I need to get to Geneva from Cannes. The bus and train do not seem that convenient (lengthy travel time and various transfers). I am considering renting a car and driving, however, I do not like driving in mountainous areas as I am very afraid of heights and vast open spaces with drop offs or cliffs. Has anyone done the drive and can you advise me about the route and the conditions? I have read that the views are spectacular on the drive from Cannes to Geneva and that has me VERY concerned! Many thanks for any information.
Posted by
New York, NY
1582 posts
Hey Brady,
First - if you are renting a car in Cannes arrange to drop it off at the Geneva border airport French side. This will minimize the drop off charges - there will probably be some but they won't be astronomical.
Second - route. Take the autoroute A8 west from Cannes (sign posted to Marseilles). It will join the A7 around Aix - en. A7 north to Valence (up the Rhône valley) and at Valence follow signs for Grenoble. This will bring you to the A49. After about 50km, you will take the A48 towards Chambéry. At Chambéry you join the A41 which will bring you to the Geneva border.
Immediately after the border crossing turn left onto the airport perimeter road. (If you miss this turn just carry on to the next roundabout, come back towards the border and then turn right into the airport grounds. Follow signs for rental car return.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
There are a couple of train connections per day that only require one change of trains, generally departing around 7:25 (change at Lyon, 7 hours) and 11:25 (change at Marseille, 6 hours). These are not taking the scenic route. If you choose train, then book tickets ahead for a better price.
Flying is fastest and cheapest, if that's your preference; see www.skyscanner.com. EasyJet and Swiss Air both have nonstop flights from Nice airport. Bus service from Cannes to Nice airport is scheduled to take 50 minutes, barring delay, and check-in about one hour ahead is typical for these "domestic" flights. Of course Geneva airport is right on the edge of the city, 7 minutes by local train to the main station.
Posted by
OP
29 posts
Thank you both for this information. It is helpful in deciding whether to rent a car or take the train. Wondering what the drive is like if we rent a car...easy roads? As I mentioned earlier I cannot drive on roads that go through the mountains due to issues with heights and twisty roads that are high.
Thanks!
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
The route described by RJean above is all or almost all on A-roads in France, which are the equivalent of US interstate highways. No narrow cliffside routes, probably gently graded six or eight-lane highways all the way.
Posted by
OP
29 posts
Good to know! Thank you Philip!
Posted by
Paris
6916 posts
I second the recommendation of flying...
If you rent a car, you will pay gas (about $60), tolls (about $60 again), probably the $40 Swiss "vignette" too in order to drive the short bit of Swiss highway to Geneva Airport french side (the ways around it exist but they are awkward)., a drop-off fee depending on who you rent with. And the highway drive, while fairly scenic, is long and prone to heavy traffic around Aix, between Orange and Valence, around Grenoble...