Our family of 4 (including 20 and 17yr old) are flying into Geneva in June. We were planning for a France trip but got a great deal on a flight into Geneva so now we are torn between countries. Looking for suggestions on how we can best split time between the two. We have 11 days total (2 are travel days). Would love to go to Chamonix and Paris is on the list too but given the distance not sure if that makes sense. We are planning on trains and public transportation, not renting a car in either country. We are open to all suggestions. Thanks!
Posted by
Irving
2955 posts
According to https://www.rome2rio.com/ you can take a direct bus from the Geneva airport to Annecy (1h 15m) or Chamonix (1h 45). From Annecy you can take a direct bus to Chamonix (1h 45m).
From Annecy you can take a direct bus to Lyon (2h) or from Chamonix (3h). From Lyon there are direct trains to Paris (2h): https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1819 posts
The first part of your plan is similar to what we did in 2018. We had a car but I think you can do most of the same route by train.
Take train to Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, via Interlaken.
Two full days (three nights) in Lauterbrunnen. One day for the Jungfrau trip , one day for Schilthorn. If the weather gods frown, you could explore the valleys on the foggy day, do Jungfrau on the second day. We stayed at Hotel Silberhorn - friendly, convenient to train / tram stops, excellent restaurant.
We then drove to Chamonix for one night, Annecy for one night. In retrospect, I would have done two nights in Annecy instead. Charming Annecy is full of little canals, good restaurants, and interesting old buildings. You can take a tour boat on the lake. Chamonix is a typical upscale ski town. You could do it as a day trip from Annecy if you have the time. Mont Blanc is stunning if the weather gods smile, but no more so than Mount Rainier which we can see almost every day.
After you enjoy the Alps, you could take the train to Paris for the rest of your trip. We had a longer trip so we did a circuit through Provence and then the Dordogne before heading to Paris.
Posted by
New Orleans
93 posts
Chamonix is awesome. There are also MANY other gems all over the French Alps (Savoie region). There is a spot at one of the stations in Chamonix where you can go lugging (more like mini roller coaster) which is safe for kids. There are many things to do besides skiing e.g. hiking and thermal spas. The glacier cave and Montevers train are fun for kids. Megeve is a nice town not far from Chamonix also Saint Gervais les Bains. Note its really not just Chamonix town but the whole Chamonix valley with lots of smaller hamlets and towns...