Day Trip from Geneva - Need Advice
May 23rd, 2015, 12:19 AM
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Day Trip from Geneva - Need Advice
On our coming tour to Switzerland early next month, we need advice on which of the following day trip from Geneva is more interesting.
(1) Charmonix (Aiguille Du Midi)
(2) Annecy
(3) Montreux
From Geneva, we will be taking train to Murren, spending 3 days in Bernese Oberland, visit Schilthorn and cruise on Lake Brienz. Our last stop will be Bern.
Our initial gut feel seems to be going for Annecy as it will offer us different scenery.
The snow-capped mountain view in Schilthorn may be similar to Charmonix (ADM). Also ADM trip is quite costly.
Not sure how different is Montreux with Geneva and Bern.
Appreciate advice from all.
Thanks.
Andy, Malaysia
(1) Charmonix (Aiguille Du Midi)
(2) Annecy
(3) Montreux
From Geneva, we will be taking train to Murren, spending 3 days in Bernese Oberland, visit Schilthorn and cruise on Lake Brienz. Our last stop will be Bern.
Our initial gut feel seems to be going for Annecy as it will offer us different scenery.
The snow-capped mountain view in Schilthorn may be similar to Charmonix (ADM). Also ADM trip is quite costly.
Not sure how different is Montreux with Geneva and Bern.
Appreciate advice from all.
Thanks.
Andy, Malaysia
May 23rd, 2015, 01:51 AM
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Aiguille du Midi is IN THE MIDDLE OF GLACIERS AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHEST MOUNTAINS OF EUROPE.
Panorama: Alps of Southern France, Italy (Gran Paradiso, Ortles-Cevedale), Switzerland (Gd Combin - Matterhorn - Monte Rosa, Glacier3000 - Jungfrau area, Central Switzerland, Grischun
Schilthorn is a (much less high) peak BETWEEN THE SWISS MIDLANDS and the alpine peaks of the Jungfrau area.
Panorama: peaks of the Jungfrau area.
The most scenic train itinerary from Geneva to Muerren will go through Montreux anyway (luggage lockers at the railway station). You can perfectly spend a few hours at Montreux and Chillon castle on yolur way to Muerren.
As an alternative, you could also go by about 150 years old paddle steam boats from Geneva to Lausanne or Montreux.
LAKE GENEVA
Geneva corresponds in no way to the cliché of German speaking Heidiland Switzerland with a chalet for the cheese maker, a chalet for the watchmaker, a chalet for the chocolate maker, a chalet for the banker, surrounded by cows ruminating Edelweiss and Rhododendron (Alprose) in front of overseas tourist's trinity Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau.
Geneva with the Red Cross and Human Dignity Museum, the European UNO seat, the CERN, a lot of NGO's and Governmental Organisations, pharmaceutical, electronic an other precision industries, an old university and many famous scientific institutes is an integral part of Switzerland. It would be impossible to imagine Switzerland without Geneva. Poeple often forget that Switzerland is not a country with only ONE language and ONE culture (how boring!), but a Confederation of 26 cantons with their own governments, administration, laws, taxes, police...., a country with 4 languages and 4 cultures of equal value each one.
But Geneva is not a touristic must see place, unless you are interested in the stuff mentioned above or in the elegant historic paddle wheel steamers plying Lake Geneva.
May be therefore, some people don't realize that a journey from Geneva to Aiguille du Midi (12600 ft) in the middle of the glaciers of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain of Western Europe, takes less time (and costs much less) than a train ride from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch (11333 ft).
The whole Lake Geneva (Lac Leman in French) area has a very good tourist infrastructure (including luxury hotels and top restaurants with gourmet meals for 200-300 USD/pax) since the end of the 19th century. It's one of the sunniest places of Switzerland (together with the Cantons of Valais and Ticino). The most scenic part is between Lausanne - Vevey - Montreux - Villeneuve). The whole area is never really crowded, despite many day trippers from all over Switzerland.
Geneva has only 200.000 inhabitants (500.000 with suburbs), but the amenities of a big capital. People from all over the world (among them many Arab princes) fly to Geneva for shopping (and so).
