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Quick answer: For commuting, start with TPG lines 66/68 and tram 18, then optimize with CERN shuttles, cycling, or car-sharing based on where you live.

How to use this guide

  • Who this is for: Commuters choosing between TPG, shuttles, bike, or car.
  • When this applies: Use after housing choice or when commute changes.
  • What to do now: Pick one default route and one backup route for peak periods.

Transportation Near CERN

⚠️ Note

Schedules, fares, and routes may change. Always check official transport websites for the latest information.

Getting to CERN

The main CERN campus is located in Meyrin, Switzerland, accessible via Entrance B on Route de Meyrin. This is where most offices, restaurants, and the main reception are found. The second campus is in Prevessin-Moens, France, hosting several experimental areas and offices, with a free CERN shuttle connecting the two sites.

You can reach CERN by public bus, CERN shuttle, bicycle, car, or regional train to nearby stations. The best option depends on where you live, though most employees rely on a combination of public transport and cycling.

Public Transport (TPG)

The most important bus line for CERN employees is bus 68, which runs from Geneva city centre (Rive) through Meyrin to the CERN stop every 10 to 15 minutes during peak hours. Bus 66 also serves the CERN Prevessin site (added in February 2023). Even faster is tram 18, which runs from Plan-les-Ouates through Geneva to CERN as its terminus, making it the quickest public transport link between Geneva centre and CERN at about 25 minutes from Cornavin station.

The Geneva area uses the Unireso fare system, and a monthly pass costs approximately CHF 70-86, covering all TPG buses, trams, and local trains within your selected zones. Tickets can be purchased via the TPG app (recommended), at ticket machines at major stops, or on board with a surcharge. Contactless payment is accepted on some machines.

CERN Shuttle

CERN operates a free internal shuttle bus between the Meyrin and Prevessin sites, available to all CERN personnel and visitors with a valid access card. The shuttle runs every 15 to 20 minutes during standard working hours (approximately 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday) and connects key buildings on both sites, with stops at the main entrances and major building clusters. Check the CERN transport page for the current timetable.

Cycling

The area around CERN is generally flat terrain, making cycling a practical and popular commuting option, especially from Meyrin and Saint-Genis-Pouilly. CERN provides bike racks at most buildings across both sites, with covered racks available near main entrances. Dedicated bike paths connect Meyrin and Saint-Genis-Pouilly to CERN, and the route from Geneva centre follows well-marked paths along Route de Meyrin.

Geneva offers bike-sharing services such as Donkey Republic, with stations near CERN and throughout the city. Electric bike rental services are also available in Geneva and nearby towns, and some CERN employees use e-bikes for the slightly longer commute from Ferney-Voltaire or Gex.

Driving & Parking

Parking is available at both CERN sites but can be limited, especially at Meyrin during peak hours, and a CERN access card is required for the parking barriers. Many employees living in France commute by car through the border crossing near CERN (Entrance E), which is usually quick but can have delays during rush hour.

A French motorway vignette is not needed for local roads in the Pays de Gex area and is only required for motorways further afield. The Swiss motorway vignette costs CHF 40 per year (valid from December 1 to January 31 of the following year) and is mandatory for using Swiss motorways. It is available at border crossings, post offices, and petrol stations.

Regional Trains

The Leman Express is the regional train network connecting Geneva to Annemasse and the Annecy corridor, useful if you live south of the border or in towns along the line. SBB/CFF (Swiss Federal Railways) operates frequent trains between Geneva Cornavin and Lausanne, as well as connections to the rest of Switzerland. The Geneva station is about 20 minutes from CERN by bus.

If you live further from CERN -- for example in Nyon, Lausanne, or Annemasse -- combining train and bus can be an efficient commute option worth exploring.

From Geneva Airport

CERN is very close to Geneva airport (approximately 5 km), which makes it convenient for international travel. By public transport, take bus 23, 28, or 57 from the airport to Blandonnet, then transfer to tram 18 or bus 68 towards CERN. The total journey takes about 25 to 35 minutes depending on connections. A taxi from the airport to CERN costs approximately CHF 40-50 and takes about 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic.

Sources

Key questions

Which public transport lines go directly to CERN?

TPG lines 66 and 68 plus tram 18 are the main direct options for many newcomers.

Should I buy a monthly pass immediately?

If you commute daily, a monthly pass usually becomes cost-effective quickly.

Can I rely only on CERN shuttles?

Shuttles are useful between CERN sites, but city commutes usually require public transport or car options.

Verification log

  • TPG routes and pass guidance:

Review and maintenance

Maintained by Efrén Rodríguez Rodríguez. Content and official sources are reviewed quarterly.

  • Verify legal deadlines and authority links
  • Recheck transport timetables and stop names
  • Revalidate tax thresholds and rates
  • Confirm CERN service URLs and portal names