Travel Information

Welcome to Geneva
Paris has its Eiffel Tower, Geneva has its "Jet d’eau". The impressive 140 m (460 ft) high lake fountain, with its simple but elegant silhouette, is the city’s distinctive landmark.

The Geneva area has only 400,000 inhabitants, making it perhaps the smallest of the world’s international centres. But Geneva boasts the commercial and cultural advantages of cities many times its size. Geneva also shares the Swiss passion for cleanliness, floral display and peaceful atmosphere, making it a delight to stroll through its parks or along its lakeside quays.

Between the Alps and the Jura mountains, on the shores of Lac Léman at the south-western extremity of Switzerland, Geneva enjoys a temperate climate and breathtaking scenery.

Travelling to Geneva
Geneva’s favoured geographical position makes it a natural focal point for the international traveller. Road and rail facilities radiate from Geneva to provide rapid access to the rest of Switzerland and Europe.

Geneva has an international airport, offering direct scheduled flights to nearly 80 international destinations. A great advantage is the airport’s proximity to the city centre: 5 km (3 miles). A direct rail connection links the airport to the central railway station in only 8 minutes.

Swissair has been appointed Official Carrier for the 12th World AIDS Conference. We kindly ask all participants to contact their nearest Swissair office or, Swissair appointed travel agent, conveniently located throughout the world for special Conference fares.

You can check Swissair flight availability here.

Important: Please quote the code SR IDS G CGRG and the name of the event when making reservations.

USA Participants please contact:

Conferences International
Phone: +1 617 266 5800
Fax: +1 617 266 5886
Toll free within USA and Canada: +1 800 221 8747

UK Participants please contact:
Karen Hammond
Phone: +44 171 499 7611
Fax: +44 171 493 0326

Travelling to Geneva
To enter Switzerland, a valid passport is required for citizens of all countries.

Visas are required for residents of a number of countries, including the the following:

Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Kuwait, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam, Ex-Yugoslavia.

Applications for Swiss entry visas can be made through a Swiss Embassy or Consulate, using the application forms supplied by the Embassy or Consulate. We recommend that applications be submitted for a visa no later than four months before the Conference.

For participants who will stay across the border in France, other visa rules apply. We suggest you enquire in your home country at the French Embassy or Consulate and apply for a Multiple Entry Visa which will entitle you to travel to and from your hotel in France to Geneva in Switzerland.

There are no vaccinations required for entry into Switzerland.

Switzerland has no specific restrictions on entry for people living with HIV/AIDS.

However, be sure to familiarise yourself with the rules and regulations of all countries through which you will pass to reach Switzerland.

People entering Switzerland may import, free of custom duty, personal possessions and food for the first day. Each person aged 17 and over is also entitled to enter Switzerland with two litres of 15% alcohol, 1 litre of more than 15%, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 gr. of pipe tobacco and gifts up to a total value of CHF 100.

Shuttle buses from the airport to Palexpo will be provided for arrivals on June 28, and for departure from Palexpo to the airport on July 3.

General Information for your Stay in Geneva

Banks
Banks are open Monday to Friday, 08.30–16.30, but are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. At other times, money can be changed at the Central Station (Cornavin) and in most hotels.

Shopping
Most stores are open Monday to Friday, 08.30–18.30 (Thursday 20.00), Saturday 08.30–17.00, and closed on Sundays.

Climate
Situated at 375 m (1,227 ft) above sea level, Geneva enjoys a climate falling somewhere between an East European continental climate and a West European temperate one. The weather during the summer is usually pleasantly warm during the daytime and evening. The average afternoon temperature in Geneva in July is 25–30 C (80F).

Credit Cards
American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/Mastercard and Visa are accepted in the majority of hotels, restaurants and shops.

Currency
Foreign currency and travellers cheques can be exchanged in Switzerland at banks, exchange offices at the border, railway stations, airports, and in travel agencies and hotels. Fast-cash machines accepting the major international credit cards are available at most banks and at Palexpo, the Conference centre.

The monetary unit is the Swiss franc (CHF) consisting of 100 centimes. All official prices such as Conference fees, social events, excursions, and accommodation are indicated in CHF.

Drinking Water
Tap water is safe to drink anywhere in Switzerland. Bottled water will be available at Palexpo.

Electricity
The electric current used throughout Switzerland is of 220 volts, A.C.-50 cycles. Be sure to check your equipment or bring an adaptor if you wish to use foreign electrical applicances (computers, irons, hair-driers and so on).

Languages
The national languages in Switzerland are German (70%), French (19%), Italian (10%) and Romansch (1%). Geneva is in the French speaking part of Switzerland. English is widely spoken and understood throughout the country.

Liability and Insurance
The Conference organisers cannot accept liability for personal injuries, or for loss, or damage to property belonging to Conference participants (or their accompanying persons), either during or as a result of the Conference. Please check the validity of your own insurance.

Metric System
Switzerland uses the metric system. Visitors will find weather temperature reports given in degrees Celsius, petrol sold by the litre, milk and wine by litres, grocery items in gramme and kilogramme, and road speeds posted in kilometres per hour.

Postal Rates
Postcards and letters up to 20 gramme may be sent to anywhere in Europe or the Mediterranean countries for CHF 1.10 and to other countries for CHF 1.80.

Car Rental
All major car rental companies are represented at Geneva Airport. You can usually reserve a car before leaving your country or you may contact AKM Travel.

Taxis
Taxis in Geneva may be ordered by phone (331 4133) or found at authorised taxi stands (in town, airport and train station). Fares between the airport and the city are in the range of CHF 15–35 and depend on traffic density, time of day and number of passengers. Expect a small extra charge for luggage.

Telephone
Local calls may be made for a minimum of CHF 0.60. Direct dialling abroad from public call boxes is with change (CHF 1 or CHF 5 coins) or with a phone card. We advise purchasing a phone card upon arrival (available from post offices and newspaper stands).

Time Zone
The local time in Switzerland is GMT + 1.

Tipping
In restaurants, hotels, hairdressers, and so on, gratuity is now, by law, included in the price. It is not necessary to add a tip, though you may do so at your own discretion to indicate appreciation of good service.

Transport: Palexpo-Hotel
Local transportation will be provided for all participants who have booked accommodation through AKM Travel.

Participants who have received accommodation in Geneva will be given a TPG pass, valid on public buses in Geneva. Those accommodated in Zones 2–4 will receive a CFF train pass and those accommodated in Zones 6–7 will receive a ticket valid on a private bus (see map for zones).

Further information on transport services will be sent to you from AKM Travel with the hotel confirmation.

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