If you are a participant looking for some practical information on Geneva, this page is for you! You will find some useful tips to prepare and facilitate your stay in Geneva.
Should you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Welcome to Geneva!
Classes take place at Graduate Institute’s Maison de la Paix Campus (Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2, 1202 Geneva).
The Campus de la paix extends from Place des Nations to the shores of Lake Geneva, spanning two public parks — Parc Mon Repos and Parc Rigot. Very few academic institutions around the world enjoy such a high-quality working and living environment.
To find the different locations, please refer to the Campus Map.
Before coming to Switzerland, you may need to apply for a visa.
The visa application process is managed by the Swiss consulate or embassy in your country and is independent from the Graduate Institute. The Graduate Institute will be pleased to support you by providing a visa support letter upon confirmation of your participation in the programme.
Before starting the visa process, you should contact your local Swiss embassy or consulate to obtain further information regarding the visa application process and requirements.
Please be aware that the visa process can take time. We therefore advise that you start the application process 2-3 months before your planned arrival in Geneva.
Available at taxi stops at the airport / train station or by phone (e.g. +41 (0)22 331 41 33 for Taxiphone).
Most taxis only accept cash. The drive from Geneva airport to city center costs approximately CHF 35, and takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
All timetables, routes and maps are available online.
Tickets must be bought from machines at every stop before you board. The entire city, including the airport, is within Zone 10. The most common tickets are:
"Billet Tout Genève" / All Geneva (valid for one hour, regardless of how many vehicles are taken), CHF 3.00
"Carte dès 9 heures jusqu'à minuit" / All day from 9.00 am to midnight, CHF 8.00
"Carte 24 heures Tout Genève" / A full-day city pass, CHF 10.00
Some machines only accept cash (coins, not notes). To avoid looking for coins, you can buy a “tpgPay” card (CHF 20, 50 or 100) at tobacco shops, or at the TPG Office at the train station.
For travels in zone 10 (Geneva city) only, you can also buy your ticket online or with your mobile phone via the TPG application for Apple and Android, or, if you have a Swiss SIM card, by SMS (see the procedure here). The ticket must be purchased before entering the vehicule (you must have received it on your phone beforehand).
If you stay at a hotel, it will provide you with a free city pass for public transports valid for the duration of your stay. You may ask for it at the hotel's reception.
You can pick up a free ticket for public transports from the TPG machine located in the baggage collection area next to the exit door and customs (before exiting the baggage collection area). This ticket, offered by Geneva Airport, allows you to use public transport in Geneva (including buses, trams and trains to Geneva train station) free for up to 80 minutes.
More information on how to access Geneva city center from the airport can be found here.
From the Airport to the Graduate Institute's Maison de la Paix campus
Take Bus 5 towards “Thônex-Vallard”, get off at “Nations”. 13 minutes.
From Cornavin train station to Graduate Institute's Maison de la Paix
Tram 15 towards "Nations", stop at "Maison de la Paix". Walk up the hill (same direction as the tram) and you will find Maison de la Paix on your right.
The Graduate Institute offers housing options in our student residences, on a first-come first-served basis.
For reservations, please contact the housing department at:
housing.administration@graduateinstitute.ch
Recommendations for your search
Start as soon as possible: Geneva is a busy city with many international conferences and a limited number of hotels.
Double-check the housing location before booking.
Should you wish to book a hotel, please check the various options available at the Geneva Tourism hotel-booking portal
24 hours emergency services:
Hôpital Universitaire Cantonal (HUG), Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, Tel. +41 (0)22 372 33 11
Doctors coming at home for emergencies 24/7:
A domicile Tel. +41 (0)22 321 21 21
SOS Médecins à domicile, Tel. +41 (0)22 748 49 50
Genève-Médecins, Tel. +41 (0)22 754 54 54
Permanences médicales: on-duty medical centers (English speaking doctors)
Permanence Médico-Chirurgicale, 21 Rue Chantepoulet, Tel. +41 (0)22 731 21 20
Centre médical du Léman, Rue Alfred-Vincent 17, Tel. +41 (0)22 716 06 60
You can also go to any pharmacy for basic medication. The pharmacy at the train station is open 24/7, from 7am to 11pm.
Emergency phone numbers:
Police 117
Fire 118
Ambulance 144
Information 1818
Do you want to learn more on international Geneva? Click here
Over 350,000 documents, 1,000 journal titles and 4,500 DVDs are available in the areas of international relations and development studies. The Library is also a depository for United Nations publications from 1947 onwards, as well as for publications from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Library is equipped with WiFi and study tables, as well as computer and printer facilities. Workrooms are also available for group study.
Address
Maison de la paix, Ch. Eugène-Rigot 2, Petal 2
Contact
library@graduateinstitute.ch
T. +41 22 908 58 88
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 10:00 pm | Saturday, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm | Sunday, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm (opening hours may change during holidays, please check the library website)
For those wishing to pay their tuition fees by cash, the Accounting service cash desk is opened Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 12.30pm. It is located at Maison de la Paix (Petal 1).
The IT Centre handles and develops all IT resources that support educational, research and administrative objectives.
Address
Maison de la paix, Ch. Eugène-Rigot 2, Petal 1
Contact
servicedesk@graduateinstitute.ch
T. + 41 22 908 44 44 (for emergencies only)
Opening Hours
Monday – Thursday, 7:30am – 6:00pm | Friday: 7:30am – 1pm
IT information will be provided before the start of your programme. It includes:
User name and password for a personal and confidential IT account, allowing access to computers and printers at the Library, and to WiFi network
User name and password for an email address
Graduate Institute's email address and mailbox (gmail)*
Your email address has no expiry date if used however it will be deactivated if not used during 6 months. The user guide, and terms and conditions for the use of IT resources are available on Moodle and on the IT website.
Computers and WiFi
Computers and WiFi are available at the Library.
Printing rates*
The use of IT resources is free of charge, with the exception of printing. Pages are charged at a rate of 10 cents per page (recto only).
Multi-Services Card*
A personal multi-service card will be provided at the start of your programme. This card is an ID card for the Institute to borrow books at the Library, a payment card for the cafeteria (to benefit from discounted rates), and a printing card.
Participants can load cash on their cards through the machines located at Maison de la Paix cafeteria entrance (on the right). They only accept cash (notes).
* Services available for CAS, DAS, MAS programmes.
The Institute encourages its participants to improve their skills and develop networking opportunities during their programme. The Career Services supports participants, distributes an e-letter with job opportunities, and organises regular workshops for career enhancement.
The mission of the Graduate Institute Alumni Association is to reinforce ties between alumni and the Institute’s reputation. The Association organises various events for the alumni network in Geneva and abroad, and provides professional opportunities for the Institute’s students, participants and graduates through roundtables and information sessions. All information on the Alumni activities will be provided to participants upon their graduation.