Geneva International Airport (GVA) is on the border between Switzerland and France and used by both countries. A small section of the airport is treated as French territory allowing passengers to avoid passing through Swiss customs and immigration when traveling to France rather than Switzerland.
All public transportation including trains and buses going directly to France passes through Swiss territory and require clearing both Swiss customs and immigration at the airport as well as at the Swiss-French land border. (Additional immigration checks will disappear when Switzerland joins the Schengen Agreement but custom controls will remain, as Switzerland is not part of the European Union.)
Avoiding Swiss Territory when Driving from France to Geneva Airport
The most logical routes from France to Geneva Airport are generally to enter Switzerland to the south of Geneva and proceed to the airport via the highway as described below. However, drivers without Swiss visas can avoid entering Switzerland completely by approaching Geneva Airport through its French Sector.
From French Highway A40, use the Bellegarde / Gex exit and continue on the D984 country road pass Collonges and Saint-Genis Pouilly. Follow the D35 to Ferney-Voltaire and turn towards the “Aéroport secteur Français” just before reaching Swiss customs.
Driving from France to Geneva Airport on Swiss Highways
The fastest way from French Alpine ski resort towns to Geneva Airport is on French and Swiss highways. Swiss highways require the car to display a Vignette sticker, which cost CHF40 (US $40) per year – a hefty fee if the driver only intends driving to the airport.
From the French highway A40, follow the blue signs to Lausanne/Genève-Aéroport and cross the border at Bardonnex. From here, simply continue on Swiss highway A1 to Genève-Aéroport. (In contrast to most of the rest of Europe, Swiss highways use green signs.)
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Avoiding Swiss Highways when Driving from France to Geneva Airport
Drivers of cars without the Swiss highway vignette sticker can avoid driving on Swiss highways altogether when driving from France to Geneva Airport. The most logical route is as follows:
Exit French highway A40 at St-Julien-en-Genevois and continue along national road N201 to enter Switzerland at Perly. From the border, follow the blue signs through the outskirts of Geneva to Plan-les-Ouates, Lancy, and Aéroport/Palexpo.
Trains, buses, and transfer services are also available from many French and Swiss towns directly to Geneva Airport or with a simple transfer at Geneva (Conavin) station. Several low-cost airlines have cheap flights to Geneva International Airport (GVA) with the number of flights particularly high during the winter ski season.
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- Avoiding Swiss controls are only possible when driving, walking, or using a taxi from Geneva Airport’s French sector (Genève Aéroport secteur Français).
All public transportation including trains and buses going directly to France passes through Swiss territory and require clearing both Swiss customs and immigration at the airport as well as at the Swiss-French land border. (Additional immigration checks will disappear when Switzerland joins the Schengen Agreement but custom controls will remain, as Switzerland is not part of the European Union.)
Avoiding Swiss Territory when Driving from France to Geneva Airport
The most logical routes from France to Geneva Airport are generally to enter Switzerland to the south of Geneva and proceed to the airport via the highway as described below. However, drivers without Swiss visas can avoid entering Switzerland completely by approaching Geneva Airport through its French Sector.
- Travelers hiring a car at Geneva Airport should specify the French Sector if planning to avoid Swiss territory. Fewer car rental agencies are represented in the French as oppose to the Swiss and international sector at Geneva Airport.
From French Highway A40, use the Bellegarde / Gex exit and continue on the D984 country road pass Collonges and Saint-Genis Pouilly. Follow the D35 to Ferney-Voltaire and turn towards the “Aéroport secteur Français” just before reaching Swiss customs.
- Driving time from Bellegarde to Geneva Airport on this back route is around half an hour.
Driving from France to Geneva Airport on Swiss Highways
The fastest way from French Alpine ski resort towns to Geneva Airport is on French and Swiss highways. Swiss highways require the car to display a Vignette sticker, which cost CHF40 (US $40) per year – a hefty fee if the driver only intends driving to the airport.
- Rental cars at Geneva Airport will commonly have a Vignette sticker but enquire before setting out, as the fines for driving without one are heavy (and chargeable for an additional fee to the renter’s credit card).
From the French highway A40, follow the blue signs to Lausanne/Genève-Aéroport and cross the border at Bardonnex. From here, simply continue on Swiss highway A1 to Genève-Aéroport. (In contrast to most of the rest of Europe, Swiss highways use green signs.)
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- Driving time from the border to Geneva Airport is less than 10 minutes.
Avoiding Swiss Highways when Driving from France to Geneva Airport
Drivers of cars without the Swiss highway vignette sticker can avoid driving on Swiss highways altogether when driving from France to Geneva Airport. The most logical route is as follows:
Exit French highway A40 at St-Julien-en-Genevois and continue along national road N201 to enter Switzerland at Perly. From the border, follow the blue signs through the outskirts of Geneva to Plan-les-Ouates, Lancy, and Aéroport/Palexpo.
- Driving time, if not getting lost, could be as short as 15 minutes from the border crossing.
Trains, buses, and transfer services are also available from many French and Swiss towns directly to Geneva Airport or with a simple transfer at Geneva (Conavin) station. Several low-cost airlines have cheap flights to Geneva International Airport (GVA) with the number of flights particularly high during the winter ski season.
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