Getting to Geneva airport can sometimes be complex, especially when you’re looking for the most suitable transport solution. We’ve gone into great detail about the options available when you have your own vehicle, for short-term parking or long-term on a private parking lot or official parking.
However, there are many other possibilities. How do you choose between the different shuttles to reach the airport quickly and efficiently? This article explores Geneva airport shuttle services in detail, as well as train, bike and cab services, to show you all the practical and economical solutions available.
Geneva airport shuttle services
A shuttle is a transport service that provides regular connections between two points more or less close together. From and to Geneva airport, you can choose from several types of shuttle, each with its own advantages, to meet your travel needs.
First of all, the city buses of Geneva’s public transport system (TPG) offer an economical and practical option. The unireso zone 10 ticket gives access to 60 minutes of transport. If you’re staying in Swiss accommodation, the Geneva Transport Card even entitles you to free use of public transport, a considerable advantage for tourists and business travelers alike.
Secondly, the TPG Aérobus morning service is ideal for those with an early morning flight. Free of charge and operating between 3am and 6am, it provides access to the airport at no extra cost.
In addition, Swiss and French hotels operate private shuttles offering comfort and convenience.
Finally, regional coaches are an economical option for those traveling from the main French cities and some Swiss towns. With departures every 20-30 minutes at peak times, they offer an alternative that deserves attention.
Each shuttle service has its own particular advantages. Let’s take a look at them, down to the last detail.
City bus shuttles
These are the Geneva public transport bus routes between the airport and Geneva. The unireso zone 10 ticket (CHF 3.00) gives access to Geneva’s public transport network for 60 minutes. It can be purchased directly from the vending machines located at the “Genève Aéroport” and “WTC” bus stops and at the Genève-Aéroport SBB train station.
However, if you are staying in Swiss accommodation (hotel, youth hostel or campsite), the “Geneva Transport Card allows free use of public transport in Geneva (zone 10).
Bus routes to Geneva airport
City buses TPG have a total of 12 lines serving the airport. Here is the list:
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 |
Geneva airport bus stops
Given the number of lines, there are also many stops. They are located on the Registration level, in front of or to the side of the SBB station. Here’s a map to help you find them quickly:
Timetables
You can obtain all the information on the timetable :
- directly at the airport information desk located in the Arrivals hall, opposite the customs control exit.
- on the TPG.
TPG city buses generally serve the airport every 8 to 15 minutes at peak times.
TPG Aérobus morning service
Need to get to the airport early in the morning? The morning shuttle is free of charge. This service is entirely financed by Geneva airport, on presentation of your plane ticket or boarding pass. Here are the characteristics of this shuttle:
- It runs between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. in the morning.
- It concerns the A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6 lines.
- Exact timetables can be downloaded from the TPG.
- Groups of 10 or more must register at least 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.
- In Crêts-de-Champel, pick up at bus stop 11, direction Jardin Botanique.
For stops with several sites, here are the Aérobus waiting points. Stops are identified by the tpg aérobus logo.
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Let’s take a look at private shuttles.
Private shuttles to the airport from Geneva
These shuttles are operated by certain hotels, which we recommend you contact directly for further information. They are to and from the airport.
Here is an indicative list of hotels that offer this service.
Swiss hotel shuttles
They are free of chargeThey run every day and are located outside the “Arrivals” level for these hotels:
- 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 hotel shuttles
They are payingThey circulate daily and are located outside the “Arrivals” level for these hotels:
- Best Western Park Hotel for 7 euros per person.
- Hotel ibis Saint-Genis Pouilly
Regional buses are another option for getting to the airport.
Regional buses
From regular routes serve :
- The main French cities in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region (Annecy, Chambéry, Grenoble and Lyon).
- Some Swiss towns, like Verbier.
- Ski resorts.
They run every 20-30 minutes during rush hour. The various companies (Swisstours, Alpytransfer, Blablabus, Flixbus, Alpbus) each charge their own rates. For further information, please contact the airport by telephone (+41 22 307 11 30) or e-mail(info@gvatransport.ch).
How much do Geneva airport shuttles cost?
As we’ve just seen, fares vary, depending on the means of transport used and your situation. Let’s summarize the main points.
Pay-per-use shuttles
Paid services include :
- French hotels’ private shuttlesIn France, you can expect to pay around 7 euros.
