A press trip lives or dies by its schedule: journalists and content creators arrive on different flights, have limited time and need to see as much as possible without feeling rushed. From Geneva Airport, Lausanne is about 61 km away, Montreux 91 km and the Alpine resorts two to three hours by road. AirportsTransfers.ch handles the multiple pick-ups and transfers so that PR teams can focus on the story.
- Typical group: four to fifteen journalists or creators from several countries
- Main challenge: staggered arrivals and tight itineraries
- Vehicles: V-Class for up to 7 with equipment, Sprinter for larger groups
- Flexibility: chauffeur by the hour for shooting stops
- Key document: a manifest with flights, phones and equipment
The particular demands of press trips
Unlike a corporate group, a press group is made up of individuals with their own agendas. A travel writer wants time to explore and take notes, a photographer wants the best light, a video creator needs to film transitions and arrivals, and a broadcast team may bring cases of equipment. Most are travelling from different cities, often on the same day but on different flights, and some can only stay for part of the programme.
The organiser, whether a PR agency, a tourism board, a hotel group or a brand, wants each participant to have a smooth, positive experience, because that experience influences the coverage. Transport is part of the story: a chauffeur waiting with a name sign and a comfortable drive along the lake create a strong first impression.
Planning pick-ups for staggered arrivals
Start by collecting flight details, phone numbers and the amount of equipment for each participant. Group those arriving within a short interval into one vehicle, but avoid making early arrivals wait too long for later flights; a separate car is often worth it to keep the group's mood positive. For participants coming from other parts of Switzerland by train, plan a pick-up at the station.
Flight tracking allows chauffeurs to adapt to delays, and waiting is included if a flight lands late, so a delayed journalist is still met on arrival. Share a clear meeting point and the chauffeur's contact in advance, and keep the organiser informed in real time as participants are collected.
Building a tight but realistic itinerary
Press trips in the Lake Geneva region and the Alps often combine a city, a lake and a mountain destination in three or four days. A typical example: arrival in Geneva and an evening in the old town; a day in Lausanne and the Lavaux vineyards; a transfer to Montreux or Gstaad; then the return to the airport. Mountain destinations such as Zermatt, reached via Täsch about 2 h 35 from the airport, or Chamonix, about 1 h 15 away across the French border, add a dramatic chapter but take longer to reach.
Leave space for the unexpected: a photographer may want to stop at a viewpoint, an interview may run over or the weather may change. A chauffeur by the hour, with a minimum of two hours, makes these adjustments easy, as the vehicle stays with the group and adapts to the day rather than following a fixed transfer time.
Equipment and content creation
Media groups often carry more than usual: camera bags, tripods, drones, lighting, laptops. A Mercedes V-Class carries up to seven passengers and ten bags, while a Sprinter minibus suits larger groups with more equipment. Mention bulky items when booking, as well as skis or sports equipment for winter trips.
Creators sometimes want to film the vehicle or the journey itself. Discuss this in advance with the organiser and the transport team to ensure it can be done safely and without disrupting the schedule. For filming on mountain roads, safety comes first: stops should only be made where it is safe and permitted.
Departures and follow-up
Departures are often more complicated than arrivals, as participants leave at different times to catch flights to different cities. Plan individual or small-group transfers from the last hotel, leaving enough time for check-in, especially on routes from the mountains. If a participant extends their stay, a separate return transfer can be booked.
After the trip, a short review of what worked and what could be improved, including transport timings and waiting times, helps refine the next press programme.
Booking media transfers with AirportsTransfers.ch
For each press trip, AirportsTransfers.ch shows the fixed price per vehicle before you pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, with invoices issued for agencies and companies. Every participant is met with a name sign, flights are tracked and waiting is included if they are late. Child seats are available on request and skis are carried when declared at booking. To organise press trip transfers, call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77, available 24/7.
