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Geneva Airport to Centre: Train, Bus, Taxi Guide
Geneva Cointrin Airport GVA terminal
Airports

How to Get from Geneva Airport (GVA) to City Centre

8 Min Read
Geneva Airport (GVA)

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Quick Answer

Geneva Airport (GVA / Cointrin) to city centre — fastest to cheapest: 1. SBB train (FREE for 80 min): 7 minutes to Geneva Cornavin (Main Station). FREE TICKET dispenser in baggage hall — works for ALL public transport for 80 min. Otherwise CHF 3 / €3.10. Every 12 min, 5am-12am. 2. Bus 5 or 10 (TPG): 30 min to centre, free for 80 min OR CHF 3 single. 3. Taxi: 10-20 min, CHF 35-50 / €36-52. 4. Uber/Bolt: CHF 25-40 / €26-42. Distance: 4 km north of Geneva centre — closest major Swiss airport. Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF). 1 CHF = €1.04 approximately. Best option: SBB train + FREE 80-min ticket from baggage hall dispenser. Geneva Airport’s exclusive freebie for arrivals — most generous European airport offering.

Geneva Cointrin Airport GVA terminal
Geneva Airport (GVA)

SBB train — FREE for 80 min!

  • Duration: 7 minutes to Geneva Cornavin (Main Station).
  • Frequency: every 12 minutes.
  • Hours: 5am-12am daily.
  • Price: FREE for 80 minutes (with dispenser ticket from baggage hall) OR CHF 3 / €3.10 single without.
  • FREE ticket: dispenser in baggage hall — push button + receive transit ticket valid for ALL public transport (train + bus + tram) for 80 minutes from issue.
  • Where to board: Geneva Airport Bahnhof — escalators down from terminal arrivals.
  • Cornavin connections: trams, buses, intercity SBB to Lausanne (40 min), Bern (1h45), Zurich (2h45), TGV to Paris (3h05).
  • Tickets: SBB ticket machines if without dispenser ticket.
  • Pros: FREE + 7 minutes + every 12 min.
  • Best for: ALL travelers — Geneva exclusive freebie.

Bus 5 or 10 — TPG buses

  • Duration: 30 minutes airport to centre.
  • TPG (Transports Publics Genevois): Geneva public transport.
  • Bus 5: Aéroport → Bel-Air (centre) → Plainpalais.
  • Bus 10: Aéroport → Cornavin → Rive (centre).
  • Frequency: every 8-15 minutes.
  • Hours: 5am-12am.
  • Price: FREE with dispenser ticket OR CHF 3 / €3.10.
  • Where to board: bus station outside terminal.
  • Pros: FREE with dispenser ticket. Direct to several centre stops.
  • Cons: slower than SBB train (30 min vs 7 min).

Taxi + Uber/Bolt

  • Duration: 10-20 minutes (traffic-dependent).
  • Taxi metered: CHF 35-50 / €36-52 to centre.
  • Where to board: taxi rank outside Arrivals.
  • Surcharges: CHF 6 luggage. Late-night CHF 5-10 surcharge.
  • Uber: CHF 25-40. Available since 2014.
  • Bolt: not yet in Geneva.
  • Geneva taxi rates: regulated. Same as airport rank.
  • Pre-booked transfer (Welcome Pickups): CHF 50-80.
  • Family of 4: Uber XL CHF 35-55 cheaper than 4× SBB (FREE — bring 4 dispensed tickets).
  • Avoid: unmarked taxis — illegal.

Practical info

  • GVA close: 4 km from centre. Closest major Swiss airport.
  • Single terminal: Terminal 1 (combined). T2 only used during high-season expansion.
  • From centre back: SBB train from Cornavin 7 min. Bus 5/10 30 min. Taxi CHF 35-50.
  • Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF). NOT Euro. 1 CHF = €1.04.
  • Switzerland in Schengen: NOT in EU.
  • Card culture: Switzerland accepts cards everywhere. Apple/Google Pay.
  • SBB Half-Fare Card: CHF 120/year — half all transit. Worth it for 2+ weeks.
  • Swiss Travel Pass: CHF 244-389 (3-15 days) includes airport SBB + countrywide.
  • Apps: SBB Mobile (trains), TPG (Geneva transit).
  • Note: French + English universal at airport. Geneva is French-speaking Switzerland.

Frequently Asked Questions

GVA train really free?

Yes — Geneva Airport baggage hall has FREE ticket dispenser. Ticket valid for ALL public transport (train + bus + tram) for 80 minutes. Push button + receive ticket. Geneva-exclusive offer.

How long Geneva airport to centre?

SBB train 7 minutes (fastest + free). Bus 5/10 30 min (free with dispenser ticket). Taxi 10-20 min CHF 35-50. Uber 10-20 min CHF 25-40. GVA close (4 km).

GVA taxi price?

CHF 35-50 / €36-52 metered + CHF 6 luggage. Use OFFICIAL taxi rank. Uber CHF 25-40 cheaper. Most travelers use FREE train ticket instead.

Switzerland Schengen at GVA?

Yes — Switzerland in Schengen since 2008 (NOT in EU). Same 90-day visa-free rule. Use Swiss Franc (CHF), not Euro.

GVA T1 vs T2?

T1 main terminal handles 99% of flights. T2 occasional summer overflow only. Most travelers will use T1 only.

Geneva or Zurich airport?

GVA: French-speaking + closer to centre (4 km vs 13 km Zurich) + free train ticket + better for Lausanne/Montreux/Lake Geneva. ZRH: bigger hub + better for German Switzerland.

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See also

Last reviewed: April 2026
Author: Kir Rud, Grandgo editorial
Sources consulted: official tourism authorities, government health and law publications, peer-reviewed travel references. This article is for informational purposes; for formal advice, consult the relevant authority.

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