Geneva Airport before your flight: lounges, restaurants and useful stops
Terminal 1 at Geneva Airport (GVA) lets you eat, rest and wait on both sides of security: a Food Court and restaurants before it, lounges, cafés and quiet places beyond it. Each facility below says where it is, who may use it and its official page. Airport services change with the seasons, so check that page before you travel.
Geneva Airport in a minute
Terminal 1 is Geneva Airport's main terminal, and it closes every night from 00:00 to 04:00: no one may stay inside. From the bottom up, its public levels are Arrivals, with the railway station beneath, Check-in, and Departures, where the Food Court sits before security.
Security is on the Departures level. It opens at about 04:30 for the International Sector and 05:00 for the France Sector, from 04:00 in summer, and its times vary with traffic. Beyond it, the transit area leads to the gates, with a mezzanine holding two of the lounges, the airlines' lounges, the smoking area and a quiet room.
The France Sector is reached from the Check-in level by its signs. Only passengers with a ticket for the same day, or a day either side, may move between it and the International Sector.
Terminal 2 opens only on winter weekends, for ski-season charter and scheduled flights, and is closed to the public the rest of the year. From Terminal 1, go down to the Arrivals level and follow the car rental signs for about 300 m, to opposite car park P51; tpg buses 10, 23, 28, 56 and 57 stop at Tour-de-Contrôle.
Terminal 2 at gva.chInformation desks
Information desks stand in the Arrivals public area and in the transit area; the Visitors Center is in the Arrivals public area.
- Where
- Arrivals level, public area; transit area, beyond security
- Who may use it
- Everyone; the transit desk once past security
- Hours
- Visitors Center daily 07:00–23:00
Free Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi covers the whole terminal on the network Free_WiFi_GVA. Sign in with a code sent by text message, or get one by scanning your boarding pass at a kiosk or in the GVApp, or by showing an identity document at the Visitors Center.
- Where
- Throughout Terminal 1
- Who may use it
- Everyone
Before security: restaurants, showers and the terrace
Before security, you can eat at the Food Court on the Departures level, renovated in 2026 with its terrace, or at cafés and restaurants elsewhere in the public area. The public area is open to everyone, travelling or not.
Food Court
Six venues and, on the terrace, the Geneva Food Stage, all open daily: McDonald's 05:00–22:00, Starbucks 04:30–20:00, Edward's 04:30–22:00, Brewgate 05:30–22:00, Chef Kebap 10:00–21:00, Tiger Bites 11:00–20:00 and the Geneva Food Stage 10:00–21:00.
- Where
- Departures level, before security
- Who may use it
- Everyone
Elsewhere before security
Open daily: Le Chef 08:00–17:00, Hvgge 06:30–22:30 and the Martel tea room 07:00–20:00. In the Arrivals public area: SwissChalet 07:00–23:00, SwissChalet Sandwicherie 06:00–21:00, Brezelkönig 07:00–22:00 and The Hub & Co.; the Montreux Jazz Café opens Monday to Friday 08:00–21:30, at weekends and on public holidays 09:00–18:00.
- Where
- Public area, before security; Arrivals level where stated
- Who may use it
- Everyone
Panorama Terrace
A free public terrace on the 4th floor, with a snack bar, Le Snack Panorama, open 10:00–20:00, and a screening room. Smoking is not allowed.
- Where
- 4th floor, by lift from the Arrivals level; no security check
- Who may use it
- Everyone, free of charge
- Hours
- 15 March–30 October 2026: Sunday to Wednesday 10:00–20:00, Thursday to Saturday 09:00–22:00
Showers
Showers with shower gel, shampoo and a towel. In the public area, they are near the post office and are paid at the information desk of the Visitors Center, in cash or by card, daily 07:00–23:00. Arriving passengers also have showers in the baggage hall near carousel 6, paid at the Swissport Welcome Desk by carousels 2 and 3, in Swiss francs and cash only, from 07:30 to the last flight.
