Lyon, Annecy & Chamonix Rail & Bus Tour

Connect Lyon Old Town, Lake Annecy, and Mont Blanc without a car, departing from Geneva

Stay two nights in each destination for a steady pace with only three transfers. Explore the old town and traboules of Lyon, spend a day cruising Lake Annecy, and focus on the Aiguille du Midi and Mer de Glace in Chamonix. Since there is no direct train from Annecy to Chamonix, this leg is done by direct bus. This route skips the Vercors and smaller lake villages, making it ideal for first-time visitors to the French Alps who prefer not to drive.

The Aiguille du Midi and Mer de Glace have maintenance closures in spring and autumn; check opening dates from late September onwards.

Day by day

Day 1 · Lyon Old Town & Fourvière Hill

Lyon（Vieux Lyon、Lyon Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste)、Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière、Ancient Theatres of Fourvière & Lugdunum Museum）

Take the Rhônexpress (approx. 30 mins) to Lyon Part-Dieu station, take the metro to the Presqu'île, and then ride the funicular up Fourvière Hill.

Stay: Presqu'île

Day 2 · La Croix-Rousse Traboules & Food Market

Lyon（La Croix-Rousse & Traboules、Place des Terreaux & Hôtel de Ville、Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon、Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse）

Explore mainly on foot. Take Metro Line C to go up La Croix-Rousse, and use the metro to travel to and from the market, with all trips taking under 30 minutes.

Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse is closed on Mondays, and the Museum of Fine Arts is closed on Tuesdays; check schedules before departing.

Stay: Presqu'île

Day 3 · Train to Annecy Old Town

Annecy（Annecy Old Town、Palais de l'Isle、Pont des Amours、Le Pâquier）

Take a direct TER train from Lyon Part-Dieu to Annecy (approx. 2 hours), running hourly during most periods.

Stay: Annecy Old Town

Day 4 · Lake Annecy Cruise & Lakeshore

Annecy（Lake Annecy、Talloires、Lake Annecy Greenway (Voie Verte)）

Take a 1-hour lake cruise from the pier, disembark around Talloires, and return to town by bus or bicycle.

Cruise schedules vary by season, with services suspended or reduced during the low season; check timetables in advance.

Stay: Annecy Old Town

Day 5 · Bus to Chamonix & Le Brévent

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc（Chamonix Town Centre、Le Brévent）

Take a direct bus from Annecy Bus Station to Chamonix (approx. 1.5–2 hours). In the afternoon, walk to the Le Brévent cable car station.

Stay: Chamonix Centre

Day 6 · Aiguille du Midi & Mer de Glace in One Day

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc（Aiguille du Midi & Step into the Void、Mer de Glace & Montenvers Railway）

Take the Aiguille du Midi cable car up the mountain in the morning (approx. 20 mins). In the afternoon, take the red cogwheel train to Montenvers (approx. 20 mins).

Book timeslots for the Aiguille du Midi in advance; if it is very cloudy, swap this day with the next or with Le Brévent.