Make it a trip · Geneva, Switzerland
What Geneva costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Pâquis and the Old Town.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Dorm bed, three cheap meals, getting around, a coffee, two beers and water.
Private room, a cheap lunch, dinner out (your half), a coffee, two beers, two rides and the top sight.
Half a villa or 4-star room, two meals out, a coffee, two beers and the signature experience.
Arriving
-
Train from the airport to the city Fixed
Free: take an 80-minute public transport ticket from the machine in baggage claim. A taxi costs CHF 35 to 45.
Source: Radical Storage, is Geneva expensive (2026-09)
-
Visa free for 90 days in Schengen Fixed
For AU, NZ, GB, US, CA, SG passports.
No fee yet. The €20 ETIAS travel authorisation has no confirmed start date and was not required at the time of writing. Hotels add a small city tax per night.
Sources: Deep Arrival, ETIAS 2026 (2026-10), Schengen Traveler, ETIAS launch date (2026)
Free -
EU citizens Fixed
For IE, NL, DE, FR passports.
Switzerland is in Schengen; an ID card is enough.
Source: Deep Arrival, ETIAS 2026 (2026-10)
Free
Getting around
-
Bus or tram, one hour Many reports
Hotel guests get a free Geneva Transport Card for their whole stay.
Source: Numbeo, Geneva (2026-10)
CHF 3 -
Day pass Fixed
Only needed if your stay doesn’t include the free transport card.
Source: Radical Storage, is Geneva expensive (2026-09)
CHF 10
Eating and drinking
-
Meal at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Bakery sandwiches and quiches cost CHF 5 to 10.
Source: Numbeo, Geneva (2026-10)
CHF 25 -
CHF 16
-
Dinner for two, three courses Many reports
A mid-range restaurant, without drinks.
Source: Numbeo, Geneva (2026-10)
CHF 105 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: Numbeo, Geneva (2026-10)
CHF 5.20 -
Draught beer, half a litre Many reports
Source: Numbeo, Geneva (2026-10)
CHF 8
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1.5 litres Many reports
Tap water is free in restaurants if you ask.
Source: Numbeo, Geneva (2026-10)
CHF 1.40 -
Coca-Cola, small bottle Many reports
Source: Numbeo, Geneva (2026-10)
CHF 3.90 -
Beer, half a litre, to take away Many reports
Source: Numbeo, Geneva (2026-10)
CHF 2.60
Doing
-
Free Get tickets
-
Lake Geneva cruise, one hour, from Range
Usually 16 to 20 CHF.
Source: Radical Storage, is Geneva expensive (2026-09)
CHF 16 Get tickets
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed, from Range
Usually 40 to 70 CHF.
Source: Radical Storage, is Geneva expensive (2026-09)
CHF 40 Find a hostel -
Budget hotel, from Range
Usually 150 to 200 CHF.
Source: Radical Storage, is Geneva expensive (2026-09)
CHF 150 Find a guesthouse -
Mid-range hotel, from Range
Usually 250 to 350 CHF.
Source: Radical Storage, is Geneva expensive (2026-09)
CHF 250 Find a hotel -
Whole apartment, from Range
Usually 120 to 250 CHF.
Source: Radical Storage, is Geneva expensive (2026-09)
CHF 120 Find an apartment
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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