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GENEVA

France or Switzerland: How does Geneva airport’s border divide work?

Geneva’s airport is Switzerland’s second-largest, serving approximately sixteen million passengers per year and with a stunning view of the Alps. That’s not the only thing distinguishing it.

Published: 15 February 2024 16:21 CET
Updated: 16 February 2024 09:07 CET
France or Switzerland: How does Geneva airport's border divide work?
Two nations, one airport: Switzerland's second-largest airport is shared with France. Photo: Fabrice Coffrini / AFP

Due to geography and planning challenges since the early 20th century, Geneva’s airport borders France on its north side. 

Thanks to an agreement between the two countries in 1960, it’s accessible from and shared between Switzerland and France.

How does it work? 

The airport is divided into two sectors – the French and Swiss. 

In the French sector, only domestic flights to and from destinations within France are accessible. This sector is located within Pier F of the Main Terminal.

All other flights – including international long-haul flights – arrive and depart from the Swiss sector, which constitutes the rest of the Main Terminal. 

READ MORE: What foreign passengers should expect when landing at a Swiss airport

Can you cross between the Swiss and the French parts of the airport? 

You can – if you have a ticket for a flight that day, and you have your passport or identification documents with you. 

This doesn’t involve custom controls if you’re travelling to or from a Schengen country. You will merely be asked to show your ticket and ID. 

Where is the crossing point? 

You can cross between the two sectors from the Swiss side on the Departures level. Follow the ‘Destination France’ signs near the Air France counters. 

What if I’m catching a French domestic flight – do I need to pass through the Swiss section? 

The entire process for French domestic flights takes place within the French sector, so there’s no need to cross over. 

From arrival at the airport to check-in,  to departure, you remain within France for all legal purposes.

Can I enter and exit the airport by car directly from France? 

Yes, you can enter the airport from France, via the town of Ferney Voltaire. There, from the customs post, follow the signs to ‘Aéroport secteur France’.

Where are the Swiss entrances?

If you’re driving to the airport from within Switzerland, many choose to follow the signs from the city centre to Grand-Saconnex where there is the ability to drop passengers off outside the terminal or use one of several short or long-term parking possibilities. 

Driving from Vaud on the A1 motorway, you can exit after Coppet, when the road will split into the one going to the airport (and France) and the other into the centre of Geneva.

The airport also has a train station, which is an eight-minute trip from Geneva city centre, and costs about 3 francs for a one-way ticket.

Buses from the city also stop at the airport (see below).

Is there public transport from the French side?

Yes there are buses and other means of transport. This website shows you have three options, depending from where you travel: namely 272, 66, and 274.

What about parking? 

Aside from the P20 parking on the French side, which has 214 spots, there are also several parking garages on the Swiss side, with thousands of places.

This link shows all the garages, as well as the number of spots available in real time, along with tariffs for each one.

Can I hire cars on both sides? 

Yes, the big car rental firms have outlets on both sides of the airport. However, this is where one very important detail comes into play.

Drivers in Switzerland need to buy a vignette (electronic or physical sticker) that demonstrates that they have paid the road tax levied on all vehicles using the country’s motorways. 

READ MORE: Swiss vignette: What you need to know about Switzerland’s motorway charge sticker

Additionally, there are differences in insurance liability between the two countries, meaning that crossing between the two results in times a vehicle is not covered. 

Therefore, it’s imperative that if you’re renting a car at Geneva’s airport, it’s absolutely essential that you return it on the side that you hired it – otherwise you could be charged sizable fees. 

Another interesting fact:

Geneva is not Switzerland’s only airport that straddles two countries.

Basel’s EuroAirport is entirely within France, with the terminal split into a French and Swiss sector. 

What are your experiences with Geneva’s two airport sectors? Have you experienced any troubles passing between them? Let us know in the comments. 

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HIKING

The seven best hikes around Geneva

There are some great one day hikes within easy reach of the Swiss city of Geneva but some are easier than others, writes Monty Pierce Jones.

Published: 11 April 2024 16:32 CEST
The seven best hikes around Geneva

When you walk across the Pont du Mont Blanc in the centre of Geneva you notice that you can’t actually see Mont Blanc itself. 

Instead, what catches your eye are a series of smaller, but no less iconic, mountains: Le Salève, Les Voirons, and Le Môle which make up the backdrop of Rive Gauche, and when looking the other way it is impossible to miss the Jura, with Crêt de la Neige and La Dôle being the more eye-catching summits of “Switzerland’s spine”.

These foothills hug the Geneva metropolitan area (forming la cuvette genevoise) – and other than trapping pollution, they offer some brilliant hiking for locals and visitors alike. 

Here are 7 of the best.

