A day in Geneva, anything interesting?

[bahnause]

Travelling without a ticket is not recommended… SBB are now losing significant revenue and checks are becoming much more frequent. The consequences can be serious (criminal record), the fines are high, and go up with subsequent offences…

You might get registered in a database, but there is no criminal record as long you pay the fee. It is not a criminal offense.

If a ticke machine is out of order, the train staff can check it or it can be checked later. They are all online with diagnostics.

 

[Swisskids]

I’ll have a look on Friday to see if the machines are still there… but that will be dependent upon whether we’re running for the train to Zurich via Neuchatel… or can have a leisurely stroll. One of us has to renew their Halbtax…

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You might get registered in a database, but there is no criminal record as long you pay the fee. It is not a criminal offense.

If a ticke machine is out of order, the train staff can check it or it can be checked later. They are all online with diagnostics.

I would beg to differ… Yes he IS registered on the SBB Database… and for a second and subsequent offences the consequences can be dire. Particularly if he wants a Permis C…

 

[bahnause]

I would beg to differ… Yes he IS registered on the SBB Database… and for a second and subsequent offences the consequences can be dire. Particularly if he wants a Permis C…

There is no SBB database, it is run by "Alliance Swiss Pass" for all TOC and other transport companies. The ony thing this database does is register customers without a valid ticket for two years. The fee goes up from 70CHF for the first offence to 110CHF to 160CHF for any futher offence. The database con only be accesed by the TOC. There are no criminal consequences, the legal system has no access to the database.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Switzerland just puts me off due to CHF/GBP exchange rate, though being close to 40 I can (just) remember when it was CHF2.5/GBP1 and easily remember when it was CHF2/GBP1 (you'd get around CHF1.8/GBP1 in the shops, as you usually subtract around 8-10% off the Forex rate)

 

[northwichcat]

Switzerland just puts me off due to CHF/GBP exchange rate, though being close to 40 I can (just) remember when it was CHF2.5/GBP1 and easily remember when it was CHF2/GBP1 (you'd get around CHF1.8/GBP1 in the shops, as you usually subtract around 8-10% off the Forex rate)

Consider getting a Curve card or similar, to get the Mastercard exchange rate with the transaction being charged in £ to one of your existing accounts. That way you'll get a better rate than you would by buying foreign currency at the bank.

The Euro exchange rate is also terrible compared to what it was around 15 years ago. Despite what the government tells us our economy has become much weaker than many European countries.

 

[route101]

The low cost bit rather than the round satellites? Interesting, didn't know that had been brought back into use.

Yes, this lengthy Tripadvisor thread seems to suggest withdrawal of the free ticket

No more free local transport tickets for at GVA - Switzerland Message Board - Tripadvisor

Answer 1 of 11: Just came through GVA airport and noticed there are no more free transport tickets for travel in the canton of Geneva. A ticket for travel anywhere in the canton will cost you 3.00 CHF and you must purchase a ticket before boarding.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk

Terminal 2 is interesting as its the old 1946 terminal. It sees use for the ski flights. Arriving at T2 is ok but if you have to check in at T2 with Jet2 its a bit of a hassle. You get bussed back to T1 then go to the D gates. The buses were not regular enough and some people were cutting it fine.

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Switzerland just puts me off due to CHF/GBP exchange rate, though being close to 40 I can (just) remember when it was CHF2.5/GBP1 and easily remember when it was CHF2/GBP1 (you'd get around CHF1.8/GBP1 in the shops, as you usually subtract around 8-10% off the Forex rate)

Was it much cheaper back then due to exchange rate?

I found Switzerland expensive with train fares . Prices for drinks in bigger supermarkets were on par with the UK. I found WH Smith prices a shocker at Manchester rail station.

 

[northwichcat]

I found Switzerland expensive with train fares . Prices for drinks in bigger supermarkets were on par with the UK. I found WH Smith prices a shocker at Manchester rail station.

Many people will choose to drink free tap water both in the UK and Switzerland. However, can you get cheap food in Switzerland if even McDonalds charge significantly higher prices?

Is Switzerland expensive?

As you might expect, a country famous for high quality watches, premium chocolates and a super efficient public transport system, isn’t going to be a budget destination. Switzerland is ranked as the most expensive country in Europe and one of the dearest destinations in the world. Even if you go for takeaway fast food from international chains, you’ll find the prices much higher than you’re used to. For example in 2023, a children’s Happy Meal from McDonald’s costs £3.59 in the UK and CHF7.40 in Switzerland (roughly £6.70).

Switzerland Holidays 2026 / 2027 | ATOL Protected | Thomas Cook

Book Switzerland holidays for 2026/2027 – Alpine scenery, Lake Geneva and scenic railway journeys. From £19pp deposit, ATOL-protected with Thomas Cook.

www.thomascook.com

 

[Richard Scott]

I don't know which terminal Easyjet fly into but when I went to Geneva with them in 2022 and looked into the free arrival ticket I was told it had been withdrawn.

