Geneva to Abu Dhabi Flights

  About Geneva

If you are heading to Switzerland on your next vacation, make sure you also head to Geneva. It is the perfect place for you if you are looking for a slow-paced, relaxing vacation. You can also book a hotel in Geneva that offers you luxurious rooms and services. Geneva is also known for its dining scenes and cuisines. You can go sailing if you are bored or go skiing at Mont Blanc, a very popular tourist attraction here. You can also take off on a walk or jog if you don't want to indulge in any of these activities. The city is also known for its world-class orchestra programs. If you want to go shopping, you will find the most luxurious high-end designer brands in the city. Geneva makes sure that it doesn't disappoint you and offers the most magnificent views of the city. Make sure you plan a trip to Geneva during the right season to get the most stunning views of the city.

Best Time to Visit Geneva

July to August is a popular time to visit Geneva. The temperature ranges from 10 to 25 degree Celsius. The heat won't be too harsh, and a lot of sightseeing or outdoor activities will open for you to try. Since this is high season in Geneva, you will find a lot of tourists in the city and might even have to wait in long queues at popular tourist attractions. Make sure you book your hotel in Geneva well in advance since the hotel prices will spike right around summer. It will also be difficult to find accommodation that fits all of your expectations at the last moment. It will be quite difficult to get cheap flight tickets to Geneva during the summer. Geneva's lakeside attractions will be quite crowded during this time, and the weather will be pleasant, though it might rain in August. July is the busiest and full time in the city, owing to Lake Parade celebrations. You can also attend the Indian Food Festival in July-August. National Day and Fêtes de Genève also happen in August.

Geneva experiences winter from December to April, and it is an ideal time to visit Geneva if you are a winter sports fanatic. The temperature ranges from -1.9 to 13 degree Celsius. December to February are the coldest months in the city. You can make the most of the Swiss Alps and go skiing. You can also learn skiing here. There are quite a few academies that offer tutorials. It is recommended that you book your hotel in Geneva a lot of months in advance since finding decent accommodation closer to winter can be tough. Don't forget to pack your warm clothes and ski boots. While the days can be a tad bit warm, the nights are super chilly. You can attend events like Supercross Geneva, La Coupe de Noel, Fete de l'Escalade and Geneva International Motor show.

Spring season begins from May and lasts till June. It is Geneva's shoulder season, and the weather is pleasant. The temperature ranges from 8 to 22 degree Celsius. While some resorts shut down during spring, a lot of them not only remain open but also slash down their prices. Make sure you pack your umbrella as well since rainfall is pretty common during spring. September to November is the fall season in Geneva, and the temperature ranges from 2 to 20 degree Celsius. You can attend the Geneva International Film Festival Tous Ecrans in November and can explore a lot of outdoor activities before winter kicks in. If you are on a budget, spring and fall are the right seasons to plan your trip. You will also get cheap flight tickets to Geneva easily during this time.

Places to Visit in Geneva

If you are planning a rendezvous in Switzerland, you must add Geneva to your itinerary. It is the second-largest city in Switzerland and also houses the headquarters of the World Trade Organisation, International Committee of the Red Cross and World Health Organisation. Lake Geneva is one of the main attractions in the city. Switzerland and France share the lake. The Ariana Museum reflects artworks that are made of ceramics and glass. You will find approximately 25,000 objects that have been preserved here for over 1200 years. Make sure you also visit Chillon Castle if you are planning to visit Lake Geneva. The Palace is a major tourist attraction mainly because of the scenic view of the mountains and lake. Geneva is also known for its wine and houses its vineyard. Head over to the Lavaux Vineyards, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a sight for sore eyes. Even if you are not a fan of wines, you will be amazed by the place. You can visit the vineyard whenever you want, irrespective of the season, and sign up for a wine tasting session.

Saint Pierre Cathedral is about 850 years old and is in the middle of Geneva's Old Town. It overlooks the city, and the architecture alone will leave you stunned. Head over to Ariana Park and visit the Palace of Nations. It is the European headquarters of the United Nations. The Jet D'Eau fountain on Lake Geneva is another major tourist attraction that you must visit. If you are visiting Geneva in winter, you can also go skiing on the Swiss Alps.

