Day off from tour in Chamonix, but not thrilled with mountains or hiking

Posted by Andy (Norfolk, Virginia, USA) on 07/31/23 11:39 PM

My wife and I are in our mid-70s ... we don't mind walking, but we're not interested in mountaineering or hiking! Our tour arrives in Chamonix for two nights, giving us time to see the sights on the first day, with a "day off" on the second, with hiking the recommended activity.

The very next day of our tour takes us to Annecy, but only for lunch. We've been there before, and we believe the hype, it really is one of the very prettiest places in all of France. We'd really like to spend our free day there! The problem seems to be "how to get there and back."

Viewing online Train and bus schedules; they seem to be very reasonably priced, but equally inconvenient for times. The distance is barely 35 miles, and everything I've seen shows an hour and a half travel time. Renting a car for a single day doesn't seem to be possible.

I suppose we could stay in Chamonix and find a laundromat, but that really seems a total waste of an Annecy opportunity!

Anyone have any suggestions?

Posted by Lesley

Sidney, BC, Canada

08/01/23 12:39 AM

894 posts

I wonder if you could leave the tour after the first day at Chamonix, go to Annecy, stay there and catch up with the tour at the lunch stop. Why not call the office and see if they would be ok with your doing this.

Posted by margie

Bend, OR

08/01/23 01:03 AM

805 posts

Why not just take a relaxing day. Walk along the river and picnic or take the cable car or gondola up on either side then back down. The views are beautiful. And there’s the train to the glacier. Absolutely fascinating seeing how far it’s receded. I’m sure arranging for a place to stay for one night in Annecy, driving to Annecy and then meeting up with the group before the boat tour on the lake is all doable, just sounds like a lot of planning, extra expense (especially for a hotel room when you’ve already paid for the night in Chamonix) and time.

Posted by shoeflyer

Chicago

08/01/23 01:57 PM

325 posts

Andy,

Honestly, if you can't find something to do in Chamonix for a day, you're aren't really trying....

The Aiguille du Midi/Panoramique Mont Blanc/Funival Monte Bianco/bus thru the tunnel
circuit can easily take up a day, and is stupendous. Make a reservation for lunch at Le 3842
and enjoy the highest altitude meal you'll ever have. Take the Bossons chair and have lunch
at the restaurant at the top of the chair (a short uphill walk). Use the bus/train system and
go to another town along the valley and explore that. Take a rafting trip along the river.

But, if you really want to go to Annecy, then you'll have to put up with the time it takes to get
there. You're in the mountains; distance as the crow flies is not the driving factor.

I checked Mapquest and every route they provide is over 1:20. The routes involve 2 lane
roads and going through small towns, so I'm not surprised at the time estimates.

Europecar Chamonix has rental cars available (not sure what day you want to do this) but
they're around $200 and you have to deal with the limited hours that the office is open.

Flixbus has a 7:15am departure and a 3:50pm return on most days for ~$30 RT.

PS - I've been to Annecy; it's great, so I get your point. But Chamonix is breathtaking.

Posted by janettravels44

Chicago

08/01/23 05:43 PM

8092 posts

I'd do the Aiguille du Midi and then the Gondola into Italy and back if it is available. We did the first on a short bus day trip from Annecy and it was amazing. Alas the Gondolas were not available and we would not have had time that trip anyway.
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2023/03/27/quick-trip-up-the-aiquille-du-midi-chamonix/
Otherwise; get the Flixbus or BlaBlaCar and do a day trip to Annecy. It takes about an hour. We did it the other way when bus trips were more limited due to COVID closures. but if you can get the 7 am bus and return at 3:30 or so that gives you plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of Annecy and have coffee/pastry and then later lunch and wander the town.