Geneva International Airport, formally named Genève Aéroport, is located 4 km northwest of Geneva city centre.
The airport is partially located within the commune of Meyrin (France) and partially in the commune of Grand-Saconnex (Switzerland), with its northern limit along the Swiss–French border, thus having a Swiss side and a French side. The airport can be accessed from both countries. IATA code for Swiss side is GVA and for French side is GGV.
At Geneva Airport, there are two passenger terminals: T1 and T2.
T1, also known as the Main terminal (M), is divided into 5 piers: A, B, C, D and F. Pier F, also known as the French Sector, is used exclusively for passengers arriving from, or departing to French destinations.
T2 is used exclusively during the winter charter season.
Passengers on flights to or from France do not have to go through Swiss customs and immigration controls if they remain in the French sector of the airport. The freight operations are also accessible from both countries, making Geneva a European Union freight hub although Switzerland is not a member of the EU.
Distance from Geneva Airport (GVA) to Chamonix
Chamonix is located 80 km southeast of Geneva, Switzerland, and driving time from Geneva Airport (GVA) to Chamonix is about one hour via the Autoroute Blanche (A40) motorway.
Geneva Airport has a dedicated railway station with trains to the central Geneva-Cornavin station and other cities in Switzerland. Geneva Airport Railway station is accessed from the Arrivals level, exiting the Terminal and immediately entering the Station, then down one level by escalator or elevator. View the map of the terminal to see the location of the station within the airport.
There are local buses that stop at the airport (Geneva Public Transport). There are also buses to and from Chamonix.
Read more about travelling from Geneva to Chamonix.
Airlines serving the Geneva Airport
Each week, over 50 airlines operate 1,000s of commercial flights to and from the Geneva Airport. Direct services are available to over 70 European cities and to intercontinental destinations in India, Thailand, Australia, Brazil, the USA and Canada.
Hotels near Geneva Airport
For security reasons, Terminal 1 is closed from 00:00 to 04:00. The French sector is closed from 11 pm to 4.30 am. Passengers are not allowed to stay inside the terminal while the airport is closed.
There are several hotels near Geneva if you need to spend a night before taking a flight the next day. Check our list of recommended hotels within a distance of 5km from Geneva Airport.
Rent a Car from the Geneva Airport and Drive to Chamonix
Always try to reserve a rental car before the arrival at the airport. Reservation at the airport is possible, but usually much more expensive. At the Geneva Airport, there is a comprehensive selection of car rental companies in both Swiss & French sectors. There are 6 car hire desks in the Swiss arrivals hall and 3 car hire desks in the French terminal.
Read more about how to rent a car from Geneva Airport and return your hire car at the GVA, both Swiss and French sectors, the best access routes, and the location of nearby fuel stations!
