Lyon to Annecy Day Trip

Following... We're spending a week or so in Lyon this fall, and are open to side trip ideas.

The buses (multiple companies) are scheduled to take close to 2 hours. Trains take a few minutes longer. That's a long day trip, and I'd point out that there is a great deal to see in Lyon. Also, Annecy can get very hot in the summer, and on a day trip there will be no popping back to your hotel for an air conditioned break.

That said, Annecy has a beautiful historic center and is set on a gorgeous lake. Unfortunately, if you day trip in on a day with decent weather, you will not be the only visitors doing so. I spent a couple of nights in Annecy (thank heavens it wasn't longer) back in 2017, and the pretty center of town was packed during day tripping hours; some stretches of sidewalk were as bad as Venice. The boat ride on the lake was nice, and I think there must be bikes to rent, so you could pedal along the lakeshore.

I wonder if there aren't other small-town options much closer to Lyon, but I admit that Annecy's setting and pretty town center make it special.

I wonder if there aren't other small-town options much closer to Lyon, but I admit that Annecy's setting and pretty town center make it special.

Annecy is special, and if you want a mountain + lake setting it is the best option. Aix Les Bains is closer to Lyon, but not as pretty - it is good if you have been to Annecy before.
I would take the train if possible, though: more comfortable.

There are a few small towns and villages much closer to Lyon that also make for good day trip options, but they have a very different vibe vs. Annecy. I am thinking about Pérouges or Crémieu.

Thank you for your replies. We would be travelling on Wed May 10th, so not much concern about the weather or hordes of daytrippers.
It is funny that the train takes longer than the bus. Must be the routing and stops.

It is funny that the train takes longer than the bus. Must be the routing and stops.

The line from Lyon to Annecy is mostly single-track and trains rarely exceed 120 kph. Still, 2 hours is not slower than the bus really - it is 1h45 by car.

I am in Lyon now. Tomorrow I will likely head to Chambery. It’s closer than Annecy. I agree that Annecy is beautiful but you might consider Chambery instead. I would love to see comments about this. I will not be buying my ticket until tomorrow….
Lyon is nice. I love the older parts and also trecked up to see the Canuts museum. Sadly graffiti and other vandalism are all over the place.

Chambéry is historically more significant than Annecy, and the city center is very cute for sure. But it lacks the "postcard-perfection" of Annecy with its lake and mountains. Annecy is popular for good reason: crowded as it has reportedly become (haven't been to Annecy in peak season in years), I would never recommend skipping it...unless you have been there before, of course.