Parking Geneva Airport, Parking Geneva Airport

Geneva airport: everything you need to know about this international hub

Geneva airport, just 4 km from the city center, is an essential international hub for French-speaking Switzerland.
Whether you’re a business traveler, a holidaymaker or in transit, this modern, well-equipped airport offers a smooth, pleasant experience.

In this article, find out everything you need to know to prepare for your trip to Geneva airport, from the services available to practical advice to optimize your journey.

The history of Geneva airport

In 1919, the Grand Council of the Republic and Canton of Geneva approved the creation of an “airfield” at Meyrin, about 4 km north of the city, near the village of Cointrin.

 

As early as 1922, Geneva airport began to welcome its first commercial airlines.
The infrastructure evolved rapidly to keep pace with traffic growth.

 


In 1949, a new terminal building was inaugurated.

 

However, with demand rapidly outstripping forecasts, a new terminal was inaugurated in May 1968.
Designed to handle five million passengers a year, the new structure was modernized and expanded several times during the 1990s and 2000s.

 

The present runway went into service in the summer of 1960.
It is particularly long for an airport of this size, and its construction necessitated a border land swap between Switzerland and France.

 

Over the decades, Geneva airport has evolved from a simple airfield into a modern and indispensable infrastructure, capable of meeting the growing needs of travelers and airlines such as EasyJet in French-speaking Switzerland.

Geneva airport services

Banks, foreign exchange and post office

Banking services

Several banks are present at the airport.
The
Banque Cantonale de Genève (BCGE) has cash dispensers (bancomats) for withdrawals in CHF and Euros. Raiffeisen and UBS also offer self-service ATMs for withdrawals and account consultation.

Currency exchange

Global Exchange offers a currency exchange service with over 70 currencies available.
In addition, Global Exchange offers a Tax Free invoice collection service, which facilitates VAT refunds for foreign customers who have obtained a tax-free form when making purchases.

Postal services

La Poste offers a Postomat (a cash dispenser operated by the Swiss Post Office) for withdrawals in CHF and Euros, as well as account consultation.
Travellers can also send money abroad by postal order, buy Ticketcorner tickets or SIM cards.

Transport tickets

SBB ticket offices
SBB ticket offices sell train tickets, Swiss Travel Passes and Unireso tickets for Geneva public transport.
They also offer currency exchange services, money transfers via Western Union and Travel Cash cards.

L’TUR Last Minute
L’TUR Last Minute lets you book last-minute vacations and trips.

Luggage

Geneva airport offers several baggage handling and protection services:

  • Bag Wrap to protect your luggage by rolling it up, providing additional security against damage and unauthorized opening.
  • Automatic setpoints available for temporary storage of luggage and small items.
    They are located in the SBB shopping mall and behind the Chicorée store.
  • SBB luggage counter The SBB luggage counter offers a service for depositing luggage and objects.

VIP services

Geneva airport offers VIP services for a premium travel experience, whether for departures or arrivals.

  1. The Marhaba salon offers a range of VIP services, from access to the luxurious Skyview lounge to limousine accompaniment to the aircraft.
    The “Gold” service is particularly popular with business travelers, offering personalized assistance from check-in to the lounge, for unparalleled time-saving and comfort.
  2. Swissport offers personalized VIP services, with a welcome on arrival at the airport and accompaniment to the aircraft.
    Passengers can also take advantage of VIP lounges to relax before their flight.
    A “Door to Door” service is available in partnership with Elite-Rent-A-Car, offering pick-up from home or office.
  3. Priority Lane service enables premium passengers to benefit from rapid access to security checks via a dedicated lane.
    This service is available to passengers authorized by their airline, or to those who purchase Priority Lane access online.

The most popular destinations from Geneva

According to the Geneva Airport blog, the top 10 destinations from Geneva Airport is predominantly European:

  1. London
  2. Paris
  3. Amsterdam
  4. Brussels
  5. Porto
  6. Lisbon
  7. Madrid
  8. Barcelona
  9. Nice
  10. Istanbul.

