Discussion
I am going to be in Geneva next month doing some stuff with the UN .
I am there for 5 nights leaving on the Saturday evening
My commitments are only on the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday right now. I also only am busy until the late afternoon, so I have got every evening and the whole of Monday and Friday, and maybe a bit of Saturday if I am not lazy.
I am a student, travelling solo. My lecturers will also be with the UN but they are staying elsewhere. My university has funded my flights from LHR and my hotel, I am staying in the Meyrin area, which I see is quite a bit from the centre of Geneva but it’s fine.
I need ideas as to what I can do to make the most of this trip. Where I can go, what I can see, where I can eat. I’ve had a look at Google/tripadvisor but I don’t know what’s worth seeing and I was hoping to see something a bit off the beaten track.
I am a fan of football so I wouldn’t mind some pubs, I have heard about “L’Eléphant dans la Canette” on the Avenue du mail in Plainpalais.
I do know I want to see Lake Geneva but I don’t know where the best place to see it from would be.
I don’t have a HUGE budget (I am a student). I got a sum from the University and I have topped it up a bit as Geneva has always been on my bucket list. So I think about 500 CHF for travel, shopping, bars, food etc . I assume the UN and university would offer dinners to go to at the expense of one or both of them, so could save a bit of money therez
I will use the Public transport system and walking to get around
Any suggestions appreciated
Thanks
I am there for 5 nights leaving on the Saturday evening
My commitments are only on the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday right now. I also only am busy until the late afternoon, so I have got every evening and the whole of Monday and Friday, and maybe a bit of Saturday if I am not lazy.
I am a student, travelling solo. My lecturers will also be with the UN but they are staying elsewhere. My university has funded my flights from LHR and my hotel, I am staying in the Meyrin area, which I see is quite a bit from the centre of Geneva but it’s fine.
I need ideas as to what I can do to make the most of this trip. Where I can go, what I can see, where I can eat. I’ve had a look at Google/tripadvisor but I don’t know what’s worth seeing and I was hoping to see something a bit off the beaten track.
I am a fan of football so I wouldn’t mind some pubs, I have heard about “L’Eléphant dans la Canette” on the Avenue du mail in Plainpalais.
I do know I want to see Lake Geneva but I don’t know where the best place to see it from would be.
I don’t have a HUGE budget (I am a student). I got a sum from the University and I have topped it up a bit as Geneva has always been on my bucket list. So I think about 500 CHF for travel, shopping, bars, food etc . I assume the UN and university would offer dinners to go to at the expense of one or both of them, so could save a bit of money therez
I will use the Public transport system and walking to get around
Any suggestions appreciated
Thanks
Last time I went with work was about 6 years ago and I thought it was outrageously expensive then, I can't imagine it has got cheaper. My usual trick of just walking around taking in the sights might be a bit cold on a Decembers evening. Sorry for the lack of info but good luck, it's a nice place.
Thanks for tips.
Forgive my ignorance; this is my second ever time venturing into continental Europe never mind Switzerland! And to make matters worse this is my first ever trip where I will be going alone.
Since Geneva is on the border with France; will I need to cross border checkpoints and carry passport at all times when going into France? Is it a long process to actually cross into France?
Thanks
Forgive my ignorance; this is my second ever time venturing into continental Europe never mind Switzerland! And to make matters worse this is my first ever trip where I will be going alone.
Since Geneva is on the border with France; will I need to cross border checkpoints and carry passport at all times when going into France? Is it a long process to actually cross into France?
Thanks
Geneva's expensive. I was there for a conference a few years ago, and I'm pleased my company picked up the tab for everything, including the ridiculously expensive hotel on the outskirts.
brickwall said:
It’s dead easy to cross into France. There will be a visible border post but they’re focussed on checking for contraband rather than immigration. Schengen area so you officially don’t need your passport (but a lot of visitors from non-Schengen areas will carry theirs).
I'd advise you DO carry your passport. As a Schengen area resident and national, we have to carry our ID cards ALL the time. UK passport holders don't have ID cards, so passport it is.There's a nice whisky bar called Bar du Nord on Rue Ancienne and they serve a lovely Guinness, too.
Geneva is very vibrant with a cool sub culture too.
Geneva is very vibrant with a cool sub culture too.
