Switzerland

AI may have contributed to this destination’s text and activity data. Confirm opening days, transport, prices and entry conditions with the relevant operator or authority; automatic live-data updates do not verify these descriptions.

Geneva

Lakeside diplomacy and a fountain in the sky

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Geneva Plan a trip around Switzerland

Best time to visit: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Currency: CHF
Time zone: UTC+1
Country: Switzerland

Photo: Stéphane Pecorini, CC BY-SA 2.0 fr

A French-speaking city on Lake Geneva, home to the United Nations and the Red Cross, with the Alps and Mont Blanc on the horizon.

Largest cities

Zurich
Geneva
Basel
Lausanne
Bern
Lucerne

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Switzerland
Capital: Bern (federal city)
City population: 205,000
Population of Switzerland: 9.1M
Country area: 41,285 km²
Official language: German, French, Italian, and Romansh
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF) · 1 USD ≈ 0.8331 CHF
Time zone: UTC+1
Calling code: +41
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 375 m
Plugs: J / C · 230V
Emergency numbers: 112 · 144 · 117
Best time to visit: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	5°	7°	12°	15°	20°	24°	27°	26°	21°	15°	9°	5°
Low	-1°	-1°	2°	5°	9°	13°	15°	15°	11°	8°	3°	0°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$110
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$230
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$565

Plan a trip to Geneva

Top things to do

Free
Jet d'Eau and the lakeside promenade
The 140-metre fountain in the harbour, the flower clock and the Bains des Pâquis for a lake swim in summer.
- Half day
- Lakefront
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $7
Old town and St Pierre Cathedral
Cobbled lanes on the hill and the cathedral towers with a view over the lake and the Alps.
- Half day
- Old town
≈ $25
Palais des Nations (UN) and the Broken Chair
A guided tour of the United Nations' European headquarters; bring your passport and book ahead.
- Half day
- International quarter
- Indoors
≈ $18
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
A moving museum of humanitarian work, near the UN; closed on Mondays.
- Half day
- International quarter
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
≈ $110
Day trip: Chamonix and Mont Blanc
Across the border in France, the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi faces Mont Blanc; bring your passport.
- Full day
- Around the lake
≈ $50
Day trip: Montreux and Chillon Castle
A castle on the water at the far end of Lake Geneva, by train or a lake steamer in summer.
- Full day
- Around the lake
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Switzerland is in the Schengen area but not the EU: up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Nationalities that need a Schengen visa, including Indian and Saudi citizens, need one for Switzerland too; visa-exempt visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).

Official website

From the airport

Geneva Airport has a train to the city centre in about 7 minutes. Trains from Zurich take about 2 hours 45 minutes.

Getting around

Hotel guests receive a Geneva Transport Card with free public transport during their stay; trams, buses and yellow lake taxis (mouettes).

Local tips

At the airport baggage hall, take a free ticket for the train to the city.
Geneva is one of the world's most expensive cities; lunch menus are better value.
Many shops close early on Saturday and all day Sunday.
France is minutes away; carry your passport and check your visa covers both.