London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam are key destinations for business, tourism and private travel.

Porto and Lisbon are supported by tourism and family travel from the Portuguese-speaking community in French-speaking Switzerland.
Madrid is a gateway to South America, and Barcelona is popular for short-break tourism and business.

Nice attracts visitors thanks to its proximity to the French Riviera, Monaco and Italy’s Liguria region.
Istanbul, a surprise in this ranking, attracts a balanced mix of family visits, cultural tourism and connections to Asia, Turkey and the Middle East.

These destinations are influenced by seasonal variations, with a rise in Mediterranean tourism in summer and a winter influx to ski resorts in the Alps.

Easy access to Geneva airport

The advantage of the airport is that it’s only 4 km from downtown Geneva.
If you’re short on luggage and time, you can even come on foot!
Let’s take a look at the different means of transport.

Public transport

We have written a comprehensive article on the various shuttles to and from the airport, we simply list the various public transport options here:

  • City buses
  • TPG city bus Aérobus for early-morning arrivals
  • Regional buses
  • Train

Personal transport

Personal vehicle

Coming with your own vehicle means finding a parking space.
For this, you can choose between Geneva Airport’s official parking lots and the various parking companies.
private parking lots that compete with them.

Of course, you’ll also need to take into account the length of the parking period.
If you’re staying for
short term or for longer longer term your choice will undoubtedly be different.
We invite you to consult our article dedicated to
parking lot price comparison to see the full range of possibilities.

Geneva airport terminals: everything you need to know

Geneva airport has two terminals, T1 and T2.


Terminal 1 also known as the main terminal, is divided into five buildings: A, B, C, D and F. Building F, also known as the French sector, is reserved for passengers travelling to or from France.
The France sector enables passengers to check in their baggage and board a flight without passing through Swiss territory.


It also facilitates access for passengers from neighboring French regions, such as the Pays de Gex and the Massif du Jura.

For security reasons, Terminal 1 is closed from midnight to 4am.


The access road to the France sector closes one hour after the last flight (around 00:30) and reopens at 4am.
It is forbidden to remain inside the terminal during the closure.

Terminal 2 is used only during the winter season, to accommodate the increase in winter sports traffic.
It is accessible by several TPG bus routes (10, 23, 28, 56, 57), with a stop at “Tour-de-Contrôle”.
It can also be reached on foot from the SBB station or Terminal 1.

Stores, restaurants and practical services at Geneva airport

Stores

Geneva airport offers a diversified experience with some thirty stores.

The stores Duty-Free allow travelers to enjoy tax-free shopping.
For those with a sweet tooth, several stores offer local specialties such as Swiss chocolates and other confectionery.

Watch and watches and jewelry attract luxury lovers with a varied selection of the most prestigious brands.
Visit
fashionIn our fashion section, travelers can discover clothing, accessories and leather goods from leading international brands.

A pharmacy and beauty stores are also present.
Visit
kiosks newsagents offer a selection of newspapers, magazines, books and tobacco products, perfect for entertaining while you wait.
Last but not least, electronic, souvenir and flower stores are the perfect place to find gadgets or gifts.

Restaurants

Geneva airport has around 14 restaurants and around twenty snack bars and tearooms.

For a truly gastronomic experience, the airport’s restaurants offer a variety of atmospheres and menus. Le Chef located in the main terminal, is one of the highlights, with a breathtaking view of the runways and refined cuisine featuring local, seasonal produce. Altitude another renowned restaurant, offers elegant French cuisine in a warm, sophisticated setting, ideal for a pre-departure meal.

For travelers looking for a snack option, the airport offers around 20 places for a quick break or light meal. Starbucks is a popular option for coffees, pastries and sandwiches, perfect for a break on the go. Prêt À Manger also offers a wide selection of fresh salads, wraps and smoothies for healthy eating.

