How to Get to Watches and Wonders in Geneva?
A direct TGV, an airport next door to the salon, a city centre a few minutes away: in Geneva, the logistics play out between Palexpo and the lake.
Last updated 6 October 2026 · 4 min read
To reach Watches and Wonders from Paris, the simple route is the direct TGV to Cornavin station, in a little over three hours, with several return services a day. From Cornavin, a train reaches Geneva Airport station in a few minutes, and Palexpo is about ten minutes' walk away. By air, Geneva Airport is next door to the salon. By private jet, it has a terminal dedicated to business aviation, with several handling providers. A dedicated chauffeur connects the salon, the city centre and the dinners, and becomes essential if you are staying outside Geneva.
Arriving in Geneva: train, plane, private jet
From Paris, TGV Lyria links the Gare de Lyon to Genève-Cornavin station in about three hours and ten minutes, without changing, with several return services a day. You arrive in the heart of the right bank, a few minutes from the lake quays.
By air, Geneva Airport has a valuable particularity during the salon: it adjoins Palexpo. About ten minutes' walk separates the terminal from the salon, and the airport station connects it to the city centre in a few minutes.
| Arrival | For whom | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| TGV from Paris (Cornavin station) | Travellers from Paris and France | About 3 h 10, several direct services a day; arrival in the centre |
| Geneva Airport (commercial flights) | European and long-haul travellers | Next door to Palexpo, connected to the centre in a few minutes by train |
| Geneva Airport (business aviation) | Private jet | Dedicated terminal, several handling providers; slots in high demand in April |
The private jet: a terminal a few steps from the salon
Geneva Airport is one of Europe's major business aviation airports. It has a dedicated terminal, where several providers handle the welcome, the formalities and vehicle access as close to the aircraft as possible, and a runway of nearly four kilometres that accommodates every category of business aircraft.
During salon week, slots and aircraft parking are in high demand: booking is done early, and we compare aircraft and schedules according to your party. The advantage is rare: a few minutes separate the steps of the aircraft from the entrance to the salon.
Getting around Geneva: train, tram, walking and chauffeur
Geneva is a compact city, divided between the right bank and the left bank by the Rhône and the harbour. The centre is easily explored on foot, and the tram and train serve the districts and the airport efficiently. Several bus lines stop at Palexpo itself.
A dedicated chauffeur remains valuable: dropping you as close to the salon as possible, waiting between two appointments, taking you to the workshops and boutiques of the centre, then to the evening dinners, sometimes on the other side of the lake. The route sheet is reviewed every morning, with a fallback planned for each journey, because the approaches to Palexpo and the airport grow busy at opening times.
If you are staying outside Geneva
Lausanne, the shores of Lake Geneva, Haute-Savoie: staying nearby is a frequent option during the week. It calls for well-held logistics — a train chosen to arrive at opening time, some serving the airport station directly, or a chauffeur who knows the border crossings and the busy hours, and an evening return planned from the morning.
We build your week on this principle, according to your salon day, In The City and your dinners. Our guide Where to Stay During Watches and Wonders in Geneva? helps you choose the address; our guide What to Do During Watches and Wonders Week in Geneva? helps you choose what matters.
Borders, documents and formalities
Geneva is almost entirely surrounded by France: a dinner on the south shore of the lake or a night in Haute-Savoie means crossing a border. Keep your travel documents with you, all the more so as an identity document is required at the entrance to the salon, and let us know of any particular constraints for your guests.
If you acquire a watch during your stay, that is a matter for the house and its boutique, under the applicable customs rules; TGZ plays no part in any acquisition, but will gladly coordinate your appointments with your schedule.
Frequently asked questions
About three hours and ten minutes by direct TGV Lyria, from the Gare de Lyon to Genève-Cornavin station, with several return services a day. Seats for salon week are booked early.
No: Palexpo is about ten minutes' walk from Geneva Airport and its station. It is one of the salon's great advantages for those arriving by air or by private jet.
By train, from Cornavin station to Geneva Airport station in a few minutes, then on foot; by bus, several lines stop at Palexpo; or with a chauffeur, who drops you as close as possible. We choose the option according to the time of day and your programme.
In the centre, walking, the tram and the train are often enough; a chauffeur becomes valuable for moving between the salon, workshops and dinners without waiting and, above all, if you are staying in Lausanne, on the shores of the lake or on the French side.
As soon as possible. During salon week, slots and aircraft parking in Geneva are in high demand. We compare aircraft and schedules according to your party, on quote.
Yes: according to the conditions published by the organiser for 2026, the ticket is named and an identity document is required at the entrance. It will also serve you for border crossings.
Take it further
Let us organise your arrivals and journeys
Tell us where you are travelling from, with whom, and where you will stay: train, flight or private jet, dedicated chauffeur, evening returns planned — we build the logistics of your week, on quote and subject to availability.