Weather changes from year to year. Usually, the warmest month is July, with maxima around 30-32 and (noon) minima around 20 degrees. June is often more rainy.
Geneva airport is small but efficient. Local people use to arrive there from town (5 min by train, 20 min by bus) less than an hour prior to the plane's departure. Direct flights to almost all important places in Western Europe. Easyjet offers actually July flights to many European capitals for less than 50 USD (with 1 piece of checked in luggage).
Mont Blanc, the highest mountain of Western Europe can be seen from many places in town, from the Lake and from Mont Saleve, the "house" mountain, which can be reached by city bus and cableway.
Buses and trains from Geneva to Chamonix (2 hrs trip), from where you can go up to 3800 m by cableway (..cross the glaciers by gondola and go down at the other side to Courmayeur in Italy if you like).
Some places around Lake Geneva or not far away from it:
historic steamboats on Lake Geneva:
http://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/fileadm.../2013/3150.pdf
http://www.cgn.ch/eng/flotte
Blonay-Chamby historic railway:
http://www.blonay-chamby.ch/index-en.php
Chillon castle:
http://www.chillon.ch/en/
Gruyeres castle, cheese diary and chocolate factory:
http://www.chateau-gruyeres.ch/e/mul...spectacle.html
http://www.la-gruyere.ch/en/navpage-...FR-120085.html
http://www.lamaisondugruyere.ch/inde...=142&Itemid=56
http://www.lamaisondugruyere.ch/inde...=142&Itemid=56
Chatelard-Emosson (Mont Blanc area):
http://www.chatelard.net/english/pages/descr_e.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emosson
http://www.emosson.ch/PublicEN/default-en.htm
Zermatt-Gornergrat:
http://www.gornergrat.ch/home/index.php
http://www.klein-matterhorn.ch/photos/
http://www.zermatt.ch/en/index.cfm
Entirely walled city of Murten:
http://www.murtentourismus.ch/en/nav...nFR-99305.html
http://www.murtentourismus.ch/en/nav...-MurtenFR.html
Panorama: Alps of Southern France, Italy (Gran Paradiso, Ortles-Cevedale), Switzerland (Gd Combin - Matterhorn - Monte Rosa, Glacier3000 - Jungfrau area, Central Switzerland, Grischun
Schilthorn is a (much less high) peak BETWEEN THE SWISS MIDLANDS and the alpine peaks of the Jungfrau area.
Panorama: peaks of the Jungfrau area.
The most scenic train itinerary from Geneva to Muerren will go through Montreux anyway (luggage lockers at the railway station). You can perfectly spend a few hours at Montreux and Chillon castle on yolur way to Muerren.
As an alternative, you could also go by about 150 years old paddle steam boats from Geneva to Lausanne or Montreux.
LAKE GENEVA
Geneva corresponds in no way to the cliché of German speaking Heidiland Switzerland with a chalet for the cheese maker, a chalet for the watchmaker, a chalet for the chocolate maker, a chalet for the banker, surrounded by cows ruminating Edelweiss and Rhododendron (Alprose) in front of overseas tourist's trinity Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau.
Geneva with the Red Cross and Human Dignity Museum, the European UNO seat, the CERN, a lot of NGO's and Governmental Organisations, pharmaceutical, electronic an other precision industries, an old university and many famous scientific institutes is an integral part of Switzerland. It would be impossible to imagine Switzerland without Geneva. Poeple often forget that Switzerland is not a country with only ONE language and ONE culture (how boring!), but a Confederation of 26 cantons with their own governments, administration, laws, taxes, police...., a country with 4 languages and 4 cultures of equal value each one.
But Geneva is not a touristic must see place, unless you are interested in the stuff mentioned above or in the elegant historic paddle wheel steamers plying Lake Geneva.
May be therefore, some people don't realize that a journey from Geneva to Aiguille du Midi (12600 ft) in the middle of the glaciers of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain of Western Europe, takes less time (and costs much less) than a train ride from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch (11333 ft).
The whole Lake Geneva (Lac Leman in French) area has a very good tourist infrastructure (including luxury hotels and top restaurants with gourmet meals for 200-300 USD/pax) since the end of the 19th century. It's one of the sunniest places of Switzerland (together with the Cantons of Valais and Ticino). The most scenic part is between Lausanne - Vevey - Montreux - Villeneuve). The whole area is never really crowded, despite many day trippers from all over Switzerland.
