Getting around in Geneva
Switzerland is famous for its efficient and well-organised public transportation system, and expats will find that getting around 
Geneva, a city that can feel quite small, is easy, yet expensive. Prices for transportation are higher than in most European cities, but then again, service delivery is also better and the standard of facilities is exemplary.
For those looking to save a franc or two, walking and cycling are also common modes of transit. You can cross the whole city centre on foot in less than 30 minutes, and the pretty scenic surroundings makes this a pleasant way to get from point A to point B.
Those who’d like to own a car should take note that, in the centre, traffic at rush hour is painful, and in the outskirts of the city, expensive parking spots and aggressive driving are equally unbearable.
This Swiss capital spills out onto the banks of the city’s namesake, Lake Geneva, and expats looking to orient themselves, can use this body of water as a primary reference point. The best way to find your way if you are lost is to remember which side of the lake you are on (Rive Droite=Right Bank and Rive Gauche=Left Bank).
The Mont-Blanc Bridge is the main bridge used by cars to cross the lake, but there are many other smaller bridges for bikes and pedestrians.
Geneva is also crossed by two rivers (The Rhône and the Arve).
The public transport system in Geneva goes everywhere, and is made up of buses, trams and boats – there is no subway present in the city. The modes of transit are clean, and ALWAYS on time! If they are two minutes late, their drivers will apologise!
The downside to this pious punctuality is that the drivers wait for no one. Even if you are buying your ticket, you will be left behind if not on board when the bus, tram or boat is ready to depart.
Buses and trams are the primary modes of transportation used for getting around Geneva. Routes are quite clear, and there are maps at every stop. Otherwise, you can pick up a comprehensive description of routes at a TPG agency (Transports Publics Genevois), either at the train station or at Rond-Point de Rive.
Buses and trams run until about midnight during the week, and later on the weekends; at which point night buses (noctambus) provide service.
Trams make frequent stops and go nearly everywhere in the city, and buses service the areas not covered by trams. Trams are generally thought to be faster than the buses, but are also thought to be more crowded.
Expats new to Geneva should be mindful of their wallet and their purses on the trams, as pickpockets are everywhere.
Small taxi boats, called ‘mouettes’, are also part of the public system, and take passengers from one side of the lake to the other. The mouettes offer a scenic, and relaxing work-day commute option, and it’s also faster to cross the lake on a boat than on a bus (the bus might get stuck in traffic).
Cabs in Geneva are very expensive, and you cannot just hail one in the street. You'll need to phone for a cab in advance, TaxiPhone is one reputable service provider.
You can also try a different and more ecological kind of taxi, the taxibike!
►Call 078 607 1010 or email reservation@taxibikegeneva.ch to make a reservation
You can buy tickets for Geneva’s public transportation at the machines available at every stop. You will need exact change, as the machines don’t return any. (If worse comes to worse you can go to an agency with your ticket and they’ll reimburse you the extra money you paid).
There are two main agencies in Geneva where expats can get a month pass or a year pass. The month pass is CHF 70, and the year pass CHF 650. If you commute on a daily basis, it’s worthwhile to purchase one of these passes.
The centre of Geneva is very small, and it’s popular and safe to walk from one place to another within this area. The beautiful landscape makes this one of the best ways to get around, and even bad weather doesn’t stop people from using their own two legs to move around the city.
Cycling is one of the fastest, most popular, and most affordable ways to get around in Geneva. It’s definitely a fantastic alternative to walking, though, expats will quickly discover that bike lanes are not very well-made, so biking can be tricky and a bit dangerous, at times. The important thing is to be aware and careful, and to play by the rules.
For those who haven’t ridden a bike since childhood, it’s possible to rent or borrow a bike for free in Geneva (Geneveroule.ch), to get reacquainted before you purchase something more permanent. Renting a bike can also be a good way to get a feeling for how traffic works.
►Contact velo@ville-ge.ch for a copy of the best bike routes in the area.
Driving remains popular, despite the high cost of parking and the hectic rush hour traffic.
If you live far from the centre, driving may indeed be a faster and more convenient method of getting around. However, you’ll have to take into account the parking costs associated with owning a car.
