Terminal 1 (T1) — the main terminal at Geneva Airport.
Almost every scheduled flight at Geneva Airport (GVA) departs from and arrives at Terminal 1. Here is how T1 is laid out — Schengen and non-Schengen zones, check-in, gates, arrivals and the French sector — so you know exactly where to go.
What is Terminal 1?
Terminal 1 is Geneva Airport’s single main terminal — it handles more than 90% of all traffic, year-round, for every major airline.
Unlike larger hubs split across several buildings, Geneva Airport concentrates almost all of its activity in Terminal 1 (T1). Swiss, easyJet, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates and the dozens of other carriers serving Geneva all check in, board and land at T1. The much smaller Terminal 2 (T2) only opens on winter ski-season Saturdays and is reached by a 5-minute covered walkway — so for 90%+ of travellers, “Geneva Airport terminal” simply means T1.
T1 is compact and vertical. Check-in is on Level 1 (departures), arrivals and baggage reclaim are on Level 0, and the train station and bus deck sit directly underneath. Because everything is under one roof, connection and transit times inside Geneva Airport are short — most walks between check-in, security and the furthest gate take under 15 minutes.
Schengen (T1A) & non-Schengen (T1B)
Terminal 1 is divided into two departure zones behind a single central security checkpoint. Your boarding pass tells you which one.
Schengen zone — T1A
For flights staying inside the Schengen area (most of Europe — France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Nordics, etc.). No passport control on departure. Gates in the A range. This is where the majority of Geneva’s short-haul flights board.
Security & liquids rules →Non-Schengen zone — T1B
For flights leaving the Schengen area (UK, USA, Gulf states, Turkey, etc.). You clear passport control before reaching the gate. Gates in the B range. Allow a little extra time for the border check at peak hours.
Passport & border control →How Terminal 1 is laid out
Indicative figures for T1 — always check your boarding pass for the exact check-in row and gate.
| Feature | Terminal 1 (T1) |
|---|---|
| Role | Main terminal — 90%+ of all GVA flights, year-round |
| Passengers / year | ~17 million |
| Check-in (Level 1) | 200+ counters, rows 1–200 |
| Departure gates | A1–A60 (Schengen) · B1–B40 (non-Schengen) |
| Arrivals & baggage | Level 0 — single shared arrivals hall |
| Lounges | 6 (Swiss, SkyView, Aspire and others) |
| Security | One central checkpoint · Fast Track available |
| Train & bus | Station + bus deck directly below T1 |
Arrivals at Terminal 1
All flights — Schengen and non-Schengen, T1 and the occasional T2 — funnel into one arrivals hall on Level 0.
After landing you walk (or take a short shuttle bus from a remote stand) to the baggage hall. Non-Schengen arrivals clear passport control first; Schengen arrivals go straight to the belts. Once through the green or red customs channel, every passenger exits into the same arrivals hall — there is only one, which makes meeting a driver or a friend simple. The information desk, car-rental counters, ATMs and the train station entrance are all within this hall. If someone is collecting you, the arrivals hall on Level 0 is the meeting point; pre-booked chauffeurs wait here with a name sign.
The French sector of Terminal 1
Geneva Airport sits on the Franco-Swiss border, and T1 has a dedicated French sector (Secteur France).
A separate part of Terminal 1 — the French sector — lets passengers enter or leave Geneva Airport directly on the French side (towards Annecy, Chamonix, the Haute-Savoie ski resorts) without crossing into Switzerland. It has its own road access, car-rental desks and exit. Most international travellers use the main Swiss side, but if you are heading to France the French sector can save a customs crossing. Note that the two sides are not freely connected airside, so make sure you arrive at the correct one.
Getting to and from Terminal 1
Because the station and bus deck are built into T1, leaving the airport is quick.
Train — 6 min to Cornavin
The station is directly under T1. Geneva-Cornavin (city centre) is just 6 minutes away, with trains across Switzerland.
Private transfer / taxi
Fixed-price chauffeur or taxi from the arrivals hall — door to door, no queue, ideal with luggage or a group.
Bus & coach
City buses and direct ski coaches leave from the bus deck below T1. Free 80-minute Geneva transport ticket from the machine in baggage reclaim.
Terminal 1 — FAQ
Does Geneva Airport have more than one terminal?
Geneva Airport has two terminals, but Terminal 1 (T1) is the main one and handles over 90% of flights all year. Terminal 2 (T2) is a small auxiliary building used only on winter ski-season Saturdays, connected to T1 by a 5-minute covered walkway.
Which terminal do I fly from at Geneva Airport?
Almost certainly Terminal 1. Unless your airline has specifically told you otherwise (rare, winter charters only), every scheduled departure — Swiss, easyJet, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa and the rest — uses T1. Check your boarding pass for the gate (A range = Schengen, B range = non-Schengen).
What is the difference between T1A and T1B at Geneva?
Both are part of Terminal 1, behind the same central security checkpoint. T1A is the Schengen zone (gates A) for flights within the Schengen area, with no departure passport control. T1B is the non-Schengen zone (gates B) for flights leaving Schengen, where you clear passport control before the gate.
Where do arrivals come out at Terminal 1?
All arrivals — Schengen and non-Schengen — exit into a single arrivals hall on Level 0. This is the meeting point for drivers and greeters; pre-booked chauffeurs wait here with a name sign. The train station, car rental and ATMs are all in this hall.
How early should I arrive at Terminal 1?
Aim for 2 hours before a Schengen flight and 3 hours before a non-Schengen (UK, US, Gulf) flight. T1 is compact so walks are short, but the single central security checkpoint can queue at peak times — a Fast Track (Priority Lane) ticket from CHF 12 lets you skip it.
Keep exploring GVA
Terminals overview (T1 & T2)
The full map — both terminals, airlines, check-in zones and walking times.
Priority Lane (Fast Track)
From CHF 12 to skip the central security queue at T1. Free with Business and Star Gold.
Live arrivals board
Real-time GVA arrivals — flight, gate, status and delays, refreshed every 30 seconds.
The French sector
Enter or leave GVA on the French side, towards Annecy, Chamonix and the ski resorts.
Landing at Terminal 1? Skip the queue.
Your driver waits in the T1 arrivals hall with a name sign — fixed price, no surprises.
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