Pâquis (Cornavin station)
Ideal for: arriving by train, budget
Right by the station and the lake: a lively, cosmopolitan area with food from all over the world.
Geneva
The Jet d'Eau, Lake Geneva and the old town, between international organisations and mountains.
Plan your stay in Geneva
Best areas to stay in Geneva
Old town
Ideal for: couples, first visit
Cobbled lanes around St Pierre Cathedral, quiet in the evening, a short walk from the lakeshore.
Eaux-Vives
Ideal for: families, couples
On the left bank, near the Jet d'Eau and the lakeside parks, with cafés and shops.
Plainpalais and Carouge
Ideal for: solo, local life
Markets, cafés and student life; Carouge feels like a small Italian town.
Practical info about Geneva
Geneva is easy to explore on foot, by tram or by boat on the lake. Switzerland is not part of the European Union: the currency is the Swiss franc and EU mobile roaming rules do not necessarily apply.
What to see in Geneva
- The Jet d’Eau and the harbour, the city’s symbol, best seen from the quays;
- the old town and St Pierre Cathedral, whose towers offer views over the lake and the Alps;
- the Palace of Nations, the UN’s European headquarters, and the Broken Chair on the square opposite;
- the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum;
- the Bains des Pâquis, for a swim in the lake in summer;
- CERN, on the edge of the city, and its Science Gateway visitor centre.
Getting to Geneva
The airport has its own station: trains reach Cornavin station in 6 to 7 minutes. In the baggage claim area, a machine issues a free ticket valid for 80 minutes on Geneva’s public transport. From Paris, the TGV Lyria reaches Geneva in just over 3 hours.
All our tips for the country in Travel in Switzerland.