We are leaving from Geneva after a month in Europe, the last week being in the Bernese Oberland in a village we have not decided on yet. Since our plane leaves at 8:30 am we probably have to arrive at airport by 6:30--argh! Makes sense to stay as close to the airport as we can. Can anyone help us out with a hotel suggestion? We will not have a car--using trains in Switzerland.

You are better off taking one of the many hotels near the central principal train station in Geneva (called Cornavin) - lots of choices, and trains from there to the airport run frequently and only take six minutes. Departures for you: 05:53, 06:07, 06:18, 06:22. There is a station right at the airport - you get off the train and walk right to check-in.

We live in Lausanne and have had to stay in Geneva twice because of early flights. The Hotel Ibis at the airport is good but noisy on the autoroute side of the building. We've stayed near the train station but I can't remember the hotel. That's nicer because you can actually walk around and see things and go for a nice dinner.

This is just my feeling but I will always want to be as close to the airport as possible on that last night before my flight. Too many things can happen between "a short train ride" and the airport. Once we stayed in Heidelburg, Germany, and had a "short drive" to Frankfurt for our flight home. Leaving Heidelburg with plenty of time we ran into a traffic jam on the autobahn because there was bookfair going on in Frankfurt. Just because we got lost off the autobahn we made it just in time for the flight but we never again took that chance. This little story being told, husband and I did a two week driving trip through Switzerland last Sept. flying in and out of Geneva. The last night we turned our car in at the airport and called the Ibis hotel to come and get us. Free shuttle service. They then delivered us back to the airport for our flight the next morning. Worked perfectly. You could take the train to the airport your last night then call Ibis shuttle to come get you also.

The Ibis is a basic, clean hotel with breakfast. We must have not stayed on the highway side as we did not hear any noise--you could ask for the same.

Again I, personally, would not sleep well worrying about the connection to the airport.

Just a suggestion for your stay in the Bernese Oberland--We found Lauterbrunnen to be most convenient for train travel to all the mountain areas.

Margo

Wally is totally correct in saying that it is just a hop, skip and a jump on the train to the airport from the area around the train station in Geneva. If you stay at one of the hotels in Place Cornavin you will be right across the street, just feet away from the trains. And you can always take a taxi, it can't be more than 10 minutes away by cab. The Hotel Bernina at the train station looks good.

I would never stay out at the airport again, especially at the Ibis. There is nothing to do there and you could have a much more interesting evening right in Geneva. A boat ride on the lake, dinner by the side of the lake instead of by the side of the autoroute.....

OK..here's an alternative view:

there is also a Holiday Inn at the airport if you don't want the Ibis.

i agree that it is unlilely the five-minute train ride from downtown is going to get interrupted or delayed and yes you can always take a taxi.

BUT remember this also: that "short ride out to the airport" works equally well IN REVERSE.

So, i don;t understand, and disagree with, the assertion that if you stay out at the airport there isn't anything to do...take that "short train ride" into town!

Dear Dukey--How astute! Why didn't I think of that--taking train back into town? As it was, we arrived at Ibis after dinner and ready to "turn in"

I take the train all the way in from Vevey or Montreux for my flights (not quite that early though).

I can't believe there would be any difficulty coming in from Geneva's center to the airport. It is a VERY short ride and trains run ALL the time. Or hop a taxi as mentioned.

Wow! Now those were really good responses. Different ideas for my husband and I to mull over then decide. Thanks everyone--this site is a great help in travel planning! More feedback on which village to stay in is welcome. Since an auto accident I have one foot that complains loudly when I walk too much(poor me!)so no long hikes,unfortunately. I do great is Paris though: walk a little, have a latte', walk a little, sit in the park for 5 min., walk a little, stop for a pastry.....great life these vacations!
All to say that if Lauterbrennen is the best place for getting transportation to many different areas then that may be the best place. Is is true that it gets dark more quickly there because of the high cliffs on either side? I would hate to miss an hour of daylight because of that!

Oops! I meant to say that we desire transportation to several different places, but not to those that only offer mountain hiking as the main thing- because of my touchy foot.

auleen -

We're in the same boat! Flying out of Geneva but hate to spend too much time there since it is such a large city.

Anyone know if there is more of a "swiss" feel in Lausanne?? I see several trains each morning, including one that leaves at 6:45am and gets to Geneva at 7:25am. Would that be cutting it too close for a 9:30am flight?

And did a read somewhere that there is an actual stop right at the airport, on a major rail line?

The last stop on the rail line coming in from Montreux, Vevey, Lauanne *is* the airport. The two buildings are atttached. Just remember, don't get off when you hear "Geneve" because that is the downtown stop, wait for the Terminus(?) ~7 mins. later which is the airport.

Cargillman- For me I would be confortable with coming in from Lausanne, as long as you make sure you are on that earliest train. And pick a hotel near the train station (Lausanne is not all that small).

They run exactly on time, so you'd be at the airport 2 hours before your flight.

Yes, it is nice to be AT the airport for a morning flight....HOWEVER in Geneva it is such a short distance that is it very feasable to stay by the train staion in town and take the 10 minute train ride. OR a TAXI is a good alternative for the morning.

We've stayed twice at the Hotel Moderne (easily googled for information) and it is a lovely hotel and wonderful location. It is literally in front of the station,1/2 block or so, on a walking street.It is a good area of town. AND walking the opposite way is the lovely main street down to the WATER several blocks. There is an Italian restaurant right next door. We stayed there several years ago, but on the Hotel Moderne web site it still looks very nice, and as I say...a wonderful location.

Suze - you seem to know your stuff.. can you tell me, would there be an advantage from a touring standpoint to staying in Lausanne? Is there more to do and does the town feel more authentic? Or would I need to stay in Vevey or Montreaux to really get an improvement from Geneva.

And I guess I should ask, are we silly to pass up Geneva or is it worth spending 1/2 day and an evening there?

You will have experienced small town Switzerland in the beautiful Bernese Oberland, plus a train ride across the countryside. If you've never been to Geneva I don't understand why you wouldn't want to spend 1/2 day there just for the experience. Lausanne is "just a city" also and lovely...but Geneva is world famous and certainly worth seeing for your last day.
Geneva may not be the most "happening" city ,as some say.~~~~however it has so much history,though it is also modern...and I think you would find it beautiful, clean, interesting.

Similar situation -

Got 2 day in Switz. 1 day is for Interlaken and Jungfrau.
2nd day - Geneva or Lucerne/Zermatt?

Flying in and out of Geneva, first visit.

NA

You all helped us make our decision... we're going to alot the day before our 9:30am flight to "getting to" Geneva, which means going through Montreaux, exploring the Chateau Chillon, and maybe hopping a ferry ride on the Lake Geneva. We'll take things as they come.

That evening, at some point, we'll end up at a simple Geneva hotel near the train station so we can easily make it to the airport in the a.m.

Cargillman- I have friends living in Vevey & Montreux and have visited them many times. That's why I know a lot about just a little bit.

I think a hotel near the Geneva train station is the best answer. Lausanne is pretty darn big, and I don't think would be the Swiss town atmosphere you seek. You'll understand going thru Montreux and Vevey the difference. So I guess my answer is, no I wouldn't do Lausanne to "improve" the Geneva situation, because of its size (big). Nothing wrong with spending 1/2 day in Geneva to see a few things. I have been there a couple times for shopping and the Old Town which was nice.

any other questions, ask away!