The Lake Geneva region, often marketed as Health Valley, is one of Europe's notable life sciences clusters, with research campuses, universities and hospitals in both Geneva and Lausanne, about 61 km apart. A business visitor can meet partners in both cities in a single day. AirportsTransfers.ch provides the chauffeured link between Geneva Airport, the campuses and the hotels along the lake.
- Geneva: Campus Biotech, the University of Geneva, the university hospitals
- Lausanne: EPFL and its innovation park, the University of Lausanne, Biopôle, the university hospital
- Distance: Lausanne is about 61 km and 45 minutes from Geneva Airport
- Typical visit: one or two days, meetings in both cities
- Transport: sedans for individuals, vans for delegations
Why the region attracts life sciences
Western Switzerland combines world-class universities, research hospitals, a large pool of international talent and a dense network of start-ups and established companies in pharmaceuticals, medical technology, digital health and neuroscience. The proximity of international organisations in Geneva, including the World Health Organization, adds a global health dimension that few other clusters can match.
For visitors, the region's compactness is a major advantage. Geneva, Lausanne and the towns in between are linked by a fast motorway along the lake, so investors, partners and researchers can see several organisations without long journeys. Business visitors frequently combine a campus visit with meetings at a company headquarters, a hospital or a public funding agency.
Geneva: Campus Biotech and the university
In Geneva, Campus Biotech, located in the Sécheron district near the lake and the international organisations, brings together research groups in neuroscience and bioengineering, foundations and companies under one roof. It is only a short drive from the airport, which makes it an easy first stop on a visit. The University of Geneva and the Geneva University Hospitals are major research centres in their own right, particularly in medicine and life sciences.
Geneva is also home to a number of medtech and biotech companies, as well as investors and family offices active in the sector. Many meetings take place in offices in the city centre or in business areas close to the airport, so short point-to-point transfers or a chauffeur by the hour work well.
Lausanne: EPFL, Biopôle and the university hospital
Lausanne, about 45 minutes from Geneva Airport, is the second pillar of the cluster. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, EPFL, is a leading engineering and science university, and its innovation park on the lakeside campus hosts many start-ups and research teams from larger companies. The neighbouring University of Lausanne adds strength in biology and medicine.
Above the city, Biopôle is a life sciences park hosting companies, research institutes and start-ups, close to the university hospital, which is one of the major teaching hospitals in Switzerland. A day in Lausanne can therefore include a visit to EPFL by the lake and meetings at Biopôle on the hillside, linked by a short drive.
Planning a visit across the region
A two-day itinerary might start with an arrival in Geneva, meetings at Campus Biotech and in the city, and a night in Geneva, followed by a day in Lausanne between EPFL and Biopôle, with a return to the airport in the evening. Alternatively, visitors stay in Lausanne and come to Geneva for a day. Allow time for traffic on the lakeside motorway at rush hour, which can add significantly to the 45-minute journey.
For delegations, such as investor groups or a team from a partner company, a V-Class van for up to seven passengers keeps everyone together and allows informal discussions between visits. A chauffeur by the hour, with a two-hour minimum, gives flexibility when meetings overrun or when a site visit is added at the last minute.
Practical tips for business visitors
Many campuses have several buildings and entrances; confirm the exact address and the reception point for each meeting, and share it with the chauffeur in advance. Security and visitor registration procedures vary from site to site, so ask your hosts what is needed. Laboratory visits may require specific clothing or advance notice.
Geneva and Lausanne also host scientific conferences and investor events during the year, which put pressure on hotel availability; book accommodation early if your visit coincides with a major event.
Booking transfers with AirportsTransfers.ch
AirportsTransfers.ch shows the fixed price for each vehicle before you pay securely online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, and issues invoices for companies and institutions. Chauffeurs track flights, meet visitors in arrivals with a name sign and wait at no extra charge if a plane is late. Child seats are available on request, and return trips can be booked at the same time. For multi-site itineraries, contact the team 24/7 by phone or WhatsApp on +41 78 346 56 77.