Things to do in Geneva

Whether you want to go shopping or enjoy the beautiful scenery, you can do whatever you wish to in Geneva. You can go boating or cruise at Lake Geneva, especially if you are holidaying in the city during the summer. Sign up for a cultural or historical tour of the city. You can enjoy hiking to the mountains in any other season apart from winter. You can head to Mont Salève for a hike or mountain biking. You can also try your hand at paragliding or cross-country skiing. You cannot leave Geneva without seeing the Jet d'Eau at Lake Geneva. It looks even better at night as the fountain spews water up to 459 feet up in the air. If you are visiting Old Town, you can sign up for a chocolate tasting tour and even buy some to take back home. You can also sign up for a walking tour of the city. Pâquis Baths is a human-made beach in Geneva and the perfect place to go to in summer. You can soak in the sun while lying on a sunbathing deck, head for the hammams or the saunas and indulge in water activities. It is the perfect place to go with your family.

Food and Restaurants in Geneva

Geneva's cuisine is highly inspired from France since it is only a few miles away from the Switzerland-France border. You will get some of the best French cuisines in Geneva. Since Italy is also just an hour away from Geneva, you will also find a lot of Italian restaurants in the city. Head over to Bayview, Bistrot du Boeuf Rouge or Le Chat Botte for authentic French food. You can try Il Lago and Luigia for Italian food. If you want to delve into the traditional Swiss cuisine, you head to Restaurant Edelweiss, La Buvette des Bains and Auberge de Saviese. L'Aparte is a popular diner in the city that you can go to for some French food. Fiskebar is known for serving delicious seafood. The menu also includes Swedish, Norwegian, Scandinavian and European cuisines. The Living Room Bar and Kitchen is a classy place to head to that serves traditional French cuisine and European cuisines, too. If you are craving Japanese or other Asian cuisines, you can try Izumi. It is a popular place that serves delicious food with impeccable service.

How to reach Geneva (Transportation)

Geneva Airport was formerly called Cointrin airport and is 7 km away from the city centre. The flight connectivity to Geneva from India is pretty good. Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines have frequent flights to Geneva from India with layovers in Munich, Zurich and Istanbul. If you book in advance, you might get some impressive flight deals to Geneva from India. Though it is one of the most popular ways to reach Geneva, if you are doing a multi-city tour from the neighbouring countries, you can also travel by train or hire a taxi. The city is well-connected to the neighbouring cities and countries quite well. It is guaranteed that you will have a comfortable journey. You will also get taxis and car rentals quite easily from Geneva's airport. You can either pre-book your taxi, or you can find one from the airport itself. The airport has VIP lounges, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas and a lot of other services for your perusal. If you have to wait for a long time to board your flight, you can just chill at the airport. Be assured that you will not get bored at all at the airport. Please ensure that you do book your flight tickets to Geneva in advance.

  About Abu Dhabi

While Abu Dhabi is not exactly a tourist destination when compared to Dubai, it is definitely a place where you can go just to relax and feel rejuvenated. Abu Dhabi is also the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Even though Dubai is considered as a more happening place, Abu Dhabi also has a certain charm to it. The Ferrari World is one of the major highlights and tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi. Not only will you get to see a lot of Ferraris, but you can even drive them to get a glimpse in the life of a race car driver. The city also has waterparks for everyone who is planning a vacation to the capital of the UAE with their family or group of friends. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is not only beautiful, but it is also a marvellous piece of art architecturally. It is also a safe place for solo female travellers. You will find a lot of malls, too, to satisfy the shopaholic in you.

Best Time to Visit Abu Dhabi

November to March is an ideal time to visit Abu Dhabi since it is winter and the weather remains quite pleasant. It is the best time for you to go sightseeing. Since it is also a peak season in Abu Dhabi, you might even get a good deal on flights to Abu Dhabi during this time if you book well in advance. Make sure you also book your hotel in Abu Dhabi in advance since the prices tend to increase in winter. Since this is high season, you will find a lot of tourists in the city. You will also get to go sightseeing without feeling all dehydrated. This is also the best time for you to hit the beach and spend some time there. If you are travelling in March, you can attend the Abu Dhabi Festival or the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon.