A spot in a public parking bay can cost up to 300 CHF a month. If you park on the street, you’ll also need to pay the amount that corresponds with the colour of the parking space and the length of time you wish to stay. White spots are limited to 1.5 hours, and the police check that vehicles parked in these spots have paid, and have not overstayed their time period. You will get fined if you don’t pay, or if you stay too long.
The blue spots are also limited to 1.5 hours, but you don’t need to pay. Special stickers can be purchased that allow you to park in the blue spots for an unlimited amount of time.
In general though, expats will find it difficult to find on-street parking in Geneva.
A more economic option would be to get a Park and Ride subscription with the Geneva Public Transportation system: you park your car halfway to your office and then hop on the bus for the rest of the trip.
You can purchase a parking disc, and you can learn more information about parking from the Geneva parking foundation.
If you move to Geneva, you need to exchange your driving license for a Swiss driving license after 12 months. Depending on what country you come from, you may have to also take some tests.
Roads and streets in Geneva can be tricky to navigate, as they are tiny and often only one way. Road signs are in French. There are bus and taxi lanes where regular cars are not supposed to go. Drivers can be quite aggressive and won’t hesitate to honk if you are too slow to get started at a traffic light. The speed limit in town is 50K/hour, but it can sometimes be limited to 30K/hour (in that case there will be signs for it). If you take the motorway, you need to buy an annual sticker (CHF 40.-).
Car sharing has become a popular option in Geneva, particularly for those who don’t want to buy a car, for those who don’t want to use their car every day and who simply want to share the costs.
Geneva, a city that can feel quite small, is easy, yet expensive. Prices for transportation are higher than in most European cities, but then again, service delivery is also better and the standard of facilities is exemplary.For those looking to save a franc or two, walking and cycling are also common modes of transit. You can cross the whole city centre on foot in less than 30 minutes, and the pretty scenic surroundings makes this a pleasant way to get from point A to point B.
Those who’d like to own a car should take note that, in the centre, traffic at rush hour is painful, and in the outskirts of the city, expensive parking spots and aggressive driving are equally unbearable.
Orientation
This Swiss capital spills out onto the banks of the city’s namesake, Lake Geneva, and expats looking to orient themselves, can use this body of water as a primary reference point. The best way to find your way if you are lost is to remember which side of the lake you are on (Rive Droite=Right Bank and Rive Gauche=Left Bank).
The Mont-Blanc Bridge is the main bridge used by cars to cross the lake, but there are many other smaller bridges for bikes and pedestrians.
Geneva is also crossed by two rivers (The Rhône and the Arve).
Public transportation in Geneva
The public transport system in Geneva goes everywhere, and is made up of buses, trams and boats – there is no subway present in the city. The modes of transit are clean, and ALWAYS on time! If they are two minutes late, their drivers will apologise!
The downside to this pious punctuality is that the drivers wait for no one. Even if you are buying your ticket, you will be left behind if not on board when the bus, tram or boat is ready to depart.
Buses and Trams
Buses and trams are the primary modes of transportation used for getting around Geneva. Routes are quite clear, and there are maps at every stop. Otherwise, you can pick up a comprehensive description of routes at a TPG agency (Transports Publics Genevois), either at the train station or at Rond-Point de Rive.
Buses and trams run until about midnight during the week, and later on the weekends; at which point night buses (noctambus) provide service.
Trams make frequent stops and go nearly everywhere in the city, and buses service the areas not covered by trams. Trams are generally thought to be faster than the buses, but are also thought to be more crowded.
Expats new to Geneva should be mindful of their wallet and their purses on the trams, as pickpockets are everywhere.
Mouettes
Small taxi boats, called ‘mouettes’, are also part of the public system, and take passengers from one side of the lake to the other. The mouettes offer a scenic, and relaxing work-day commute option, and it’s also faster to cross the lake on a boat than on a bus (the bus might get stuck in traffic).
Taxis
Cabs in Geneva are very expensive, and you cannot just hail one in the street. You'll need to phone for a cab in advance, TaxiPhone is one reputable service provider.
You can also try a different and more ecological kind of taxi, the taxibike!
►Call 078 607 1010 or email reservation@taxibikegeneva.ch to make a reservation
Cost of getting around Geneva
You can buy tickets for Geneva’s public transportation at the machines available at every stop. You will need exact change, as the machines don’t return any. (If worse comes to worse you can go to an agency with your ticket and they’ll reimburse you the extra money you paid).
