T1 and T2 — the airport map.
One main terminal handling 90% of traffic, plus an auxiliary terminal during peak winter weekends. Here’s where to go and how long it takes.
T1 main · T2 auxiliary
Geneva Airport is compact — both terminals share a single arrivals hall and are linked by a 5-minute covered walkway.
Terminal 1 (T1) — Main · year-round
Handles 90%+ of Geneva Airport flights — all major airlines, long-haul, intra-European, low-cost. Divided into Schengen (T1A) and Non-Schengen (T1B) zones, both behind a single central security checkpoint. Capacity ~17M pax/yr, gates A1–A60 · B1–B40, 200+ check-in counters, 6 lounges.
All major airlines →Terminal 2 (T2) — Auxiliary · peak winter
Used only on Saturdays during ski season (December–February) for additional easyJet and seasonal carrier traffic. Connected to T1 by a 5-minute covered walkway. Smaller, no jet bridges, walk-out to aircraft. Capacity ~900K pax/yr, T2 zone (bus), active Dec–Feb Saturdays.
5 min walk from T1 →Airlines & check-in counters
The top 12 airlines flying from Geneva Airport. Counter ranges are indicative — always check your boarding pass for the exact zone.
| Code | Airline | Terminal | Check-in counter |
|---|---|---|---|
| LX | Swiss International | T1 | 1–8 |
| AF | Air France | T1 | 40–48 |
| BA | British Airways | T1 | 60–65 |
| KL | KLM | T1 | 40–48 |
| LH | Lufthansa | T1 | 1–8 |
| TK | Turkish Airlines | T1 | 1–8 |
| EK | Emirates | T1 | 90–95 |
| QR | Qatar Airways | T1 | 90–95 |
| U2 | easyJet (T1) | T1 | 180–198 |
| U2 | easyJet (T2 peak) | T2 | T2 dedicated |
| SN | Brussels Airlines | T1 | 1–8 |
| AY | Finnair | T1 | 40–48 |
Walking times within GVA
Geneva is one of the most compact major European airports. From any door to any gate is under 12 minutes on foot.
| From | To | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Arrivals hall | Taxi rank | ~2 min |
| Arrivals hall | Train station | ~4 min |
| Arrivals hall | Bus #5 stop | ~3 min |
| Central hall | T1 furthest gate | ~6 min |
| T1 | T2 | ~5 min |
| Security T1 | Schengen lounge | ~3 min |
| Train station | Check-in | ~4 min |
| Parking P1 | Arrivals | ~1 min |
| Parking P51 | Arrivals (via shuttle) | ~10 min |
Terminal questions answered
Where to go, how long it takes, what’s behind each gate.
Does Geneva Airport have one terminal or two?
One main terminal (T1) handles 90%+ of flights — all Swiss, Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, easyJet base operations, KLM, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and others. A smaller auxiliary terminal (T2) is used only during peak winter weekends (December–February) for additional easyJet seasonal traffic. T1 and T2 share the same arrivals hall, connected by a short walking corridor.
Which terminal does easyJet use at GVA?
easyJet operates from both T1 (year-round, primary) and T2 (Saturdays during ski season, December–February). Your boarding pass states the terminal. When in doubt, head to T1 — the corridor to T2 takes 5 minutes from the central hall.
How long are walking distances at Geneva Airport?
GVA is compact compared to major hubs. From the main hall to the furthest T1 gate: ~6 minutes walk. T1 to T2 corridor: 5 minutes. Baggage claim to taxi rank: 2 minutes. Train station entrance to check-in: 4 minutes. Allow 15 minutes buffer at security in peak hours.
What is the difference between Schengen and Non-Schengen at GVA?
Schengen gates (T1A) serve flights within Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Benelux, Nordics — no passport check on departure. Non-Schengen gates (T1B) serve UK, US, Middle East, Asia, Africa — passport check required. Different security checkpoints; choose the right one when entering.
Where are the check-in counters at Geneva Airport?
