Hello,
Am really struggling finding info on how feasible this might be. Seems it would involve many transfers and a combo of bus and trains. Also wondering if maybe the better idea is to just get into Italy and then rent a car first chance i might get (we are renting a car anyway for our touring of Tuscany). Not really interested in going back to Geneva to fly there as that seems just as long since there are no direct flights. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! - Bill
Posted by
58 posts
I have not taken that trip, but I use Rome2Rio.com to check out options. I think there are 9 listed for your possible trip! Hope this helps.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
2078 posts
I am afraid that flying from Geneva through Zurich could be the most practical solution. Most practical, mind you, but far from optimal.
My brother lives in Geneva and comes often to Florence, no way is really easy (I have lost count how many times he missed the flight connection in Zurich or the baggage was misrouted, but he managed to miss the train connection in Milan as well). Add on top that Chamonix looks close to Italy but it has no direct railway link (you would need a line under Mont Blanc); there are buses to Milan through the Mont Blanc road tunnel but the bus station in Milan is quite distant from the railway station, adding another layer of problems especially when traveling with baggage.
Your idea of renting a car could make sense if you take a bus to Aosta and go by car from there - still a long drive and I cannot really evaluate how feasible would be this idea.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8949 posts
Can you fly Geneva to Rome? ITA or Vueling
Or to Milan?
Posted by
32 posts
During the sky season it involves one change. The Flixbus bus from Chamonix to Turin takes around 3 hours. Unfortunately it departs from Chamonix at 17:25, so you must sleep in Turin and the take a direct high speed train To Florence on the next morning.
You can take a bus from Chamonix to Aosta and rent a car, but It's a 6 hours drive plus stops and plus the time wasted on Milan's and Bologna's ring roads. Are you staying in Florence? Inside or outside the ZTL area?
Posted by
OP
30 posts
Thanks for all the replies everybody. Based on what I’m hearing it sounds like the best option might be to go back to Geneva and take a direct flight to Rome. Then rent a car at the airport and drive up from there. Seems like that saves some time and a lot of hassle. I should say we intend to spend our first few days south of Florence in Tuscany so that maybe even argues the case for flying to Rome even more.