- An hour ticket is 3 CHF, and allows access to the whole transportation network (buses, mouettes and trams),
- A day ticket from 9am costs 7 CHF, and allows access to the whole transportation network (buses, mouettes and trams),
- A 24-hour ticket is 10 CHF, and allows access to the whole transportation network (buses, mouettes and trams).
There are two main agencies in Geneva where expats can get a month pass or a year pass. The month pass is CHF 70, and the year pass CHF 650. If you commute on a daily basis, it’s worthwhile to purchase one of these passes.
Walking in Geneva
The centre of Geneva is very small, and it’s popular and safe to walk from one place to another within this area. The beautiful landscape makes this one of the best ways to get around, and even bad weather doesn’t stop people from using their own two legs to move around the city.
Biking in Geneva
Cycling is one of the fastest, most popular, and most affordable ways to get around in Geneva. It’s definitely a fantastic alternative to walking, though, expats will quickly discover that bike lanes are not very well-made, so biking can be tricky and a bit dangerous, at times. The important thing is to be aware and careful, and to play by the rules.
For those who haven’t ridden a bike since childhood, it’s possible to rent or borrow a bike for free in Geneva (Geneveroule.ch), to get reacquainted before you purchase something more permanent. Renting a bike can also be a good way to get a feeling for how traffic works.
►Contact velo@ville-ge.ch for a copy of the best bike routes in the area.
Tips for biking in Geneva
- Park your bike at a bike rack. If you park it somewhere else, the police can and will remove it without warning.
- Buy a big lock. Tie your bike to something, make sure you secure both the front wheel and the frame. Thefts are common in Geneva.
- Buy a 'vignette' - a sticker - it serves as insurance in case you have an accident and it is compulsory . You can buy it at the post office or the Migros for CHF 5.90. If you don't have a vignette, you can get fined!
- You must have lights and a bell on your bike or you can get fined! It is also compulsory.
- Wear a helmet! It is not compulsory, but strongly recommended.
Driving in Geneva
Driving remains popular, despite the high cost of parking and the hectic rush hour traffic.
Parking in Geneva
If you live far from the centre, driving may indeed be a faster and more convenient method of getting around. However, you’ll have to take into account the parking costs associated with owning a car.
A spot in a public parking bay can cost up to 300 CHF a month. If you park on the street, you’ll also need to pay the amount that corresponds with the colour of the parking space and the length of time you wish to stay. White spots are limited to 1.5 hours, and the police check that vehicles parked in these spots have paid, and have not overstayed their time period. You will get fined if you don’t pay, or if you stay too long.
The blue spots are also limited to 1.5 hours, but you don’t need to pay. Special stickers can be purchased that allow you to park in the blue spots for an unlimited amount of time.
In general though, expats will find it difficult to find on-street parking in Geneva.
A more economic option would be to get a Park and Ride subscription with the Geneva Public Transportation system: you park your car halfway to your office and then hop on the bus for the rest of the trip.
You can purchase a parking disc, and you can learn more information about parking from the Geneva parking foundation.
Driving license in Geneva
If you move to Geneva, you need to exchange your driving license for a Swiss driving license after 12 months. Depending on what country you come from, you may have to also take some tests.
Roads in Geneva
Roads and streets in Geneva can be tricky to navigate, as they are tiny and often only one way. Road signs are in French. There are bus and taxi lanes where regular cars are not supposed to go. Drivers can be quite aggressive and won’t hesitate to honk if you are too slow to get started at a traffic light. The speed limit in town is 50K/hour, but it can sometimes be limited to 30K/hour (in that case there will be signs for it). If you take the motorway, you need to buy an annual sticker (CHF 40.-).
Car sharing in Geneva
Car sharing has become a popular option in Geneva, particularly for those who don’t want to buy a car, for those who don’t want to use their car every day and who simply want to share the costs.
- With Mobility, you can book a car parked in one of the designated parking areas across town, and pay for use as you go, or get a year subscription in advance. You can make reservations online, Mobility.ch/en/
- GreenMonkeys is a platform where you can sign up to get a ride to work, or you can offer one to somebody who lives or works in a nearby neighbourhood -Greenmonkeys.com.