Practical services

For children : A play area is available in the transit area, between gates A5 and A8.
Baby Care Rooms, located in the East Wing (gates C) and between gates A2 and A3, offer dedicated spaces for breast-feeding and changing infants.


From showers are available for passengers in the transit area and on arrival, as well as a communal communal meditation area accessible in the transit area, for relaxation or meditation.

Geneva airport also offers various services for business travelers and multimedia needs:

  • Business Corner located near the boarding gates, offer some fifteen areas with high chairs and tables equipped with USB sockets and standard electrical outlets.
    Photo booths and photocopiers are also available.
  • Free WiFi available throughout the airport.
  • Public phones Payphones are available for free calls to the Swiss fixed and mobile networks.

Security measures at Geneva airport

Under the bilateral air transport agreement between Switzerland and the European Union, Geneva airport complies with the standards of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Automated security control

SITA is supplying Geneva airport with modular kiosks with biometric capabilities for automated check-in, baggage drop-off and security screening.

Forbidden items

Carry-on baggage and hold baggage are not permitted:

  • camping-gas bottles and soda cartridges,
  • incapacitating devices such as pepper spray,
  • safety cases,
  • Taser-type electric weapons,
  • paints and solvents,
  • petrol and alcohol >70°,
  • fondue-appliance-type combustible gel,
  • fireworks,
  • chemicals and poisons,
  • flame-jet lighter or flashlight

It is forbidden to carry in hand luggage :

  • firearms, even dummies,
  • objects with sharp points and cutting edges over 6 cm,
  • blunt objects,
  • mercury fever thermometers.

Our advice to help you prepare for your trip to Geneva airport

Planning your arrival is essential. Arrive earlyespecially during busy periods, to avoid the stress of queuing and unforeseen events.

 

Next, make sure that all your documents are in order before leaving for the airport.
Make sure you have your passport, visa if required, and tickets to hand.
Keeping these documents easily accessible will save you time at check-in.

 

In addition, anticipate security checks by following a few simple tips: prepare your liquids in a transparent plastic bag, remove metal objects and take out your electronic devices.
Wearing shoes that are easy to remove can also make your passage easier.

 

With regard to your luggageMake sure you check weight and size restrictions and prohibited items to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Organize your hand luggage so that items you may need during the flight, such as medication, are within easy reach.

 

Finally, stay informed using the mobile applications and information screens available at the airport.
This will enable you to follow real-time updates on flights, boarding gates and any delays.

Park easily at Geneva airport with Parking Cointrin

You can choose between Geneva Airport’s official parking lots and private parking companies.

Geneva Airport has 6 parking lots, plus the Kiss & Fly drop-off area.

As for private parking companies, there are some fifteen, of which only six are partners of Geneva Airport, such as Arena Park.

Arena Park’s rates are much lower than those of Geneva Airport, especially for long-term parking.

Table 1
ParkingTentative rates
Arena Park

4 days: CHF 90

1 week: CHF 120

2 weeks: CHF 190

Parking P1 and P20

4 days = CHF 128

1 week = CHF 197

2 weeks = CHF 407

Parking P26 and P51

4 days = CHF 81

1 week = CHF 132

2 weeks = CHF 237

Arena Park also offers additional services:

 

  • Free, fast shuttle service (3 minutes) to take passengers between the parking lot and the airport.
  • Clean your car while you’re away (interior cleaning: CHF 90, exterior cleaning: CHF 80, interior + exterior cleaning: CHF 165).
  • Visual inspection of the vehicle on arrival.
  • Valet parking to collect your car from the parking lot entrance and park it in your space.

In conclusion, Geneva airport stands out for its diversity of services and its ability to meet the varied needs of its passengers.
By planning your visit carefully, taking advantage of the airport’s transport and catering options and following our advice, you’ll be able to make the most of your time at the airport.
Arena Park is at your disposal for vehicle parking.