World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Geneva’s superb bus and tram network, operated by Transports Publics Genevois – TPG (tel: (022) 308 3434; fax: (022) 308 3400; e-mail: cim@tpg.ch; website: www.tpg.ch), won the European transport prize in 1999. Although timetables may differ, depending on which line is taken, services in general operate between 0500 and 2430.

It is illegal to board a bus or tram without a pre-purchased or validated ticket. Coin-operated vending machines (where tickets can also be validated) are situated at all bus and tramway stops. These provide tickets, which allow free circulation for one hour, costing SFr2.20 (including transfers), or cheaper tickets for three-stop trips with a return within 30 minutes, costing SFr1.80. Multiple tickets are also available.

A one-day unireso pass (SFr6 for two zones or SFr12 for all zones) for buses, trams, trains and ‘Mouette’ boats, are available for purchase at CFF stations, TPG sales offices and tourist information offices.

Taxis
Taxis can be ordered by phone, hailed in the street or found in one of the 60 authorised taxi ranks around the city. Taxi drivers are required by law to be able to speak English, although this does not apply to minicab drivers. Taxi-Phone Centrale SA Genève, Genevaís central taxi service (tel: (022) 331 4133; fax: (022) 331 4122; e-mail: info@taxi-phone.ch; website: www.taxi-phone.ch), provides a 24-hour daily service.

The fare is shown on the meter, which includes a tip and VAT. Rates are SFr6.30 flagfall, then SFr2.90 per kilometre (rates rise at night and on Sunday). A tip and VAT are included in the price, however, it is customary for customers to round up the fare to the nearest Franc.

Limousines
Providers include Arc Limousines Services SA, Rue de Malatrex 32 (tel: (022) 339 0888), Elite Limousine, Rue des Pâquis 51 (tel: (022) 731 8111 (24 hours); website: www.elite.ch) and Avis SA, Rue de Lausanne 44 (tel: (022) 731 9000). Rates are approximately SFr680 for a day’s hire.

Driving in the City
The roads in Geneva are good and rarely congested. There are extra low speed limits on narrow sections of road, such as in the Old Town. White markings signify unlimited parking, while blue indicates 90 minutes parking and red, 15 minutes. Parking discs are compulsory and can be obtained from police stations. Once in possession of this disk, parking is free of charge. Underground parking costs approximately SFr30 for 24 hours. The main car parks are situated at Rue du Mont-Blanc, Place de Cornavin and Rue Henri Dunant.

Car Hire
Cars can be hired at the airport, railway station and hotels. Bookings can be made directly or via car companies. A national driving licence and credit card are required. Drivers must be aged 21 years or older. Providers include Avis SA (tel: (022) 731 9000; website: www.avis.ch), Budget (tel: (022) 900 2400; website: www.budget.com) and Hertz (tel: (022) 731 1200; website: www.hertz.ch). Rates range from SFr157.90 to SFr183 per day, for a small car.

Bicycle Hire
Bicycles can be hired from Cornavin railway station (tel: (0512) 251 482), Hot-Point, Rue des Pâquis 22 (tel: (022) 740 1343) and Genèv’Roule, Place de Montbrilliant 17 and Bains des Pâquis (tel: (022) 740 1343). Rates are SFr26 (adults), SFr20 (children). Genèv’Roule (formerly Veloc) offer bicycles from May to October, for SFr5.