Geneva Airport may be a small airport, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to find your way around, especially if you’re a first-time visitor. With its different zones, levels spread over several sectors, and the specificity of the Secteur France, it’s essential to have an overview to avoid setbacks. Parking Cointrin will help you get around and make your time at the airport as smooth as possible.
Overview of Terminal 1 at Geneva Airport
Terminal 1 is divided into several sectors, spread over 4 levels:
- Zone A is the arrivals zone.
- Zone G is the SBB station zone.
- Zone C is for passenger check-in.
- Zone D is the departure zone.
- Zone T is the transit zone.
Organization of the different levels
The registration area
In the check-in area, you can of course check in.
Many airlines offer check-in at kiosks in Terminal 1:
- Aeroflot
- Air Canada
- Air France
- British Airways
- Brussels Airlines
- Easyjet
- El-Al
- ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES
- Finnair
- Iberia
- KLM
- ROYAL AIR MAROC
- SAS – Scandinavian Airlines
Saudia - tap portugal
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines.
In addition, some airlines offer a quick drop-off service for checked baggage in the check-in area:
- Austrian Airlines,
- Brussels Airlines,
- LOT Polish Airlines,
- Lufthansa,
- SWISS,
- TAP Air Portugal.
Safety
The security checkpoint is located on the second floor, the departures floor. It opens daily at 04:30 for departures from the International Sector and at 05:00 for departures from the France Sector.
The Swiss police station is located on the Arrivals level. There is no French police station.
Boarding gates
They are located on level 1, the departure floor.
Location of services
The toilets
There are several, on every level of the airport.
In addition, there are showers at two locations: firstly, at the finish, near luggage rack no. 6; secondly, at the finish, in the public area near the post office. This service costs CHF 15 and includes shower gel, shampoo and towel.
Charging points
Geneva Airport has planned some 15 business corners, i.e. areas equipped with high chairs and tables with USB sockets and conventional 220V power outlets.
These areas are located near the boarding gates.
💡Good to know: free WiFi is also available throughout the airport.
The shops
Geneva airport offers around thirty different stores. Duty-Free stores offer tax-free shopping, while luxury enthusiasts will appreciate watches, jewelry and fashion items from top brands. Local specialties, such as Swiss chocolate, will delight gourmets.
You’ll also find a pharmacy, beauty products, newsagents selling newspapers and books, and stores selling electronics, souvenirs and flowers. Enough to satisfy all your needs and desires before take-off.
The restaurants
Geneva airport offers around 14 restaurants and 20 snack bars. For a gastronomic experience, Le Chef restaurant offers a view of the runways and refined cuisine with local flavors, while Altitude seduces with its elegance and sophisticated French dishes.
For a quick break, options like Starbucks (coffees, pastries, sandwiches) and Prêt À Manger (salads, wraps, smoothies) are ideal. From full meals to snacks on the go, the airport caters for every pre-departure craving.
The France sector
Why a France sector?
Geneva airport’s France Sector was set up to facilitate travel between France and the airport without going through Swiss customs.
It allows passengers to :
- Check in their luggage and board domestic flights to French airports.
- Direct access to international transit zones serving destinations other than France.
- Reach the rest of the airport (only for passengers holding a boarding pass for a same-day flight).
Conversely, passengers arriving from international flights must pass through Swiss customs before entering the French sector.
How do I get from Switzerland to France by road?
Take the customs road on the French side, at Ferney-Voltaire customs, and follow the signs for “Aéroport secteur France”.
💡Good to know: the customs road is closed one hour after the last flight (around 00:30) until 04:00 in the morning.
On the map below, follow route C.
You come from Lyon, Dijon or Bourg-en-Bresse
Take the A40 freeway, exit “Bellegarde/Gex” (blue sign).
Follow the D984 departmental road.
Before the Ferney customs office, follow the “Aéroport secteur Français” sign (white sign).
You come from Grenoble, Chambéry, Annecy or Chamonix
Take the A40 freeway towards Lausanne/Geneva-Airport (blue sign).
Take the A40 “St-Julien-en-Genevois” exit (blue sign).
Follow the N206 national road towards Collonge.
Follow the D984 departmental road towards Saint-Genis Pouilly.
Follow the departmental road towards Ferney-Voltaire.
Before the Ferney customs office, follow the “Aéroport secteur Français” sign (white sign).
Access map to the France sector from Terminal 1
To access the France sector from the Switzerland sector :
- from the arrivals hall, go up one floor to reach the registration level.
- Look for the “destination France” signs.
💡Good to know: only passengers with a valid flight ticket for D or D±1 are authorized to transit between the international and French sectors, and vice-versa. All other travelers must pass from one sector to the other by road, through Ferney-Voltaire customs.
For arriving passengers from international flights:
- Collect your luggage at the baggage carousel.
- Clear Swiss customs.
- Go back up to the Registration level and follow the “destination France” signs.
For arriving passengers from French flights:
- Disembark directly in the France sector.
- Collect your luggage in the France sector.
- Go out either in France or Switzerland
Customs and identity checks
The France sector allows passengers to take domestic flights without passing through Swiss customs. On the other hand, passengers arriving from international flights must go through Swiss customs before entering the France sector.
Geneva Airport parking map
Fast access to terminals from Parking Cointrin
Whether you’re coming from Switzerland or France, to reach Parking Cointrin simply enter the following address in your GPS: Chemin de l’Avanchet 26, CP 1216 Cointrin.
To reach the terminal, Parking Cointrin is just three minutes from Geneva airport. A free shuttle bus between the parking lot and the terminals, available from 4:00 to 1:30 every day of the week.
What’s more, Parking Cointrin offers many additional services to optimize your experience. A valet parking is available to take charge of your vehicle on arrival. While you’re away, you can opt for a car wash: interior (CHF 90), exterior (CHF 80) or complete (CHF 165). In addition, a visual inspection is carried out to ensure that your vehicle remains in perfect condition.
Here are some indicative rates for Parking Cointrin. The longer you stay, the less you pay:
Access from official airport parking lots
From France
With the exception of Parking P20, all Geneva Airport parking lots and drop-off points (P1, P2, P3, P26, P51) share the same access by car from France.
From the Swiss A1 freeway, pass through Bardonnex customs and follow the “Aéroport” signs. Please note that an annual vignette is required to use the Swiss freeway.
From the Ferney-Voltaire customs road, after the border post, follow the signs to the airport.
💡Good to know: Parking P20, located in the French sector of the airport, is only accessible from France via the Ferney-Voltaire customs road.
From Switzerland
From the A1 freeway, take the “Aéroport” exit.
From downtown Genevatake the Route de Meyrin towards the airport.
When you arrive near the airport, follow the signs for each parking lot:
- P1, P2, P3: these parking lots are located in the immediate vicinity of the terminal 1.
- P26: follow the signs to “Arena” or “Gare CFF”. The P26 is located under the Geneva Arena, about 10 minutes’ walk from the terminal.
- P51: follow the “P51” signs. This parking lot is about an 8-minute walk from the main terminal.
To make your experience at Geneva Airport an easy one from the moment you arrive, reserve your parking space at Parking Cointrin. With its proximity, free shuttle service and premium services such as valet parking and car cleaning, Parking Cointrin is the ideal solution for leaving with peace of mind.
