Now for years home to major international institutions and organizations such as the World Trade Organization, WHO and the United Nations, Geneva is one of the most sought-after destinations for private flight tourists and businessmen traveling on business.
Despite its aura as a hub of business and finance, Geneva is also a beautiful vacation destination where you can stay in the finest luxury hotels in the area or indulge in some of the wildest shopping thanks to the Rue de Rhone, the artery that bisects the city.
The luxury boutiques present, from Chanel to Dior, via Bulgari, Hermes and Calvin Klein, are taken by storm by VIP tourists on private jets; art lovers, on the other hand, will find their fill in the Quartier-des-Bains, a fashion quadrangle that houses museums and art galleries for every taste.
Also worth mentioning is the Geneva Motor Show, an annual kermesse held in the Palaexpo just a short distance from the airport, which allows charter passengers to get there directly from the airport with multiple private transfers.
Renting a private jet to Geneva is definitely a solution that allows you to minimize wasted time and find benefit in using the various services designed for private flyers available at its international airport, for a travel experience with maximum comfort, privacy and flexibility.
But we dissect many other useful info in the following paragraphs!
Historical and geographical background on Geneva
As mentioned earlier, Geneva is located on the southwestern end of Lake Geneva, in the heart of a valley bordered by several mountain ranges that extend along the banks of the Rhone River. The historic center of the Swiss town, on the other hand, lies on top of one of the hills that surround the left bank of the lake, a geographical location that has always allowed Geneva to expand territorially and also to be protected from invading attacks thanks to the presence of swamps, moats and various natural shelters of which the hill is filled with. The very first people to take possession of the ancient settlement of Geneva were the Ligurians, who were later driven out by the Romans led by Julius Caesar. A few years after that event, a major port was built that helped the small town sustain itself through small trade routes that were operated thanks to the lake it overlooks. During the medieval age, the horizontal development of ancient Roman cities resulted in a reduction of urban space, which prompted the Franks who occupied the city to develop it vertically. For long years, beginning with the consolidation of the Carolingians, Geneva became the epicenter of the Christian religion as well as the beating heart of various power struggles between the rulers who administered the region and the emperor himself. The arrival of the Swiss threatened the town and forced the bishop's community to surrender and ally with the victors, effectively sanctioning the beginning of an autonomous lordship. In the early postwar period, Geneva became the headquarters of the League of Nations, while after World War II the city gained even more prestige thanks to the decision made by dozens of international organizations to settle in the Swiss town to continue their activities, thus giving a great boost to tourism and domestic affairs. Today, Geneva is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations selected by businessmen and businesswomen intent on traveling to the city to run work errands, but also by a large number of VIP tourists attracted by as many events on an annual basis.
What to do and see in Geneva
Geneva International Motor Show
Every year, corresponding to the months of February and March, Geneva hosts a very important event for the world's elite, namely the Geneva International Motor Show, a Swiss event dedicated to the display of cars of all kinds, from supercars with special editions to vintage vehicles celebrating the art and craftsmanship of automotive design, through the cars used today for Formula One Grand Prix, complete with a simulator to test drive them. Honorable mention goes to the Classics Gallery, a special collection celebrating as many as 35 iconic cars from around the world, featuring the best-known brands on the planet. The event is held in the Palaexpo exhibition complex, which can be reached very quickly since it is located near the airport: this allows VIPs to reach the venue thanks to the numerous transfer services provided by the airport. The program that is adhered to every year allows VIPs and the wealthiest personalities to attend thanks to several exclusive services offered: just think of the private parties where they can have preview access to the cars that will be on display, as well as VIP Day, a day dedicated precisely to the celebrities in attendance.
The shopping streets of Geneva
The Quartier-des-Bains is undoubtedly the beating heart of downtown Geneva, a district where the city's most important luxury boutiques are located, attracting the wealthiest tourists visiting the city, from Hermes to Dior, via Chanel, Calvin Klein, Armani, Bulgari, and Yves-Saint-Laurent, to name a few. Mention should also be made of the Rue du Rhone, a must-see destination for luxury shoppers given the large number of high-class stores, jewelry stores and boutiques where VIPs can indulge in choosing the most exclusive clothing around.
Grand Theater of Geneva
The Grand Theater of Geneva hosts annual musical and theatrical kermesses that attract a large parterre of international celebrities and stars. Those who hire a private jet to Geneva thus have the opportunity to attend the operas and performances taking place in the city's most culturally significant venue by having access to VIP loggioni or backstage where they can hobnob with the most famous actors and actresses.
