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Geneva, Montreux, Chamonix, Zermatt?, Annecy, Geneva

Hello all,
I'm trying to figure out the best route and number of days for my upcoming (third!) trip to Switzerland. I've already spent time in BO area and near Luzern, so this time I'm flying into/out of Geneva to explore that part of Switzerland and into France a bit. I'll have 11 days (before flying to Portugal for a week), but I'm not sure how to carve up the time. My main interests are mountains, lakes, hiking, waterfalls, and maybe a few wineries (not interested in shopping, museums, chocolate/cheese tours). I'm thinking of taking the train from Geneva airport to Montreux/Vevey, where I want to check out Glacier 3000, Rochers-de-Naye, Chillon Castle, Vevey old town, maybe walk around the vineyards, and also take a boat on the lake. Then on to Chamonix to check out Aiguille du Midi, Helbronner Point, Mer de Glace, and also go paragliding. From there I'm not sure whether to go to Zermatt for 2 nights, or to skip Zermatt and go to Annecy for a couple nights before heading back to Geneva (might spend an extra night in Geneva before flying out).

So my question is: allowing for travel time between Geneva/Montreux, Montreux/Chamonix, Chamonix/Zermatt, Zermatt/Annecy, and Annecy/Geneva, I'm thinking I'll stay 3 nights in Montreux, 3 nights in Chamonix, 2 in Zermatt, 1 in Annecy, 2 in Geneva. Will that be enough time to see/do what I want?

Posted by
22416 posts

I am thinking that going Geneva-Montreux-Zermatt- Chamonix-Annecy-Geneva would be a better order of travel. Zermatt to Annecy would be a long day. The travel time from Montreux to Zermatt is only 30 minutes longer than to Chamonix. Chamonix to Annecy is only 2hr and 20 minutes.

Posted by
16 posts

Thank you, Sam! That does seem to make more sense!

Do you think 3 nights in Montreux and 3 in Chamonix will be enough to see everything I want to see?