Cheap Geneva Hotel: Go Across the Border to Annemasse, France!

Switzerland isn’t particularly budget-friendly, as it tends to have high prices in supermarkets, restaurants, and most of all for accommodation.

Fortunately, there’s an easy solution that could potentially save you 50% off the price you’d typically pay for a hotel in Geneva: You can stay in France, where everything is much cheaper!

Across the border with France

The French towns of Annemasse and Ambilly are just 8 kilometres away from downtown Geneva as the crow flies.

These towns (or communes to use the proper French term) have great public transport links with Geneva.

There are frequent trains from Geneva’s main Cornavin station to Annemasse (calling at all intermediate stops within the city), as well as a tram (line 17).

Lots of French people who live in Annemasse use the train or tram to get to work in Geneva, profiting from the higher Swiss salaries.

There are also plenty of Swiss citizens who actually live across the border in France as the prices for housing and groceries are cheaper.

If you think of it, as a tourist visiting Geneva, you could as well easily commute the short distance into the city while actually staying in a cheap hotel in neighbouring France!

Annemasse hotels

During my Switzerland trip, I also faced the problem that I needed a hotel in the Geneva area, but found the prices for accommodation within the city to be ridiculously expensive.

I therefore decided to stay in Annemasse, where I booked a double room at the centrally located Oskar Hotel for €65.

Besides Oskar Hotel there are plenty of other cheap hotels in Annemasse within walking distance from the train station, such as the Campanile or ibis.

If you are looking for a midrange hotel instead of a budget option, there is the Novotel right opposite the train station of Annemasse.

From Geneva to Annemasse by train

With a train departing every 10 minutes from Geneva to Annemasse and vice versa, you never have to endure long waiting times.

Indeed, after I had arrived with the Zurich-Geneva train at the city’s main Cornavin station, a connecting train to Annemasse arrived at the opposite platform within two minutes.

The train will stop at a number of other stations in the Greater Geneva area before arriving in Annemasse about 22 minutes after its departure from Geneva Cornavin.

The train to Annemasse is a part of the Léman Express commuter rail network, operating on a brand new railway line, primarily underground.

During the morning and late afternoon rush hours, the train is packed with commuters heading back to France after a day’s work in Geneva.

A second class ticket between Geneva and Annemasse costs 4.90 CHF (€5.20), while a first class ticket costs 8.60 CHF (€9.10).

As I was travelling with a first class Interrail pass, I could hop on any of these Léman Express trains free of charge.

A walk around Annemasse

Annemasse for sure won’t be the prettiest town you will encounter on your European travels, but it does have all the facilities you might need during your stay.

In the centre of Annemasse you can find banks, cafés, supermarkets and a variety of restaurants.

As the town is small, you can easily go around on foot.

Food

Another big advantage of staying in Annemasse is the considerably lower costs for food compared to Geneva across the Swiss border.

This counts for both supermarkets as well as restaurants, which means that you can also save a significant amount of money if you have breakfast and dinner in Annemasse instead of Geneva.

During my one-night stay in Annemasse, I simply visited the local supermarket to buy some bread, cheese, cold cuts, and beers to enjoy in my hotel room.

Back to Geneva

After a good night’s sleep in my Annemasse hotel, I walked to the local railway station the following morning for my train back to Geneva.

Only 40 minutes after checking out of the hotel, I found myself standing in the main hall of Geneva Cornavin station.

Conclusion

Geneva is an expensive city – especially when it comes to accommodation – but it is possible to save a lot of money by simply staying across the French border in Annemasse.

The French town of Annemasse is just a short tram or train ride away from downtown Geneva and makes for a cheap and convenient base to stay.

Even when factoring in the extra costs for public transport, you can potentially save a lot of money, as not only hotels can be 50% cheaper in Annemasse than they are in Geneva, but food and drinks in France are a lot cheaper too compared to Switzerland.

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