We're planning to take the Alps, My Way tour beginning September 11. The tour ends in Chamonix, France on the 22nd and we wonder what the best way is to get to Geneva (or another good airport) to fly home to Minnesota.
Posted by
Hollis, NH, USA
104 posts
When we took this trip in 2022 we booked a shared shuttle with Mountain Dropoffs. They picked us up at our hotel in Chamonix and took us to the airport in Geneva. We then flew Lufthansa from Geneva to Munich to Boston.
Posted by
Los Angeles
88 posts
I was on the My way Alpine tour in June 2022 and we stayed 2 additional nights in Chamonix after the tour. Our flight home from Geneva was on a Sunday morning at 9:35am. We booked an Alpybus shared shuttle from our Chamonix hotel to GVA airport the morning of the flight and we had absolutely no problems. It was 42E/pp, and driving time was around~1.5hr. Our pickup was just before 6am from our Chamonix hotel, and there were still several stops to pickup others before we actually got on the road to Geneva. We arrived at the small Geneva airport in plenty of time as there are no checkin or security line issues.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks to you both, Jone and galliegirl! You've told us exactly what we need to hear! We had been worried since Kayak said there were no buses or trains to Geneva.
Galliegirl, and all, we also are thinking of staying a day or two longer in Chamonix. Were you glad you did? Is one extra day enough or would you go for two? (I know this is like asking if my shoes fit, but ...)
Posted by
Chicago
275 posts
There are trains that can get you from Chamonix to Geneva, but they are slow due to
the mountains, changes in track scale, and connections that are required as a result.
But they are scenic, so you may want to check them out.
Otherwise, there are multiple shuttle and bus options to get to Geneva. You can use
findtransfers.com to obtain shuttle quotes. Here is a list of bus options from Geneva
Airport.
It's also possible to take a bus through the tunnel to Aosta and then connect onwards to
Turin or Milan. And, if you've never been to Annecy, that is worth a day or two on the
return (easy bus to Annecy and then easy bus to Geneva Airport).
Posted by
Los Angeles
88 posts
Jrwells2411,
In regards to staying one day extra or two in Chamonix after the tour, I think would depend on how avid a hiker you are. If you really enjoy hiking, then there is plenty to do for 2 extra days. If not, one extra day might be sufficient.
I had lofty hikes mapped out for our extra two days, but I ended up having to scrap them because we got sick and was just not feeling up to it. However we still enjoyed our more relaxed extra days.
Here’s what we did in Chamonix:
Arrival day on tour: walked all around town and went to Crystal Museum
Full day on tour: 3-day Mont Blanc multi-pass
Aiguille du Midi (we spent 3hrs up top). The gondola to Italy was unfortunately not running our day.
Hiked from Plan du Midi down to Refuge du Midi. Had lunch
4D cinema
Afternoon rest
river walk to Les Praz, take bus back
Post tour day 1:
Plan Praz gondola to Le Brevent cable car. Views at both levels
take bus to Les Praz
Le Flegrere gondola to L'index chairlift. Views at both levels
take bus back to Chamonix
Montravers cogtrain to Mer de glace.
Post tour day 2:
[Originally planned for a Day hike from Le Brevent to Merlet Animal Park]
But instead we slept-in, explored market day, then walked to the Chamonix amusement park and rode the Luge Alpine coaster.
Then returned to the hotel for some spa time and packed for our return home