I also didn't see any machines and pretty much everyone arriving was buying a ticket from the machines at Geneva Airport station.

You can only get free travel when staying at a hotel in Geneva now, seems you get sent your card electronically now 3 days before you check in so can use public transport from airport. Used to get issued a card when you arrived at the hotel so expect the machines at the airport have now gone due to this?
Have been to Geneva many times and found it quite pleasant. UN building worth a visit but have to book in advance, can always visit CERN too; has a new visitor centre now.

 

[DominoP]

Correct, the machines are in baggage reclaim just before customs, the reason why is so only people who actually flew in have the facility (though there's very little to stop them from dispensing more than one if they know they're meeting someone landside).

They got rid of them in 2022 I think. No free travel from airport to Genève anymore.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Consider getting a Curve card or similar, to get the Mastercard exchange rate with the transaction being charged in £ to one of your existing accounts. That way you'll get a better rate than you would by buying foreign currency at the bank.

The Euro exchange rate is also terrible compared to what it was around 15 years ago. Despite what the government tells us our economy has become much weaker than many European countries.

Pound to Euro has been fairly steady since 2009 though.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Feb 2024 ==

Terminal 2 is interesting as its the old 1946 terminal. It sees use for the ski flights. Arriving at T2 is ok but if you have to check in at T2 with Jet2 its a bit of a hassle. You get bussed back to T1 then go to the D gates. The buses were not regular enough and some people were cutting it fine.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Feb 2024 ==


Was it much cheaper back then due to exchange rate?

I found Switzerland expensive with train fares . Prices for drinks in bigger supermarkets were on par with the UK. I found WH Smith prices a shocker at Manchester rail station.

It just felt you got more for your money even though Switzerland was far from cheap.

 

[northwichcat]

You can only get free travel when staying at a hotel in Geneva now, seems you get sent your card electronically now 3 days before you check in so can use public transport from airport. Used to get issued a card when you arrived at the hotel so expect the machines at the airport have now gone due to this?

I stayed in Annemasse due to the difference in hotel costs. However, when I arrived I initially went into central Geneva, storing my suitcase at the station's left luggage facility. Under the old system I could have benefitted from a free arrival journey, but don't under the new system.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I stayed in Annemasse due to the difference in hotel costs. However, when I arrived I initially went into central Geneva, storing my suitcase at the station's left luggage facility. Under the old system I could have benefitted from a free arrival journey, but don't under the new system.

Of course the journey is now given only to those paying the tourist tax, so it's fully funded.

Tourist taxes allowing free local transport are the norm in Switzerland, there's a similar scheme in Vaud.

 

[Swisskids]

Just passed through Geneva airport.. the 80 mins free transfer tickets are definitely not available any more. Big stickers on the ticket machines!

Superb run on the tilting train to Zurich via Neuchatel and Biel to Olten… Sit on the right hand side facing in direction of travel for best views

 

[northwichcat]

Of course the journey is now given only to those paying the tourist tax, so it's fully funded.

Tourist taxes allowing free local transport are the norm in Switzerland, there's a similar scheme in Vaud.

Yep. It's a shame Annemasse (and other neighbouring French towns that are on suburbs of the Geneva transit) have introduced their own tourist taxes and don't do anything to push tourists towards using public transport.

 

[route101]

Pound to Euro has been fairly steady since 2009 though.

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It just felt you got more for your money even though Switzerland was far from cheap.

Do you mean quality of service/product?

 

[yorkie]

If anyone wants to discuss anything outside the topic of the subject title in any more detail, please create a new thread, thanks

 

[dumbgirl]

hi how do i create a new thread

 

[northwichcat]

hi how do i create a new thread

Go to the relevant board e.g. International Transport then click the Post Thread button on the right hand side, above the list of existing threads.

 

[Strazor]

I agree about Geneva - nice enough but so many much better places not far away. I was distinctly unimpressed, and I went with an open mind as a friend had lived there previously.
Much better to head straight to Lausanne, Vevey or Montreux (and places in between).
Geneva is very business-oriented, and the hotel prices reflect that. You can stay in one of the smaller towns nearby (we chose a lakefront hotel in Morges) and easily reach Geneva by train for sightseeing there.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I just went from Geneva to Lyon by train (staying over in Annecy). I'd recommend going to Annecy. Geneva was so boring and overpriced (and honestly not that nice - lots of homeless people everywhere) that we left after a couple of hours for France, we were expecting to stay for the whole day. Honestly just wish we didn't bother getting off the train. I don't even think it's really worth bothering walking down to the lake, there was nothing there apart from a cafe in the park (but loads of rowdy homeless people were in the park).

Annecy is supposed to be absolutely stunning, if small.