Hi fellow travelers! My daughter and I are planning a day trip to Annecy from Lyon. When looking at timetables for buses and trains, I have found that the buses take roughly the same amount of time (2 hours) as the train and are less expensive. However, the buses coming back from Annecy are either too early for our schedule or take close to four hours. I am considering taking an early bus to Annecy and departing on a train in the evening. I plan to just buy tickets at the station (possibly reserving bus seats the day before). Is this doable? Are returns on trains far more economical? Thanks for your help!
Posted by
France
408 posts
Hi,
I'm sorry that I cannot provide an informed response to your question because on the several occasions I visited Annecy when I lived in Lyon I always drove my own car.
However, knowing how bad traffic in Annecy can be during high season, you might want to mention when you're planning to visit as I suspect bus trips would take longer in the summer than at other times of year due to traffic congestion.
I'd be surprised if there would be a material price differential between bus and train, so I would decide which works best with your schedule rather than focusing on cost.
Posted by
Chicago
7839 posts
This site shows train prices
https://en.oui.sncf/en/train-services/order-follow-up
Posted by
OP
15 posts
Thank you for your replies. We are going mid-June, possibly on a strike day. I don't want to reserve ahead of time in case plans change. I am not usually spontaneous, but I have read that tickets should be available at the train station and the regional trains don't really offer a significant discount with advance purchase. I may purchase them at the station when we arrive in Lyon from Paris, so that I would have them a couple days beforehand.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I would seriously consider renting a car. It's not that far but not as convenient as you would expect by public transportation. Last September I was looking at Lyon to Chamonix, with a mid-day stop at Annecy, before going south to Provence and the Riviera. I considered using a train or bus and settled on renting a car and driving from Lyon.