AlpinExpress - Crossing Geneva station
How to get through the station to your onward train
Key facts
Geneva is a good hub with many high speed trains arriving at it. The station is modern and easy to pick up connections on to get closer to many mountain resorts.
Useful facilities in Geneva Cornavin station
The toilets are well signed and in the direction of platform 1. You will need to go up an escalator to reach them. They cost 1.50 CHF payable by card. Otherwise toilets on the trains are free.
There is a left luggage service and seating area close to the toilets. There is also a little seating on each platform, including some enclosed areas that are useful if it’s cold or windy.
The ATMs are by the door to the toilets, however, you can use cards everywhere so if your onward journey is into France you are unlikely to want to take out Swiss francs.
Eating and drinking
There are a lot of options for food in the station. Migros supermarket is handy for getting snacks for the onward journey. There are also fast food options such as the Sushi shop and Pret a Manger, and some are even available on the platforms. At the Place du Reculet exit there is The Bloody Bar on your right as you exit and opposite the exit is Oh Martine café/restaurant. At the Place de Cornavin exit there are numerous options from a Subway and McDonalds to brasseries and a Chinese restaurant.
Further afield you can head to the Grand Central La Brasserie in the Halles de l’Ile, about a 12 minute walk. Or a 10 minute walk to the lake for many lakefront coffee places.
Crossing Geneva station towards Annemasse and Thonon
The quickest and easiest way to check what platform you need for your ongoing train is to check online when you are approaching the station. The live information site is updated and usually accurate.
Otherwise, it is also easy to check in the station. Each platform has an electronic board with the next train on it – check these as it may be the same or the opposite platform. There is also a bright yellow sign in a blue information border with all the departures by hour on each platform.
Otherwise you can descend the step to the main interchange and find an electronic board with live departures information that is opposite the exit from platforms 2 & 3, with further boards in the main station area. At the base of the stairs to each platform there is also a screen with the next few departures from this platform showing.
Getting to Geneva airport and exiting there
If you are meeting friends travelling by plane or you are using the airport transfer minibus services you can easily get there by train from Geneva centre. The train to the airport takes 6 minutes and costs 3€. You will need to go up the escalators to the main concourse, then up again to exit the station – the airport is very well signed and is directly opposite the exit. There are numerous cafés in both the station and airport. There are free toilets in both. In the station they are well signed and close to the main ticket office. There are both ticket machines and an office if you need to buy tickets from here.
Buying tickets
If you haven’t already got your onward ticket you can purchase online on your phone as you are approaching the station. The SBB mobile app is really easy to use, so worth downloading.
You can also use the machines in the station, they are easy to use and also show the next available trains. They look like this. Your ticket will be valid for a train for 1 hour following the chosen departure time.
There is also a manned ticket office in the station but waiting times may be longer.
Buses and Taxis
The bus station is a 5 minute walk from the train station, and there are bus links to Morzine, Les Gets & Avoriaz. Check times and reserve your tickets here.
There is a large taxi rank at the main exit onto Place de Cornavin. The rank is directly in front of you as you walk out of the station and there are usually a lot of taxis waiting.
You can also pre book resort taxi services to pick you up here – just check the taxi options for your final destination.
What to visit nearby
Geneva is a big city with lots going on. The Brunswick monument is just over 5 minutes walk away and close to the lake so you can get lake views and see the Jet d’eau too.
Cottage café is next to the moment and there are lots of takeaway places on the lakefront.
A walk along the lakefront with mountain views is a nice way to while away some time.
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