Useful information about Geneva
Language
Switzerland comprises of German, French and Italian speaking regions. In Geneva, French is the official language. English and German are commonly spoken.

Population
City and Canton: ~400,000

Climate
Average temperature in December 29-43°F (-2-6°C)

Time zone
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Passport and visa
Every traveller to Switzerland must have a valid passport.
Visas are required for a continuous stay of more than three months. If your stay is shorter than three months you only need to bring your valid passport with you. This applies to citizens of the following countries: countries of the American Continent , Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Exceptions may apply. For more detailed information on visas please contact the Swiss Consulate General located nearest you or online. (see useful links)

Currency
Swiss Francs (CHF). Conversion (Jan 2003) approx. 1 EURO = 1.47 CHF ; 1 USD = 1.35 CHF

Credit cards
All major credit cards are accepted in the majority of hotels, restaurants and shops.

Tipping
Prices in hotels and restaurants, and the taxi fare, are calculated to include taxes and service. A tip, therefore, is at the client’s discretion.

Electricity
The voltage used throughout Switzerland is 220 volts.

Opening hours
Banks
Monday to Friday, 08.30 - 16.30, closed on Saturday and Sunday. At other times, money can be changed at the central station, the airport and in most hotels.

Shops
Monday to Friday, 08.30 - 18.30. Thursday until 20.00, Saturday until 17.00, closed on Sundays.

Post Offices
Monday to Friday 7:30am to 12:00pm and 2:00pm to 6:00pm, Saturday 7:30 – 11:00am; closed on Sundays.

Telephone
Country code for Switzerland is 41; the area code for Geneva is 022. To dial overseas from Switzerland, the access code is: 00 + the country code.

Public Phones
In order to use a public phone you need to purchase a 'taxcard'. They are sold at any post office, train station or newsstand. The 'taxcards' are priced at CHF 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100. 'How to use' instructions are displayed in the phone booth. Telephone booths can be found in Post Offices and various locations in Geneva.

Cellular Phones
Your mobile phone must be activated for telephoning abroad. Your provider will give you information on this. You may need an adapter to recharge your mobile in Switzerland.
Travellers from USA and Japan: Phoning in Switzerland requires a tri-band device that works on both American and European networks. Upon entry to Switzerland the mobile phone generally searches on its own for a network

Transportation

Partnership with UNIRESO
All accredited participants will be allowed free access to the TPG (Transports Publics Genevois) from the 8th to the 13th of December within the Geneva metropolitan area. The Summit badge will enable this access.

Airport – City
The Cointrin Airport is 5 km/3 miles from the city centre. From the airport you can reach the city center and the Summit by:

Train
Cointrin airport has its own railway station which has regular connection to the center of Geneva. A first class ticket from the airport to Geneva costs (one way) CHF 8.50 and CHF 5.- in second class.

From the Geneva Airport railway station you are within walking distance of Summit premises, Hall 7 Palexpo. You can also take a shuttle bus at the airport.

Taxi
Carries a maximum of four passengers. Transfer from the airport to Geneva center takes about 25 minutes (fare: CHF 30.-/35.-).

A taxi drop off point is located at Palexpo.

Bus
Bus No. 10 runs from the “Cointrin” airport to the central railway station “Cornavin”. From the airport you can take shuttle buses to Palexpo.
Bus No. 18 and 28 stop in front of Hall 7 at Palexpo.

Cultural highlights in Geneva during the Summit
See: Official website of Geneva tourism

List of useful websites