Frequently Asked Questions

Once you’ve received and confirmed your ticket to TEDxCERN, you may have practical questions. Here are suggestions to help you plan:

For information on Geneva:  There are several websites where you can find everything you need to know about Geneva:

Accommodation: We have contacted several hotels in the area that have kindly agreed to offer special prices to people attending TEDxCERN. All the information below is subjected to availability and you will need to contact the hotels and make the arrangements yourself. Make sure to mention ‘TEDxCERN’.

In France: Apart hotel Séjours Affaires Saint Genis Pouilly, Holiday Inn Thoiry, Jivahill Park Hotel, Business Park Hotel Thoiry

In Switzerland: NH Geneva Airport Hotel Meyrin, Crowne Plaza Hotel Geneva, Best Western Hotel Chavannes-de-Bogis, Grand Hotel Kempinski 

Getting to CERN: Parking is very, very limited. Public transportation in the Geneva region is good and we strongly encourage you to take advantage of this. Most bus and tram stops have automatic ticket vending machines (note that the machines only accept coins and may not return change). The public transportation offered in the French side of the border is more limited. Detailed indications and time estimates for any journey: http://www.tpg.ch

  • From the airport to Geneva’s city centre: All trams leaving the airport stop at the Genève-Cornavin (main station). Free tickets are available at the baggage claim hall of the airport.
  • From the airport to CERN: The Y Bus heads to CERN from the airport. It also connects with other bus lines in neighbouring French towns.
  • From Geneva’s center to CERN: Tramways connect Genève-Cornavin (main station) with CERN. Please take tram 18 with last stop CERN.
  • From nearby France to CERN: The Y-bus stops at CERN. Tickets must be bought on the bus. Some hotels also offer shuttle service to CERN. 

The Venues: TEDxCERN has two venues. The Globe of Science and Innovation, and the CERN Main Auditorium. Please check your ticket to verify your venue. The Globe of Science and Innovation is a building in the format of a Globe and can be seen from the CERN tram stop, please follow signs. For the CERN Main Auditorium, please follow signs through the CERN reception. There will be volunteers wearing TEDxCERN T-shirts to help guide you. 

How early should I come? Doors will open at 12:00 and we need to have everyone seated by 13:30. We recommend arriving early in order to get badges, seats, and also to have the opportunity to mingle with other attendees. Note: Doors will be closed once talks are in session. Entry will not be allowed during talks.

What should I bring with me to enter? Please bring a printout format of your ticket along with a photo ID. You will need these to get your badge to access CERN premises.

Where can I get food during the conference? There will be coffee available during breaks. After the final talk, you are invited to the reception at CERN Restaurant 2, which is located inside CERN. Shuttles will be made available for transportation from the Globe and the Auditorium to the Reception venue. For guests who would rather walk (15 minutes from the Globe, 10 minutes from the auditorium), there will volunteers to guide you.

For lunch and other meals, here are links to nearby restaurants, accessible by tram: Namaste Indian Restaurant, Cafe de la Place, Pizza d’Oro, Arte Cafe

Do you have special needs or are handicapped? If you have special needs and/or need assistance, please email tedxcern-guest@cern.ch and let us know, and we will do our best to help you.

Are you a vegetarian or have food allergies? If you are a vegetarian or have food allergies, please email tedxcern-guest@cern.ch and let us know. We will do our best to help you.

Is there a dress code? We don’t have a dress code but there will be plenty of cameras around and many social media savvy people. We recommend being comfortable while looking your best.

Will there be internet/wireless connection available? Internet and wireless connection will be made available for TEDxCERN guests for the day of the event. The password will be made available at the desk when you pick up your badge.

Devices? There were a lot of work involved in putting this event together for you, but in exchange we need your full attention and respect for the speakers. We do not allow the use of laptops, ipads, cameras, and flash photography at the conference venues, especially during talks. However, you are welcome to use your devices during breaks in the coffee lounges, cafes, and foyers.