Le Salève

The Salève, is known as the balcony of Geneva. The main backdrop of this Swiss city is found in… France, like almost every other hike on this list. It feels like a great limestone wave about to crash onto you: the “French side” builds up slowly to the abrupt cliffs, striations, and quarry of the “Genevois side”. Frankenstein’s monster scales this perpendicular face in Mary Shelley’s book.

I’m not suggesting you follow in Frankenstein’s footsteps exactly, but you too can climb the Salève. Here are two recommended routes:

Via Le Pas de l’Échelle

This four and half hour, 4.4km hike offers an easier walk – but it’s not to be underestimated. Le Pas de l’Échelle is the historic way up the hill, its carved stone step sections attest to its 14th century roots. Park at the Gare de Départ of the Téléphérique (15 minute drive from Geneva’s centre, 40 minutes with a walk if you take the 8 bus) and head towards Chemin du Bois Meriguet. After an hour or so you’ll pass through the lovely village of Monnetier nestled between the Petit and Grand Salève – before reaching the “Panorama”, where you might catch a few paragliders taking off.

Via Chemin de la Grande Gorge

This is a more difficult hike – both longer and steeper than Le Pas de l’Échelle. As the name suggests, it follows the “big gorge” that cuts through this part of the Salève. It winds its way through the couloir before cutting left towards the “Panorama”. It is a more adventurous, secluded climb, and was apparently used by smugglers back in the day. Start from the same spots as Le Pas de l’Échelle.

You can go up one way and down the other to mix things up.

Get more info on trekking La Salève.

Le Signal des Voirons

Le Massif des Voirons (1,480 m) reaches higher than the more dramatic Salève (1,379 m) despite often being overshadowed by it.

This is an injustice, as getting to the top earns you the best 360 degree view on this list. Les Dents du Midi are viewable from the top. It is also wilder than Le Salève, so keep an eye out for orchids, chamois, and if you’re really lucky, a lynx.

Start from the Lac de Machilly parking (30 minutes by car) or the Machilly station (45 minutes by train via Annemasse) and head towards Chemin du Sauget. Turn right on Route du Seujet and you’ll find yourself at the signposted start of the five hour – 17 km loop of Les Voirons.

Le Môle

Le Môle sits further back from the city, but at 1,863 metres (the tallest mountain on this list) it is no molehill. In fact, it has one of the most recognisable silhouettes in the region: a near-perfect pyramid. It too was mentioned by Shelley in Frankenstein.

For an easy, sunny four hour – 9 km hike, drive 40 minutes to Saint-Jean-de-Tholome, park at Chez Beroud, and head towards the summit.

Petit Salève Loop

Park at the Château d’Etrembières (20 minute drive from the centre – can also take the 17 tram and walk). Head towards the forest and walk for around 2 hours hours. You will eventually reach the Camp des Allobroges near the summit. The Allobroges were the Celtic tribe that founded Geneva, they may even have helped Hannibal cross the Alps.

The remnants of their hillfort (or oppidum) – placed there as a symbol of control – are probably the best thing about the hike. The 6km loop should take you about four hours. On the way up you’ll have great views of Geneva and the Jura, and on the way back of Mont Blanc and the Môle.

Chemin de La Dôle

This hike is the only one on this list that is wholly in Switzerland, funnily enough. La Dôle is known for the iconic weather dome that you can easily spot from Le Jardin Anglais.

The views from the summits of the other hikes on this list, as wonderful as they are, do cross-over a fair amount: you can spot Le Môle from Les Voirons and vice versa; they all have great views of Geneva and the Massif du Mont Blanc.

La Dôle offers something different, you get a better sense of l’arc lémanique, and more expansive views of the alps (especially the Bernese and Chablais Alps). It is the furthest out from Geneva, at an hour by train or 45 minutes by car, but it’s worth it.

Le Chemin de La Dôle (SuisseMobile route 116) is a long but easy hike. You will likely walk 15km in 5 hours. You should start in La Givrine and end in St Cergue, though you can keep going to Nyon and in doing so complete the last stage of the Jura Crest Trail (SuisseMobile route 5).

Le Reculet + Crêt de la Neige

This is the hardest hike on this list, if you’re up to it you’ll reach the highest point in the Jura mountains. Le Reculet and Crêt de la Neige don’t jut out much from the Jura range but you can spot them from around the city. Next time you find yourself on one of the stops of the 12 tram in Rive Gauche, look up and you’ll realise that they are often framed by Geneva’s low-rise buildings.

It will take you 40 minutes by car to get to the trailhead (Tiocan, Thoiry), or 1h40 minutes by public transport (50 minutes to Thoiry – take the 18 tram and the 68 bus – and 50 minutes walk). Be prepared for a 13.5 km, 7 hour hike – and a view that encompasses every other peak on this list. It’s worth it.

Further reading:

The websites Monts de Geneve offers more info for treks in the area.

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