I lived there for 3 years when I first moved to Switzerland. I had a great time and it is possible to enjoy it without spending a fortune. You just (like most cities) need to avoid the tourist traps and live like a local.
As others have mentioned eating out in Geneva or anywhere in Switzerland is expensive if you have pounds (the graduate starting salary here is almost £70,000 so for the Swiss it's OK and of course working at the UN is tax-free). The Manor department store has a take-away part including OK-priced pizza slices. That might be worth trying. Alternatively you'll find a Coop or Migros (supermarkets) around the place and the bakers often do french-inspired snacks. At a slightly lower cost the 'Denner' supermarket chain is worth a look, especially for a good priced bottle of wine.
I'm sure the UN has places to eat and I suspect they will be subsidised.
The Red Cross Museum is well worth a trip, again not too far from the UN. Many of the museums in town are free
Have a walk around the old town on the other side of the lake to get a bit of the flavour of the town. It's a small city so you can get most places on foot. Head for Place du Bourg-de-Four, Rue de la Cité, around by the Cathedral and then down to Parc des Bastions where the university is. Take a tram out to Carouge to see a different part of town. As mentioned, the french part like Yvoire is nice but it's not that easy to get to on public transport. Personally I'd stick to Switzerland, or if it's for a bit cheaper shopping get the tram to Annemasse.
Ice hockey is big in Switzerland and the Geneva team 'Servette' are one of the better ones. Might be worth going to see one evening if there's a big game on.
A trip on the lake isn't a bad shout. The big boats are part of the Swiss public transport system. The app is well worth installing (it goes by the German name 'SBB'). Maybe go all the way down to Lausanne or even Montreux though this might be expensive. There are some small yellow boats that go across the lake-stops in Geneva which is one way of seeing the city and the fountain from the lake. There bus-type prices and will be included if you have a local day ticket.
One place to eat which is a bit of an institution is the restaurant at the Bains des Paquis. They're known for their fondue. The locals would probably take a small carafe of wine instead of a beer. Most places will have a fixed-price lunch menu which is usually reasonable value.
I adore the hot chocolates at Chocolatier du Rhone. It's moved from their old place (which was a bit of 70s glamour complete with old-money Genevois women in long fur coats & matching dogs) to a new location on Bd Helvetique which I haven't yet visited. An alternative is the Auer chocolate shop not far away (their chocolate covered almonds are fantastic)
Do ask for advice from the folks at the UN. Geneva does have a good fun side to it but you have to know where to look. The UN folks have their own community in the town so they'll know where to go.
Hope that helps.
As others have mentioned eating out in Geneva or anywhere in Switzerland is expensive if you have pounds (the graduate starting salary here is almost £70,000 so for the Swiss it's OK and of course working at the UN is tax-free). The Manor department store has a take-away part including OK-priced pizza slices. That might be worth trying. Alternatively you'll find a Coop or Migros (supermarkets) around the place and the bakers often do french-inspired snacks. At a slightly lower cost the 'Denner' supermarket chain is worth a look, especially for a good priced bottle of wine.
I'm sure the UN has places to eat and I suspect they will be subsidised.
The Red Cross Museum is well worth a trip, again not too far from the UN. Many of the museums in town are free
Have a walk around the old town on the other side of the lake to get a bit of the flavour of the town. It's a small city so you can get most places on foot. Head for Place du Bourg-de-Four, Rue de la Cité, around by the Cathedral and then down to Parc des Bastions where the university is. Take a tram out to Carouge to see a different part of town. As mentioned, the french part like Yvoire is nice but it's not that easy to get to on public transport. Personally I'd stick to Switzerland, or if it's for a bit cheaper shopping get the tram to Annemasse.
Ice hockey is big in Switzerland and the Geneva team 'Servette' are one of the better ones. Might be worth going to see one evening if there's a big game on.
A trip on the lake isn't a bad shout. The big boats are part of the Swiss public transport system. The app is well worth installing (it goes by the German name 'SBB'). Maybe go all the way down to Lausanne or even Montreux though this might be expensive. There are some small yellow boats that go across the lake-stops in Geneva which is one way of seeing the city and the fountain from the lake. There bus-type prices and will be included if you have a local day ticket.
