Getting to or from Geneva airport can seem complex, especially when you’re looking for the most suitable form of transport. We have detailed the different options available to you when you have your own vehicle, for a parking space of short term or l ong-term , in a private parking lot or in the official airport parking lots.
However, if you opt for public transport you also have a wide range of options at your disposal. How to choose between various shuttles ? This article explores all available shuttle services in detail. It also presents other means of transport, such as trains, bicycles and cabs, for a complete overview.
Geneva airport shuttle services
A shuttle service provides frequent connections between the two locations. In Geneva, a variety of options are available to and from the airport, each tailored to different transport needs:
- The city buses operated by Transports Publics Genevois (TPG) offer an affordable and practical alternative.
- TPG’s Aérobus service, free and available from 3am to 6am, is perfect for early morning departures.
- Private shuttles are also offered by a number of hotels in Switzerland and France.
- Regional buses are an economical option for those coming from major French cities or certain Swiss towns.
Each of these shuttle options has specific advantages.
City bus shuttles
These are the Geneva public transport bus routes between the airport and Geneva. Here are two tickets:
- The unireso zone 10 ticket allows transport use for 60 minutes. It costs CHF 3. You can buy them at the vending machines located at the Genève-Aéroport SBB train station and at the “Genève Aéroport” and “WTC” bus stops.
- La Geneva Transport Card reserved for visitors staying in Switzerland, offers free access to the public transport network. This is a major asset for tourists and visiting professionals.
The 12 bus routes to Geneva airport
12 urban city buses TPG serve the airport.
| Line number | Course |
|---|---|
| line 5 | Airport – Palexpo – Nations – Vidollet – Cornavin Station – Bel-Air – Hospital – Museum – Malagnou – Thônex-Vallard |
| line 10 | Airport – Bouchet – Charmilles – Cornavin Station – Bel-Air – Rive |
| line 23 | Aéroport-P47 – Airport – Blandonnet – Les Esserts – Grand-Lancy-Place – Palettes – Lancy-Bachet-Gare – Carouge-Tours |
| line 28 | Airport – Blandonnet – Lignon-Tours – Pont-Butin – Les Esserts |
| line 50 | Airport – Grand-Saconnex-Place – Colovrex – Genthod-village – Versoix GARE – Pont-Céard – Versoix-Centre sportif |
| line 54 | Airport – Freight – Crest-d’El – Collex-École – Versoix-Gare – Pont-Céard – Versoix-Centre Sportif |
| line 56 | Airport – Blandonnet – Meyrin-Gare – Zimeysa-Gare – Hôpital de la Tour |
| line 57 | Airport – Blandonnet – Vernier-Gare-Croisette – Vernier-École – Meyrin – Hôpital de la Tour – ZIMEYSA-Gare |
| line 59 | Airport – Arena-Halle 7 – Palexpo – Grand-Saconnex – Chambésy – Plage du Vengeron |
| line 66 | Airport – Ferney – Prévessin-Moëns-Mairie – Saint-Genis-Lion – Thoiry-Centre Commercial |
| line 272 | Airport – Lancy – Saint-Julien-en-Genevois – Neydens – Beaumont – Copponex – Cruseilles – Allonzier – Filière – Annecy |
| line 274 | Airport – Geneva – Nangy – Bonneville – Sallanches |
Geneva airport bus stops
Bus stops are located on the “Registration” level, near the SBB station. Here’s a map to help you find them.
City bus timetables
You can obtain all information on timetables at the airport, either at the information desk located in the Arrivals hall, or directly on the TPG. City buses serve the airport every 8 to 15 minutes during rush hour.
Focus on TPG Aérobus morning service
The Aérobus shuttle is ideal for travelers who need to get to their destination early. These features are as follows:
| Features | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operating hours | 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. |
| Rate | Free upon presentation of your plane ticket or boarding pass. |
| Lines concerned | A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 |
| Timetable information | Downloadable timetables on the TPG website |
| Group bookings | Groups of 10 or more must register 5 days before departure at mobilite@gva.ch. |
Please note: two changes between December 10, 2023 and August 26, 2024:
- Miremont stop (line A6) not served.
- At Crêts-de-Champel, pick up at bus stop 11, direction Jardin Botanique.
Some stops have several sites. Here are the Aérobus waiting points, easily identified by the logo:
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Private shuttles to the airport from Geneva
These shuttles are operated by certain hotels. They are to and from the airport. Contact the hotels directly for more information. The shuttles run daily and are located outside the “Arrivals” level of the airport.
Swiss hotel shuttles are free of charge. Here is an indicative list:
- Crowne Plaza Geneva
- Everness Hotel & Resort Chavannes de Bogis
- Geneva Marriott Hotel
- Hilton Geneva Hotel & Conference Centre
- Holiday Inn Express Geneva Airport
- NH Geneva Airport Hotel
- Ibis Genève Aéroport
- Mercure Geneva Airport
- Mövenpick Hotel & Casino Geneva
- Nash Airport Hotel
- NH Geneva Airport Hotel
- Yotel Geneva Lake
French hotels charge for shuttles like those of the Best Western Park Hotel (7 euros per person) or that of the Hôtel ibis Saint-Genis Pouilly.
