Please help me figure out how to get from Paris to Chamonix and back, via train.

April 25, 2011 10:17 PM

Please help me figure out how to get from Paris to Chamonix and back, via train, 2 weeks from today.

I've done a ton of searching, but I can't seem to figure out the best way to get from Paris to my hotel in Chamonix via Train. This should be simple, but every time I type Paris to Chamonix in http://raileurope.com, I get an error.

I can get as far as St. Gervais, but I can't figure out how to get from there to Chamonix, and eventually my hotel. I've checked http://www.seat61.com and I've followed their instructions, but I can't seem to get it all sorted out.

I'd like to leave Paris around 8-10am on Monday, May 16.

I'd like to return to Paris, leaving Chamonix around 8-10am on Wednesday, May 18.

My address in Chamonix is: 35 Route Gaudenays 74400 Chamonix, France

Bonus questions:
1.) Is it possible to do a long enough transfer in Lyon, Annecy, or Geneva, to see any sights, and still get to Paris or Chamonix before sunset?

Thanks!

posted by xotis to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total)

I did this two years ago! I went from paris to Milano, then Milano->chamonix. Visit swiss trains! for the best route from chamonix. (Yup, the swiss trains are your best bet, and they don't seem to be linked up into the rail europe sites)

Going via italy may seem a bit weird, but I found it to be the most direct in wintertime(snow and all that in the alps). Chamonix/mont blanc are right on the swiss/french/italian border, so it sort of make sense) There may be summer routes for the trains that are more efficient, but not sure about that. I had some random transfers, but they were pretty easy to figure out, and the net trip was cheaper than flying(and prettier!)


Chamonix has local buses that are easy to figure out, and its pretty walkable, so don't worry about that bit.

Annecy isn't on the right rail system, lyon may be. Annecy is soooooo pretty, but geneva is also rather stunning.

(I'm typing on a droid, so can't link to maps, but hopefully the swiss rail site will get you moving along.)
posted by larthegreat at 10:34 PM on April 25, 2011

Tried, http://www.sncf.com/? (what an awful site - it just keeps getting worse!)

Never used rail europe, before.
posted by alex_skazat at 10:35 PM on April 25, 2011

Actually my route was cheap, not direct. Swiss trains might be worth looking into, but going to milano may not be the efficient way. Paris->Geneva is 3hrs, and Lyon should be about the same time. Have you tried visiting Chamonix.com? They list a bunch of options.

I've taken the mont blanc express(the train you'll need) from st. Gervais. Its privately run. And absolutedly gorgeous.
posted by larthegreat at 10:45 PM on April 25, 2011

Use the TGV lyria train to commute between Paris & Geneva.
There are hourly shuttle buses from Geneva train station to Chamonix.
posted by lahersedor at 11:12 PM on April 25, 2011

We did Chamonix->Lyon last year by bus. Lyon is easy to get to from Paris. You could also try Geneva as others have suggested.

There's a pretty good site on how to get into/out of Chamonix using a variety of options. Even that site says:

"Travelling by train from the airport to French ski resorts is generally not a very convenient option. Journeys tend to be long and convoluted with at least one change, making the public bus or an airport transfer a quicker, often more economical choice."
posted by vacapinta at 2:37 AM on April 26, 2011 [1 favorite]

My recommendation would be to get the train to Geneva and then take ChamBus (apparently now called ChamExpress http://www.chamexpress.com) up to Chamonix. You'll need to get the train to Geneve-Cointrin/Geneve-Aeroport, not Geneve-Cornavin, since the bus leaves from the Airport. If your SNCF train from Paris goes to Geneve-Cornavin, you can easily catch another train to the airport - unless otherwise announced, most trains arriving in the Gare de Cornavin will usually have Geneva Airport as their final destination (if they come from elsewhere in Switzerland).
posted by netsirk at 7:57 AM on April 26, 2011

This site, too, has some good info on getting to Chamonix by train.

I traveled from Paris -> Chamonix many years ago, and I recall it took the better part of a day. Well worth it, though! Enjoy your trip.
posted by mosk at 10:50 AM on April 26, 2011

DB Bahn Trains are always my go-to for booking trains anywhere in europe.

For that route it will show you the train times but it seems they are not bookable online: Tickets can be purchased from any DB Travel Centre or DB-licensed travel agency or by calling the DB Travel Service on [phone] (chargeable).
posted by Lanark at 1:09 PM on April 26, 2011

Some years ago I took the "Mont Blanc - Chamonix Express" which goes from St Gervais up the Chamonix valley and over the hump into Martigny, Switzerland. (I managed to miss my stop, which was not the train's fault.)
posted by phliar at 6:11 PM on April 27, 2011