If you’re planning to park at Geneva airport for several days, you’ve probably heard of parking lot P1, one of the four official Geneva airport parking lots dedicated to long-term parking. P1 is more expensive, but also closer to the terminals.which ensures real convenience for travelers. However, user reviews point to high prices and difficulties in finding a seat, especially during peak periods.
That’s why private parking lots like Parking Cointrin, offer lower rates and additional services. Although the parking lot is a little further from the terminals, this relative distance is more than made up for by the free shuttle service. We’ll explain everything there is to know about Parking P1 before we introduce you to Parking Cointrin’s services.
Characteristics of parking lot P1
Just like parking lots P26 and P51 Parking P1 is reserved for long-term parking. It can be reached by entering the following address in your GPS: Route de l’Aéroport 25, 1215 Le Grand-Saconnex.
According to the Geneva airport website, the :
Premium long-term covered parking with direct access to the main terminal, the most convenient.
Here are all its features:
- Open 24 hours a day.
- Capacity 2100 seats 480 of which can be reserved.
- Online booking possible for 480 spaces with the ResaPark : it’s a floor exclusively dedicated to reservations, while the rest of the parking lot is open access, with no reservation facility.
- 30 parking spaces reserved for the disabled located on level -1, near the elevators
- 3 spaces equipped with a fast-charging station for electric vehicles.
The advantages of parking P1
Secure parking
Designed to ensure the safety of vehicles, this parking lot is fully covered. It also features a monitoring system. What’s more, reserved spaces for people with reduced mobility are located close to the elevators, making them safer for the disabled.
Proximity to terminals
Located about fifty metres from Terminal 1. This parking lot enables passengers to quickly reach the check-in and boarding areas. This proximity significantly reduces walking time and makes the parking experience much more convenient for passengers, especially those with a lot of luggage or traveling with children.
Disadvantages of parking P1
A parking lot that fills up fast
As we explain below, with regard to the opinions expressed about parking lot P1, this parking lot is taken by storm and it’s often impossible to find a free-access place. Likewise, if you book with the ResaPark system, you’ll need to do so well in advance. Indeed, one of the questions of the Official airport parking FAQ is: “I can’t reserve a parking space, what should I do?”
This just goes to show how difficult it is to park in this parking lot.
Expensive parking
Proximity to terminals comes at a price. Here are the indicative P1 prices:
- 1 day = CHF 38.
- 4 days = CHF 128.
- 1 week = CHF 197.
- 2 weeks = CHF 407.
- ResaPark reservation fee = CHF 20.
The subtleties of the ResaPark reservation system
Entrances and exits to parking lot P1 are defined by specific time periods. In the end, if you arrive too early or too late in relation to your initial reservation, you risk penalties.
- Entry times: you can enter the parking lot up to 2 hours before or 4 hours after the selected time. Outside these times, your reservation will be automatically cancelled.
- Check-out time: you can leave up to 4 hours before or 4 hours after your scheduled check-out time. If you exceed this period, additional charges may apply (except in the event of flight delay or cancellation).
Diverse and complex payment methods
First of all, if you use the ResaPark system, please note that the amount you pay at the time of booking is only an estimate. Although the reservation fee is CHF 20, the total amount will only be determined when you leave the parking lot. You will then pay the difference between the initial estimate and the actual cost of parking. This uncertainty about the final price does not allow you to establish your travel budget clearly and reliably.
You also have several options for paying for your parking space on site. Whether you’ve booked your car or parked in an open-access car park, you’ll still have to pay for your space directly at the airport. Here’s where the plot thickens: there are several confusing payment options.
As far as where to find the crates there are three locations:
- Automatic checkouts.
- Output terminals.
- Main parking lot cash desk (07:00-22:30).
With regard to means of payment they are certainly varied, but don’t be mistaken!
- Cash: you can pay in CHF (coins and banknotes) and euros (banknotes only).
- Credit cards: contactless payment available with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PostCard.
- TWINT application: can be used at the exit kiosks, but not at the automatic pay stations or main parking lot pay stations.
It’s hard to find your way around, isn’t it?
What do customers think of parking lot P1?
Google My business page for parking lot P1 has an overall rating of 3.9/5 out of 73 reviews at the time of writing. And we review the recurring comments?
Positive reviews
Reviews highlight several positive points:
- Proximity to the terminalThis facilitates access to terminals.
- Covered parking lot offering protection from the elements.
- Reserved parking spaces for people with reduced mobility, located near the elevators.
Negative opinions
Here are some frequently mentioned negative points:
- High rates.
- Parking lot often full.
- Parking spaces too narrowThis makes it difficult to park large vehicles.
- Signage to the parking lot is not always clear.
- Not enough charging stations for electric vehicles.
The alternative Parking Cointrin
To ensure that every traveler has a choice to suit his or her budget and constraints, it’s important to offer alternatives to the official Geneva airport parking options. Several private parking lots such as Parking Cointrin. The aim is to offer cheap parking but also additional services.
Unbeatable rates for long-term parking
Unlike the P1 parking lot, Parking Cointrin offers transparent rates from the moment the reservation is made. This allows you to plan your budget with precision. In addition, our prices are particularly attractive for longer stays. As you can see from the following table, for a two-week parking period, you save from CHF 407 for parking P1 to just CHF 180 for Parking Cointrin. a saving of 126%.
| Parking | Price for 1 day |
Price for 4 days |
Rate for 1 week |
Rate for 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | 38 CHF | 128 CHF | 197 CHF | 407 CHF |
| Parking Cointrin | 50 CHF | 90 CHF | CHF 110 | 180 CHF |
A quick and easy booking system
Unlike the P1, all our spaces can be reserved online via an intuitive platform which allows you to book and pay in just a few clicks until 11pm the day before your departure. In case of unforeseen circumstances, you can also book by phone at least 4 hours before your flight, and modify or cancel your reservation up to 48 hours before your vehicle is picked up. Contact us for further assistance!
Select your parking dates, choose additional services if required, and finalize your reservation with secure online payment. We offer 4 main payment methods:
- Debit or credit card.
- PostFinance card.
- TWINT application.
- PostFinancePay application.
Your vehicle in safety
Our parking lot is equipped with high-performance surveillance systems. We combine from security cameras to staff presence on site. With Parking Cointrin, you can travel with peace of mind, knowing that your vehicle is well protected.
Free shuttles
It’s true that Parking Cointrin isn’t located just a few dozen meters from the terminal. However, to save you the hassle of transferring from the parking lot to the terminal, we offer a free shuttle service. They operate all year round, from 4:00 am to 1:30 am. It’s the fastest, most comfortable transfer possible, by only 3 minutes.
Optional cleaning services
It’s our special touch! For a spotless vehicle on your return, leave the cleaning to us. Here are our prices:
- Interior cleaning = CHF 90.
- Exterior cleaning = CHF 80.
- Complete cleaning = CHF 165.
How can you make your arrival experience at Geneva airport a smooth one?
Anticipate your booking
Reserving your parking space in advance is not compulsory. Nevertheless, it’s the best way for you to save unnecessary stress. You’re guaranteed to have a space available, avoiding the frustration of full parking lots. What’s more, you save time by avoiding the hassle of finding a seat on the day. Finally, thanks to free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure, you benefit from flexibility at no extra cost, making early booking not only practical, but also economical.
Prepare your documents
Booking confirmation, passport, identity card or boarding pass – you’re all set! Make sure you keep all these essential documents with you
We hope that this guide to P1 parking will give you a clear understanding of the advantages, disadvantages and other options available to you, including the very economical Parking Cointrin option.