Geneva has only 200.000 inhabitants (500.000 with suburbs), but the amenities of a big capital. People from all over the world (among them many Arab princes) fly to Geneva for shopping (and so).
Weather changes from year to year. Usually, the warmest month is July, with maxima around 30-32 and (noon) minima around 20 degrees. June is often more rainy.
Geneva airport is small but efficient. Local people use to arrive there from town (5 min by train, 20 min by bus) less than an hour prior to the plane's departure. Direct flights to almost all important places in Western Europe. Easyjet offers actually July flights to many European capitals for less than 50 USD (with 1 piece of checked in luggage).
Mont Blanc, the highest mountain of Western Europe can be seen from many places in town, from the Lake and from Mont Saleve, the "house" mountain, which can be reached by city bus and cableway.
Buses and trains from Geneva to Chamonix (2 hrs trip), from where you can go up to 3800 m by cableway (..cross the glaciers by gondola and go down at the other side to Courmayeur in Italy if you like).
Some places around Lake Geneva or not far away from it:
historic steamboats on Lake Geneva:
http://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/fileadm.../2013/3150.pdf
http://www.cgn.ch/eng/flotte
Blonay-Chamby historic railway:
http://www.blonay-chamby.ch/index-en.php
Chillon castle:
http://www.chillon.ch/en/
Gruyeres castle, cheese diary and chocolate factory:
http://www.chateau-gruyeres.ch/e/mul...spectacle.html
http://www.la-gruyere.ch/en/navpage-...FR-120085.html
http://www.lamaisondugruyere.ch/inde...=142&Itemid=56
http://www.lamaisondugruyere.ch/inde...=142&Itemid=56
Chatelard-Emosson (Mont Blanc area):
http://www.chatelard.net/english/pages/descr_e.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emosson
http://www.emosson.ch/PublicEN/default-en.htm
Zermatt-Gornergrat:
http://www.gornergrat.ch/home/index.php
http://www.klein-matterhorn.ch/photos/
http://www.zermatt.ch/en/index.cfm
Entirely walled city of Murten:
http://www.murtentourismus.ch/en/nav...nFR-99305.html
http://www.murtentourismus.ch/en/nav...-MurtenFR.html
May 23rd, 2015, 06:36 AM
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The Aguille du Midi to Pte Heilbronner cable cars are the most thrilling I have ever taken - well worth the trip and unparalleled other places you are going - absolutely nothing in common with Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn - but Chamonix is a longish day trip - i may go for something a bit easier.
May 23rd, 2015, 11:43 AM
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chamonix only an hour much quicker than I thought as I was figuring on trains that take a round-about route - so yes that would be the most awesome place and again not at all like anyplace in Switzerland I've been - at least those totally awesome and to some frightening aerial cable cars to Italy and back - the cabins - tiny 4-person ones stop often, dangling over the sea of ice far below whilst folks get on and off at either end - you are left dangling in the quiet area - sounds only of the ice cracking far below.
Check www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com for more on that awesome cable car ride!
Plus Chamonix is just a delighful small town.
Check www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com for more on that awesome cable car ride!
Plus Chamonix is just a delighful small town.
May 24th, 2015, 09:27 AM
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From Geneva, we will be taking train to Murren, spending 3 days in Bernese Oberland, visit Schilthorn and cruise on Lake Brienz.>
Well from Geneva you could go first to Chamonix - stay there - there is a lot more Alpine Wonderland than the teleferique rides and at French prices not Swiss where sticker shock often sets in the first time you want to buy something!
But from Chamonix one of Switzerland ballyhooed awesomely scenic railways from Chamonix to Martigny and the Rhone Valley - catch trains there to Visp/Brig and then to Spiez and Interlaken-Ost - jumping off place for trains to Wengen via Lauterbrunnen.
The Chamonix-Martigny train passes glaciers and just awesome Alpine scenery until it rolls along an all-too-narrow ledge for some high above the Rhone Valley - seeming to be like an airplane coming down.
