I'm going to be working at the ILO in Geneva for several months, and I'm looking at accommodation options. I have the possibility of renting a room in Plan-les-Ouates through a friend of a friend, but before taking it I'd like to have a better idea of the commute involved.

The person I would be renting from said that it shouldn't take more than 20 minutes for me to get to the ILO by public transport, but both the TPG and SBB websites give commute times closer to 45-60 minutes. Am I missing something here? Is it possible to optimize the journey? Otherwise, is cycling an option?

I'd really appreciate feedback on this (and on daily life in Plan-les-Ouates in general). Ideally, I'd go and check out the place over a weekend to get a better feeling for it, but I'm not in CH at the moment, and will only get to Geneva right before my contract starts...

Thanks!

The most simple route would be to take the tram from Bachet (the end terminal for the tram) all the way to ILO. Not possible in 20 mins.In a car, during quiet times would be poss in 20 mins, tram must be more like 40 mins .

Plan-les-Ouates is a really nice place, I worked there in the past, and it's a place I would love to live in.

It's very well placed, near the town (easy access with the tram/bus) or even with a bicycle, and near the countryside. You've got also an easy access to the highway (for your visits of other towns of Switzerland)

Definitely a good place to live.

If you understand french : http://www.plan-les-ouates.ch/

Plan-les-Ouates is known a lot as the industrial zone, but that being said, there are nice residential areas as part of it. You should investigate exactly where in P-l-O, the place is. Commuting to ILO would not be the easiest, but like anything can be done. Driving a rush hour can be very difficult especially with all the buidling projects/tram extensions/etc. There are a number of public transport options, really check out www.tpg.ch for all the possiblities and time estimates. This should give you a realistic length of commute situation. An additional option could be to take the small train from Lancy Pont Rouge to Cornavin (main train station) and then a bus. The train cuts very well through the main parts of the city in 11 minutes. It would really depend how far, or how complicated it would be to get to Lancy Pont Rouge train stop from your exact housing location in P-l-O.

edited to add--bus from Cornavin to ILO in about 10 minutes, thus env. 20 minutes on public transport plus add the walk/bus/bike to Lancy Pont Rouge. note--this is with optimal connections, otherwise it gets longer

Dont know P-I-O but have a friend working at ILO, who cycles to work everyday to shorten the commute time, it takes her about half hour, she lives in Carouge. She loves it, but complains about the intensity of work there (has been there for a few years) and very long hours. Good luck, Geneva overall is lovely to work in, though, I'd say.

Definitely 40 minutes, www.unireso.ch is always spot-on in their timing. Cycling is also possible; one will have to cross on the Pont Butin but there is a nice cycle lane. Don't know much about the daily life in Plan-les-Ouates but as the commune is residential (except for the industrial zone) on the edge of Geneva it should be quiet.