We just returned from a weekend in Geneva, and I booked the flights back in April 2024 using Skyscanner. At just £36.48 per person, it was an amazing deal—hard to resist at that price! These flights departed from Gatwick, which was a nice change as we usually find cheaper flights from Stansted. However, getting to Gatwick is much easier for us, only 24 minutes by train, so I was thrilled to find these flights. As usual, I used the Virgin Trains ticketing app to book our train tickets, which I prefer since I can earn Virgin Points that way.
You can read about the luggage we brought alone here.
First, let me tell you about the hotel we stayed at—StayKooook Geneva City. It’s in a fantastic location, less than 20 minutes from the airport by public transport, and even quicker by taxi. However, Geneva’s transport links are so efficient that a taxi is rarely necessary. One great perk of staying in Geneva is that your accommodation includes free public transport, and StayKooook is part of this scheme. They sent us transport cards via email a few days before our arrival, so we were able to hop on the bus straight to the hotel.
We arrived early in the morning, so our room wasn’t ready yet. However, they kept us updated via WhatsApp and let us know when it would be, which I really appreciated. A cool feature of this hotel is that there are no key cards—you use their app to open the front door and your room, which was quite a unique experience. The setup is also different from traditional hotels—there’s no lobby when you enter. It feels more like walking into an apartment building.
On the ninth floor, there’s a common area where you can relax while waiting for your room. They have games like chess and Xbox, a communal kitchen, toilets, a washing machine, and luggage storage if needed. There’s also a balcony that wraps around the building, offering stunning views of Geneva.
Our room was ready just before 3 pm, and we were really impressed. It was a lovely space with a mini kitchen equipped with a microwave, stove, dishwasher, plates, and cutlery. There was also a fridge, a safe, a TV, and a beautiful bathroom with a walk-in shower. The room had a table, space to store our luggage, and what I thought was really cool—the bed. At first glance, it looked like a single bed, but you can actually move part of it to transform it into a double bed. I’ve shared more about this on my TikTok, so you can check it out there. Overall, the room was spotless, and I have no complaints. I would definitely stay here again!
One great thing about this hotel is its location—it’s right next to a supermarket and a McDonald’s, which is super convenient. There’s also a pharmacy around the corner, which is a relief since kids can get sick at a moment’s notice. The hotel is directly across from a bus stop, making transport a breeze. While Geneva is easy to explore on foot, I really appreciated how accessible and efficient the public transport system is.
Now, let’s dive into everything we did during our two nights and three days in Geneva. We did a lot of walking and sightseeing—it’s a great city to explore on foot. However, it was quite cold, so definitely check the weather before you go and pack accordingly. Along the way, we found several playgrounds, which was perfect for the kids. It was as simple as using Apple Maps and searching for “playgrounds” to get directions, though we also stumbled upon a few just by wandering around.
We also explored a few of Geneva’s many chocolate shops, and there’s plenty to discover. If you’re a chocolate lover, you might want to consider getting a Choco Pass. We were kindly given one by Visit Geneva, but unfortunately, I couldn’t fully enjoy it due to my allergy, as many of the chocolate shops use hazelnuts in their creations.
The Choco Pass is a fantastic way to experience the city while getting a taste of the craftsmanship of local chocolatiers. It’s activated once you visit your first shop and entitles you to a tasting plate at any of the participating shops, with each offering something unique. You can find more information about the Choco Pass here.
While we were in Geneva, my daughter participated in a chocolate-making workshop at Chocolat Favarger – Boutique Rive. There’s no need to pre-book—you can simply walk in. The workshop costs 20 CHF, which is around £18, and she got to create a bunny-shaped chocolate, adding her own toppings. It was then nicely packaged for her to take home, and the price also included a hot chocolate. Unfortunately, since they use hazelnuts in their chocolates, I had to watch from a distance due to my allergy, but one of the staff members was fantastic and helped her every step of the way. I would highly recommend this activity for families visiting Geneva!
You can see more on our tiktok.
While walking around Geneva, we stumbled upon Maze Café, a play café that turned out to be a great find. When we arrived, we were told that all the tables upstairs were reserved, but there was seating available downstairs, so we decided to give it a try—especially since it was a chilly day and we needed somewhere warm to relax.
The café was lovely. Upstairs, they have a small soft play area, while downstairs, there are mini buildings where kids can engage in role-playing. There’s also a netted area where children can play football, and a cozy space for parents to unwind. It was a perfect spot to warm up, but it was quite pricey. I didn’t pay close attention to the menu, but I ordered two bowls of chips and a Coke Zero. Combined with the entry fee for my daughter to play, the total came to £33.
Switzerland is known to be expensive, but this was more than I expected, so just be prepared and make sure you budget accordingly if you visit.
We took a trip on a mini-train that wound through the streets and alleys of the Old Town, providing a fascinating glimpse into Geneva’s history. This ride was free with the City Pass, which is a card that grants access to a variety of activities for free or at a very low price. With the City Pass, you can visit museums, take a cruise on the lake, go on guided tours, or even try rafting—enjoying 60 free or discounted activities suitable for all ages in Geneva over a duration of 24, 48, or 72 hours!
You can purchase the City Pass with or without public transport included, with prices starting from 30 CHF. For more information on the City Pass and to see if it would be worth it for your visit, you can check out their website.
Sunday in Geneva truly feels like a day of rest, so keep that in mind if you’re planning a weekend trip like we did. Many shops were closed, including all the supermarkets. While some may find this inconvenient, I actually think it’s great to have a day dedicated to relaxation. It was lovely to walk around the city and enjoy the quiet atmosphere. You rarely experience that in London, maybe only on Christmas Day. I really appreciated the slower pace of the day, which added to the charm of our trip.
Would we go back to Geneva? Absolutely! Especially if I can find a cheap flight like that again. I’d also love to explore other parts of Switzerland, like Zürich, in the future. However, as I mentioned, Switzerland isn’t the cheapest country we’ve visited, so it’s important to budget accordingly to fully enjoy your holiday. There’s so much more to do with your family, but we only had a weekend to explore. If you’re looking for more fun activities, I recommend checking out the Visit Geneva website for great suggestions.
One final thing to share: Geneva Airport has one of the best children’s playgrounds we’ve ever seen! Located in the transit area between gates A5 and A8, it’s perfect for families on the go. This airport-themed play space is specifically designed for kids aged 3 to 12 and features exciting elements like a security check, a control tower with a view of the runway, and even a luggage belt! It’s a fantastic way to keep the little ones entertained while waiting for your flight.
