Geneva Airport Arrivals (GVA)

Flight Arrivals at Geneva Airport

Genève Aéroport is situated just a 2.5 miles/4 km distance from downtown Geneva. The airport has excellent transport connections via several motorways, bus routes and its own train station. In 2018 some 17.6 million passengers were handled by the airport.

Geneva arrivals typically arrive at the Main Terminal, or Terminal 1, which is the more modern of the two terminal buildings. Terminal 1 has 5 different piers: A, B, C, D and F. Pier F is located in the French sector of the airport, where arrivals from France flights do not need to go through Swiss customs or immigration controls.

The older Terminal 2 building is mainly used during the winter, when passengers for charter flights need additional check-in facilities. As part of the original design of the airport constructed in 1946, Terminal 2 offers far fewer amenities to arriving passengers. The terminal has only one restaurant and there are no duty free shops at all. Being used only for check-in for charter flights, the terminal doesn't give passengers access to onward flights, instead they must board a shuttle bus to the Main Terminal for their flight connections.

Arrivals at Geneva have onward travel connections via the airport's own railway station, from where they can take trains to Geneva-Cornavin station and other major cities in Switzerland, such as Zürich, from where they can catch international train connections to France, Belgium and Germany.

During the winter months arrivals at the airport can board buses to ski resorts like Chamonix in France, but throughout the year there are local buses which travel to Geneva at regular intervals. Just outside the Main Terminal arrivals can pick up taxis at the official taxi rank and free shuttle buses to the numerous airport hotels. A taxi journey to the city centre will cost between CHF 30 to CHF 35, depending on the time of day, number of passengers and traffic conditions.

Geneva arrivals are even given free tickets to use public transport, which are free 80 minute tickets for Transports Publics Genevois dispensed from ticket machines located in the area before passengers reach customs. These bus and train tickets allow free travel to Geneva city centre. The journey time is only 6 minutes and during rush hour there are train services running every 12 minutes. The airport's railway can be accessed directly from the arrivals level. City buses run every 8 to 15 minutes and stop at the check-in level, in front of and next to the train station.

Bus lines 5, 10, 14, 23, 28, 57, F and Y run to various destinations within greater Geneva city limits. Free shuttle buses to the Crowne Plaza, Express by Holiday Inn, NH Hotel, Starling Geneva Hotel and Möwenpick Hotel run every 20 minutes from outside the arrivals level.

Geneva Airport arrivals are spoiled for choice, when it comes to last minute shopping at the airport terminal. There are more than 80 shops and restaurants which are open seven days a week throughout the year, offering anything from cosmetics to electronics, magazines and books to fashion and jewellery.

Various car park garages provide long and short term parking in either covered or open air facilities. Passengers also have free WiFi access in the Main Terminal. Geneva Airport arrivals will find several banks and ATM's, currency exchange desks, a tax refund counter and a counter where travelers cheques can be exchanged. In addition, there are post office and laundry services for those last minute necessities, before travelling to the final holiday destination in Switzerland.

Geneva arrivals are also able to refresh with a shower or visit the hairdresser for a change in hair style or use the solarium and meditation room prior to leaving the airport. Restaurants, tea-rooms, bars, cafes and snack bars provide refreshments.

Passengers with just hand luggage to carry might consider walking the short distance into the city centre or take a bike on the specially designated cyclist and pedestrian route. Car hire companies such as Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar, and National provide affordable car rental options.

For more information about arrivals please visit the official airport website at www.gva.ch.