Practical Information

Building Bridges 2025 will be held at the Centre International des Conférences de Genève (CICG), 17 rue de Varembé, CH-1202, Geneva. This is a walk away from the Palais des Nations, the United Nations headquarters in Europe.

Individual transportation is the responsibility of each conference guest.

How to get to the CICG?

As the CICG is at the very heart of International Geneva, it is easily accessible through Geneva’s public transport system by both tram and bus:

• Take Tram 15 and get off at “Sismondi”. The venue is a 3-minute walk from the tram stop.
• Take Bus 5 and get off at “Vermont”. The venue is a 4-minute walk from the stop.
• Take Bus 8 or Bus 11 and get off at “IUT”. This venue is a 5-minute walk from the stop.
• Take the CFF or CEVA train and get off at “Genève Sécheron“. The venue is a 7-minute walk from the stop.

Public transport tickets in Geneva can be purchased at ticket machines located at most stops, via the TPG (Transports Publics Genevois) mobile app, or by SMS (text “TPG1” to 788). All standard tickets are valid for 60 minutes and can be used across trams, buses, and boats within the TPG network. For real-time schedules and route planning, visit www.tpg.ch.

What are the passport and visa requirement to enter Switzerland?

Please check with your closest embassy or consulate of Switzerland for your visa requirements. You may use the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration website to see if a visa is required for your visit to Switzerland but exact details should be checked with the embassy. Building Bridges cannot provide visas but can provide invitation letters to its members and invited guests.

After registering, you can request an invitation letter by contacting our Registration Team at registration@buildingbridges.org. In addition, please check that your passport does not expire within 3 months after the ending date of Building Bridges which is October 2, 2025.

How to get from the Geneva Airport to the City of Geneva?

The fastest and easiest way to get into the City of Geneva from the airport, is by train (6-minute ride). There are frequent trains between the Geneva Airport and the main train station, Gare Cornavin. Most bus and tram routes pass through Gare Cornavin, including all buses and trams to the CICG. 

Buses 5 & 10 also run between the airport and the main train station, Gare Cornavin. 

Where to stay in Geneva?

Building Bridges does not currently have official hotels, but we recommend the following three hotels close to the CICG venue:

• Intercontinental Genève – 5-star Hotel. Located 11 min walking distance from CICG.
• The Manotel Royal – 4-star Hotel. Located 7 min by public transportation from CICG.
• The Ibis Geneve Centre Nations – 3-star Hotel. Located 11 min walking distance from CICG.

Which weather conditions to expect in Geneva in Autumn?

• Daytime temperatures range between 17°C to 21°C (63°F to 70°F).
• Nighttime temperatures fall between 8°C and 10°C (46°F to 50°F).

What languages are spoken?

• The official language of Building Bridges is English.
• No translation will be provided.
• Please note that the official language in Geneva is French but many people also speak English.

Other practical information?

• Local currency is Swiss Franc (CHF).
• The voltage in Switzerland, as in most of Europe, is 230V/50 Hz.
• Two associated plug types are being used, types C (2-pin) and J (3-pin).

Useful Numbers

• Taxi +41 22 331 41 33
• Emergency 144
• Police 117
• Fire department 118