The most luxurious hotels in Geneva
One of the best and most luxurious stay options that Geneva provides for wealthy tourists is the Hotel President Wilson, a hotel that from its modern suites offers stunning views of Mont Blanc and the Alps, as well as a huge swimming pool, spa, and gourmet restaurant. Also worth mentioning is the Beau Rivage, a historic 5-star hotel whose suites perfectly mix the most modern comforts with a decor that has housed various aristocrats for more than 100 years.
Climate and best time to visit Geneva
Geneva's climate is temperate, with fairly warm summers and very cold winters given by its proximity to mountains. The spring season, that is, the period from March to May, is very mild, with average temperatures hardly ever exceeding 20°C; the weather can be very variable, with sunny days and sudden rain showers. In summer, temperatures rise up to 30°C on the hottest days; therefore, this is a great time to visit the city's most important attractions while enjoying not-too-hot weather. Autumn is marked by temperatures gradually cooling down to as low as 10°C; the days that follow alternate between sunny and rainy, although the weather still remains pleasant. In winter, on the other hand, cold weather and snow rule: average temperatures usually go below freezing, ideal weather for enjoying classic winter sports in the ski resorts located in the town's vicinity. That said, the in-between seasons offer pleasant weather and tourist crowds, better times if you want to visit the city without too much hustle and bustle.
How and why to fly to Geneva by private jet
Geneva International Airport (ICAO code LSGG) is the second most important airport in all of Switzerland after the one serving the city of Zurich. Since its establishment, in fact, the main terminal has been operating several international routes thanks to the operation of several major airlines; however, thanks also to expansion and improvement works, the airport allows charter flights by counting on as many as 2 runways that can be used by both larger and modestly sized aircraft. Running parallel to the above 2 runways is a third grass runway that allows light propeller-driven airplanes to land and take off comfortably. The private flights that Geneva Airport operates are possible thanks to Terminal T3, which is located in a dislocated location from the main terminals allowing charter passengers to enjoy total privacy and confidentiality. Not only that, thanks to the Premium Geneva VIP Service, travelers using private jets have access to a range of extra services such as a Skyview VIP Lounge, personalized assistance both at check-in and during screening, free WiFi, and dedicated porterage services. The distance separating the airport from the center is only 4 kilometers that can be covered thanks to the many transfer services present, such as limousine-shuttles ready to pick up the passenger directly from the runway to take him or her to any part of the city. Not only that, you can also rent a car with or without a driver or take advantage of the many cabs available as soon as you leave the terminal.
How much does it cost to fly to Geneva by private jet
Geneva Airport is well connected to Paris Le Bourget Airport by a major route operated in about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Hiring a Light Jet to make such a trip involves an expense of about €6,000, a figure that rises to about €14,000 if you opt for a Medium Jet and about €18,000 if you choose a Large Jet. Not only the French capital, a pearl of the French Riviera, Nice, is also connected to Geneva via a flight of about 1 hour and 20 minutes total; it is possible to charter a Light Jet, Medium Jet or Large Jet at respective costs of about €7,000, €13,000 and €19,000. Ordinary routes include the one linking Geneva and Prague, locations separated by about 1 1/2 hours of flight time; again, one can charter a Light Jet at a price of about €8,000 or, alternatively, both a Medium Jet and a Large Jet at costs of about €15,000 and €22,000.
The best jet to fly to Geneva
The Cessna Citation CJ2, equipped with two Williams engines, is capable of flying up to a maximum speed of about 750 km/h and covering a maximum range of more than 2,000 km, parameters that make it a respectable aircraft among light jets. Its cabin can accommodate 6 passengers, while its as many as 3 luggage compartments can hold about 450 kg of suitcases without any problems. Also Cessna has in its fleet the Citation VII, Medium Jet that increases the number of transportable passengers to 8 while also managing to raise the attainable speed, which settles at around 800 km/h, further improving the comfort that can be enjoyed in its cabin. Even more impressive parameters can be seen among those of the Gulfstream G450, Large Jet that can reach up to over 850 km/h covering a maximum of over 7000 km. The large and spacious cabin of this aircraft allows passengers to enjoy a very large space and really excellent comfort also thanks to the reclining seats and sofas on board.
The most frequent flights to and from Geneva
Below of the most frequent links to Geneva:
