I'm frustrated trying to make transportation reservations from Chamonix to Colmar on September 16, 2019. I had seen train itineraries on oui.sncf that were for 9 hours but I wanted one for under 7. Now I don't see any itineraries listed at all. Have all the trains been reserved already? I checked out air transportation, but it seems absurd to have to 1) take a bus to Geneva airport, 2) fly to Basel via Dusseldorf, 3) take a train to Colmar. I'm tempted to wait a week before and try to reserve a ride share (blablacar.com), but I'm afraid to risk ending up stranded in Chamonix. The ride share is the cheapest, shortest time-wise, and probably the best scenery. Any advice?
Posted by
Temora, NSW, Australia
337 posts
OUI.sncf. Doesn’t bring up a journey.
Perhaps go to rome2rio or man in seat 61’ , or DBB site for train schedule.
Train thru bern is still 7 hrs
Regards
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Of course the trains aren't sold out. You can buy tickets on the day, which is what most people do.
The route is via Switzerland, which the SNCF (French Railways) website isn't showing.
If you go to the SBB (Swiss Railways) website: https://www.sbb.ch/en/
and enter Genève to Colmar, 16th September, for whatever time you want. It shows departures every hour, trip takes 3h50.
You first need a bus from Chamonix to Geneva, there are many competing operators. It doesn't matter if the bus goes to Geneva city centre or airport, the trains stop at both.
There is no discount for buying these tickets in advance, and no reservations needed or possible. Just buy a ticket and it is valid on any of the hourly trains that day.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
THANK YOU!!!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Train lines on the French side of Chamonix have been under construction for years, hence the simplest route is with a bus to Geneva, as Chris described.
Trains do run from Chamonix to Switzerland via Vallorcine, Martigny, and Montreux. Using that route to get to Colmar takes 6h 11m, with 4-5 train connections. These also don't need reservations and schedules are not yet published past September 8, which is a seasonal schedule change opportunity in much of Europe.