Hello,
I'll be spending 5 nights in France (2 Paris, 1 Lyon, 2 Annecy) followed by 7 in Switzerland.
Flying Into Paris, out of Zurich.
Paris to Lyon looks like an easy fast train, 2 hrs or so. Not a lot of the schedule is out (going in June).
I can't seem to find a train between Lyon and Annecy? Has anyone done that? Could it simply be too early to find out?
Lastly, moving from Annecy into Switzerland train system. Geneva make the most sense?
I took a fast train to Lyon. After that I rented a car. Annecy is a relatively short drive but not a short train ride. As I recall the total driving from Lyon to Annecy to Chamonix was a little over two hours. Train from Lyon to Annecy to Chamonix was four and a half hours.
June 8 is the Europe wide schedule adjustment and some trains might not be scheduled yet. On June 7, I see a lot of TER trains from Lyon Part Dieu. 7:08, 8:08, 9:08, 10:08. The 8:08 is direct, others with a change at Aix-les-Bains with the 10:08 being a bus. Just wait and see, TER trains do not need reservations and can be bought just before departure and the price is always the same, unless you get a senior discount.
Annecy to Geneva mostly involve at least one leg being a bus. One all-TER with a connection at Aix-les-Bains at 7:53. Again, you might want to wait and see. Advance booking is not necessary as they are unreserved always-the-same-price.
Swiss trains never need to be reserved in advance. If you want to look at train-specific Super Saver Tickets, they go on sale 30 days before departure.
Great thank you all!
Geneve isn't a must see on our trip, we actually plan to get from Annecy on to Zermatt as the next step. So if it makes more sense to go somewhere else for a night in between I'll explore that. Whatever makes the most sense. The only sight I was interested in was the castle on the lake (Montreux?) but not a deal breaker.
The actual date from Lyon to Annecy will be June 8th, so that makes perfect sense based on your comment re timing.
In Switzerland I'll like be getting the full on Swiss travel pass for both of us, since we will be in country for 7 days exploring.
@scythian that is really helpful. Thank you so much, that indeed might make the most sense.
this will be by far the most trains I've ever used, always rented a car but folks generally say that Switzerland is easier without.
@TheotherBob indeed everyone is different! I suspect we will get back to Paris someday, and Lyon was added instead of Geneva since that city didn't look very interesting.
Paris will be fast paced, see the sites and move on. I'm not one to explore a museum, it's just not interesting to me. I love Rick's shows but art (especially paintings) is of zero interest to us. So we'll see the Eiffel Tower and Churches, the Arch, and stroll the Seine. For now that will be a good intro. I like architecture and history but museums are often a bore.
Lyon looks lovely, up until a few days ago I knew nothing of it. So I'm glad we will see it. Annecy is on the way to Switzerland from Lyon and looked like a nice quiet place to relax and slow the pace down. Disagree? I'm open to hearing opinions, that is why I'm here :)
Then on to Switzerland to hike and eat!
Transalis operates buses all the way from Annecy to Geneva with no changes. Note that the buses run through central Geneva to terminate at Geneva airport but do not serve the main Geneva railway station directly - it may be easier to connect onto Swiss trains at the airport which has a mainline train service.
Annecy has a beautiful historic center and a beautiful setting. "Quiet" is certainly not how I would expect it to be in June. It was not quiet during my visit, which was mid-week during the third week of June 2017. "Utterly mobbed" pretty much describes it, with the narrow sidewalks in the pedestrianized historic core packed as if a cruise ship had just disgorged its cargo.
I spent two nights (Tuesday and Wednesday) in Annecy so I'd have time for a trip out on the lake and a combination walk/bus trip to Talloires. The boat trip was very pretty but needn't take all that long. The bus trip was comparatively meh since I'd already seen the shore from the lake. It didn't help that it was extremely hot during my visit; Annecy is not up in the Alps. I had trouble filling my short time in Talloires, waiting on the next bus. It didn't seem all that picturesque or special to me.
Two nights in Annecy (without a car) ended up feeling rather long, though I appreciated the beautiful surroundings and would encourage others to see it. But I think one night would be plenty of time. Enjoy the place late in the evening and early the next morning. I'd use the other night elsewhere.
Thank you all, based on your recommendations we will likely arrive in Annecy in the evening (to maximize time in Lyon), spend the next day in around town, play on the lake or bike, sleep, then head out early Monday morning to Zermatt by train.
I really appreciate your help!
Just to share another opinion of Annecy - I booked us at the Imperial Palace on the lake in their cheapest room. We spent a lot of time enjoying the setting, rented a boat, biked, etc. and walked along the shore promenade to the crowded center of Annecy in late afternoon when the crowds were less. We really enjoyed our two nights there!
We also stayed a couple of nights in Lyon - another recommend. We stayed in the Vieux Lyon section of town. So much interesting history, and our apartment was even located in the traboule network!
We took the train between all of these locations (from Torino, to Annecy, to Lyon, to Paris).
I should have mentioned the possibility of biking along the lakefront in Annecy. I didn't do it because I had trouble mustering the energy for doing anything more than strolling, due to the heat. If the weather is mild, I think a bike ride would be a lovely idea.
