City, Switzerland
Geneva
Cosmopolitan lakeside city of UN agencies, NGOs and banks, with French-speaking cafés and Alpine views. Easy for English speakers, but among the world's costliest cities and quiet after midnight.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$6,030–8,210Comfortable, one person · CHF5,000–6,800Details
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 27°CDetails
- Air quality10 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet281 MbpsFixed broadband, Switzerland medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableLake-sourced and tested; tap water is excellent and the public fountains are drinkable unless marked.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$157–278Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless almost everywhere; carry some francs for markets, small kiosks and flea markets.Details
Where to stay in Geneva
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Pâquis | Lake views, cheap eats, hostels; lively and a little rough at night |
| Plainpalais and Carouge | Cafés, markets and a village feel; popular with expats |
| Eaux-Vives | Lakeside promenade, restaurants and a local feel |
| Old Town (Vieille Ville) | Short stays, sightseeing, quieter evenings |
Apps that work in Geneva
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Works citywide; taxis are the alternative |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- SBB Mobile: All trains, buses, boats and tickets
- MeteoSwiss: Mountain weather and storm warnings
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and very expensive (CHF 7 base). Book by phone or app; trams, trains and the free hotel transport card cover most trips.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Switzerland.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless almost everywhere; carry some francs for markets, small kiosks and flea markets.
- Currency: Franc (CHF). US$1 ≈ CHF0.83 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs often dispense francs and euros; decline the machine's currency conversion and check your bank's foreign fees.
- Tipping: Service is included by law; rounding up or a few francs for good service is plenty.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted; TWINT, the local payment app, needs a Swiss bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Switzerland is in Schengen but not the EU: 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area.
- The EU Entry/Exit System applies here too: non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a face photo at first entry.
- ETIAS (a €20 online pre-travel authorisation) is not required yet; its start has been delayed, so check before travel.
Emergency numbers
Police 117 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 118 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, J · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from carrier shops, kiosks and supermarkets; passport registration required. Many EU roaming plans exclude Switzerland, so check before using yours. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Switzerland
Going to Geneva solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.