All check-in is on the departures level (level 1) of T1. Counters are grouped by airline alliance: Star Alliance (1–20), SkyTeam (40–60), Oneworld (60–80), independent (90–100). Self-service kiosks are available throughout — many airlines now require online check-in.
Is there a connection between T1 and T2?
Yes. A covered walkway connects T1 to T2, located after security in the boarding area. The walk takes 5 minutes. No passport check, no shuttle bus required. The corridor includes signage in English, French, German.
What time should I arrive for a flight from GVA?
Schengen flights: 90 minutes before departure. Non-Schengen / international: 120 minutes. Peak Saturday winter ski season (06:00–10:00): 150 minutes — security wait can exceed 45 minutes. For business class with priority lanes, subtract 30 minutes from these recommendations.
How long is security at GVA?
Indicative wait at the central T1 checkpoint — measured by Geneva Airport SA in 2025. Add 10–15 min on Saturdays during ski season.
| Time slot | Weekday | Weekend | Ski Saturdays (Dec–Feb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05:00 – 07:00 | ~8 min | ~15 min | 30–45 min |
| 07:00 – 09:00 | ~12 min | ~20 min | 40–60 min |
| 09:00 – 12:00 | ~5 min | ~12 min | 20–30 min |
| 12:00 – 16:00 | ~8 min | ~10 min | 15–25 min |
| 16:00 – 19:00 | ~10 min | ~12 min | 20–30 min |
| 19:00 – 23:00 | ~5 min | ~8 min | 10–15 min |
What changes for you between T1A and T1B
Both zones live behind the same central security checkpoint at T1. The split happens after security, when you head left (T1A) or right (T1B).
T1A — Schengen (gates A)
Destinations: Switzerland (Zurich, Basel, Lugano), France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Benelux, Nordics, Austria, Greece. No passport check on departure — Swiss ID card accepted for EU/EEA citizens. Boarding usually starts 30 min before STD. Lounges: Aspire (paid walk-in), Swiss Senator (Star Alliance Gold).
T1B — Non-Schengen (gates B)
Destinations: UK, US, Canada, Middle East, Asia, Africa, plus Turkey, Israel, Balkans. Passport check at the T1B entry gate (allow +10 min). Boarding 45–60 min before STD on long-haul. Lounges: SkyView, Emirates, Qatar (premium cabins only). Duty-free landside-style runs along the central spine.
Accessibility & PRM assistance at GVA
Geneva Airport offers free PRM assistance — request it via your airline at least 48 hours before your flight. On-site call points at every entrance and parking.
Reception points are located at every entrance to T1 (departures and arrivals levels), at the train station exit, and in car parks P1, P2, P26 and P51. Press the dedicated call button — an agent arrives within 10 minutes during opening hours (05:00–23:00). Wheelchair-accessible toilets are on every level, and elevators connect arrivals (Level 0), check-in (Level 1) and the bus deck. All boarding gates are accessible via jet bridge or by lift-equipped bus to the aircraft. Hearing-induction loops are installed at the information desk and the airline check-in counters.
If you arrive by car, P1 (covered, attached to T1) is the closest option with 28 dedicated PRM bays and direct elevator access to arrivals. Carriers required to provide PRM assistance under EC Regulation 1107/2006 will arrange this with the GVA ground handler — you do not pay anything additional. The service includes meet-and-greet, wheelchair to the gate, priority boarding and on-arrival assistance through immigration and to your transport. For a smoother handover, pre-book a transfer that meets you in the arrivals hall — your driver can wait at the PRM exit point and assist with luggage.
Keep exploring GVA
Baggage allowance
Cabin + hold rules by airline at GVA — Swiss, easyJet, BA, Lufthansa and more.
Priority Lane (Fast Track)
CHF 12 to skip the central security queue. Free with Business class and Star Gold.
Live departures board
Real-time GVA departures, gate, status, delays. Refreshed every 30 seconds.
Accessibility & PRM
Free reception, wheelchair access, hearing loops. Request 48h ahead.
Arriving at T1 or T2? Skip the queue.
Driver waits in the arrivals hall with a sign — works for both terminals.
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