I am planning a trip to Europe for next May. Got a wicked deal on flights in/out of CDG (Paris) so we will jump in the car and drive south to Italy as soon as we land.
My question is: Is it worth it to spend 2 days on the way back in Geneva (coming from Venice back to CDG) or choose another destination like Lake Como? I have traveled all around Lake Geneva, just haven't spent time IN Geneva. Any suggestions on what to do/see in Geneva?
Thanks!
Please consider choosing another way to reach Italy after landing at CDG. It is not safe to drive for many hours after a long flight from overseas... And it is quite expensive unless there's 3-4 of you.
If you land before 11 AM or so, you can easily catch a 3 PM train to Turin and reach Turin that same evening, for example.
Or Geneva, or Lyon, or... Wherever, really.
As for Geneva: it is fine for a relaxing day of sightseeing, but if you've already been to Lake Geneva, I am not sure it is worth it.
EDIT: I had missed the bit where you mention your intention to drive back from Venice to CDG. Don't do this, definitely fly back from Venice to CDG the day before your int'l flight.
If you are interested in physics or astronomy, you would probably enjoy the CERN museum, which is extremely well done. In fact, my daughter and I who are less interested in physics than my other daughter, enjoyed it, as well. Otherwise, my opinion is that Geneva is fine, except lodging is VERY expensive and there are other places in Switzerland or southeast France that are more interesting.
I’ve passed through Geneva on the way to other Swiss destinations. As Europe’s headquarters for the United Nations, in addition to being a center for banking and diplomacy, prices are above the Swiss average and that means lodging and dining is quite pricey. For me, there were more attractions of interest elsewhere in Switzerland- so I gave Geneva a miss.
Hontestly if you want to go to Venice I would just fly there from CDG. Driving all the way there will be slow, boring (motorway all the way unless you want it even slower), and once in Venice your car will spend all the time you are there parked in a (paid) parking garage....
A car in Europe is convenient if you want to explore rural areas (eg good to have one in Tuscany for example), but just as a means to get from Paris to Italy I would not advise it.
I agree with the post above by WengenK that flying to Venice from CDG makes sense as 90-minute flights start at $41. The 10-11-hour drive in a car rental is going to be costly and you won’t find a car of any use in Venice. Planes can get you there quickly and trains will get you to Lake Como and back to Paris.
Thanks for the replies.
For those who dove into the don't drive from Paris, we have no issue with it, we find it super easy and have been doing it for years. The car rental out of CDG was $350 cheaper than Italy, so flying is actually more expensive. We are in Europe for 5 weeks, so a little more driving on 2 days isn't an issue at all when you cannot check into the place until 3-4pm.
My question was whether to spend time in Geneva on the way back or spend it at another lake.
Thank you to those who answered my question.
I assume you've driven in Italy before but if not, be sure that each driver has the compulsory International Driver's Permit. You'll also have to be vigilant to avoid the ZTL (limited traffic), speed cameras, etc.
Regarding your original question, while Geneva may have it's "charms", your time would probably be better spent in other locations in Switzerland or elsewhere. If you're going to be in that area, as I recall Chamonix (FR) is only about an hours drive from Geneva. That would definitely be a good place to spend a couple of days. There are lots of other locations in Switzerland to consider. A few possibilities.....
You may get some more ideas by having a look at the RS Switzerland guidebook.
Yes Ken we definitely have driven in Italy before.
That is great advice for the locations. I will check it out.
If you are intent on driving, then, instead of Geneva and besides the good suggestions you just had (Chamonix's a very good one IMO), I would look into Lake Maggiore. Verbania, Stresa or Baveno would make for a good stopover, and you'd have the perfect amount of time to see the highlights on the lake.
By the way, in your budgeting calculations, do consider the fact that driving from Paris to Venice costs somewhere between 200-250 euros, one way.
I was quite surprised when I bought my CH guidebook and there was no chapter on Geneva, thought perhaps Rick was pulling my leg. It turns out he doesn't recommend going there, FWIW.
So I turned to Fodors and Frommers and found what I needed, even though I didn't end up going.
