Hello! I have booked my flight for next August (so far away!)!!! My flight gets into Geneva about 9 a.m., while some who will be traveling with me won't get in until 1 p.m. Anyone have suggestions on things to do for a couple hours in/around the Geneva airport? We'll be heading by train to Montreux once we've all hooked up.

THANKS! Man, booking the flight really turns the corner from "I'm THINKING of going to Switzerland" to "I AM ACTUALLY GOING!!" I am so excited!

That's kind of tricky.... You could possibly train into downtown Geneva (it's less than 10 mins.), but I am not certain if there is "left luggage" at the airport or airport train station.

It is a very easy thing to get from the airport to the main station in town, takes about 6 minutes and ALL trains that leave the airport go through the main station Cornavin. Though you can buy the ticket onboard, there are machines if you get change that cost a lot less. (3chf, versus over 8 last i checked). Anyways, it would be a nice 10 minute walk to the lake from the station, and you can wander around that area. Around that time of year also, there should be a bunch of stands set up for the Fêtes de Genève, which is nice to see. Take a wander around one side of the lake, go up and meet your friend after you've scoped out a nice restaurant for lunch!

And to answer the previous post, there are baggage lockers in the main station as well. Guarded possibly, though i'd have to look into that...

Got a bunch of suggestions for restaurants, if ever, closer to the time There isn't much to do by the airport... It's cool - you'll be able to see the lake from both sides!

Why not just go on to Montrueax and meet your friends there? If you are staying in Montreaux, meet at the hotel. If not, then arrange another time and place to meet, such as at the train station.

To clarify: go on to Montreaux, drop off your bags at the hotel, hang around the town for a while, then head back to the hotel when your friends arrive.

I like P_M's idea best! Taking the train from the airport out to Montreux is incredibly easy, just over 1 hour. Only tip is to make sure you (both parties) take a train that is direct, not one that needs tranfer at Lausanne.

I like P_M's idea, as well! I think, however, that my travel partners are relying on me to be a guide of sorts. I'll have to see how comfortable they are about getting themselves onto the train without me.

If nothing else, a brunch and a walk around Geneva should be nice! A chance to discover it for myself.

I'm glad you liked my idea.

Tell your travel partners that the Swiss rail is really quite easy to navigate. Most Swiss people speak very good English and they will be happy to help if necessary.

After looking through a few guidebooks, I am thinking I might wander Geneva for a little bit, if not for the full 4-5 hours. Get myself a brunch, walk the jetlag off a bit, and then head to Montreux.

With that in mind - can anyone tell me if the Jet d'Eau is worth a look?

Having lived there for a year, I can say yes, it is worth a look. It's a short walk down Rue du Mont Blanc to the lake and on a clear day a view of Mont Blanc. The promenades around the lake are beautiful! Walk up to the old town, on the Jet d'Eau side (look for the spires of St. Peter's)and have lunch at Les Armures. You can see the Jet d'Eau from everywhere near the lake, so no need to walk out on the pier.

As already clarified above, the lockers for luggage are in the train station portion, not the airport, correct?

The two buildings are connected in a way you barely know you are leaving one and entering the other.