The temperature ranges from 19 to 42 degree Celsius from April to October. While April and May are pleasant because of Spring, the months following May get hot, hotter and hottest. Hotel prices do stop dropping April onwards. For all the book lovers, you can attend the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair in April and May. The temperature increases considerably in June till August, but if you just want to be by the pool or indulge in expensive spa treatments and pamper yourself, you can plan a trip during these months. The hotel prices also drop a lot during these months since the city does not have a lot of tourists. It also rains inconsistently during these months, which might put a damper on your sightseeing plans. The temperature starts dropping during September and October since it is the end of summer. This is also one of the best times to head to Abu Dhabi if you want to attend the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, the Emirates International Date Palm Festival or the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

Yas Mall at Yas Island and Marina Mall is the most popular malls in Abu Dhabi for tourists. The Ferrari World is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and quite the luxurious ones, too. You also get to drive one of the cars to experience what it is like to be an F1 driver. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the two mosques in UAE that is open to non-Muslims, too. It is also one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the country. Abu Dhabi does not deprive you of the beach fun that you might want. You can head to the Saadiyat Public Beach or the Corniche. You can also visit Al Lulu Island to indulge in beach and water activities. It is another tourist destination in Abu Dhabi that is quite popular. You can attend free concerts at Corniche or just enjoy the sunset by the beach with a cup of ice cream. You can also book a hotel in Abu Dhabi in Corniche and stay here for a couple of days.

While you are in Abu Dhabi, you might also want to stay at the Empire Palace for a night or two. Even if you are not, the resort is open for non-guests to book spa treatments here and indulge in a traditional hammam experience. Not to mention, you might also want to put on your fanciest outfit here. You can also head for a desert safari on a jeep or try any of the other desert tours arranged by tour companies here. It is one of the major highlights of Abu Dhabi. Head over to the Emirates Park Zoo with your family, and you'll get to see over 1700 animals here. The zoo is home to lions, cheetahs, Siberian bears, white tigers and so on. You can also have breakfast with giraffes and parrots here. Another lovely tourist attraction is the Warner Bros World. It is a fun theme park that has rides like The Joker Funhouse, Tom and Jerry: Swiss Cheese Spin, The Scooby-Doo: Museum of Mysteries and so on. You can also visit the Al Jahili Fort and Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi.

Things to do in Abu Dhabi

Sightseeing is one of the major tourist activities in the city. You can go to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to know more about the culture and to admire the sheer architecture of the mosque. You can also spend a day shopping at some of the best malls in Abu Dhabi. If you are travelling during the sale, you might even get to buy a lot of high-end fashion products at an affordable price. Visit the Emirates Palace. If you are not staying at the majestic resort, you can still indulge in self-pampering spa treatments and a relaxing hammam (a Turkish bath). You can also indulge in water and beach activities at Corniche. Going on a desert safari is another popular activity that tourists in Abu Dhabi take up. Spend a day at Ferrari World and take lots of pictures, too.

Food and Restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Like Dubai, you will find a variety of cuisine in Abu Dhabi, too. Be it Indian cuisine or Mexican, Korean, Chinese, or even Russian food, and you will find whatever you feel like eating here. However, trying out the local food is a must to complete your holiday experience at Abu Dhabi. Some of the important ingredients include the famous Middle Eastern spices like cinnamon, saffron, turmeric and cardamom. Cuisines made of chickpeas are also quite popular in Abu Dhabi. If you want to grab a bite as soon as you land, before you head to your hotel, you can go to Madang Korean Restaurant which is near Terminal 2. Cabana Beach Bar and Grill at Corniche is a popular place to have healthy food or European cuisine. You can also head to The Terrace On The Corniche or Kuzbara for authentic Middle Eastern food. Khayal Restaurant is popular for its variety of cuisines. It offers Japanese, Arabic, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Asian food in its menu. Treat yourself to delicious burgers and shakes at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes at Yas Mall. Hoi An is an interesting place to head to if you want to try out Vietnamese or other Asian food. The service is great, so is the ambience. Dino's Bistro Italiano and Villa Toscana are known for their expertise in Italian cuisine. In fact, at Villa Tuscana, you can also choose between the Mediterranean, Tuscan and European food. Desert Lotus Thai Bisto & Sushi has the best Thai food in the city, and you will simply love the sushi here. If you want to try authentic Indian food, you can head to Punjab Grill at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal.

