Hi,
My family is staying in Annecy for 4 nights in July. We want to take a day trip to Chamonix. We won't have a car for this leg of our trip. We are wondering what transportation options there are for a return trip. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Ryan
Ryan,
We took the train from Chamonix to Annecy, but not as a day trip, as it's a bit over 2 hours of travel time each way.
If you plan to go to the Aiguille du Midi, do consider the age of your children as it's not recommended for young children to go up to such high altitudes.
We loved our time in Annecy!
Hopefully you will experience some market days, which are so fun to walk around.
Make sure you try the gelato at, 'Glacier des Alpes'!
Enjoy your trip!
Details of trains can be found on the SNCF English language website: https://uk.voyages-sncf.com/en/#/. You will need to change trains twice each way, and the journey will take over two hours. However, the scenery is magnificent.
I've been to both Annecy and Charmonix. I think Charmonix is worth an overnight stay, but it's more difficult with kids in tow.
Thanks.
Is it necessary to buy the train tickets in advance? Do they sell out? Will the price rise as the date gets closer (I know some of the high speed trains rise in price the closer it gets to the travel date)?
Ryan,
Is it necessary to buy the train tickets in advance? Do they sell out? Will the price rise as the date gets closer.
You can buy the tickets for this route 1-2 days prior to your desired day of travel.
The ticket price does not increase for this type of train which is a TER train ( regional train).
You can check train schedules on sncf.com
Enjoy!
Edit to add...
These trains seldom sell out, so you can certainly buy your tickets the same day you want to travel.
Thanks for the info. I see there is one connection/layover on the way to Chamonix. Do you know if the connector train is the Mont Blanc Express?
Hi Ryan,
I see there is one connection/layover on the way to Chamonix. Do you know if the connector train is the Mont Blanc Express?
Yes, the train is known as the Mont Blanc Express but it's just a regular regional train which is painted red. Having said this, the scenery on the route from/to Chamonix to/from St Gervais/Le Fayet is beautiful!
If you have the time, you can ride the train all the way to Martigny for more amazing scenery!
I can't imagine spending that much time in Annecy. In my view, there's not that much to see there. Chamonix and the mountains and glaciers around it, are far, far more interesting. A "day trip" to Chamonix is like taking a day trip to see the sun rise. In other words, you're going to miss the best part. I would go to Chamonix on one day, enjoy the ski town vibe and perhaps tour the Alpine Museum to get a little perspective, and then get up early the next day to take the télépherique from Chamonix to Aiguille du Midi and then on to Helbronner. After a generous time viewing these awe-inspiring sites, you can return to Chamonix and take the train to Mer de Glace in the afternoon to walk inside a glacier. That's not something one gets to do every day.
If you have any interest in geology, glaciers (including alpine glacial retreat), or mountains, it's the trip of a lifetime.
I didn't realize you cannot take young children on the Aiguille du Midi- makes sense!! Thanks for pointing that out. Ours are 10, 8, 5, & 1!
I was checking Trainline and there is an option to take the TER train from Annecy to Chamonix and the Ouibus from Chamonix back to Annecy. Has anyone used Ouibus for this journey? The Ouibus is faster and has no connections. I'm wondering if the scenery on the bus will be as good as the train.
Thanks for all the feedback so far.
Ryan
