Public Transport
Geneva’s excellent bus and tram network, operated by Transports Publics Genevois – TPG (tel: (022) 308 3434; fax: (022) 308 3400; e-mail: cim@tpg.ch), won the European transport prize in the year 1999. Although timetables may be different, depending on which line is taken; services in general operate between 0500 and 2430.
It is against the law 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 tramway and bus stops. These provide tickets, which allow free circulation for 1 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 available as well.
A one-day unireso pass (SFr6 for two zones or SFr12 for all zones) for trams, buses, trains and ‘Mouette’ boats, are available for purchase at CFF stations, TPG sales offices and tourist information offices.
Taxis
Taxis can be ordered by telephone; hailed in the street or they can be 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 the 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), provides a 24 hour daily service.
Fare is shown on the meter, which includes a tip and VAT. Rates are SFr6.30 flagfall, then SFr2.90 per kilometre (rates are higher at night and on Sunday). Even though a tip and VAT is included in the price, it is customary for customers to round up the fare to the nearest Franc.
Limousines
Providers of Limousines 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)) 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 seldom congested. There are extra low speed limits on narrow sections of road, like in the Old Town. White markings indicate unlimited parking, blue indicates 90 minutes parking and red 15 minutes.
Parking discs are mandatory and can be obtained from police stations. Once in possession of this disk, parking is then free of charge. Underground parking costs are approximately SFr30 for 24 hours. The main car parks are located at Place de Cornavin, Rue du Mont-Blanc and Rue Henri Dunant.
Car Hire
Cars can be rented at the airport, railway station and hotels. Bookings can be made either directly or via car companies. A national driving licence and credit card are mandatory. Drivers must be either 21 years of age or older.
Providers include Avis SA (tel: (022) 731 9000), Budget (tel: (022) 900 2400) and Hertz (tel: (022) 731 1200).
Rates range from SFr157.90-SFr183 per day, for a small car.
Bicycle Hire
Bicycles can be rented 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) and SFr20 (children). Genèv’Roule offer bicycles from May to October for SFr5. |
