Travel to Geneva

Travel to Geneva

Located in the far west of Switzerland on the shores of Lake Geneva and the River Rhne, Geneva is as cosmopolitan and diplomatic as they come, with a huge multicultural make up at the centre of many important organisations. Although expensive, you get what you pay for here, and Genevas quality attractions and its fantastic setting, not to mention great shopping and excellent nearby skiing, make it a great year-round destination.

Transportation to Geneva

Geneva has an international airport which is very well connected with the outside world as well as having excellent transport connections with the city centre. Trains come from all over Europe, with particularly good services from the UK, France and Italy, and buses provide a viable and cheap alternative. It is also easy to get here by road; the UK is only a day away.

What to see

There are two parts to Geneva; the Old Town (left bank), where much of the citys great art and architecture reside including the Cathdrale St Pierre and the Monument de la Rformation, and the newer part of the city (right bank), where the United Nations, Red Cross and main railway station are situated. Nature also plays a large part in Genevas landscape, with several beautiful parks and gardens including Jardin Anglais (English Garden), while Lake Geneva itself offers fabulous sailing in the summer. The lake is also home to Genevas most viewed asset - Jet dEau; a huge fountain that thrusts seven tons of water hundreds of feet into the air every second.

Daytrips

Out and about, the nearby Alps offer some fantastic drives and vistas, and hiring a car is a must for those who enjoy the countryside. The main draw to the region in general is the many ski resorts on the French and Swiss sides; mainly the mega resorts of the Haute Savoie region. Chamonix ski resort is only about 1 hour from Geneva by car and offers the longest slope in the world (13 miles) and some of the best skiing and snowboardingto be foundanywhere. There are also many cities, towns and medieval villages worth exploring around the lake including Thonon Les Bains on the French side, which is known for its famous spas.

Activities and leisure

With Switzerlands biggest lake on its doorstep and mammoth ski resorts nearby, Geneva is a centre of leisure and activity, which is the main reason why many peoplecome here. Mont Blanc, Europes highest peak, is not far from Geneva and this and several other mountains in the general region offer great skiing. Sailing is also very popular in the summer on Lake Geneva, while biking around its shores and golfing near the city are other popular pastimes enjoyed here.

Safety issues

While not an unsafe city by any means, when travelling in Geneva, visitors need to be aware of the small yet significant threat of pick-pockets and bag-snatchers. Those who hire cars should take it easy on the mountain roads and skiing involves further risk. We recommend, therefore,that you take out a comprehensive travel insurance package for yourself and your family when visiting Geneva.