Life in Geneva

Health insurance is compulsory for all residents of Switzerland, including non-Swiss citizens, non-EU citizens and others. Learn how health insurance benefits work in Switzerland. You may consider comparing premiums from different insurers and find one that best suits your needs.

Reach out to Student Services to discuss insurance options and packages for international students.

If you have an unlocked mobile phone, you can purchase a pre-paid card such as Lebara. A team is available on campus during Orientation. If you prefer to buy a mobile subscription, Salt is an affordable option. Another option is Sunrise. If you plan on traveling and hiking in Switzerland, consider looking into Swisscom, as it has the most widespread 4G network of all providers in Switzerland.

Important Numbers

• 117: Police (assault, accident, theft, threats)
• 118: Fire Brigade (fire, accident, rescue of people or animals, flooding, etc.)
• 144: Ambulance
• 145: Poison Control
• 112: European Emergency Number
• 111: Night Pharmacy
• 140: Road Help

Non-life-threatening issues on campus from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.:

• Call Bernardo of the GCS Security: +41 78 770 84 21

The main hospital in Geneva is called HUG (Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève) and is located in the neighborhood of Champel.

• Address: Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205 Genève

U.S. Embassy emergency line: +41 31 357 70 11

If you are taking a full degree at Webster, you may want to open a Swiss bank account. A Swiss bank account will be useful in facilitating day-to-day transactions, managing your finances and avoiding fees for exchanging currency. Please note that you first need to have a Swiss permit to open a bank account. You can choose either a national bank (ex. UBS, PostFinance, MigrosBank) or a cantonal bank (BCGE).

• UBS
• Credit Suisse
• Raiffeisen
• PostFinance

More Information on Swiss Bank Accounts

Revolut: For those traveling or unable to open a Swiss account. Revolut is one of Europe's best-known neobanks, renowned for its 100% mobile application and low fees.

Geneva’s robust public transit network includes buses, trams, trains and even boats (known as Mouettes). They are all operated under Transports Publics Genevois (TPG).

Tickets and Fares

• Single Tickets: Buy them before boarding at the ticket distributors at tram/bus stops, or on your phone via the TPGPreview or SBB/CFF apps.
• Network Coverage: Monthly and yearly travel passes cover all types of public transport within the canton of Geneva ("Area 10"). This includes the local CEVA / Léman Express trains.
  • Monthly Pass (Up to 24 years old): CHF 45
  • Monthly Pass (25 years old and older): CHF 70
  • Yearly Pass (All ages): CHF 500 (Student discounts available.)
• Where to Buy Passes: Online at the TPG Shop or in person at any of the TPG offices in town.
• Rules and Fines:
  • You must have a valid ticket before stepping onto any tram, bus, train or boat.
  • Ticket controls are frequent and random. If you are caught without a valid ticket, the fine is 100 CHF.
• Night Services: On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Noctambus service runs between the city center and surrounding areas from midnight to 5 a.m.

100% Free Student Subscriptions (Unireso Coverage)

The State of Geneva covers 100% of the cost of Unireso subscriptions for people under 25 who are in training/studies within the canton. Note: You must still carry your valid transit card with you at all times, even though the cost is covered.

How to Get Your Unireso Coverage

1. Create a SwissPass: Registration is free. You will need to upload a digital photo and a valid ID. Your transport passes will be digitally loaded onto this physical SwissPass card, which you show to ticket controllers. You can pick up the physical card for free at any transit point of sale.
2. Get Your Discount Code: You will receive a postal letter from the State of Geneva with a unique discount code.
3. Activate Your Subscription: Redeem your code online at the TPG shop or cff.ch/unireso or go to a TPG agency or a SBB/CFF Travel Center with your letter, ID and SwissPass.

For more information, visit Unireso.

Regional and National Train Travel (SBB/CFF)

• SBB/CFF: This is the national train company of Switzerland. (It is called CFF in French and SBB in English).
• The Stations: The main central train station in Geneva is Gare Cornavin. The specific train stop for the campus area is Genthod-Bellevue.
• Timetables and Booking: The easiest way to check schedules and book trips across Switzerland is directly on the SBB website or the SBB mobile app.

Transportation Beyond Geneva: Half-Price Pass

If you plan to explore other parts of Switzerland, it is highly recommended to purchase the 1/2 Tariff subscription

• Cost: CHF 180 per year, loaded directly onto your SwissPass.
• Benefit: Allows you to buy any domestic tram, bus, train or boat ticket in Switzerland at half price. 

Biking in Geneva

Biking is a fantastic alternative for getting around the city.