How to reach Abu Dhabi (Transportation)

The Abu Dhabi International Airport is the second busiest airport in the United Arab Emirates. The flight connectivity from Abu Dhabi to other cities and countries is excellent. There are a few direct flights to Abu Dhabi from India on a daily basis, and it takes about 3 to 4 hours only to reach. While you might choose Etihad Airways or Emirates to fly to the Middle East, other airlines like GoAir, British Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Srilankan Airlines frequently fly to and from Abu Dhabi. The airport is only 30 km from the main city, and it is quite easy to get a taxi service from the airport to your hotel. Abu Dhabi International Airport is quite a luxe with a lot of facilities. It has airport lounges, premium spa facilities, sleeping pods, children's play area, shopping areas and a lot of international dining options. You will certainly not get bored if at all if you have to wait for a few more hours to board your flight. If you are travelling by Etihad, they also have premium lounges and spa facilities for their passengers at the airport.

  About Abu Dhabi Airport

Abu Dhabi International Airport is the only airport in Emirates of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, to cater to international flights and airlines. After Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport is the second largest in UAE, which can accommodate 20 million passengers. The airport has three operational terminals for passengers. It is sprawled across 8,500 acres of land and provides services to over 30 airlines which fly to over 120 destinations. The airport is primarily the hub for Etihad Airways, which is also UAE's second flag carrier airline, after Emirates. The airport sees tremendous air traffic and passenger traffic for being a hub city and the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

About Airport Terminals

The airport has three terminals in total. Terminal 1 is the oldest building at the Abu Dhabi International Airport. The terminal features arrivals and departure areas with nine gates and jetbridges. The airport also has check-in and arrivals equipped in a separate location that is connected to the building. Terminal 2 is comparatively new and located on the east side of Terminal 1. There are 19 check-in counters along with two baggage claim conveyor belts. It mainly caters to low-cost carriers only. Terminal 3 is fairly new from the other two terminals and has the capacity to hold bigger flights, including Airbus A380s that are flown by Etihad Airways.

About Airport Authority

Abu Dhabi International Airport is currently operated by Abu Dhabi Airports Company, which came into existence in 2006. ADAC has since offered a plethora of services to the aviation industry and Abu Dhabi airports. Along with Abu Dhabi International Airport, the organization also caters to managing Al Bateen Executive Airport, Al Ain International Airport, Sir Bani Airport and Dalma Airport.

Top airlines flying from Abu Dhabi International Airport

Abu Dhabi sees tremendous passenger traffic from Indian cities and hence, accommodates flights from an Indian airline. Some of the airlines that operate from Abu Dhabi International Airport are Air India, Air India Express, GoAir and IndiGo.

In terms of international airlines, the ones that operate from Abu Dhabi International Airport include, AnadoluJet, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, British Airways, EgyptAir, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Pakistan International Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Saudia, SriLankan, Turkish Airlines and Turkmenistan Airlines.

Facilities at Abu Dhabi International Airport

WiFi - You can connect to the airport's free wireless network. All you would need to do is to follow some steps to get access to Abu Dhabi International Airport's WiFi connection. Plus, there are internet kiosks available for free. At the departure terminals, you can find about 50 internet kiosks. It is free of cost so you can simply just go over to the kiosk and use the facility. Airport lounges also have wireless connections that you can avail.

ATM and foreign exchange - The airport has many ATMs and foreign-exchange booths available at regular intervals. There are about 16 currency exchange facilities that are present at Abu Dhabi International Airport. There are local banks also present at the airport where you can make transfers and deposits along with cash withdrawals. The prices are also quite reasonable for foreign exchange. A dedicated agency, Travelex, is available at the airport.

Medical services - Abu Dhabi International Airport is also equipped to take care of medical emergencies that take place at the premise. There is a 24-hour clinic to ensure that medical services are available at all times. There is also a paramedic with an ambulance which will take the emergency case to the nearest local hospital. The information desk and 'May I Help You' counters will assist you with this service. Plus, the airport also has pharmacies installed at regular intervals.

