Stores, Malls or Markets in Geneva

The VAT rate in Switzerland is 8 % and is included in the sales price. All visitors residing outside of Switzerland are entitled to claim back the VAT, if they spend more than CHF 400 in one shop in one day. The goods must be exported within 30 days after purchase date and the export must be confirmed by an official Swiss customs stamp.

What to buy:
3 easy steps to claim your refund :

1. In the store
Shop where you see the Tax-free Shopping logo and simply ask for your Global Refund Cheque. You will receive an information leaflet with detailed explanation in different languages.

2. At customs
When leaving Switzerland, present your Global Refund Cheque to Swiss customs authorities and have the goods ready for inspection.

3. Get your refund
Hand in the blue original of your Global Refund Cheque. You have several choices to get your refund:
- Immediate cash at our nearby Cash Refund Office.
- Mail your Cheque to Global Refund. The refund will then be credited to a chosen credit card, a Swiss bank account or you will receive a bank check to your home address.

Its a good quality stationary and card shop. It has beautiful and sophisticated greeting cards and stationary items. It is a quality shop and things are above average price.

What to buy: greeting cards, post cards, high quality stationary items.

What to pay: As much as you can afford. 50 swiss francs??

Most shops are closed by law on Sundays in Geneva. Neevbertheless, in case of need, you have alternatives:

1 Supermarket MIGROS at the airport, open from 8 am to 8 pm
2 Many small food shops in central Geneva, especially in the Paquis region, open daily, some until after midnight
3 Sunday market at Plainpalais (see above)
4 Sunday morning markets in Collonges/Saleve and Ville-la-Grande in France (use Geneva bus ti birder) for food and clothes
5 Certain supermarkets in France on Sunday morning (Fenrey, St-Julien, Annemasse)

First rule: Don't pay in foreigh currencies, trades will add a "padding". Change your money at an indepedant currency exchange shop to avoid commission.

While Geneva is a playground for the rich, the majority of its population has to live on a modest budget. Prices have remained pretty stable in Swiss Francs over the last few years. Not so in other currencies: the Swiss Franc has risen by more than 15 pct against the Euro in the last 12 months. Switzerland generally is expensive compared to other European countries.

Even so, budget travelers will find ways and means to enjoy the country, by eating in cheap Asian or kepab places, or shopping malls. By staying in small towns, or in youth hoatels (good fun guaranteed). And by selecting the right bargain shop. For Food: Coop, Migros, Denner, Aldi, Lidl.

Avoid drugstores/pharmacies, English pubs, tourist spots...even many Pizzerias. The Plat de Jour (menu of the day) offered for lunch at most restaurants is usually a good deal, especially the lunch buffets at some Chinese and Indian places are great value. And you still can get a good pint of beer at less than CHF 6.00.

What to buy: Chocolate, cheese, Gerber cheese fondue (my favourite), a Swiss non-electronic watch of course (if you can afford it), Geneva wine from Dardagny.

What to pay: Here again: pay in Swiss Francs whenever possible

Open air markets at Plainpalais take place on the following days:

TUE+FRI morning: veggie and food market
WED+SAT all day: Flea Market
SUN all day until 5 pm: Food, clothes etc.

What to buy: The Saturday Flkea Market attracts lots of visitors, especially on a sunny day.

Do not believe that you can buy best swiss watches in this shop. Together with 5 friends I visited this shop last Wednesday, which cliamed to be one of the best watch sellers in switchland. We totally spent over 50,000 CHF on watches. We paid the goods with cash and credit card. We asked for discount, but got nothing. OK it does not matter if the watches are good. Unfortunately, we found two watchwes have problem back in the hotel. One watch has its time adjusting pin got totally lost and other is not working anymore ( it was working in the shop). We went back next day to the shop and want to complain to the manager. You just do not believe it. A chinese seller simply said that we should complain to the watch maker not to the shop. Althogh we got the new watches, but we are not happy at all about the service.

We have expected to buy best valued watch in Geneva, But we got a feeling like that we are shopping in HONGKONG street. You simply can not trust the seller.

Further tip, we found watches on other shops are cheaper than those in Bucherer shops.

I went in to buy a cuckoo clock for my son's birthday, following a friends recommendation. According to her this store always gave a discount even if you payed with credit card . The owner is a nice guy and won't force you into buying, but everything is terribly overpriced. He showed me a clock that met my criteria but was way over my budget. At the end I ended up buying it 'cos I was leaving the next day and ,was short of time, only to find out that the store next door had exactly the same clock for CHF70 less!!! So even with the 15% discount it still was CHF70 more expensive at Swiss Corner than at Swiss Shop (the store next door) .
So I went back and complained (as anybody would have done).
The guy simply told me there was nothing he could do. The price was clearly marked and I had the choice to buy at any other place and, if I had chosen to buy it it was a final sale, he turned around and. left me standing there! (Basicallyhe was telling me it was MY fault to have bought the clock there)
Maybe the americans have spoiled me, shopping in the U.S. guarantees you the best price. If you find something cheaper at another store simply return it or ask for a discount, either one will work without major hassles.
In any case, I was so upset that I stood outside the shop and warned every possible client walking in the store that the place not only was overpriced, but they wouldn't give me a refund.
5 minutes later I was surrounded by four police officers carrying guns and sticks and, in a very threatening way told me I was not allowed to do that and, that I had to leave. I said I was only doing a public service warning people. So they asked for my I.D. wrote down my name in a booklet and told me to leave immediately or I would be fined. A police 4WD came by, they talked something, laughed, the car left and, again I was told to leave. I told them it was the first time ever I saw the police defending the thief and not the victim. The chief police officer in charge of the group, almost screamed at me and told me to leave.
So I ended up with an overpriced cuckoo clock and nobody I could complain to.

MBT is a Swiss footwear brand that activates muscles with every step. It simulates walking barefoot on uneven grounds and therefore activates core muscles, burns extra calories and strenghtens the back. At the MBT Shop in Geneva you can rent out a pair fo MBTs for CHF 20.- per week and go sightseeing and shopping with them. This will enable you to convienently work out while visiting Geneva. But don't overdo it: you will feel muscles you never even thought existed the next dayè

What to pay: CHF 20.- to rent a pair of MBTs for a week
Most models cost around CHF 300.-