public transportation
France
Taxis
Ask at your Mairie for taxis that operate from your town, or look in the French Yellow Pages.
Bus
There are 2 buses in the Pays de Gex
You can buy tickets on the bus in Thoiry, St. Genis, Gex and Ferney-Voltaire.
The bus 68 has fare boxes on the bus, but you need to use exact change.
If you ride the bus a lot you'll want to buy cross-border tickets at tabacs, kiosks and Tourist Info Offices in France, or at the Gare Cornavin in Geneva.
Trains
The TGV is the fast train in France. Top speed: 320 km/hour.
You can board the TGV in
Tickets
The easiest and least expensive way to get tickets is to buy them online. Download the app, store your e-tickets there or in Apple Wallet, or print the e-ticket and take it with you.
Or buy them for full price at train stations:
Taxis
Ask at your Mairie for taxis that operate from your town, or look in the French Yellow Pages.
Bus
There are 2 buses in the Pays de Gex
You can buy tickets on the bus in Thoiry, St. Genis, Gex and Ferney-Voltaire.
The bus 68 has fare boxes on the bus, but you need to use exact change.
If you ride the bus a lot you'll want to buy cross-border tickets at tabacs, kiosks and Tourist Info Offices in France, or at the Gare Cornavin in Geneva.
Trains
The TGV is the fast train in France. Top speed: 320 km/hour.
You can board the TGV in
- Geneva at Gare Cornavin
- Bellegarde-sur-Valerine, Avenue de la Gare, France - about 20 minutes from Thoiry
The Bellegarde train station has two large, secure paid parking lots. The price of the ticket and parking costs less than in Geneva, saves the hassle of going to Geneva, and can also save on the time you spend on the train.
Tickets
The easiest and least expensive way to get tickets is to buy them online. Download the app, store your e-tickets there or in Apple Wallet, or print the e-ticket and take it with you.
Or buy them for full price at train stations:
- Avenue de la Gare, Bellegarde-sur-Valerine
- 11 Rue de Lausanne, Geneva
Bus & Tram
Check the Transport Public Genève (TPG) site for Geneva Canton bus & tram schedule and ticket information.
Check the Transport Public Genève (TPG) site for Geneva Canton bus & tram schedule and ticket information.
- Some advice...
You can buy tickets at ticket machines at each bus/tram stop, at the CERN store near restaurant 1, and at the main train station in Geneva: Gare Cornavin. There are many types of tickets - some examples:
3 stops in one Zone, 60 minutes, full day. For under age 16, and adults who buy an Abonnement tickets are half price. Children under 6 ride for free. There are family tickets, and much more. Click on Titres des Transport on the TPG link above to see what is available (in French only). - 60 minute tickets - as long as you board a bus or tram before your ticket runs out you're ok. If asked by an inspector you will have to tell him where you last got on. He will calculate the travel time, so be careful not to exceed the time - you could be fined.
- Use exact change - machines do not return money. Save yourself time and hassle - buy a Unireso card at a tabac/presse or at the main station Cornavin. It works like a debit card. If you are using the bus a lot consider getting an “all day”, 10 rides or monthly ticket. You need to stamp the 10 rides ticket on the bus when you enter.
- Fines are 40CHF. Inspectors board at random times at places all over Geneva and at the French douanes, so if you for example, don't have a ticket, buy the wrong one, forget to stamp your 10-pass ticket, or if your ticket runs out of time, you run the risk of paying a fine. If a machine is not working, tell the bus driver when you get on (la machine ne marche pas) – he will vouch for you if the bus is boarded by inspectors. Yes - inspectors - one boards at the front and one at the back so you cannot escape!
- Boats (mouettes) cross the lake at 3 locations in Geneva in the summer. It's a great short-cut - saves walking all the way around the Jardin Anglais.
Trains
The Swiss train system is called SBB - CFF - FFS
The Swiss train system is called SBB - CFF - FFS
- The site lists train schedules online with the addition of international travel information which can help you with seat assignments, reservation fees and requirements, as all countries have their own rules and systems.
- The Swiss Travel System is an easy to use site. Check out the Ticket Shop to find the best type of ticket or travel pass for you. Some examples - if you travel more than 3 times in one year it's worth it to buy a half-price ticket (demi-tariff abonnement). With this you will only pay half price on most trains, boats and buses all over Switzerland. They also have a Family Card - kids under 16 travel free with parents. Read through all the options to find what works best for you.
- PostBus: These yellow buses go to smaller villages. This will be indicated before you buy your ticket. You will need to get off the train and transfer to a yellow PostBus which will take you to your final destination.
Flights
EasyJet and Ryan Air have connections all over Europe, and are the least expensive way to fly if you book well in advance. Swiss International Air Lines also offers cheap flights around Europe and is far more customer oriented. |
- Checking in the day before - Some airlines allow you to get your boarding passes and leave your luggage the day before departure. You can find this information on the Geneva International Airport website.
- Airlines operating at Geneva Airport.
- Check arrival and departure times, weather advisories, and more for airports around the world.
- Car Park - Geneva Airport has long-term, short-term and Valet parking. Parking for drop off and pick up is free for the first 10 minutes (except Valet). The arrivals pick up zone has moved down to level 1. Get all the latest on rates, parking structures here.
- Valet parking at the Airport - 14 CHF per day with Parking Friend. This valet parking service offers cheaper daily parking rates than the Geneva airport parking garage, however they charge a 30 CHF parking fee. For additional fees they will also hand wash your car, change tires, and pick you up from your home. Tel: +41 22 341 0801 - visit their website - or send them an email.
Arriving to & Departing from Geneva Airport
France: The airport can be accessed by car and taxi.
Switzerland: The airport can be accessed by CERN Shuttle, car, taxi, bus and train.
CERN Shuttle
A CERN badge is required to board the shuttle. It runs Monday - Friday. The Geneva airport station is outside of arrivals level, near Parking 51.
Check the schedule to see if it aligns with your arrival time. It drops passengers off at the CERN Bldg 40, and in front of Restaurant No 1.
Public transportation from CERN: The User's Office has up-to-date information and maps.
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