Current Time in Geneva, Switzerland
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
Schweiz
Dialling: +41
City Details
Geneva
Genève
Lat: 46.2044° N
Long: 6.1432° E
Population: 200,000
Time Zone
Europe/Zurich
GMT+2
Public Holidays in Switzerland
Näfels procession
Näfelser Fahrt
Easter Monday
Ostermontag
Easter Monday
Ostermontag
Via Nager.Date
Time Difference from You to Geneva
Business Hours in Geneva
Sunrise & Sunset in Geneva Today
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather in Geneva, Switzerland
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Moon Phase in Geneva Tonight
Overview
Geneva is Switzerland's second-largest city and the world's most international city per capita, with 217,000 residents in the city proper and 645,000 in the metropolitan area as of 2025. It hosts more international organisations than any other city — including the UN European HQ, the WHO, the Red Cross, CERN, and over 750 NGOs — with nearly one-third of its workforce employed by international organisations.
Administrative Region
Canton of Geneva (République et Canton de Genève)
CH-GE
Local Currency
Fr.
Metadata
- Web Domain.ch
- ISO CodeCH-GE
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
The site at the southwestern tip of Lake Geneva where the Rhône exits has been inhabited since at least 3,000 BCE. Julius Caesar described a fortified crossing here in 58 BCE in his Gallic Wars. Geneva became a free imperial city in the Holy Roman Empire and its modern character was defined by John Calvin, who made it the centre of the Protestant Reformation from 1541 — earning it the nickname 'the Protestant Rome'. It joined the Swiss Confederation in 1815.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- •Jet d'Eau — 140m water jet on Lake Geneva
- •Old Town (Vieille Ville) and St Pierre Cathedral
- •Palais des Nations — UN European Headquarters (guided tours)
- •CERN particle physics laboratory (free guided tours, booking required)
- •Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
🎒 Visitor Tip
The Léman Express and Swiss rail system means getting to Geneva from the airport takes under 10 minutes. The Jet d'Eau — the 140m lake fountain — is the defining landmark and is free. The Old Town (Vieille Ville) is small and walkable in an afternoon. CERN offers free guided tours booked weeks ahead. Geneva is Switzerland's most expensive city — lunch near the international quarter costs CHF 30+. The lakefront promenade is excellent at any time of year.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Located at the southwestern end of Lake Léman (Lake Geneva) at the point where the Rhône exits the lake. The city sits in a shallow valley between the Jura Mountains to the northwest and the Alps to the southeast — Mont Blanc (4,808m) is visible on clear days only 75km away. The terrain within the city is gently undulating, ranging from 370m at the lake to around 500m in the higher residential quartiers.
Climate Stats
Temperate oceanic / continental (Köppen Cfb)
Avg Summer
19°C
Avg Winter
2°C
Annual Rainfall
974 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / Distance
🚄 Rail ConnectionsOperator / Distance
Nearby Cities & Excursions
Other times compared to Geneva
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Geneva
What timezone is Geneva in?↓
Geneva is in the Europe/Zurich time zone (Europe/Zurich), currently UTCGMT+2.
Does Switzerland observe daylight saving time?↓
Yes. Switzerland observes daylight saving time. Clocks in Geneva go forward in March and back in October, switching between Zurich and Zurich.
What is Zurich?↓
Zurich stands for Europe/Zurich. It is UTCGMT+2 and is the standard time used in Switzerland.
How many hours ahead is Geneva compared to London?↓
Geneva is 2 hours ahead of London (GMT). During UK summer (BST), the difference reduces by 1 hour to 1 hour.
What is the time difference between Geneva and New York?↓
Geneva is 7 hours ahead of New York (EST). When New York switches to EDT in summer, the difference decreases by 1 hour.
How accurate is the time shown for Geneva?↓
The time displayed for Geneva is synced with atomic clock sources via NTP (Network Time Protocol) and uses IANA timezone data to ensure accuracy to the second. It automatically reflects any daylight saving time changes.
What does UTCGMT+2 mean for Geneva?↓
UTCGMT+2 means Geneva is 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Geneva?↓
Standard business hours in Geneva are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Zurich (UTCGMT+2). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the Switzerland national calendar.
Is there much time difference between Geneva and London?↓
Geneva is within a few hours of London, so scheduling calls is usually straightforward. Always confirm the current local time in both cities, especially around daylight saving time changes.