Traffic in Geneva

Geneva's traffic landscape in 2024 is dominated by car usage, with a significant portion of the population also relying on buses and bicycles.

The city's transportation system reflects a diverse mix of commuting methods, with walking and cycling being popular choices for many residents.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves 16.37 minutes of driving and 4.67 minutes of walking, covering a distance of 12.20 km.

  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 25.58 minutes on the bus and 6.33 minutes walking, with a total distance of 10.92 km.
  • Car - Car users experience a 37-minute drive, with minimal walking, covering a distance of 19.20 km.
  • Walking - Walking commutes average 12.44 minutes, with short additional travel by other means, covering 1.70 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
43%
Bus
23%
Walking
17%
Bicycle
13%
Home
2%
Motorcycle
2%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 53 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
7.6 miles
Walking
4.7 mins
Waiting
1.2 mins
Driving Car
16.4 mins
Bus / Trolley
6.2 mins
Bicycle
2.9 mins
Motorcycle
0.4 mins
Train
0.1 mins
Tram
0.4 mins
Other
0.3 mins
Total:
32.5 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
6.8 miles
Walking
6.3 mins
Waiting
4.3 mins
Bus / Trolley
25.6 mins
Train
0.4 mins
Tram
1.7 mins
Other
0.8 mins
Total:
39.2 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
11.9 miles
Walking
2.0 mins
Driving Car
37.0 mins
Total:
39.0 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
1.1 miles
Walking
12.4 mins
Waiting
1.0 mins
Bus / Trolley
1.8 mins
Bicycle
0.6 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Other
0.6 mins
Total:
16.3 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the winter months as more residents opt for cars over bicycles.

Summer sees a rise in cycling and walking, reducing congestion on the roads.

Commuter Pain Points

Congestion during peak hours remains a major issue for car and bus commuters.

Limited availability of parking spaces in the city center exacerbates traffic delays.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 7 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are the best times to avoid heavy traffic.

Midday travel between 11 AM and 2 PM can also offer smoother commutes.

Event Impacts

Public events such as the Geneva Motor Show significantly increase traffic congestion, especially around event venues.

During major conferences, public transport is often crowded, leading to longer wait times.

Sustainability Efforts

Geneva is investing in expanding its tram network to provide a more sustainable commuting option.

The city promotes cycling through dedicated bike lanes and public bike-sharing programs.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have reduced the reliance on personal cars, particularly among younger residents.

These services help alleviate parking shortages and contribute to a decrease in overall traffic congestion.

Worldwide
Switzerland

Traffic Rankings

Geneva ranks 2nd on the Traffic rankings in Switzerland.
The Traffic Index for Switzerland combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in Switzerland, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.
Worst to BestUpdated: Oct, 2025