transportion & mobility
Mobility is an important issue when arriving here - whether you want to visit apartments to find a place to live, go to the phone company shop to get installed, go shopping or simply get to know the area, you'll need to be mobile.
The public transport system in Switzerland is very good. In France there is a very limited bus service in the Pays de Gex, so you may find that having a car is inevitable. |
AUTOROUTE VIGNETTE
It is mandatory to have a sticker posted on the windshield of each car you own if you travel on any portion of the Swiss autoroute (highway/motorway). You can buy them at gas stations, stores, and at the Douane. They cost 40 CHF and are valid until 31 January of the following year.
Headlight Warning
When driving in Switzerland you must have your headlights turned on or risk getting a ticket.
It is mandatory to have a sticker posted on the windshield of each car you own if you travel on any portion of the Swiss autoroute (highway/motorway). You can buy them at gas stations, stores, and at the Douane. They cost 40 CHF and are valid until 31 January of the following year.
Headlight Warning
When driving in Switzerland you must have your headlights turned on or risk getting a ticket.
Accident Statement (form) for Europe
It's a good idea to carry one form with you in case you're involved in an accident. Get them from your insurance agent, or print this one.
Carpooling
Carpool World makes it easy: the company manages all aspects of ride-sharing for daily commuters in the Geneva area and neighboring France. Register on their website (no charge, in English), enter your itinerary and time, and they find the ride. Costs are fixed by kilometers. The service is also available for long-distance trips in Switzerland and France.
CERN Vehicles
Cars: If you are a CERN employee or contractor, you may be entitled to use a CERN car.
Bike Rental: Bikes made available free of charge. However, demand for bicycles during the summer months is very high.
Crossing the Border
Get a “nothing to declare” tag (free) at the Swiss customs office (douane). At the French douane, fill out a form – they will give you a stamp with a bugle on it. Place the stamp on the green tag from the Swiss douane. It allows you to use the right “nothing to declare” lane. But still slow down when passing!
Fuel
Diesel (gazoil) is cheaper in France, and gasoline (essence) is cheaper in Switzerland. There are two stations directly across from CERN. In Switzerland stations take cash, debit and credit cards. In France just locating them can be difficult so we recommend not letting your tank get too low - especially at night - as stations close early.
The stations near supermarkets are operated by staff at the stores so sometimes close at random times when someone needs to take a break or change shifts. Most automated gas stations only take French debit cards (carte bleu). We recommend getting a French credit card too, especially if you are here for more than 2 years, just so you can use them at the gas stations after hours. Here is a list of most of them in the area:
Maps
Navigation Systems have taken over as the best source of information.
Via Michelin is the French version of Mapquest. Michelin books are a good guide when traveling anywhere, especially the Green Guides. In addition to having maps they contain high quality information on where to eat and stay, and what to see on the way.
Google maps is excellent not only for maps but for finding restaurants, hotels, gas stations and much more.
Be prepared to get lost – and then be prepared to enjoy it! In the Pay de Gex use the (north) and Mt. Blanc (south) to navigate.
Parking
When parking in Geneva, you will find two kinds of parking meters: one - you type in your vehicle license plate number, pay (no change is given), and the machine prints a ticket that you place on the front dash; and the other - you pay for the space number painted on the sidewalk/street. In parking spaces painted blue (blue zones) you will need to set your time of arrival on a disc and place it on the front dash facing out. Facing in is illegal - you may get a ticket. This gives you 90 minutes of free parking. You can buy blue discs at kiosks, gas stations and banks.
Valet Parking at the Airport
Parking Friend is a valet parking service that offers cheaper daily parking rates than the Geneva airport parking garage. They will also hand wash your car, change tires, and pick you up from your home.
SWISS Airport Shuttle For passengers flying on SWISS, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines flights with a pick-up or drop-off address in Swiss Romande or neighbouring departments in France. Passengers residing over 20 km from the airport may choose a shared journey (Co-Shuttle). This service is particularly attractive at night and on public holidays, when taxi prices are inflated. The service is available 24/7.
Repairs
You must present your car registration (carte grise) before they will begin. Here are a few who provide great service:
Stone Martens
If you have trouble starting your car one morning look under the hood. Stone martens - small, rat-sized varmints - like to chew on cables and belts. So if you park your car(s) outside, we have heard that if you put moth balls, perfume or something that smells of humans under the hood, this will help keep them away. Damage is not covered by your insurance in France.
