Flying in and out of Geneva in September. We have 8 nights. Trying to plan out the best route and figure out if we need a car or not. Thinking of spending one night in Geneva and then take the train to Lyon and stay for 2 nights and then head to Annecy for 2 nights and then onto Chamonix for 2 nights. Then back to Geneva for 1 night before our flight. Question is can we rent a car in Lyon and return it to Geneva? Or is it better to just take public transportation? Thanks!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8185 posts
If you travel onward to Lyon on arrival in Geneva you will eliminate those 2 one night stays in Geneva. Put both Geneva nights at end, or give Geneva just 1 night total.
You can pick up car in Lyon and drop at Geneva airport—FRENCH side- without incurring an expensive drop off fee in another country
We flew into GVA and picked up car on arrival, drove to Annecy which is about 45 min-that’s as far as we will drive after overnight flight
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Okay thank you! I didn't realize you could drop off on the French side. Can you then take a shuttle to the airport?
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8185 posts
French side is in the airport ;)
We use AutoEurope to book our cars
It will give you the choice of GVA Swiss or French for pick up or drop off
Posted by
Normandie
499 posts
Part of GVA is in Switzerland and part is in France. It's in the same building.
Having lived in Lyon for 3 years and visiting several times, having visited and worked in Geneva on multiple occasions, and having visited Annecy three times, I would dedicate part of a day to Annecy and spend the rest of my time in Lyon and Geneva. There's so much more to see in those two cities than in Annecy.
If you've never been to a town positioned next to a lake in a mountainous setting, Annecy might seem very interesting. And if you never have, and possibly never will again, then perhaps it would warrant an entire day.
But it's not all that different than many similar towns in similar geographic settings. I've long been puzzled why some people seem so drawn to it. It's simply not that special.
Geneva and even more so Lyon, on the other hand, are quite special.
Oh: you'll want a car, but park it upon entering Geneva and Lyon and rely on their excellent public transit. Inside such cities, a car is a liability, not an advantage.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks everyone! I appreciate your help! We are now thinking rent a car in Geneva, head to Chamonix, then Annecy, return car in Lyon and use public transportation for Lyon and Geneva at the end of the trip.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8185 posts
That’s a good plan
Give Lyon 3 nights