception, soundproof rooms, fitness facilities and a free shuttle. Nearby hotels like citizenM and Ibis Styles Palexpo offer quick shuttle connections, hourly bookings and overnight stays, perfect for early departures or long layovers just minutes from the terminal. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
Geneva Airport lacks dedicated sleep pods or quiet rest zones and closes nightly between midnight and 4 AM. Comfortable chairs can be found landside near the train station exit, though cleanliness crews operate early. For uninterrupted rest, travelers are better off booking a nearby airport hotel with complimentary shuttle service.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Free high-speed Wi-Fi (“GVA_Free_WiFi”) is available throughout all terminals with simple registration and no password required; sessions may prompt a short sign-in after 30 minutes. Charging stations dot the concourses, and pay-per-use computer terminals (0.14 €/min) are located landside for business needs.

SIM/eSIM Card: Prepaid Swiss SIMs and eSIMs from Salt, Sunrise and Swisscom can be purchased landside at telecom kiosks in the Plaza area. Packages start from CHF 10 for data plans. eSIMs activate instantly via QR code; physical SIMs require ID registration. Top-up vouchers and accessories are also available on site. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Taxis queue outside the arrivals hall in designated ranks. Fares to the city centre start around CHF 35 with a 15-minute journey. Pre-booking is possible; flag-downs are permitted on adjacent roads. Expect extra charges for luggage handling, nighttime, weekend travel and cross-border trips into France.

Train: The underground SBB/CFF station is linked to Terminal 1 by a 250 m covered walkway. Trains to Geneva-Cornavin run every 12–30 minutes, taking just 7 minutes; services extend to Lausanne, Zurich and beyond. Single-zone tickets start at CHF 3.70 with an 80-minute unireso ticket validation. (more info)

Bus: Local tpg buses 5 and 10 serve the airport landside, connecting to the city centre and United Nations. Regional PostBus coaches link to Nyon and Annecy in France. Upon arrival, collect a free 80-minute public transport ticket for Geneva’s unireso network. Services run roughly from 5 AM to midnight. (more info)

Shuttle: Many hotels around Geneva Airport offer free shuttle transfers; schedules vary by property. Designated hotel shuttle stops are located landside. Private shuttles and shared minibuses for ski resorts (seasonal) also depart from the arrivals zone. Ride-sharing meeting points are clearly marked outside the terminal.

Car rentals: Major rental firms (Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise) have desks landside in arrivals. Vehicles are collected from adjacent P12 car park, a short walk via covered passages. Most counters operate 6 AM–10 PM; after-hours key drop boxes enable 24-hour returns. Online reservations often include discounts and flexible rates. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: Multiple parking options (P1–P6) offer covered, open-air, short-term and long-term spaces, all linked by walkways or free shuttles. Rates start at CHF 3/hour or CHF 20/day. EV charging is available in select areas. Online booking secures discounted rates; lost-ticket fees max out at CHF 50.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Automatic baggage lockers are located landside at the railway station level, open daily from 03:30 to 00:30. Lockers in sizes S–XL rent from CHF 10/day. Additional SafeBag wrap services start at CHF 15 per unit. A staffed left-luggage office handles oversized items and longer-term storage. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Geneva Airport (GVA) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks