Train to Geneva - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Currency: Swiss franc (CHF). Switzerland is not part of the eurozone.

• Best time to go: April-May and September - daytime temperatures are 15-20°C and there is less tourist traffic than in summer.

• How much to go for: a weekend (Friday evening - Sunday) is enough for the Old Town, Jet d'Eau, Palais des Nations and Lake Geneva. 3-4 days allow you to add CERN and surrounding excursions.

• Practical tip: accommodation and restaurants are worth booking in advance, as prices in the centre are high.

It is best to choose April, May or September, when daytime temperatures are 15-20°C and tourist traffic is lower than in summer.

Spring (March–May)

• Geneva hosts major trade fairs and industry events in spring, so accommodation prices can be higher.

• April and May are quieter months with temperatures of 15-19°C, and the lakeside botanical gardens are in full bloom.

• After winter, the air is clear so you can see the Alps and Mont Blanc well.

Summer (June–August)

• Daytime temperatures are 23-26°C and there are lots of people on Lake Geneva and along the quays.

• During summer there are city festivals and outdoor events by the lake.

• Accommodation prices are at their highest, especially in the centre and by the lake.

• Afternoon thunderstorms occur regularly, but usually pass quickly.

Autumn (September–November)

• September is a very good month for a city break - daytime temperatures are 20°C, crowds are smaller and accommodation prices are lower than in summer.

• In October the temperature drops to 14°C, but in good weather you will see the Alps clearly.

• In November it is cool and rainy, so plan more time for the museums and the Palais des Nations.

Winter (December–February)

• In December, a Christmas market opens with lakeside light decorations and stalls selling mulled wine and fondue.

• Daytime temperatures are 4-6°C, so bring a warm jacket and comfortable shoes.

• In winter you can visit the museums and the Palais des Nations without long queues.

You can get to Geneva with connections, usually via Berlin and Basel or Frankfurt.

From Poznań to Geneva

• From Poznań Główny station, the journey takes about 13-14 hours with transfers in Berlin and Basel.

• The leg to Berlin takes about 3 hours.

• From Basel to Geneva you travel a further 3 hours.

From Wrocław to Geneva

• The journey from Wrocław Główny station takes around 13-15 hours.

• You travel via Berlin to Basel, then on to Geneva.

• In Berlin, you change trains at Berlin Hauptbahnhof.

From Warsaw to Geneva

• From Warsaw Central station the journey to Geneva takes about 14-15 hours with transfers.

• The route goes through Berlin, where you change to a train to Basel.

• From Basel to Geneva you travel approximately 3 hours.

From Kraków to Geneva

• From Kraków Główny station to Geneva the journey takes around 14-16 hours.

• Connections go via Vienna or via Katowice, Berlin and Basel.

• In Berlin and Basel you can easily find an onward connection to Geneva.

You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without registering - you receive it by e-mail and SMS. 30 minutes before departure you receive an SMS reminder with a link to your ticket, so you don't have to search for it in your inbox. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats. A seat reservation is compulsory on the international leg. The rules for PKP Intercity ticket refunds and exchanges are straightforward: refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure - see the refunds and exchanges page for details.

Document checks may take place at the Swiss border, so have your identity card to hand. Checks are usually brief and take place while the train is in motion.

You can get around Geneva on foot and by public transport, and many attractions are close to one another.

Trams and buses cover the whole city. A single ticket costs the equivalent of a few zloty, while a day ticket costs a little more. If you are making several journeys a day, a day ticket will be more convenient. Tickets can be bought from machines at stops.

Taxis are available at the station, but for short distances in the centre they rarely offer good value.

Geneva has a city bike-sharing scheme. It is a practical choice for rides along the lakefront, especially in the warmer months. You will find bike stations in the centre and at the main attractions.

Accommodation in the centre is expensive, so it is worth booking in advance. More affordable options can be found in the Carouge and Plainpalais districts, from where you can reach the centre in a few minutes by tram.

Where to stay:

• Carouge - a neighbourhood with Italian roots, more affordable prices, and a tram ride of just a few minutes to the centre.