- Where
- Public area, near the post office; baggage hall near carousel 6 for arriving passengers
- Who may use it
- Everyone in the public area; arriving passengers in the baggage hall
- Price
- CHF 15 (Genève Aéroport, checked 3 October 2026)
Luggage storage
Automatic lockers in Genève-Aéroport railway station, connected to the terminal, are open at any hour and paid on site. For bulky items, the SBB Travel Centre keeps luggage at a staffed counter when it has space.
- Where
- Genève-Aéroport station; SBB Travel Centre on the Arrivals level, towards the station
- Who may use it
- Everyone
- Hours
- Lockers 24 hours a day; ask SBB for the Travel Centre's, as the airport's pages differ
Medical centre
Nurses give free care at the medical centre; there is no doctor, and no prescriptions. In an emergency, call 144.
- Where
- Check-in level, after counter 60, next to C1
- Who may use it
- Everyone, free of charge
- Hours
- Daily 08:00–18:00
Shops
Shops open before and after security, with duty free on arrival as well. There is no pharmacy beyond security, so buy any medication before you go through.
Shops and duty free at gva.ch
After security: lounges, restaurants and quiet places
Beyond security, four independent lounges admit passengers with the airport's VIP Pack, with Priority Pass or, at two of them, with a marhaba pass, and airlines run their own lounges on the mezzanine for their eligible passengers. None of the four admits passengers on flights to France or from Terminal 2.
The VIP Pack
The airport's VIP Pack pairs the Priority Lane at security with one of the four lounges, chosen on the day by your gate. It is linked to your boarding pass and can be booked up to 2 hours before your flight; children under 2 enter free, and from 2 they need a full pack. The lounges serve a buffet all day, with hot dishes from 11:00 to 14:30 and from 17:00.
- Who may use it
- Passengers who book it, except on flights to France or from Terminal 2
- Price
- Shown when you book
Swissport Horizon Lounge
- Where
- Transit area, up the stairs on the right to the mezzanine, near the smoking area
- Flights
- Schengen
- Hours
- Daily 06:00–20:30
- Entry
- VIP Pack; Priority Pass, for up to 3 hours, children under 2 free, entry may be limited when the lounge is full; Swissport's VIP service
Marhaba Lounge Jura
- Where
- After security, turn left and take the escalator to the mezzanine
- Flights
- Schengen
- Hours
- Daily 06:00–20:30; Priority Pass gives 09:00–18:00 for its members
- Entry
- VIP Pack; Priority Pass, for up to 3 hours, two children per family; marhaba's own passes; dnata's VIP service
- Price
- marhaba's passes from USD 70.80 for 3 hours and USD 141.59 for 6 hours per person (marhaba, checked 3 October 2026)
Crystal Lounge by Aspire
- Where
- Above gates C53–C54
- Flights
- Non-Schengen, from the C gates only
- Hours
- Check before you go: the airport's own pages give different hours
- Entry
- VIP Pack; Priority Pass, for up to 3 hours, smart casual dress
Marhaba Lounge East Wing
A quiet area with day beds.
- Where
- Towards gate C54, by lift or stairs to the 1st floor
- Flights
- Non-Schengen, from the C gates only
- Hours
- Check before you go: its sources give different hours
- Entry
- VIP Pack; Priority Pass, for up to 3 hours; marhaba's own passes
- Price
- marhaba's passes from USD 70.80 for 3 hours and USD 141.59 for 6 hours per person (marhaba, checked 3 October 2026)
The three-hour stay is Priority Pass's condition, not a rule of the lounges: marhaba sells passes for up to six hours, and the airport's VIP Pack page states no limit.
Airlines also run lounges on the transit mezzanine for their own eligible passengers; your airline tells you whether your ticket or status admits you.
VIP services at gva.chRestaurants and cafés after security
Open daily: Le Bistrot Genève 04:00–22:00, Brezelkönig 04:00–21:00, Montreux Jazz Café 04:30–21:00, Heineken Sports Bar 05:00–22:30, Modern Seafood Bar 09:00–20:30, Paul 05:00–21:00, All you need Bar & Shop 05:00–22:00, and House of Coffee, Soho Coffee, Street Food Company and The Little Coffee Shop 05:00–21:00. In the France Sector's transit area, Breaktime opens 06:00–19:00.
