Getting to ITU
Bus
Geneva's public transport system is operated by the
Transports publics genevois (TPG)
(see their site for timetables, fares, route details, etc.).
Important: unless you have a weekly or monthly pass, you have to buy your ticket at the machine located at the bus stop, if possible with the exact change. No tickets are sold on buses.
The machines accept Swiss francs and euros. At various outlets in town
(including TPG agencies and newspaper shops), you can buy prepaid cards
(Cart@bonus) which enable you to obtain tickets from the machine
without searching for the right change.
Anyone arriving at Geneva Airport can obtain a free ticket (for immediate use) for 80 minutes' travel on the Geneva transport system. The ticket machine is located just before the customs control area. A picture of it can be seen on this web page:
http://www.gva.ch/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-67/
Also, if you are staying at a hotel, youth hostel or campsite, the establishment will offer you the "Geneva Transport Card" that allows you to use public transport in Geneva free of charge during your stay. Get more information from
Genève Tourisme or the establishment concerned.
From Cointrin Airport:
- bus 28 (direction Jardin botanique, get off at Nations)
Every 15-20 minutes until 1900 hours, then less frequent; 17 minute journey.
The fare from the airport is CHF 3.00 (select the Tout Genève
ticket at the machine, valid for one hour).
From the city centre and railway station:
- bus 5 (direction Palexpo, get off at Varembé)
- bus 8 (direction OMS, get off at UIT)
- tram 13 (direction Nations, get off at Nations)
- tram 15 (direction Nations, get off at Nations)
Frequent service all day and evening; 10 minute journey.
The fare from town is CHF 3.00 (select the Tout Genève ticket at
the machine, valid for one hour).
Car rental
Most major car rental companies are represented at the airport.
Parking is available at the Parking des Nations, adjacent to ITU.
Taxis
Taxis
can be ordered by telephone or picked up at the 60 or so taxi ranks
located around the city and at the airport.
The fare from the airport to the city centre varies from CHF 30 to
35 and depends on traffic flow, time of day and number of
passengers. Within Geneva, including the airport, the amount to be
paid is as shown on the meter.
The driver will make a small additional charge for luggage. The tip and VAT
are included in the fare, but it is nevertheless customary to give
one or two francs.
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The ITU premises
ITU's location is shown on the following map:
map.search.ch
The Union's premises comprise three interlinked buildings:
- Montbrillant, the Tower and Varembé (ITU plan)
There are three entrances:
- The Montbrillant entrance (2 rue de Varembé, extension 6788 or 6789) is
open from 0600 to 2200 hours, Monday to Friday. It is here that
delegate registration takes place.
- The Tower entrance (av. Giuseppe Motta,
extension 5107 or 5108) is open every day from 0600 to 2200 hours.
- The Varembé entrance, accessible only to badgeholders, is open
from 0600 to 2200 hours, Monday to Friday.
Office numbers in the three buildings begin with M, T
and V, respectively.
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Accommodation
ITU maintains a
list of hotels and residences
of different categories in and around Geneva which offer special rates to delegates attending its
conferences and meetings. The list is accompanied by booking forms.
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Restaurants
The following sites provide details of restaurants in Geneva and
elsewhere in Switzerland:
www.resto.ch
www.restorang.ch
Tips are included in the salaries of restaurant employees.
However, it is customary to leave a couple of francs as a gesture,
or more according to the type of restaurant or if you are very pleased with the service.
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Religious worship
Many
faiths and observances
are officially represented within the canton
of Geneva. On Saturdays, the Geneva newspapers carry details of the
various possibilities for worship.
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Medical information
| ITU Medical Service |
5397 |
|
| Vermont – Grand-Pré medical
centre |
022 734 5150 |
9A rue de Vermont |
| La Servette dental clinic |
022 733 9800 |
60 av Wendt |
SOS Médecins
(the doctor will come to your hotel/residence) |
022 748 4950 |
|
| |
|
|
| Emergency services |
|
|
| Police |
117 |
|
| Fire |
118 |
|
| Ambulance |
144 |
|
| |
|
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| Pharmacies |
|
|
| Pharmacie populaire |
022 734 7541 |
88 rue de Montbrillant |
| Pharmacie des Colombettes |
022 740 0160 |
1 chemin des Colombettes |
List of pharmacies on duty
outside normal opening hours.
After 2300 hours, call 144 to find out which pharmacy is
on special late-night duty. |
|
|
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Other emergency services |
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Other practical information
The companies listed in this section are included on the basis
of their proximity to the ITU premises and their inclusion in
no way implies any recommendation or preference on the part of ITU.
Weather
Here is the forecast for the coming days
Bank
UBS,
17 chemin Louis-Dunant (opposite the Tower building)
- Monday to Friday from 0830 to 1630 hours
Cash dispensers are available both inside and outside the bank.
For money transfers to other countries,
Western Union
has branches in town, at the main railway station and at the
airport.
Post Office
CICG branch office, 15 rue de Varembé
- Monday to Friday from 0800 to 1200 and 1400 to 1800 hours
- Saturday from 0800 to 1100 hours
Montbrillant main office (open 7/7), 16 rue des Gares
- Monday to Friday from 0800 to 2000 hours
- Saturday from 0800 to 1200 hours
- Sunday from 1600 to 1900 hours
At the
Post Office
it is also possible to exchange euros and US dollars
Dry cleaners
Atelier Pressing Quotidien, 59 av. Wendt
En 5 Sec, in "La Tourelle" shopping centre
Pressing Inter, 37 rue de Moillebeau
Supermarkets
Coop, 90 rue de Montbrillant
Migros, 5 rue du Vidollet
Shopping Centre
Balexert
(near the airport)
Normal shopping hours in Geneva:
- Monday to Friday from 0830 to 1830 hours (many stores remain open until 2100 hours on Thursdays)
- Saturday from 0830 to 1800 hours
- Sunday - closed (except for the shopping complex at the airport)
SAFI
Tax-free shopping at the Palais des Nations (for delegates and international organization staff).
- Monday to Friday from 1200 to 1830 hours
Swiss online press
Edicom
Le Temps
Electricity
The voltage in Switzerland is similar to that in most other
European countries, i.e. 230V/50Hz.
Switzerland uses two
types of electric plug:
type C (two pins) and
type J (three pins).
Telephone cards
Available from the ITU shop (in the Tower lobby), the Post Office and newsagents.
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