One place to eat which is a bit of an institution is the restaurant at the Bains des Paquis. They're known for their fondue. The locals would probably take a small carafe of wine instead of a beer. Most places will have a fixed-price lunch menu which is usually reasonable value.
I adore the hot chocolates at Chocolatier du Rhone. It's moved from their old place (which was a bit of 70s glamour complete with old-money Genevois women in long fur coats & matching dogs) to a new location on Bd Helvetique which I haven't yet visited. An alternative is the Auer chocolate shop not far away (their chocolate covered almonds are fantastic)
Do ask for advice from the folks at the UN. Geneva does have a good fun side to it but you have to know where to look. The UN folks have their own community in the town so they'll know where to go.
Hope that helps.
There’s plenty to see and do in Geneva without breaking the bank. Public transport is cheap, comprehensive and reliable.
The hotels used to provide a free 24hr travel card (all Geneva) but if not, daily travel cards are 10 francs. This includes the yellow lake crossing boats. Uber is alive and well, and you can rent cars affordably from anywhere, using Mobility. Nyon, Lausanne and Montreaux are beautiful if you want to go further afield.
Jardin Anglais has a Christmas market, there’s also the Patek Philippe museum. There’s even a Bugatti dealership in Vernier. The Jet D’eau is worth visiting, as well as the old town. Or, if you have a literary interest, you can visit the spot overlooking the lake where Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein. Lots of communal outdoor ice rinks open from now until February.
Stock up on good value Swiss chocolate at the local Migros. Holy Cow near the central station is a tasty and affordable alternative to McDo. Lots of bars, a popular one for English speakers is Mr Pickwick’s.
Pâquis is a special quarter, where the women are very friendly, and there’s lots of kebab shops, shisha bars and Lebanese restaurants. Have a look at glocals.com, to see what the English speaking expat community are doing.
Enjoy Geneva, we came here 11 years ago for ‘a 2 year assignment’. My children became Swiss and my son was born here. It’s our home.
The hotels used to provide a free 24hr travel card (all Geneva) but if not, daily travel cards are 10 francs. This includes the yellow lake crossing boats. Uber is alive and well, and you can rent cars affordably from anywhere, using Mobility. Nyon, Lausanne and Montreaux are beautiful if you want to go further afield.
Jardin Anglais has a Christmas market, there’s also the Patek Philippe museum. There’s even a Bugatti dealership in Vernier. The Jet D’eau is worth visiting, as well as the old town. Or, if you have a literary interest, you can visit the spot overlooking the lake where Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein. Lots of communal outdoor ice rinks open from now until February.
Stock up on good value Swiss chocolate at the local Migros. Holy Cow near the central station is a tasty and affordable alternative to McDo. Lots of bars, a popular one for English speakers is Mr Pickwick’s.
Pâquis is a special quarter, where the women are very friendly, and there’s lots of kebab shops, shisha bars and Lebanese restaurants. Have a look at glocals.com, to see what the English speaking expat community are doing.
Enjoy Geneva, we came here 11 years ago for ‘a 2 year assignment’. My children became Swiss and my son was born here. It’s our home.
Edited by HIAO on Sunday 27th November 20:14
i agree with the sentiment that its dull, albeit i only spent 3 days there. stayed at the president wilson overlooking the lake, went to several well reviewed restaurants, can't recall any of them... from my experience of CH in general, food is either expensive and ok, or very expensive and decent.
however, my advice would be to find the university / UN social media groups and ask on there. i'd imagine you will get offers to show you around, take them, see what transpires.
also check out the goldenpass line. means getting to montreux and back, but take a picnic and just gawp at the scenery.
however, my advice would be to find the university / UN social media groups and ask on there. i'd imagine you will get offers to show you around, take them, see what transpires.
also check out the goldenpass line. means getting to montreux and back, but take a picnic and just gawp at the scenery.
A993LAD said:
Do you have to pay in chf or will they take euros or pounds
A few years ago when I went to Switzerland places would take Euros but give you change in Francs. Dread to think that the exchange rate would have been though.Easiest option if you don't have a card that lets you use it abroad for free, is to open an account with someone like Revolut, Monzo, or Starling. They'll usually charge you to withdraw cash but will be free for card purchases.
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