- Where
- Transit area
- Who may use it
- Passengers past security
Smoking area
The only place in the terminal where smoking and vaping are allowed, with smoke extraction.
- Where
- Transit area, mezzanine level
- Who may use it
- Passengers past security
- Hours
- 04:00 to the last flight
Prayer and quiet room
A room for prayer or quiet, open to everyone.
- Where
- Transit area, on the mezzanine near the airline lounges
- Who may use it
- Everyone past security
- Hours
- 04:00 to the last flight
Business Corners
About fifteen corners with high tables, USB and 220 V sockets, free and without booking.
- Where
- Across the boarding area
- Who may use it
- Passengers past security
Water and first aid
Two water fountains stand near gate A8 and two on the mezzanine, beside the medical point near the airline lounges.
- Where
- Gate A8; the mezzanine
- Who may use it
- Passengers past security
Families and assistance
Beyond security, families have two baby care rooms and a play area for children aged 3 to 12, and passengers with reduced mobility can ask for GVAssistance, free of charge, at least 48 hours ahead.
Baby care rooms
Changing tables, a breastfeeding area and a microwave.
- Where
- Transit area between gates A2 and A3, and the East Wing at gate C
- Who may use it
- Passengers past security
- Hours
- Daily 04:00–00:00
Play area
A play area for children aged 3 to 12.
- Where
- Between gates A5 and A8
- Who may use it
- Passengers past security
- Hours
- Daily 04:00–00:00
GVAssistance
The airport's assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, free whatever the airline or class. Ask your airline or travel agency for it at least 48 hours before your flight. Public areas and car parks are fully accessible by wheelchair; some gates are reached by stairs, with an agent.
- Where
- Reception on the Check-in level, after check-in
- Who may use it
- Passengers with reduced mobility, any airline or class
If your flight is delayed
If your flight is delayed or you miss a connection, your airline is generally the one to rebook or refund you: go to its desk, and keep your documents and the times.
Follow your flight by its number on the airport's travel assistant, with alerts by WhatsApp or Messenger.
Flight tracking at gva.chFor a long wait beyond security, the lounges, the quiet room and the Business Corners above are places to rest or work; Marhaba Lounge East Wing has day beds.
Terminal 1 closes every night from 00:00 to 04:00, and no one may stay inside. For a late arrival or an early departure, the airport lists the hotels nearby.
Hotels near the airport at gva.chAcross the day
- Terminal 1Closed 00:00–04:00
- Visitors Center07:00–23:00
- Medical centre08:00–18:00
- Panorama TerraceSun–Wed 10:00–20:00, Thu–Sat 09:00–22:00, to 30 October
- Horizon and Jura lounges06:00–20:30
- Baby care rooms, play area04:00–00:00
- Smoking area, quiet room04:00 to the last flight
Getting to and from the airport
Genève-Aéroport railway station lies beneath Terminal 1, connected to the Arrivals level. Trains reach Genève-Cornavin in 7 minutes without a change, up to seven an hour at peak times.
Train access at gva.chTravelling on to Crans-Montana by road? Our page on airport transfers between Geneva Airport and Crans-Montana sets out where your chauffeur meets you in Terminal 1, the waiting included from landing and how to plan either direction.
Spending a few days in Geneva before the mountains? Our private transfers between Geneva city and Crans-Montana collect you at your hotel or another agreed address when you travel on.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked on 3 October 2026 at the sources below. The airport's own pages come first; lounge details also come from Priority Pass and marhaba.
Genève Aéroport
- Terminal 1 information, with the Terminal 1 plan (edition of 28 August 2023)
- Terminal 2
- France Sector
- Security screening
- Information desks
- Visitors Center
- Free Wi-Fi
- Bars and restaurants
- The renovated Food Court (17 August 2026)
- Shops and duty free
- Panorama Terrace
- Showers
- Luggage storage and drop-off
- SBB counter
- Medical centre
- VIP services
- VIP Pack
- Smoking area
- Prayer and quiet room
- Business Corners
- Water fountains
- Baby care rooms
- Play area
- Assistance for passengers with reduced mobility
- Flight preparation and tracking
- Nearby hotels
- Train access
- Frequently asked questions