Flying via Aéroport international de Genève is generally hassle-free with quick check-ins at the airport and easy ground transportation to Geneva, Lac Léman towns, and Alpine ski resorts.
Geneva International Airport (GVA) is very conveniently located on the outskirts of Genève right on the Swiss-French border. Many airlines fly to Geneva with the number of flights particularly high over winter weekends when skiers arrive to travel to winter sports resorts in both France and Switzerland. Low-cost airline easyJet is the largest carrier operating from Geneva Airport but Swiss and other major European airlines also fly from here.
Transportation to Geneva Airport is easy by bus, train, and car with transfer services to many destinations in Switzerland and France. Airport shuttle services are best booked well in advance and compare rates to get the best prices. Taxis from the airport are significantly more expensive than to the airport.
Geneva International Airport – Genève Aéroport (GVA)
Geneva International Airport (GVA) is the second largest airport in Switzerland and is used by over 11 million passengers each year. The airport is located in Cointrin on the outskirts of Genève city, right on the Swiss-French border. Window seats are a good choice as the final approach to Geneva Airport is often over Lake Geneva with the Alps to the left and Jura Mountains to the right of the plane.
Geneva Airport not only serves Genève city but is also a major arrival point for travelers heading to Swiss and French Alpine resorts. The number of flights increases dramatically during the winter sports season with Saturdays particularly busy. Direct flights go to 100 destinations worldwide from Geneva Airport.
Geneva Airport is not the most exciting airport in the world but it is clean and efficient with all the standard airport facilities including free Wifi. Food and drink are expensive even by Swiss standards – if on a tight budget use the Migros supermarket at the train station for supplies.
Travelers are locked out of the terminal building between midnight and 4:00 am (but the railway station in the basement usually remains open). Booking a hotel in Geneva may be more comfortable but depending on the time of the year could be very expensive.
Swiss and French Sectors at Genève Aéroport (GVA)
Geneva Airport is shared by Switzerland and France. The airport has Swiss and French sectors with the Swiss (or international) sector the larger and more important part of the airport. Immigration control is unified as both France and Switzerland are parties to the Schengen Agreement but customs checks are possible between the two sectors.
All public transportation, including buses to French cities, departs from the Swiss part of Geneva Airport.
Most travelers arrive and depart from the Swiss (or international) sector of the airport but flights from Geneva to airports in France are considered domestic flights and require passengers to check-in in the French Sector.
The connecting door for the French sector is at the far northeastern part of the airport building – opposite the exit to the railway station on the arrivals level or near the Air France, British Airways, and KLM check-in counters on the departures level.
Crossing between the French and Swiss (international) sectors of the airport is no longer the hassle it used to be but customs checks may still be made at any time (and in both directions).
Transportation to Geneva Airport (GVA) from Switzerland and France
Transportation to Geneva Airport (GVA) is very easy from Genève city center as well as many parts of Switzerland and France. Driving, buses, taxis, shuttle services, and the train are all great options for getting to Geneva Airport.
Arriving passengers no longer get a free ticket in the baggage claim area for public transportation in Canton of Geneva. Buy a “Tout Genève” (public transportation ticket for Unireso Zone 10) from a ticket machine near bus stops or at the station.
Geneva Airport is directly connected to the highway Autoroute A1 and can also be reached by regular roads for cars without a highway vignette. Metered taxis from the airport are more expensive than taxis to the airport. A taxi to downtown is around CHF60 and CHF35 to the international organizations despite the relatively short distance.
Geneva Airport train station is in the basement of the airport making the train often the fastest and easiest way to reach the airport from most parts of Switzerland, including transfers to Swiss ski resorts. Train schedules and tickets are available online from Trainline or Swiss Railways — note that SBB uses a half-fare card as default when selling tickets.
Getting to Geneva Airport by public bus service is often the cheapest and most convenient way from many parts of Genève. Bus lines 10 and 5 connect Geneva Airport with Geneva-Cornavin station (main central downtown train station) every 8-15 minutes in about 20 minutes while bus lines 23, 28, 50, 54, 57, 59, and 66 also pass by the airport.
Many shuttle buses are available to destinations in France including Annecy, Chambéry, and Grenoble with further public buses and trains departing from Geneva train station. The number of Geneva Airport transfer services is much higher during the winter sports season. All bus transfer services depart from the Swiss sector of the airport even if traveling to French destinations.
More on Transportation to Geneva Airport (GVA):
- Geneva International Airport – Aéroport International de Genève (GVA)
- Ground Transportation to Geneva Airport
- By Train to Geneva Airport (GVA) in Switzerland
- Genève Public Bus Services to Geneva Airport
- Trains & Buses from France to Geneva Airport (GVA)
- Try Gettransfer for online quotations for pre-booked transfers without requiring personal information in advance.
- Trainline is often the easiest site for buying online train tickets for Switzerland, France, and much of Europe.
- Winter Bus Transfers from French Towns to Geneva Airport (GVA)
- Direct Flights to Geneva Airport
- Swiss Railways English website for online timetables and tickets.