Transportation
This webpage has information on getting around in Geneva, Switzerland and neighboring France.
In Geneva
The Transport Publics Genevois (TPG)
The public transport system in Geneva goes everywhere and is reliable. The Transport Publics Genevois (TPG) runs trams, buses and shuttle boats in the canton. You must always have a valid ticket or pass as they organize random honor checks and you’ll get heavily fined if you haven’t paid. Students are advised to buy a monthly pass at 45chf (under 25) for use on all public transport in the Geneva canton, this also includes trains to destinations in the Geneva canton.
Please note that the basic TPG pass (zone 10 / Geneva canton) does not include travel in the other Swiss cantons or across the border in France: TPG Map with travel zones
There is also a TPG mobile app for tickets and navigation: Apple Store Google Play
The TPG pass can be purchased for 1 week or 1 month, up to a maximum of 2 months at a time. Before the pass expires you must renew it either at the TPG office or online:
You will have your TPG pass issued with the SwissPass card. The SwissPass card is used for verifications for different transport travel cards and passes you may purchase in Switzerland, so instead of carrying different cards for when you travel, you have the one SwissPass card for all. It is important to note that the SwissPass card in itself is not a transport pass, but that Swiss transport passes and travel discount schemes you subscribe to will be verified with your SwissPass card if you are subject to an honor check while traveling. Spring and fall students who purchase the combined Half-Fare and Seven/25 travel cards as part of the program’s Swiss travel refund scheme will also have these linked their SwissPass account. SwissPass
Alternatives to buying the monthly TPG pass
The ticket machines at the stops accept Swiss francs and euro coins, but not bills. They take major bank cards and credit cards, Twint and ApplePay apps.
You can buy tickets via cellphone SMS using the mobile TPG app. This will only work with a Swiss or French cellphone number and the cost will be billed directly to your cellphone account. Do not board until you have received your SMS ticket
You can also buy tickets at the ticket machines with the TPG Pay card. This is a contactless rechargeable card which you can buy in TPG agencies and at authorized resellers charged with 20, 50 or 100chf. It is valid for five years. The closest TPG reseller to the residence is Tabacs-Journaux – Swiss A. Brothers Global Sarl – Rue des Eaux-Vives 14
Also see: tpgPay
Taxis
Cabs in Geneva are very expensive and you cannot just hail one in the street. www.taxi-phone.ch or to book a cab call 022 331 41 33
Or try a different and more ecological kind of taxi, the taxibike! taxi bike geneve
Cycling
Geneva is bike friendly and this is a great way to get around the city. For information on cycling see our webpage:
https://www.bu.edu/geneva/bu-activities/cycling/
Lake Cruises
Take a cruise on the lake with the G.C.N. company. This Franco-Swiss company offer cruises to all the major towns on the lake. There are also operators on the other major lakes of Switzerland. You can get tickets with your half price railcard if you have one (see the next webpage).
In Switzerland
The train system in Switzerland is very well developed and to reach the outlying destinations you can get connections with local buses, trams, cable cars, funiculars or boats.
Your TPG pass, if you have one, will cover train travel within the Geneva canton. We offer financial help towards travel in the rest of Switzerland to the Spring and Fall program students via the “Swiss travel refunds” scheme – see the next webpage for further information about this.
The SBB timetable is a excellent tool for planning your Swiss travel. As well as timetable information on the principle train network, you can also find out about and reserve for connections on local buses & trams, funiculars and cable cars. You should also download their mobile app
SBB Mobile app for tickets & timetables
1st class
Important:
Some trains have first class carriages. If you sit in a first class carriage without a first class ticket you will be fined. First class carriages and seating are numbered 1, as opposed to 2nd class which are numbered 2.
In France
Across the border
Geneva is on the border with France. You will find traveling in France different from Switzerland. Your zone 10 TPG pass will not work in France, it will only take you to the border. There is French and Swiss public transportation which operate both sides of the border (examples: Leman Express train or no.17 tram) and if you use them you must purchase a connecting ticket to cover your travel in France.
Bus and tram zones – Geneva and neighboring France
Coaches – Gare Routiere Geneve
For travel to locations in France you should also consider coaches. They may be quicker and cheaper to locations in neighboring France such as Annecy and Chamonix. The Gare Routiere Geneva coach terminal is just across the Mont Blanc bridge.
Trains
If you take a train in France try to get a ticket online before you travel. If you do not buy one before, purchase one at a sales point at the station entrance. You may get a 50 euro on the spot fine if you enter a train station with the intention of travelling without a ticket. If there is no a sales point at the station, which may be the case in more out of the way locations, you must find the guard on the train and buy tickets before you take your seats. If you wait for the guard to find you, you could end up with an on the spot fine.
Trains for destinations in France do leave from Geneva (Cornavin or Eaux Vives train stations) and you can also procure tickets via the SBB Swiss federal railway.
French rail network – reservations
Leman Express
The Leman Express is a new rail network for the transborder agglomeration of Greater Geneva and the French Alps (Haute-Savoie). At the heart of the Léman Express system is the CEVA rail project linking Annemasse station in France with Cornavin station in Geneva. This new line, largely underground, opened in December 2019. You can get on the Leman Express at Eaux Vives train station. Remember, that if you travel out of the Geneva canton you must have a connecting ticket or valid travel pass.
https://www.lemanexpress.ch/en/