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Now wondering if Colmar to Chamonix is reasonable?

Posted by on

Just looking at the option of spending a night or 2 in Chamonix before heading to Annecy (by train or bus).

We are flying into Lyon from US in mid-late October. Does taking a train directly to Beaune from Lyon after our flight make sense? Or should we stay a night or 2 in Lyon? Then train from Beaune (after 2 nights in Beaune) to Colmar for 3 nights. We have lodging in Annecy the end of Oct-early Nov before heading south to Provence. What is the best way to get to Annecy from Colmar? Is it best to back track? We plan to rent car in Annecy and drive south, but until then will rely on trains (or bus?). Would love any thoughts/suggestions.

Posted by
7304 posts

To get from Colmar to Annecy without a car, you have two main options:

  1. Fastest (but still 5.5 hours), most expensive, requires several connections: train thru Switzerland. Typically Colmar-Basel-Bern-Geneva-Annecy.

  2. One hour slower (at least) but more convenient and usually cheaper: French trains only, via Lyon Part Dieu.

I would pick option 2. And yes, you would be backtracking, and it takes 6.5 hours or so.

Otherwise, Lyon is worth visiting for most people but not necessarily a "must-do". If Lyon interests you, I would remove Colmar and spend 3 nights in Lyon.

Posted by
37 posts

Thank you. Insights on catching a train to Beaune from Lyon after our trans-Atlantic flight? Is it unwise to schedule a train trip with the chance that our plane might get delayed and we wouldn't make the train? Are there options to purchase tickets that are not date specific?

Posted by
21159 posts

There is a TER from Lyon Part Dieu to Beaune every hour at 18 past the hour. These are unreserved trains and always the same price so you can buy tickets when you get to the train station. They are not really any slower than a TGV, as the TGV takes 1 hour and 31 minutes and the TER takes 1 hour and 39 minutes.

Posted by
7304 posts

The trains from Lyon to Beaune are local trains: reservations are not needed. They are hourly on weekdays. On top of those, there might be some long-distance TGV calling at Beaune on the way to Strasbourg: they require reservations, but they are not faster and you should ignore them.

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