Smoking zones - All terminals at Abu Dhabi International Airport are non-smoking buildings. Hence, there are specific smoking zones that have been installed. Smoothing lounges and booths are located in each terminal and are enclosed. The booths also have good air quality that you can enjoy while you smoke a cigarette.

Multi-faith room - Separate prayer rooms have been installed for men and women at Abu Dhabi International Airport. They are present at all terminals of the airport. Intending to value diverse faith, the airport has ensured to have multi-faith rooms at all levels of the terminals. Wheelchairs are also accessible at the prayer rooms.

Airport lounges - Overall, Abu Dhabi International Airport has six airport lounges. In fact, four of the airport lounges are actually owned by Etihad Airways. While terminal 1 has Al Reem Lounge, Al Dhabi Lounge, Etihad Premium Lounge, Terminal 3 houses Etihad First Class Lounge and Spa, Etihad Premium Lounge and Etihad US Premium Lounge. These lounge experiences are one of a kind. Not to mention how the airport also has a dedicated Etihad Arrivals Lounge as well for international travellers. The facilities at the lounge are top-notch with exceptional services and hospitality.

Airport hotels - An in-house hotel is also available at Abu Dhabi International Airport. You can visit Aerotel to benefit from their world-class facilities and to unwind. The hotel is located in Terminal 1 and has been aesthetically designed to please the senses of international travellers. Premier Inn Hotel is also present within the airport premise that you can check out. Premier Inn is also very convenient and recognized for its high standards with respect to providing quality services with modern amenities.

Baggage services - The airport offers a plethora of baggage services ranging from wrapping to storage. In case you need to save your luggage from possibilities of theft and mishandling, you can get them wrapped in plastic. Further, on the same, you can also seal your baggage to prevent them from external damages. You can ship your luggage to a delivery address too instead of going yourself. There are storage facilities also available at the airport where you can keep your luggage, especially if it's a layover or if you need to spend time at the airport before the next flight.

Spa - There are two spas available at the airport's premise. Six Senses Spa is located within the Etihad Diamond First and Pearl Business Class lounges. Meanwhile, TOSA Spa, an award-winning spa chain of the Middle East, Maldives and India, is also available at the airport's Terminal 1. You can avail a string of services from the spas for relaxation. Body massage and other treatments are also there with separate rooms for women and men. Along with this, they also have separate changing rooms for men and women.

Special assistance - The airport caters to special assistance services that travellers require. This includes helping out passengers with reduced mobility and to take care of their trolleys, among a few. You can speak with your airlines in advance to book special assistance. The trained staff will help you through the process and even enable a comfortable experience at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Nursing stations - For all the parents who are travelling with infants and young babies, there are dedicated nursing stations available at all terminals. There are entertainment decks for kids as well as nursing rooms for new mothers with infants. Plus, the rooms are sanitized and kept in a hygienic condition.

How to reach Abu Dhabi International Airport

Public transport

One of the best things about the airport is its facilities that enable direct connections to the city centre. If you need to reach Abu Dhabi International Airport, you can always take a bus as it is economical and convenient. The air-conditioned buses are available from the bus stop to within the city. You can find the stops outside Terminals 1, 2 and 3. There are blue and white signs that indicate to the bus stops. You can follow them, or you can ask for more details at the airport's information desk. You can reach Abu Dhabi International Airport from any part of the city thanks to their bus services. Depending on where you wish to go, the buses have services to those routes. The ticket cost is also very affordable and menial. It would take close to 45 minutes to reach the Abu Dhabi International Airport from the city, depending on the traffic.

Taxicabs and rentals

There are luxury airport taxis that you can find at the airport. They are available at all the terminals, close to the arrivals. A clear signpost is also present to indicate the taxi services. There are male and female drivers who are well-equipped with the city's geography as well as international languages. You can also reach the Abu Dhabi International Airport by availing tax services. In fact, you can actually book for a ride online or check with your airlines for provisions of the same. Hotels in Abu Dhabi also have facilities for an airport shuttle. You can benefit from the same to reach Abu Dhabi International Airport without any hassle. As long as you make prior bookings, you wouldn't have to worry about anything with respect to reaching the Abu Dhabi International Airport.