Daily Life Near CERN
Practical guides for settling in and navigating daily life in the Geneva and Pays de Gex region.
Housing Guide
Switzerland vs France, popular areas, rental tips, and finding accommodation near CERN.
Banking Setup
Opening Swiss and French bank accounts, required documents, on-site banks, and salary payment.
Transportation
Bus 68, Tram 18, CERN shuttle, bike paths, commuting options, and parking at CERN.
CERN Shuttles
Free internal shuttle buses: Circuit 1 Meyrin, Circuit 2/5 Prévessin, Circuit 3 LHC shifts, schedules and stops.
Shuttle Routes & Timetables
Quick route-by-route summary for circuits, peak timing, and planning backups between Meyrin and Prevessin.
Cross-Border Shopping
French supermarkets, savings tips, customs limits, and Sunday opening hours.
Childcare & Schools
CERN creche, local nurseries, international schools, and education options for families.
Utilities Setup
Electricity, gas, water, internet providers, and setup timelines in Switzerland and France.
On-Site Services
Restaurants R1/R2/R3, cafeterias, Medical Service, banking, postal, and emergency contacts.
Vehicles & Green Plates
Green plate eligibility, tax-free vehicle import, customs, license exchange, and insurance.
Language Training
CERN language courses, Welcome Club classes, local associations, and conversation exchange.
Clubs & Social Life
Staff Association, Welcome Club, 70+ activity courses, sports, cultural clubs, and networking.
Family Support
Spouses and Partners Forum, relocation benefits, dual career support, and partner employment.
Medical & Emergency
CERN Medical Service, infirmary, emergency number 767-4444, HUG hospital, and finding doctors.
First Weeks Guide
Day 1 to month 1 at CERN: badge pickup, safety briefing, bank account, housing, transport card, and settling in.
First Month Checklist
Structured month plan to complete access, residence, insurance, commute, and technical setup in order.
Outdoor Recreation
Hiking, skiing, Lake Geneva, day trips, and CERN outdoor clubs in the Geneva region.
Frontalier Guide
Cross-border worker guide: G permit, tax residency, health insurance choice, daily commute, and administrative paperwork.
Pre-Arrival Guide
What to do before arriving at CERN: visa requirements, documents to prepare, what to bring, and booking initial accommodation.
Relocation & Moving
International move logistics: shipping belongings, customs, furnished vs unfurnished rentals, storage, and mail forwarding.
CERN Benefits & Perks
Staff benefits beyond salary: tax-free purchases, corporate discounts, canteen subsidies, education grants, and relocation allowance.
Currency & Money
Managing CHF and EUR: multi-currency accounts, exchange tips, ATM advice, and cross-border budgeting.
Newcomer Glossary
Fast definitions for common CERN and cross-border terms used across the guides.