Geneva Airport is on a human scale, but it can sometimes be confusing, especially on a first visit. With its multiple levels and the particularities of the France Sector, it’s essential to have a good understanding of its organization to avoid any unforeseen events. ArenaPark is there to support you and simplify your travels.
Overview of Terminal 1 at Geneva Airport
Terminal 1 is divided into several zones on 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
The check-in area allows you to proceed with check-in.
What’s more, several airlines offer direct 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 Air 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, and TAP Air Portugal.
Safety
The security checkpoint is located on the second floor, the departure floor. It is accessible from 4:30 a.m. for flights in the International sector and from 5:00 a.m. for those in the France sector.
For police assistance, the Swiss police station is located on the Arrivals level. Please note that there is no French police station on site.
Boarding gates
The boarding gates are also on the second floor.
Location of services
The toilets
Toilets are available on every level of the airport.
Do you need a shower? Two shower facilities are available: one near baggage carousel no. 6 on arrival, the other in the public area near the Post Office. This service costs CHF 15, and includes shower gel, shampoo and towel, for a refreshing break before or after your flight.
Charging points
Geneva Airport has fifteen business corners, specially designed for recharging your equipment. These areas, equipped with high chairs and tables, offer USB sockets as well as 220V power outlets. You’ll find them near the boarding gates.
💡 Good to know: free WiFi is available throughout the airport.
The shops
Geneva airport is home to some thirty boutiques to satisfy every taste. Duty-free areas offer tax-free shopping, while luxury enthusiasts can discover collections of watches, jewelry and fashion items from leading brands. Local specialities, such as the famous Swiss chocolate, are also on offer to delight gourmets.
In addition, you’ll find a pharmacy, beauty products, newsagents for your reading, as well as electronics, souvenir and even flower stores.
The restaurants
Geneva airport has around 14 restaurants and 20 fast-food outlets.
For a refined culinary experience, Le Chef restaurant stands out for its cuisine with local flavors.
For a quick break, brands like Starbucks (coffees, pastries, sandwiches) or Prêt À Manger (salads, wraps, smoothies) are perfect for a meal on the go.
It’s time to explain what you need to know about the France Sector.
The France sector
Why a France sector?
Geneva airport’s France Sector has been designed to simplify travel between France and the airport, without the need to go through Swiss customs.
This sector enables travellers to check in their baggage and take domestic flights to destinations in France. It also offers direct access to international transit zones for those continuing their journey to destinations outside France. Passengers with boarding passes for same-day flights can also reach the rest of the airport from the France Sector.
💡 Good to know: passengers arriving from international flights must pass through Swiss customs before being allowed to enter the France sector.
How do I get from Switzerland to France by road?
To access Secteur France, take the customs road on the French side, at Ferney-Voltaire customs, and follow the “Aéroport Secteur France” signs.
💡 Note: The customs road is closed between one hour after the last flight (approx. 00:30) and 04:00 am.
On the map below, the route to follow corresponds to path C.
You come from Lyon, Dijon or Bourg-en-Bresse
To reach Secteur France at Geneva airport, take the A40 freeway and exit at Bellegarde/Gex (blue sign). Continue on the D984 departmental road. Before reaching the Ferney customs office, follow the signs for “Aéroport Secteur Français” (white sign).
You come from Grenoble, Chambéry, Annecy or Chamonix
Take the A40 freeway towards Lausanne/Geneva-Airport (blue sign) and exit at “St-Julien-en-Genevois” (blue sign). Follow the N206 towards Collonge, then the D984 towards Saint-Genis-Pouilly. Continue towards Ferney-Voltaire and, before you reach the Ferney customs office, follow the signs for “Aéroport Secteur Français” (white sign).
Access map to the France sector from Terminal 1
From the arrivals hall, go up one floor to the check-in level. Once there, follow the “Destination France” signs.
💡 Note: Only passengers with a ticket valid for the same day or for the previous/next day (D or D±1) can transit between the International and France sectors. For other passengers, the only way to cross between the two sectors is by road, via Ferney-Voltaire customs.
If you’re arriving from an international flight, first collect your baggage from the baggage conveyor, then go through Swiss customs. Then go up to the Check-in level and follow the signs to “Destination France”.
Passengers arriving from French domestic flights disembark directly in the France Sector. They can retrieve their baggage in the same area and choose to exit either in France or Switzerland, depending on their final destination.
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 pass through Swiss customs before entering the France sector.
Geneva Airport parking map
Fast access to terminals from ArenaPark
From France or Switzerland, enter the following address in your Swiss or French GPS to reach ArenaPark Chemin de l’Avanchet 26, CP 1216 Cointrin.
To reach Terminal 1, ArenaPark is just three minutes from Geneva airport. A free shuttle bus is available from 3.45am to 1.30am every day of the week.
In addition to its convenient location, ArenaPark offers a range of services to enhance your experience. A valet parking is available to collect your vehicle on arrival. While you’re away, you can opt to have your car cleaned, with packages to suit your needs: interior cleaning (CHF 90), exterior cleaning (CHF 80) or complete cleaning (CHF 165). A visual inspection is also carried out to ensure that your vehicle remains in perfect condition.
ArenaPark offers a sliding scale of prices. The longer you park, the lower the daily cost. Here are a few examples:
- 1 day : CHF 60
- 4 days: CHF 90
- 1 week CHF 120
- 2 weeks: CHF 190.
Access from official airport parking lots
From France
With the exception of Parking P20, all Geneva Airport parking lots and drop-off zones (Parking P1parking P2, parking P26 and parking lot P51) are accessible by the same route by car from France.
If you are arriving on the Swiss A1 freeway, pass through the Bardonnex customs, then follow the signs for “Aéroport”. Note that access to the Swiss freeway requires the purchase of an annual vignette costing CHF 40.
From the Ferney-Voltaire customs road, cross the border and follow the signs to the airport to reach the main parking lots.
💡 Good to know: Parking P20, located in the France sector of the airport, is only accessible from French territory via the Ferney-Voltaire customs road.
From Switzerland
To reach Geneva airport from Switzerland, take the A1 freeway and exit at “Aéroport”.
If you leave from downtown Genevafollow the Route de Meyrin towards the airport. As you approach the airport, specific signs will guide you to the parking lots.
Parking lots P1 and P2 are located right next to terminal 1.
To reach parking lot P26, follow the signs for “Arena” or “Gare CFF”. This parking lot, located under the Geneva Arena, is about a 10-minute walk from the terminal.
If your destination is parking lot P51, follow the “P51” signs; this parking lot is about an 8-minute walk from the main terminal.
To make your Geneva Airport experience seamless from the moment you arrive, book your parking at ArenaPark. With its convenient location just three minutes from the airport, its free shuttle service and premium services such as valet parking and car cleaning, ArenaPark is the ideal option for trouble-free travel.