If you are 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!
- The logistics team
The Villa Barton housed the Executive Education activities until the end of 2020. While major renovation works are being undertaken at Villa Barton, our department has moved to the more recent Maison de la Paix campus on Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2, close to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva.
To find the different locations, please refer to the Campus Map.
Before coming to Switzerland, you may need to apply for a visa. Please note that Switzerland has been a member of the Schengen Area since 12 December 2008.
The visa application process is managed by the Swiss consulate or embassy in your country and is independent from the Graduate Institute. To support your visa application, the Graduate Institute would be pleased to provide you with a visa support letter upon confirmation of your participation in the programme.
Please 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 urge you to begin the application process 2-3 months before your planned arrival in Geneva. A visa application can be submitted at the earliest six months before entering the Schengen area.
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. A taxi ride from Geneva airport to the city center costs approximately CHF 35, and takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
All timetables, routes and maps are available online.
Geneva public transport network
Ticket vending machines are available at bus stops. Tickets must be purchased prior to boarding the bus. 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 journalière dès 9 heures jusqu'à minuit" / can be used from 9.00 am to midnight, CHF 8.00
"Carte journalière" / 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 bus or tram rides in Zone 10 (Geneva city) only, you can also buy your ticket online or with your mobile phone via the tpgPreview 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 vehicle (you must have received it on your phone beforehand).
If you stay at a hotel, it will provide you with a free public transport city pass valid for the duration of your stay. You may ask for it at the hotel's reception.
You can pick up a free public transport ticket 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 get from Geneva Airport to the City Center 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 the Graduate Institute's Maison de la Paix campus
Take Tram 15 towards "Nations", get off at "Maison de la Paix". Walk up 100 meters over the railway bridge (towards the United Nations) and you will find the 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