One week in Geneva!

potfish

Vampgirl wrote: »

Don't worry UK citizens don't need visas for any EC/EEA country you're fine :beer:

Nor for Switzerland which is not EC/EEA

Just to follow up, I have travelled by car from Geneva to France crossing at Bardonnex, St. Julien en Genevois and Ferney Voltaire and in maybe 50 crossings I have never shown a passport Further round the lake you do get asked. By train, I have never (out of half a dozen trips) shown a passport to anyone French when getting on a train in Geneva to go to France (the desks are there but normally unmanned), but I have shown a passport to Swiss guards so this makes it not worth the risk if there is a need for visas.

Voyager2002

potfish wrote: »

Nor for Switzerland which is not EC/EEA

Just to follow up, I have travelled by car from Geneva to France crossing at Bardonnex, St. Julien en Genevois and Ferney Voltaire and in maybe 50 crossings I have never shown a passport Further round the lake you do get asked. By train, I have never (out of half a dozen trips) shown a passport to anyone French when getting on a train in Geneva to go to France (the desks are there but normally unmanned), but I have shown a passport to Swiss guards so this makes it not worth the risk if there is a need for visas.

You have reminded me of one of my classic travel experiences: after forgetting my passport I once entered Switzerland using a Youth Hostel Association membership card! At least it had my photo. However, I have a white skin and speak bad French with a strong English accent, and so am a very obvious Briton. If I had a darker skin and greater command of languages, I might have more trouble with things like this.

Voyager2002

psarinuk wrote: »

Hi Voyager

I've a post office credit card which I think would be good.. I am also going to order some cash from travelex website and collect at the airport.. I've heard they offer best exchange rates this way.

Would a day trip to Zurich from Geneva be possible?
Is there a swiss card that covers jorney via trains to various cities from Geneva and lasts a week? Do you use the same card for entry into museums etc?

Regarding visa for France, I know of this way but my wife is not too fussed about going to France... but she always wanted to visit and explore Switzerland, hence the trip.

I think 1 week is good enough to cover Switzerland? What do you think?

I used both Post Office and Nationwide credit cards in France over the summer. They are equally good, and for purchases offer just about the best exchange rates that I have managed to find. However, a credit card should NOT be used to get cash. I always use the debit card linked to my Nationwide flex account, but if you don't have one then you don't have this option.

Before committing to the Travelex deal, check rates at Marks and Spencer and the Post Office. And wherever you buy your currency, be sure to pay with cash pounds: using a debit or credit card to get currency can lead to unwelcome surprises.

For public transport and museums, please visit the SBB site. You have a choice of about six different cards, all of which are explained there. It also gives detailed timetable information, so you can plan all your journeys. But yes, I think a day-trip to Zurich would indeed be feasible.

And no, you would need a good many weeks to explore Switzerland, not just one. You are also limited by the need to return to your hotel in Geneva each night: Geneva is right on the edge of Switzerland, and a full day's journey from regions like the Bernese Oberland (most popular with the majority of visitors) and Ticino (my personal favourite), which cannot be seen as day-trips.

You mgiht consider a regional travel pass, rather than a pass for the whole country.