It's a good idea to carry one form with you in case you're involved in an accident. Get them from your insurance agent, or print this one.
Carpooling
Carpool World makes it easy: the company manages all aspects of ride-sharing for daily commuters in the Geneva area and neighboring France. Register on their website (no charge, in English), enter your itinerary and time, and they find the ride. Costs are fixed by kilometers. The service is also available for long-distance trips in Switzerland and France.
CERN Vehicles
Cars: If you are a CERN employee or contractor, you may be entitled to use a CERN car.
Bike Rental: Bikes made available free of charge. However, demand for bicycles during the summer months is very high.
Crossing the Border
Get a “nothing to declare” tag (free) at the Swiss customs office (douane). At the French douane, fill out a form – they will give you a stamp with a bugle on it. Place the stamp on the green tag from the Swiss douane. It allows you to use the right “nothing to declare” lane. But still slow down when passing!
Fuel
Diesel (gazoil) is cheaper in France, and gasoline (essence) is cheaper in Switzerland. There are two stations directly across from CERN. In Switzerland stations take cash, debit and credit cards. In France just locating them can be difficult so we recommend not letting your tank get too low - especially at night - as stations close early.
The stations near supermarkets are operated by staff at the stores so sometimes close at random times when someone needs to take a break or change shifts. Most automated gas stations only take French debit cards (carte bleu). We recommend getting a French credit card too, especially if you are here for more than 2 years, just so you can use them at the gas stations after hours. Here is a list of most of them in the area:
- Ferney-Voltaire: near Feu Vert, staffed during the day
- Ferney-Voltaire: Total gas station near the Douane, staffed during the day and has a mini-market
- Ferney-Voltaire: Total gas station near Leclerc supermarket/ Mategnin douane
- Gex: Champion near the Verte Campagne center, takes debit cards
- Segny: Carrefour supermarket
- St. Genis-Pouilly: near the Champion supermarket
- St. Genis-Pouilly: Allondon area, near Samse
- St. Genis-Pouilly: Allondon area, near the Intermarché supermarket, carte bleu only
- Val Thoiry: Migrol fully automated, takes cash and credit cards
Maps
Navigation Systems have taken over as the best source of information.
Via Michelin is the French version of Mapquest. Michelin books are a good guide when traveling anywhere, especially the Green Guides. In addition to having maps they contain high quality information on where to eat and stay, and what to see on the way.
Google maps is excellent not only for maps but for finding restaurants, hotels, gas stations and much more.
Be prepared to get lost – and then be prepared to enjoy it! In the Pay de Gex use the (north) and Mt. Blanc (south) to navigate.
Parking
When parking in Geneva, you will find two kinds of parking meters: one - you type in your vehicle license plate number, pay (no change is given), and the machine prints a ticket that you place on the front dash; and the other - you pay for the space number painted on the sidewalk/street. In parking spaces painted blue (blue zones) you will need to set your time of arrival on a disc and place it on the front dash facing out. Facing in is illegal - you may get a ticket. This gives you 90 minutes of free parking. You can buy blue discs at kiosks, gas stations and banks.
Valet Parking at the Airport
Parking Friend is a valet parking service that offers cheaper daily parking rates than the Geneva airport parking garage. They will also hand wash your car, change tires, and pick you up from your home.
SWISS Airport Shuttle For passengers flying on SWISS, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines flights with a pick-up or drop-off address in Swiss Romande or neighbouring departments in France. Passengers residing over 20 km from the airport may choose a shared journey (Co-Shuttle). This service is particularly attractive at night and on public holidays, when taxi prices are inflated. The service is available 24/7.
Repairs
You must present your car registration (carte grise) before they will begin. Here are a few who provide great service:
- Carosserie Grossiord: 155 rte Nant, Prevessin Moens - Tel: +33 450 40 80 66
- Carrosserie Greny: 573, route de la Plaine, Peron France
- Garage Central - Has moved to Gex! The owner speaks English and provides excellent consultation, pricing and service.
Stone Martens
If you have trouble starting your car one morning look under the hood. Stone martens - small, rat-sized varmints - like to chew on cables and belts. So if you park your car(s) outside, we have heard that if you put moth balls, perfume or something that smells of humans under the hood, this will help keep them away. Damage is not covered by your insurance in France.
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