Does anyone have experience in taking a day trip from Annecy to Chamonix? I’m debating on keeping our car after we leave Provence and driving it ourselves. The other option would be to turn our car in at Avignon and take trains. We are staying in Beaune before we stay in Annecy. We want to be able to get up in the French Alps. My fear with taking trains/buses is that we might have to cut our time in Chamonix short so that we don’t miss our connection back to Annecy. We won’t be hiking, probably ride the Aiguille du Midi gondola, possibly Helbronner if we have time, explore the town, nothing too strenuous. How hard is it to drive ourselves and be on our own timetable? Or does public transportation allow plenty of time. Suggestions? Experience?
Posted by
Chicago
647 posts
BlaBlaBus and Flixbus have run buses between Annecy & Chamonix in the past. The bus
station is in the south part of Chamonix town proper, which would suffice for your needs.
There is also a train option, but it takes a fair bit longer and you change a couple of times,
which would probably be OK since you wouldn't have bags.
The train schedule will most likely be available 2-3 months out; the bus schedule is a bit less
predictable (not that the buses themselves are, but when the bus schedule is published may be).
If you drive, as long as you come at it from the north and don't end up going through the tunnel,
the drive time is probably pretty consistent.
Note that even in the summer, weather is a factor with regards to what you can see at the top
of the gondola.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
So, you are going from Avignon to Beaune then to Annecy? Unless your trip ends in Lyon or continues on to Switzerland, it would be more logical to go from Avignon, to Annecy, then to Beaune.
Anyway, if things are set in stone: a car is nice to have in Beaune as well, so I would keep it. The downside is that Avignon to Beaune is not a fun drive (busy A7-A6 motorways) and can turn into a nightmare on summer and holiday weekends, but it is OK if you avoid those.
A car is more convenient for Annecy to Chamonix and it opens up more options if the weather is not suitable for Chamonix: for example you could go to lakeside Yvoire.
Posted by
OP
187 posts
We are traveling late June/early July to be able to see the lavender blooming. We are staying away from Paris/CDG because of the Olympics. We are flying into Nice and out of Geneva. So that’s why this itinerary. I’ve heard such wonderful things about Beaune, so I wanted to squeeze it in since we probably won’t be back in that area of France. It’s a 4 1/2 hr drive from Avignon to Beaune - so it wouldn’t be an awful drive time wise. The train is about 3. I was mainly wondering about the drive from Annecy to Chamonix vs bus.
Posted by
Chicago
8550 posts
We did a day trip from Annecy to Chamonix in late May when buses were still not running regularly due to the COVID shut downs. Train at that time involved at least two changes and hours. I finally found one bus a day run by BlaBla that got us there at about 11 and left to return at 3. We wanted to go up the Aiguille du Midi and so we waited till the day before to book the bus and mountain to be sure of good weather. It was fabulous and the bus left us about two blocks from the tramway.
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2023/03/27/quick-trip-up-the-aiquille-du-midi-chamonix/
We had to check out of an apartment and catch a train back to Paris the next day so I was worried about getting stranded with an apartment to clear by 10 am; I did find a back up plan of a train back in case the bus was unreliable (with a name like BlaBla, I had no faith). Everything went smoothly. Our only hitch was that the return bus was totally unmarked. The first bus was orange with BlaBla in big letters on the side. The return bus was a white bus without even a card in the window giving the destination -- If I had not asked the driver, we would have missed it as there was no sign it was our bus.
Posted by
OP
187 posts
Thank you for your replies. I think we will keep our car. Drive to Chamonix our first day in Annecy, and then return it in Annecy the next morning. I like the flexibility of being on our time in Chamonix.
Posted by
Maryland
24 posts
I think you made the right decision. We found the drive from Annecy to Chamonix very easy and enjoyable, and parking in Chamonix quite easy (there's a large public lot next to the Aiguille du Midi station. Public parking garage in Annecy was tight, mostly underground. We went on to drive all the way to the coast near Hyeres, stopping to see the lavender in bloom in Valensole. The whole trip was very easy, with plenty of "aires" (rest stops) or, on smaller country roads, little places to stop for a coffee, a treat and a toilet if needed.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
If you still have good daylight ahead of you when you leave Chamonix, I recommend that you drive back to Annecy via Megève and La Clusaz. There are some twists and turns but the road is good, and it takes you through lovely Alpine landscapes and countryside. Technically, the drive is more scenic in the other direction (you can see Mont Blanc), but it is slower so it would delay your arrival in Chamonix.
Posted by
OP
187 posts
Madlori - thank you for your reply. What we have rented is a “small suv.” We plan on coming back to Annecy early enough to return the car that night. So we’ll only need parking in Annecy for the first night we’re there. You gave me great info in driving and parking there - thank you!
Balso - thank you for the return trip ideas. We will look into that!