Travelling by Plane
Geneva International Airport at Cointrin.
Many low cost flights connect Geneva to other European countries.
Taxi - (rather expensive, approximately 35 CHF from the Airport). Recommended for heavy luggage!
How to get to CERN from the Airport (option 1)
At the Airport take the bus no. 28, direction Hôpital-La Tour. At the terminus (Hôpital-La Tour) change to the bus no. 56 direction CERN. This connection is simple but the 28 bus circulates at rather long intervals.
How to get to CERN from the Airport (option 2)
At the Airport take the trolley bus no. 10, direction Onex-Cité at the stop Bouchet (7 stops from the Airport) change to the tram no. 16 direction Avanchet. Go to the terminus. At Avanchet change to the bus no. 56 direction CERN. This connection is more complicated but all buses circulate at intervals of few minutes.
Bus ticket costs 3.00 CHF ("Tout Geneve" button B on the ticket machine, available at each bus stop with Swiss coins or with Euros: 0,10 - 0,20 - 0,50 - 1 and 2 Euros. The machine doesn't give change).
Since 1st January 2008, the International Airport of Geneva is offering all arriving passengers a free "Tout Geneve" ticket, which is valid for 80 minutes. The ticket is available from the automatic ticket machine situated in the baggage reclaim zone and permits you to use public transport in the city of Geneva on the day of your arrival only, and must be accompanied by your boarding pass.
Travelling by Train
Swiss Railways timetable.
How to get to CERN from the Geneva railway station at Cornavin
Take the tram number 16 direction Avanchet. Go to the terminus. At Avanchet change to the bus no. 56 direction CERN. Bus ticket costs 3.00 CHF ("Tout Geneve" button B on the ticket machine, available at each bus stop with Swiss coins or with Euros: 0,10 - 0,20 - 0,50 - 1 and 2 Euros. The machine doesn't give change).
Going from CERN to downtow Geneva:
Take the bus no. 56 from CERN to its terminus Avanchet. At Avanchet change to the tram no. 16. The tram passes the Cornavin train station. If you get off here it is about a 5 minute walk down to the lake shore. If you want to go to the old town just keep going by tram to the other side of the lake. Get off at e.g. Bel-Air, Molard or Rive.
Going downtown during the rush hours by car is not recommended, the public transport will take you there much faster not speaking about difficulties to find a parking place.
Travelling by Car
GPS coordinates of the entrance B: Latitude: 46°14'2.12"N, Longitude: 6° 3'11.07"E
Entrance B on google maps
Check http://www.mappy.ch/ or http://www.viamichelin.ch.
Arrival Procedure
Access Cards
When in CERN you will have to carry an official visitor’s access card. If you arrive on working day between 08h00 and 18h00, or on Saturday between 09h00 and 17h00 you will be given this at the Reception Desk in building 33 near the bus stop and at the side of the car park. At all other times you must go to the guard at Entrance B (Building 120) next to the bus terminus.
CERN Hostel Keys
Hostel Reception Building 39 is open as follows:
Monday through Friday from 7h30 till 19h30
Saturday and Sunday from 9h00 till 13h00
If you are arriving at CERN outside the opening hours of the CERN Hostel, go directly to the CERN Main Entrance (Entrance B) and ask the guard. The keys are held in Building 120 just to the right of Entrance B.
Please note Monday 24th is not a working day at CERN. You have to collect your visitor card/hostel keys at the guardian (Entrance B). The restaurant number one (Novae) will be closed. Full day service is provided by the restaurant two. Details ans opening times can be found here.