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5.5 hour layover in GVA - Should we venture out of the airport? Suggestions?

Posted by (Washington, DC, USA) on

Hi all,

My husband and I will have a 5.5 hour layover at Geneva International Airport (GVA) at the tail end of a Spain trip in a few weeks. We'll fly out in the morning from Malaga, connect in GVA with the 5.5 hour layover (12:20pm to 5:50pm), then flyi to London, where we'll get in very late, spend the night at an airport hotel, and fly back to the US very early the next morning. I was wondering how feasible it would be to make use of the 5.5 hours in Geneva, as our stop there is during the part of the day when we would normally want to be doing something interesting. Is there a fast train that could quickly get us to the center of town? Would there be a place in the airport where we could store our luggage so that we wouldn't have to lug it along? What would be some good things to do with about 2 free hours?

Thanks!
Tara

Posted by
3391 posts

The airport in Geneva has a unique system. Once you've landed, you're taken into a small, round building out on the tarmac to go through passport control. Then they shuttle you to the main terminal by bus. Not sure if that's how it works for all flights into Geneva but that's what we have always done at this airport including last summer when we arrived.
I would schedule at least 45 minutes (at best) to go through this process and get out of the airport. The airport is not very large.
If your bags are checked through to London then maybe you won't have to worry about them? That would certainly save you some time. Otherwise, I'm not sure how long it might take to gather your bags and get them checked into left luggage, which I'm not even sure they have at this airport...I'll leave that to someone else who knows better than I do since I've always just connected or stayed in the area. Keep in mind that if you leave the airport, you'll have to go through the process in reverse going through security, etc., which could take some time.
The airport in Geneva is just north of the main part of town and it doesn't take long to get there. If you are able to catch a taxi from the airport you'll be at the lakefront in less than 20 minutes if the traffic isn't bad. Keep in mind that rush hour in Geneva and around the north side of the lake is as bad as any I've seen anywhere...depending on the day of the week you will be there, this could be an issue.
If I just had two hours I'd have a taxi driver take me down to the lakefront so I could see the Jet d'Eau and then to the old city around the cathedral, taking some time to walk around. It's quite lovely with winding, cobbled streets, and there are some really high quality antiquarian bookstores and dealers in all manner of antiques and art. The cathedral is worth a look as well and has a fascinating excavation underneath that goes back to the 1st century. Well worth a visit. Great little cafes and restaurants as well.
If you had 6.5 hours then I'd say to just go for it. 5.5 is pushing it but you will probably be OK??? Your call of course...

Posted by
2829 posts

Getting out of the airport with just a total of 5.5 hours is like playing with fire, or wasting money.

Posted by
10 posts

Thanks for these responses and for giving a little more flavor as to what the GVA airport security experience would be like if we opted to venture into town. Looks like we'll save Geneva for another time. But, hey, it looks like GVA has one of the top 35 airport restaurants, if we feel like taking a break from the usual fare of Sbarro and Tequilaria... http://www.thedailymeal.com/35-best-airport-restaurants-around-world-slideshow

Posted by
501 posts

Without offending the second responder, I would take the chance, have done this before in Amsterdam. There is a train that takes you into downtown area, actually the bus/rail station work together, and the bus station area will hold your luggage for a fee, and just start walking , I think you'll be glad you did; plus it makes a good story.

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