• Plainpalais - a good base with lower accommodation prices than in the city centre.

Jet d'Eau

A fountain on Lake Geneva gushing water over 140 metres. It is a symbol of Geneva visible from many points in the city. Entry is free and the tour takes 20-30 minutes. The best view is from the Quai du Mont-Blanc waterfront, where you see the fountain against the backdrop of the Alps.

Old Town (Vieille Ville)

The oldest part of Geneva with narrow streets, townhouses and a view of the lake. St Peter's Cathedral has an observation tower from where you will see a panorama of the city and Mont Blanc. Place du Bourg-de-Four is Geneva's oldest square with cafés and restaurants. Maison Tavel, the oldest residential house in the city, houses the Geneva History Museum. Plan 2-3 hours for the entire Old Town.

Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations)

The headquarters of the European office of the United Nations. At the Palais des Nations, you will see the origin of Geneva's designation as the Capital of Peace. The tour is guided and takes about 1.5 hours. The headquarters of the International Red Cross is also located nearby.

CERN

European Organisation for Nuclear Research, where the Higgs boson was discovered. The visitor centre offers free exhibitions on particle physics. Free guided tours are available for groups, so it is advisable to book your visit in advance. You can reach CERN by tram from the centre and the tour takes 2-3 hours.

Museum of Art and History (Musée d'Art et d'Histoire)

A museum with an extensive collection of watches, enamels and European art. There is an entrance fee and the tour takes 1.5-2 hours.

Plan for day 1

Start in the morning with the Old Town - St Peter's Cathedral with viewing tower, a stroll through the Place du Bourg-de-Four and the Maison Tavel. At midday, walk over the lake to the Jet d'Eau and stroll along the Quai du Mont-Blanc waterfront with views of the fountain, the Alps and Lake Geneva. Spend the afternoon at the Palais des Nations or the Museum of Art and History.

Plan for the weekend (2 days)

Day 1: Arrange the same as the plan for day 1 - Old Town, Jet d'Eau and the waterfront, and in the afternoon the Palais des Nations or the Museum of Art and History.

Day 2: Go to CERN in the morning. The visit requires advance booking and access from the centre is easy. Spend the afternoon in the Carouge district, where you'll find local restaurants, cafés and art galleries.

What to eat

Fondue and raclette - classics of Swiss cuisine. You can find them in many restaurants in the Old Town. The establishments off the main streets have lower prices and a more local atmosphere. Fondue with gruyère cheese and vacherin is a version typical of the Geneva region.

Swiss chocolate - Geneva has several renowned chocolatiers, especially around the Rue du Rhône. Handmade pralines and bars are a good choice for a souvenir.

Where to eat:

• The Carouge district - Italian roots, narrow streets with independent restaurants, cafés and bars. There is less tourist traffic here than in the inner city and prices are sometimes a little lower.

• Plainpalais market - the largest flea market in Geneva, open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Buy souvenirs, local produce, Swiss cheeses and cold cuts here. In the mornings, the choice is greatest.

In a restaurant in the centre you will pay noticeably more for lunch than in Poland, so for a shorter trip many people choose bakeries, sandwich bars and the market.

Souvenirs

• Watches - Rue du Rhône is the main shopping street for watches, luxury brands and jewellery. You'll find cheaper options by the Old Town.

• Chocolate - handmade pralines and bars from renowned chocolatiers around the Rue du Rhône.

• Swiss Army knives - available by the Old Town at more affordable prices.

Geneva is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. The figures below cover on-site costs, excluding train tickets.

Budget option: hostel or accommodation outside the centre, food at sandwich bars and the market, and free attractions such as Jet d'Eau, the waterfront and the Old Town.

Mid-range option: three-star hotel in the centre or in Carouge, local restaurants and 1-2 paid attractions per day, for example the Palais des Nations or St Peter's Cathedral.

Comfort option: four- or five-star hotel by the lake, restaurants with views of the Alps and taxis instead of public transport.

It is worth planning your budget with some margin, especially if you are staying in the centre and dining at lakeside restaurants.