Regional buses
Some thirty regular routes serve the main French towns in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region (Annecy, Chambéry, Grenoble and Lyon) as well as several Swiss towns (Verbier) and ski resorts.
At peak times, departures take place every 20 to 30 minutes. Prices vary according to coach company (Swisstours, Alpytransfer, Blablabus, Flixbus, Alpbus). For more information on regional bus routes, please contact the airport’s dedicated service directly, by phone (+41 22 307 11 30) or e-mail (info@gvatransport.ch).
How much do Geneva airport shuttles cost?
Here’s a summary of the most important information.
Free shuttles
As we have seen, these free shuttles are first and foremost the morning tgp Aérobus service and secondly unireso public transport in zone 10 accessible with the Geneva Transport Card (for people staying in Swiss accommodation); and finally private shuttles from Swiss hotels.
Pay-per-use shuttles
Paid services include four services. First and foremost, private shuttles from French hotels cost around 7 euros.
Next, unireso public transport in zone 10. They include city bus, streetcar, train and boat. At present, a “Jumping Jump” ticket (3 stops) costs 2 CHF (approx. 2.02 euros). The “Zone 10 Ticket” is valid for 60 minutes and costs 3 CHF (about 3.14 euros). For further information, please consult the unireso fares.
In addition, to use unireso public transport outside zone 10you need a Léman Pass. For example, from the WTC stop at the airport to the center of Gex, the Léman Pass ticket costs CHF 4.60 in second class.
Finally, given the diversity of destinations regional coachesHowever, it is difficult to provide precise rates. Remember that this is one of the most economical means of transport.
Other means of transport to and from Geneva airport
The train
Cities served in Switzerland
Geneva Airport station is accessible from the airport’s “Check-in” and “Check-out” levels.
When traveling in Switzerland, all trains to and from Geneva Airport station stop in downtown Geneva Geneva-Cornavin station. The journey between the two stations takes 7 minutes. During peak periods, the maximum frequency is 7 trains per hour. A zone 10 unireso ticket is ideal.
In addition, all trains to and from Geneva Airport station serve most of Switzerland’s major cities Berne, Biel, Fribourg, Lausanne, Lucerne, Montreux, Neuchâtel, Sion, Vevey, Zürich, etc. They do not require a changeover at Genève-Cornavin.
Cities served in France
When travelling in France, from and to Geneva Airport station, TER and TGV trains serve :
- in many towns in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region (Aix-les-Bains, Bourg-en-Bresse, Chambéry, Grenoble, Lyon, Valence, etc.).
- Big cities like Paris and Marseille.
To and from Geneva-Cornavin station, the following services are available “Léman Express“ to and from several towns in Haute-Savoie (Evian-les-Bains, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, Le Fayet, Annecy, Annemasse, Bonneville, Cluses).
Buy tickets
Train tickets for travel in Switzerland can be purchased in several ways:
- Online with the SBB Mobile application and the SBB website.
- In vending machines, especially the one in the baggage reclaim area of the airport. Please note that this area is only accessible to arriving passengers.
- At the counters of the SBB Passenger Center at Geneva Airport station.
- On the Swiss Travel Pass website. This ticket allows foreign guests to travel on the entire Swiss rail network for 3, 4, 8 or 15 days.
Train tickets for travel in France can be purchased :
- online, on the SNCF or the CFF.
- in station vending machines.
- at the various counters of the SBB Passenger Centre at Geneva Airport station.
💡 Tip: benefit from a CHF 10 discount per passenger on your train ticket.
This operation is financed by Geneva airport until the end of 2024, on a trial basis. To benefit, check that the station you’re travelling to (or from) is eligible. If so, you fill in a form and receive a discount code by email. Finally, use this code on the SBB website or mobile app.
Cabs
At Geneva airport, there are three options for requesting a cab:
- Book by phone.
- Stop a cab on the street.
- Find a cab in a dedicated parking area.
Fares are regulated by the laws of the Canton of Geneva, which sets flat rates from the airport according to your destination:
- CHF 25 for areas adjacent to the airport.
- CHF 35 for visits to international organizations.
- CHF 50 to the city center on the right bank.
- CHF 60 for downtown on the left bank.
For journeys to other destinations, costs are calculated on a kilometer basis according to the regulated tariff.
Self-service bicycles
Did you know that the journey from downtown Geneva to the airport takes about 20 minutes?
The service VéloPartage offers the possibility of renting a classic or electric bike at any time, with a dedicated application from one of the 500 stations throughout the canton of Geneva.
Several of these stations are located close to the airport, including GVA Airport, Pré-bois, P50, WTC and Fret. The main station is located in front of the Main Terminal. To plan the best route to the airport, we recommend using the website or app Geovélo.
In conclusion, we hope this presentation has given you all the information you need. From Geneva airport, you have access to a wide range of shuttle and public transport services to meet everyone’s needs. Whether it’s city buses for economy, private shuttles for comfort, or regional coaches for practicality, each service offers its own advantages.