Rental Options

• Short Trips (Genèveroule and Donkey Republic): There are several 24/7 self-service rental stations around the city accessed via the Donkey Republic partner app.
  • Cost: Requires a 4 Franc deposit. The first hour is free, and you pay by the hour after that.
• Long-Term Rentals: For rental periods spanning several days or months, visit the physical Genèveroule office located directly behind the central Cornavin train station.

Biking Law Warning: Swiss driving laws apply to cyclists. This includes strict limits on cycling under the influence of alcohol. If you are caught biking drunk during a police control, you can lose your actual motor vehicle driver's license.

Grocery Shopping

Shops generally close at 6 p.m., with exceptions. The Cornavin train station and Geneva Airport are open until 10 or 11 p.m., depending on the day.

On Thursdays, most shops and shopping centers will close at 8 or 9 p.m.

Some grocery chains include:

• Budget friendly grocery chains: Denner, Aldi and Lidl
• Mid-range: Migros and Coop
• High-end: Manor and Globus
• Food Delivery: Smood.ch, Uber Eats and Eat.ch

Restaurants

You can find many budget friendly options for eating out in Geneva, Many small kebab shops and pizza parlors start around CHF 10. More established restaurants generally start at CHF 25-30 or more.

Packages sent to Switzerland must have your accurate address with your street name, house number, flat/room number and preferably a phone number where you can be reached written on it. If you live at someone else's address, the address must include c/o and this person’s name as indicated on the mailbox. All packages
for student residents (LLC) must be sent to:

Webster University
YOUR NAME
Route de Collex 15,
1293 Bellevue

For declaration purposes through customs, be sure to list contents as “used personal belongings” when sending clothing, textbooks etc. We do not recommend using express mail services for this purpose, as there are rather steep charges for clearing it through customs. Medication, cigarettes or alcohol should under no circumstances be sent by post (only exceptions)

Shopping

• Rue de Marché: An outdoor shopping center located next to Old Town Geneva with a variety of popular stores, boutiques and markets. Easily accessible from Place Bel-Air.
• Balexert: The largest indoor shopping mall in French Switzerland features a cinema, bowling alley and arcade.

Plainpalais Outdoor Market

Every Wednesday and Saturday, the Plainpalais Market is home to local vendors selling everything from semi-precious stones and jewelry to vintage cameras and coats and jackets. You will also find vendors selling food and drinks. The Plainpalais-area Market is made up of 2 kilometers where you can experience a piece of local Geneva culture.

Things for Your Room

• IKEA Vernier store is the largest and cheapest place to buy furniture, bedlinen, kitchenware and everything else you might need.
• Conforama in Meyrin district is another option.

Places

In Bellevue (walking distance from campus)

• The pharmacy
• Grocery store/Post Office (La Marmotte)
• 2 restaurants (Pizzeria or French cuisine)
• Bakery/tea-room

In Geneva

• Beaches: Plage des Eaux-Vives, Baby Plage, Bain des Paquis.
• Parks: Perle du Lac, Parc la Grange, Parc des Bastions.
• Restaurants: in the Paquis, Plainpalais and Eaux-Vives districts.
• Nightclubs: Java, Bypass, Usine, Village du soir.
• Nightlife: An entire street in the Plainpalais area is dedicated to student bars.

Geneva has a thriving nightlife scene for anyone looking to experience culture and entertainment while they are living in Switzerland. The most popular nightclubs in the city are JAVA, Bypass and Usine.

In the Plainpalais area, there is an entire street of popular student bars. It is located right next to the main University of Geneva building (UNIGE) at Rue de l’Ecole-de-Medecine 1205 Geneve, Switzerland.

Other popular venues include Brasseur des Grottes for salsa dancing and the Mr. Pickwick Pub for great food and karaoke nights in an English-speaking environment.

Corner shops are prohibited from selling alcohol after 9 p.m.

For additional details about specific events like theatre, live music and more, visit the official City of Geneva website.

Electricity in Switzerland is 220 volts, 50 cycle AC. Most U.S. appliances require a converter and an adapter to operate, although some dual-voltage items such as laptops may only require an adapter. Some European appliances may also require an adaptor as Switzerland uses a 3-prong outlet system that is smaller than most Continental plugs. Converters are sold on campus if needed.

TPG: Find transport routes, check timings, buy tickets

SBB: Find trains, buy tickets

TooGoodToGo: Pick up restaurant food at the end of the day for a reduced price

Eat.ch/Uber Eats/Smood: Order food or grocery deliveries from restaurants and shops

DonkeyRepublic: App for bicycle rentals on the go