I am getting very confusing and conflicting information from different sites. I am traveling for 3 weeks in Switzerland, but want to swing down into France just to see Annecy and Chamonix/Mont Blanc for a few days. When I try to find public transport, I get confusing information. Sometimes this routing is said to involve a bus, other info says regional trains, and yet other info suggests I need to hire a van or shuttle transport. I don't want to rent a car and drive. I can't believe it can be that difficult or complex of a routing to go to and from such popular places. On the map it looks like the reasonable route should be Geneva to Annecy to Chamonix, then up into Switzerland via Martigny (then I can go on with my Switzerland itinerary with a half fare card). Another example: when I put in Chamonix to Martigny, the sbb.ch site routes me back to Geneva! So my questions are: 1) how do I get from Geneva to Annecy, 2) then to Chamonix and 3) how do I get from Chamonix to Martigny? Can anyone provide their experiences and help me? thanks
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
I can speak to the Chamonix/Martigny route...we just spent three weeks in the Martigny area and went to Chamonix twice. The road between these two places is not terribly long. It takes about 35-40 minutes to drive. It is a windy, two-lane, mountain road and there are no tunnels connecting the two sides of these mountains - the road is the only option. Using public transport might be difficult. I might suggest that you take a "La Post" bus to the Swiss/French border and then a French public bus the rest of the way? I'm not sure how this would work but it's worth looking into!
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4161 posts
Mary , I think I can shed some light on your dilemma ,having looked at structuring some of this myself . For some reason , and in some cases , the railway computers ( in all countries ) sometimes don't " see " the most logical routing , so it becomes necessary to cobble it together yourself . 1) Geneva to Annecy appears to work best this way : from Geneva to Annemasse France via Geneva Eaux Vives by city tram ( or bus ) and then Annemasse - La Roche sur Foron - Annecy . 2) Annecy - La Roche sur Foron - St. Gervais les Bains - Chamonix . These two trips seem much more complicated than they really are , PM me for more details . 3) Chamonix to Martigny also seems overly complex , but is actually quite simple ; Chamonix - Chatelard Le Frontiere - Martigny . This is the Mont Blanc Express which runs via the Trient valley to Martigny . Depending on your date of travel , there may be a bus substitution on this leg due to ongoing track work , but it's a smooth transition in any event . I'm making the Martigny - Chamonix - St. Gervais - Paris trip later this fall myself . Again , PM me if you want more detail , This is really not as bad as it seems once you understand how it all works out . INSTANT EDIT : some of the trips from Annemasse to Annecy are direct , no change , one hour , Sorry !!
Posted by
Philadelphia
11 posts
Just returned from Chamonix and Geneva, and second the Mt Blanc Express to Martigny. Stunning train ride. Currently a shuttle bus goes around track work at the border, but it is easy to figure out what to do , and the SNCF train folks are helpful. For your return to Geneva there are multiple van services from Cham (we used both ChamExpress and Alpibus, easy to google).Pick ups anywhere in Cham; deposit at airport /train station. Much faster than the train. Btw the Modigliani exhibition in Martigny was quite good.
Posted by
OP
Hobart, IN, USA
17 posts
Thanks so much for your reply! you are confirming what others have said, that this trip can be done without problem. and also, thanks for the heads up about the exhibition in Martigny.