Switzerland is renowned for its breathtaking mountains, pristine lakes and beautiful cities. But, it’s also one of the world’s most expensive destinations.
Fortunately, in one of its well-known cities, tourists can explore without worrying about transport costs.
In Geneva, Switzerland, tourists can hop on and off its extensive transport network without paying a penny.
Anyone staying in approved accommodation, whether that be a hotel, youth hostel, or campsite, is entitled to the city’s Transport Card for free travel for the duration of their stay.
The card allows complimentary (and unlimited) travel within the city’s unireso zone 10 network, a public transportation system that covers the entire canton of Geneva, except for Celigny. This includes busses, tramways, trains and even shuttle boats.
Tourists can access the card by contacting the accommodation where they will be staying, which must be registered with Geneva Tourism & Congress. They should receive a link to a form to complete three days before their arrival in the city.
After filling in the form, they should immediately receive their free digital version of the Geneva Transport Card.
If you’re travelling in a group, the person who made the booking will receive an email with a link to register all other people occupying the room.
How to travel in Geneva
Perhaps the best way to get around the city is via Geneva’s Mouettes. The water taxis, which translates to ‘seagulls’ in French, are free for tourists to ride with their travel cards.
The little yellow boats run every 10 minutes and transport locals around the city’s iconic Lake Geneva, stopping at four harbours: Pâquis, Eaux-Vives, De-Chateaubriand and Mont-Blanc.
According to Geneva’s tourism website, it’s the easiest way to travel from one side to the other, ‘especially after a day of retail therapy’.
Aside from its extensive transport network, Geneva is also very pedestrian-friendly.
The city has many walkable areas including its historic Old Town, the bustling Pâquis district, located right next to the lakefront and Eaux-Vives, another lakeside district with beautiful park walks.
What to do in Geneva
Although tourists can take advantage of the city’s free public transport system, Geneva is one of the most expensive cities in the world – so visitors might have to budget a little more for the high price of food and accommodation.
That being said, there are plenty of free things to do, such as admiring the ‘beautiful’ Lake Geneva. Tourists can walk along the promenade or take a free boat ride across.
They’ll also be able to see the Jet’dEau, a 140-metre fountain and one of the city’s most famous landmarks that can be viewed from various points along the waterfront.
One Tripadvisor review of Lake Geneva, left by ‘Ruthba A’, read: ‘The views were phenomenal. You have the lake which has beautiful clear water. The jet d’Eau can be seen from every part of the lake it is so high.’
The top 5 things to do in Geneva
Another, ‘Kamal P’ declared it a ‘lake of astonishing beauty’. They wrote: ‘The massive lake with its calm water and grand background with rolling land made a picturesque site.’
The CERN Science Gateway is another of Geneva’s free attractions. The family-friendly science museum boasts hands-on laboratories, science shows and immersive multimedia exhibits.
Where to stay in Geneva
Being one of the world’s most expensive destinations, accommodation prices tend to be higher than in many other European cities, especially for luxury hotels.
However, you can still find good deals, especially in the off-season, from November to March, and on mid-week breaks.
For example, the price of a one-night stay for two adults at a four-star hotel in October starts at £138 on Booking.com.
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