Geneva Airport (IATA Code: GVA)

Geneva Airport is one of Switzerland’s principal gateways to the world. Situated just four kilometres northwest of the city centre, it serves not only the city and parts of neighbouring France, but it is also the main arrival destination for skiers during the ski season. On a good run, Geneva Airport is a two-and-a-half-hour transfer to La Plagne.

Location

Just 4km northwest of Geneva city centre

Transfer Time

2.5 hours to La Plagne

Amenities

Free Wi-Fi available throughout

Aerial view of Geneva Airport

Geneva Airport Overview

Geneva Airport is one of Switzerland’s principal gateways to the world. Situated just four kilometres northwest of the city centre, it serves not only the city and parts of neighbouring France, but it is also the main arrival destination for skiers during the ski season. On a good run, Geneva Airport is a two-and-a-half-hour transfer to La Plagne.

In our opinion, Geneva should be your first-choice airport not only due to the large number of daily flights, but principally because it is such a major transfer hub, it very rarely, if ever, gets closed due to bad weather ensuring your flight is very unlikely to be diverted. The airport has two terminals and free wi-fi is available throughout.

Arrival Procedure at Geneva Airport

Terminal 1 (Main)

Terminal 1 is the bigger of the two terminals and is the terminal that most airlines such as EasyJet and British Airways use. It is most likely that this is the terminal your flight will arrive at.

Arrival Procedure

Exit customs, but not the airport terminal, and turn left, heading towards the train station. Walk for no more than 100m and on your left hand side you will see the Swiss Chalet Restaurant where your driver will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it.

Terminal 2 (Charter)

Terminal 2 is used mainly for charter flights and is only a ten minute walk from Terminal 1. It is basically a hangar with not many facilities and at the time of writing, the budget airline Jet2 use it at weekends during the winter

Arrival Proceedure

Exit the terminal building, turn left and head towards the road. After a short walk of around two hundred metres, you will arrive at T1. Continue straight ahead towards the train station and, as above, about 100 m after arrivals, you will arrive at the Swiss Chalet Restaurant

French Sector

The French sector is mainly used for internal flights, so it is unlikely you will arrive at this terminal

Important Notice

Geneva Airport has a French Sector which is mainly used for internal flights although some international flights may sometimes use this terminal. It is unlikely you will arrive at the French sector but if so, do not exit through French Customs but follow the signs for Switzerland, transit through Swiss customs and you will arrive at T1.

Geneva Airport – Did you know ?

Genève Aéroport generates enough income every year to cope with the maintenance of its infrastructure and to finance its development. The company does not receive subsidies from any public authority and each year it pays half of its profits to the State!