Hi Guys,

We're planning to go to London on Dec 24 and our flight leave at 7.00 am.
In theory if we take the earliest train at 4.20am from Lausanne we can arrived at Geneva airport at 5.24 which is still fine if we have checked in. However, we're really not sure with this kind of weather and a bit hesitate to book an airport hotel as it is not cheap too, so we plan to take the evening train on Dec 23 and spend the night at the airport.

I heard that Geneva airport is not 24hr. Can we still wait there? Anyone have tried it before?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

It is booooooooooring. I did it at the end of November. You can't go through security, pretty much everything shuts at 10pm and there are no benches to sleep on. You can sleep sat upright in a chair or on the floor. I won't lie, it's not fun but at the end of the day it's just one night...

Can we wait at the smoking lounge or at least enter the airport building to get warmed? If we have to wait outside then forget it

You can enter the airport building, just not past security. You have to go outside to smoke (apparently difficult to find a way out very late as my boyfriend found out).

Geneva airport is probably the most uncomfortable airport in the world, it's so small and the facilities are so sparse, we have been toying with the idea ourselves this week, the wait being over 7 hours we decided against it, we ended up booking a more convenient flight from Basel.

If you did see it out you could stay in one of the few cafés and then move from one to another, don't drink too much coffee or you will start to bounce off the walls, bring a good book and if you can the most comfortable padded coat you have preferably with a hood, the airport can get quite draughty. A blanket (especially to keep your legs warm) although comfortable can fill your luggage up, if you can make room for one you won't regret it.

Depending on the length of your stay you might find it more cost effective to drive your car to the airport and leave it in the long stay car park, this could end up cheaper than a hotel and be more convenient when, and if you return..

Good luck and have a pleasant trip..

It's due to rain at lower altitude later this week- so I'd defo take the train - you have plenty of time.

Well, if the weather is bad enough to cause a problem with the trains, then maybe it will also cause a problem with flights too?

BTW, how about one of the cheap and cheerful budget hotels on the French side in Ferney. F1 or something like that.

We have flown in and out of Geneva hundreds of times. If you arrive at 5:30 in the morning for a 7 a.m. flight, you will be fine. It is very rare that the first flights out in the morning are ever late or cancelled, unless there is inclement weather.

The only area of the airport that is open all night is the one room right in the front that leads NOWHERE. It will be like sleeping on the sidewalk. You will regret it! Just take the train, you will be fine.

Thank you all for the advice and sharing your experience. We don't have a car, so it's either taking the train, book a hotel (in case the luggage drop off, security check or finding the gate takes longer than normal) or stay overnight at the airport (the most inconvenient way).

Anyone knows how hectic Dec 24 morning would be at the airport?

Arriving at 0530 for a 0700 flight will be 100% fine.....no doubts at all. If you aren't checked in and at your gate by 0615, I'd be astonished

Like Monday and Tuesday this week for example.

Depending on which airline you are flying with, you may be able to check in your bags and get your boarding passes at your local train station the evening before.

Yeah, maybe we worry too much. First time flying at 7am from Geneva and must rely on the punctuality of the train

We're flying with EasyJet and printed the boarding pass already. I don't know if we can check in our luggage at Lausanne's train station.

no you can't - but don't queue for easyJet, go to the shortest line, show your boarding cards and drop off your bags.

You are checked-in already and just need baggage drop-off.

We,re flying on the 24th but our flight is at 10.30 going from geneva to manchester. i,d get the train should have no problems have a nice holiday-

just FYI... there is no "shortest line" EasyJet in Geneva operate.. how do you call it... a snaking queue... everyone in one line, waiting for the proverbial next available agent

it works fairly well there and I've never had to wait more than 10 mins. or so.

Might be worth paying the extra for speedy boarding to be extra safe, that way you go straight to the front when checking your bags in. It grinds on me how much extra you have to pay, but would be cheaper than a hotel and should put your mind at ease when it comes to getting through the airport on time.

Thanks for this reminder!

I've never heard this before... do you have to give the rail agent the secret handshake or something? ... is there someway to find out who is signed up to this system? ( I don't think sleazy jet are )