The Anonymous Widower

A Pretty Well Organised Tourist City

On arriving in the centre of Geneva, I needed to find my way to the hotel, I’d booked at a very good rate.

The tourist office was a short walk towards the river and I got one of the best free maps, I’ve ever got from such a place. I’ve even be charged for an awful map in some places.

I actually walked to my hotel in the Old City, which wasn’t that far. One of the reasons for walking was that I knew hotels were supposed to give you a free travel ticket, for whilst you were in the city.

It was a bit cold, but a pleasant walk and I crossed one of the many bridges of the Rhone.

The Rhone At Geneva

Admittedly, I had to climb up to the hotel, but despite my problems, I managed it well. I took this picture from the top on the Saturday morning.

The Climb To The Hotel

This shows the advantage of travelling light, as I always do.

Note however the maps and signposts grouped together.  Geneva is a well-mapped city and others could do worse, than follow Geneva’s example.

Incidentally the first thing I got from reception in the hotel along with the room key, was a Geneva Transport Card, valid from Friday until Sunday. You even get them if you are camping, rather than in a five star hotel as I was!

Here’s what the Visit Geneva web site says.

When you stay in a hotel, a youth hostel or at a campsite, you receive free of charge a Geneva Transport Card. Taking the tram, the bus and the train on Geneva territory will not cost you a penny. You even can cross the lake with the yellow taxi-boats for free.

This personal and non-transferable card is offered to you at arrival. During your stay in Geneva, you can use the entire Geneva transport network (UNIRESO: bus and tram (TPG), train (CFF) and taxi-boats (Mouettes Genevoises).

If you arrive at Geneva International Airport, you can get a 80-minute ticket free of charge for a ride to the place of your accommodation. The ticket machine is in the luggage retrieval hall.

The map I have, also points out the location of some of the large free museums in the city.

May 20, 2013 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Geneva, Museum, Switzerland, Ticketing, Tourism, Walking