Geneva - need help with 24 hour layover (ouch)
 

I must have been blind but I ended up buying my adult DD a ticket with a return trip home containing a 24 hour layover in Geneva. She is 24, so no fears about her ability to manage. She will be arriving at noon on a Sunday in July and departing at noon on the following day. I have also promised to buy her a hotel room for the night, as its obviously my fault for not paying closer attention (where were my reading glasses?) Luckily, she laughed when I explained all this to her. I would be a good sport too if someone were to buy me a plane ticket to Europe!

Is there public transportation to/from the airport into the city or another (cheap) method? Suggestions for a (cheap) but reputable hotel for one person? What sights can she see in Geneva with such a limited timeframe? Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Even with her limited time I'd head to Vevey. She could easily be there before 2 Sunday afternoon, then could catch a ~9am train back in the morning. Stop at one of the fabulous bakeries for breakfast before boarding the train.

The Geneva airport is actually connected to the train station, so just as easy to head to Vevey as to go into the city of Geneva, it's ~1 hour and a very pretty train ride. Vevey is soooo much sweeter than Geneva. It's a small town/city right on Lac Leman and easy to walk around from the train station. Then in the morning she can train back directly to the airport.

http://www.hotelgeneve.ch
www.hotelnegociants.ch
www.rivieralodge.ch

The first two are small local hotels (over good restaurants) the last a hostel. They are all very nice and within a 5 min. walk from the train station. I'm sure cheaper and better than what you'd find in Geneva.

There's lots of good food and restaurants in Vevey, not terribly expensive. It's so much more accessible than Geneva (which is a huge cold heartless feeling place in my limited experience).

Go to www.vevey.ch and www.montreux.ch to get an idea what the area looks like.

ttt

Anyone else with ideas for staying in Geneva proper?

Can't help with hotels in Geneva - since this is not our price point - business or vacation. But there is plenty to do/see in the city. There is a very quaint old town area, a beautiful lake with a variety of steamer trips, the jet de l'eau, and if she gets in soon enough perhaps a quick trip to Montreux to see Chillon Castle. There are also some very interesting museums - and shopping for toy watches is fun (I came back with a bunch - but when the franc was lower). But a good many of her hours will be at night.

If she heads out to Montreux, might as well get the hotel there or in Vevey. Because there are more, less expensive choices than in Geneva.

Often when this question comes up people just stay near the train station in Geneva but say that's it's not all that great of an area. So I hestiate to send a young woman alone there.

Have booked her a room at the City Youth Hostel in Geneva. They got pretty good reviews on the hostel sites and she will be there for about 8-12 hours, effectively.

Anyone familiar with this site/location? She is 24, not a kid, but not a princess either and understands she will be sharing a bath and having a double room. Thanks in advance for your help.

If you change your mind about the hostel in Geneva you could also look at www.rooms.ch for budget hotel possibilities.

Assume you know by now that the airport terminal is adjacent to the rail station so easy connections as mentioned above.

Geneva does have many high priced hotels but we have stayed in cheaper budget places we enjoyed.

Hope she has a great trip.

"Have booked her a room at the City Youth Hostel in Geneva."

Is it the Rue Rothschild one?

2 Rue Ferrier

The reason I asked is that I lived Rue Rothschild (not far from rue Ferrier) when I was in Geneva. :-)

I know both.
> City Youth Hostel in Geneva (Rue Ferrier).

That's City Hostel ( without "youth" ). The one in Rue Rothchild is THE Youth Hotel (probably a memember of the International Youth Hostels Association. Both are very central. 10 monutes or less walk from the train station.