Transports in Geneva
Have you just moved in the Geneva region? With this guide, find the most convenient transport for you to commute between your home and your work in Geneva.
Have you just moved in the Geneva region? With this guide, find the most convenient transport for you to commute between your home and your work in Geneva.
Geneva has a very good transport system that will let you go to any place in town easily and quickly.
Like most cities in Switzerland, it's easy to move around Geneva on foot, on bicycle or with public transports. For car drivers, it's important to note that Geneva's downtown is highly prompt to traffic jams, especially at rush hour. It is often quicker to use public transports - which usually have their own dedicated lanes, than driving around town. As for transports between Geneva and neighouring France, you have several options depending on the exact locations of your home and your work.
This guide will help you choose the most convenient transport to move around within Geneva or between town and across the border.
The network of the TPG (for "transports publics genevois") covers 426km across the canton of Geneva, part of the canton of Vaud and part of the French area across the border including among others Gex and Saint-Julien-en-Genevois. With bus, tramways, boats and trains, moving around and inside Geneva is easy and efficient. Pricing zones within Geneva are defined UNIRESO. Geneva's central zone is located inside zone 10.
Ticket prices depend on the trip, but a ticket is valid for all public transports within UNIRESO. Download their app to find schedules, stop locations, traffic information and other helpful info. The TPG office in Geneva also provide information and help on the different ticket options.
More information on timetables, rates and zones on (in French):
The city of Geneva encourages bicycles, and has projects to develop the public space to facilitate and secure cyclists. Moreover, many parking spots for bicycles can be found in town. Genèveroule proposes free bikes from April to October in exchange of a CHF 20.00 caution and an ID card.
More information (in French):
Driving in Geneva can be slow and costly. During rush hour, traffic can be very slow. Moreover, parking costs can quickly add up if you don't have a parking plan or if you don't rent a spot. A monthly parking plan costs about CHF 400 in downtown Geneva.
To avoid excessive costs, consider car-sharing or cabs if you need to move by car. Many websites offer free platforms to get in touch with other persons doing the same trip, for example to go to work.
More information (in French):
Starting this winter 2019, the Léman Express will serve the new CEVA line (Cornavin–Eaux-Vives–Annemasse). It will connect 45 stations on a 230km network and will improve the mobility of more than a million persons.
More information (in French):
Some TPG lines go across the border between Geneva and France with a frequency that varies depending on demand. Check your zone plan to know until where TPG lines go on:
From Annemasse, many buses circulate between towns with a regular frequency. Also, the TER train goes from Annemasse station straight to Cornavin, Geneva's main station.
More information (in French):
If you live in a place that is not served by public transport, or if you prefer individual transport for any other reason, you will have to drive a car.
The Chamonix-Cluses-Annemasse-Genève, Bellegarde-Genève and Annecy-Genève highways link Switzerland and France, but they are often very busy. Going through border customs and highway entrances or exits can therefore radically increase the time you will spend out of home.
However, you can go for park-and-ride options near the border, and from there take Swiss public transports to your destination. To find the nearest park-and-rides, check the following map:
Again, car-sharing is a good option that dramatically improves traffic conditions by relieving Geneva's main axis while addressing the parking problem.
www.covoiturage-leman.org and www.e-covoiturage.ch will put you in touch with other cross-border workers doing the same commute.
For more information on commuting between France and Switzerland, check the Groupement Transfrontalier Européen website:
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