- Unireso public transport in zone 10including city bus, streetcar, train and boat: consult the unireso fares. As a guide, the “Saut de puce” ticket (3 stops) costs CHF 2.00 (approx. 2.02 euros) and the “Billet zone 10” (valid for 60 minutes) costs CHF 3.00 (approx. 3.14 euros).
- Unireso public transport outside zone 10 You need a Léman Pass. We don’t mention a specific fare, as it depends too much on your destination.
- Regional buses: similarly, given the diversity of destinations, it is difficult to provide fares.
Free shuttles
They concern the following travellers:
- Those who take the tgp Aérobus shuttle.
- Geneva Transport Card holders, only for people staying in Swiss accommodation.
- Those staying in Swiss hotels offering private shuttles.
Other means of transport to and from Geneva airport
If shuttles aren’t for you, there are other options, including trains, cabs and even bicycles.
The train
The Geneva Airport train station is directly accessible from the check-in and arrival levels of the airport.
Cities served
For travel in Switzerland, all trains to and from Geneva Airport station :
- stop in downtown Geneva Geneva-Cornavin station (7 minutes between the two stations, maximum frequency of 7 trains per hour during peak periods). An unireso zone 10 ticket costs CHF 3.00 and takes you from the airport to the city center by train.
- with no change at Genève-Cornavin, most of Switzerland’s major cities Berne, Biel, Fribourg, Lausanne, Lucerne, Montreux, Neuchâtel, Sion, Vevey, Zürich, etc.
To travel in France :
- From and to Geneva Airport station, many TER and direct TGV trains serve most cities in the cities in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region (Aix-les-Bains, Bourg-en-Bresse, Chambéry, Grenoble, Lyon, Valence, etc.). You can also take the TGV to Paris and Marseille.
- To and from the Geneva-Cornavin train station, the ” Léman Express” services are available.” Léman Express” services several towns in Haute-Savoie (Annecy, Annemasse, Bonneville, Cluses, Evian-les-Bains, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, Le Fayet).
Buy tickets
Swiss train tickets can be purchased in several ways:
- SBB Mobile application
- the SBB website
- station vending machines
- the vending machine located in the airport’s baggage reclaim area (accessible only to arriving passengers),
- the counters of the SBB Passenger Center at Geneva Airport station.
- For foreign guests, the Swiss Travel Pass allows you to travel on the entire Swiss rail network for 3, 4, 8 or 15 days.
Train tickets for France can be purchased online on the SNCF or the CFF, but also from ticket machines in stations, or from the various counters at the SBB Passenger Center at Geneva Airport station.
💡 Our tip: Take advantage of a CHF 10 discount per passenger on your train ticket purchase. This promotion is supported by Geneva Airport and is valid until the end of 2024 on an experimental basis. To take advantage of this offer, make sure your departure or arrival station is participating. If eligible, complete the necessary form to obtain a promotional code by e-mail. You can then apply this code when booking on the website or via the SBB mobile app.
Cabs
There are 3 ways to hire a cab at Geneva airport:
- Book it by phone.
- Call him on the street.
- Find it in a parking lot.
And there are no surprises when it comes to cab fares. The activities of cabs and VTCs in the canton of Geneva are governed by a law that allows the definition of fixed prices for departure from the airport depending on the destination:
- CHF 25 for a trip in the area adjacent to the airport.
- CHF 35 for travel to international organizations.
- CHF 50 for a trip to the downtown right bank.
- 60 CHF to downtown left bank.
Other destinations are billed at the regulated rate per kilometer traveled.
Last but not least, here’s the most ecological option of all: cycling.
Self-service bicycles
The self-service bicycle network VéloPartage allows you to rent a traditional or electric bike, every day, at any time, at one of the 500 stations throughout the canton of Geneva. All you need is dedicated application.
You have several stations at the airport (GVA Airport, Pré-bois, P50, WTC and Fret). the main one is just outside the main terminal.
It takes about 20 minutes to reach the airport from downtown Geneva.
To find the best route to the airport, use the website or app Géovélo app.
In conclusion, we hope you’ve found all the information you need! As you can see, Geneva airport offers a variety of shuttle services to suit all types of travelers. From economical city buses to comfortable private shuttles and convenient regional coaches, each option offers unique advantages.