Getting There By Rail
SBB-CFF – Schweizerische Budesbahn, Chemins de Fer Fédéraux Suisses (tel: (051) 220 1111 or (0900) 300 300; website: www.cff.ch) is the national railway system, covering most of the country. However, in many alpine areas, the rail is still operated by whichever private company initially provided the service in that area – this should, however, only affect travellers who are far from the many tourist areas. Rail travel in Switzerland is comfortable, free of hassles, punctual and almost always scenic.
The main railway station is Gare de Cornavin, Place de Cornavin. Facilities include bureau de change, left luggage, newsagent and post office. Further information is available from national rail enquiries (tel: (0900) 100 100).
Rail services: The Swiss rail network provides rapid connections within Switzerland and Europe, with hourly links from Lausanne, Berne, Basel and Zurich to Geneva. Over two hundred trains travel daily through the city and airport of Geneva, many of which are on international routes. From Paris, it takes three hours and 30 minutes by TGV. Overnight trains Pablo Casals and Catalan-Talgo connect Geneva with Barcelona (journey time – 8 hours 40 minutes), and there are InterCity and EuroCity trains to Italian cities including Milan (journey time – 4 hours 15 minutes).
Transport to the city: Cornavin station is in the city centre and is a hub for the bus and tram network.
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