We are spending a few days in Chamonix in June and thought it would be really cool to go into Italy and/or Switzerland, since we are so close and have never been in those countries. How much time should we allow for this activity? What is the best way to get there? Is there good public transportation or should we rent a car?
Posted by
Austin
973 posts
Was there in July a few years ago and it was chilly and fogged in. We had a car and drove to Martigny, had a nice sunny day with ltalian meal in a cafe outside. There's a museum and some Roman ruins, as well as a sign about Napoleon passing that way. BTW, the duty free shops on the Swiss side didn't seem like a bargain. Driving from Chamonix through the tunnel to Italy is very expensive, 38/39 +/- euros one way, ten more for r/t if you purchase at the same time. Someone will come along& post who knows how to outsmart that tunnel, tho.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16379 posts
We used a rainy day in Chamonix to take a day trip into Switzerland to visit a castle, Chateau de Chillon, near Montreux. The train trip was very scenic as it went up and over the mountain to Martigny, then along the lake to Montreux. There is a lakeside path that you can take to reach the castle,mor a local train, or taxi. We enjoyed the walk.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
If you rent a car in France and drive into Switzerland, you better have a vignette on it. Or, you will need to buy one as you cross the border. It will cost about 40CHF or so. You must have this sticker on the car. Taking the train from Chamonix into Switzerland works well. For a more adventureous trip into Italy from Chamonix, you might try the cableway. It's an all day round trip sort of thing but it's spectacular. You'll hit 12,600 feet on part of the trip.
Posted by
OP
Wichita
13 posts
Thanks everyone for all your help and great information! It looks like taking a train is the way to go to Switzerland, and it sounds really cool (literally) to take the cableway all the way to see Italy. I realize it takes all day to do the cableway, but is there time to take a short hike at the halfway point and/or time to eat pizza in Italy before we have to head back? Does the cableway go all the way to Courmayeur or somewhere else? I'm having a hard time visualizing what is possible. Thanks.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16379 posts
Here's Rick's description of the cableway trip to Italy from Chamonix. You end up in Aosta, and probably could have lunch there. http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/france/chamonix.htm
Posted by
OP
Wichita
13 posts
Thanks. Leave it to Rick Steves to give the details I need!