Well from Geneva you could go first to Chamonix - stay there - there is a lot more Alpine Wonderland than the teleferique rides and at French prices not Swiss where sticker shock often sets in the first time you want to buy something!
But from Chamonix one of Switzerland ballyhooed awesomely scenic railways from Chamonix to Martigny and the Rhone Valley - catch trains there to Visp/Brig and then to Spiez and Interlaken-Ost - jumping off place for trains to Wengen via Lauterbrunnen.
The Chamonix-Martigny train passes glaciers and just awesome Alpine scenery until it rolls along an all-too-narrow ledge for some high above the Rhone Valley - seeming to be like an airplane coming down.
May 25th, 2015, 05:37 AM
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Thanks PalenQ for the suggestions.
Our current itinerary are as follow:
June 3 : Depart Geneva at 1300 -Montreux (Golden Pass)- Zweissmen - Murren (sleep Murren)
June 4 : Schilthorn and hiking (sleep Murren)
June 5 : Gimmerwald/ Lauterbrunnen (sleep Interlaken)
June 6 : Cruise Lake Brienz - Bern half day tour (sleep Bern)
JUne 7 : Half day tour Bern - depart to Geneva Airport at 1200.
I would like to replace Golden Pass Express with Mt Blanc Express and Schilthorn with Aguille Du Midi. Just wonder any lovely Alps village similar to Murren in Chamonix so that I can skip Murren and Bernese Oberland?
Thanks.
Our current itinerary are as follow:
June 3 : Depart Geneva at 1300 -Montreux (Golden Pass)- Zweissmen - Murren (sleep Murren)
June 4 : Schilthorn and hiking (sleep Murren)
June 5 : Gimmerwald/ Lauterbrunnen (sleep Interlaken)
June 6 : Cruise Lake Brienz - Bern half day tour (sleep Bern)
JUne 7 : Half day tour Bern - depart to Geneva Airport at 1200.
I would like to replace Golden Pass Express with Mt Blanc Express and Schilthorn with Aguille Du Midi. Just wonder any lovely Alps village similar to Murren in Chamonix so that I can skip Murren and Bernese Oberland?
Thanks.
May 25th, 2015, 09:12 AM
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Unfortunately IME at Chamonix I did not notice any Murren or Wengen type villages right up in the Alps - Chamonix lies in a narrow valley with slopes steeply going up from it - a glacier nearly touches the town - not sure this type of geography is good for developing small towns.
In any case the Jungfrau Region is much more varied in its attractions that do not depend on Alpine adventures - like the lake boat tours - to me the Jungfrau Region if you have to chose is the absolute highlight of Switzerland and should be IMO a novice tourist's number one focus and what you have planned there is sweet.
In any case the Jungfrau Region is much more varied in its attractions that do not depend on Alpine adventures - like the lake boat tours - to me the Jungfrau Region if you have to chose is the absolute highlight of Switzerland and should be IMO a novice tourist's number one focus and what you have planned there is sweet.
May 25th, 2015, 11:57 AM
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For example it is only - only! 3.5 hours from Chamonix to Interlaken-Ost via this scenic railway - to me one of the most awesomely scenic in Switzerland - add an hour getting to Chamonix from Geneva and you have about 6 hours max Geneva-Chamonix-Interlaken-Wengen and a heck of a scenic route. Not sure you'll want to spend time to go to the thrilling cable ways though but an alternative and novel way of going between Geneva and Interlaken.
May 25th, 2015, 03:46 PM
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Wow, it seems that it make a lot of sense to go to Wengen via IMO.
Now we need to check the cost factor. I unable to find the cost of IMO. Need help on this.
Also we plan to buy Swiss Half Fare Pass. This the IMO covered by this pass?
Any suggestion to economise our traveling cost is highly appreciated. We are budget travellers.
Thank you.
Now we need to check the cost factor. I unable to find the cost of IMO. Need help on this.
Also we plan to buy Swiss Half Fare Pass. This the IMO covered by this pass?
Any suggestion to economise our traveling cost is highly appreciated. We are budget travellers.
Thank you.
May 26th, 2015, 06:19 PM
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Sorry, it should be IME or Mt Blanc Express.
So, my alternative route on June 3 is Geneva-Chamonix (Mt Blanc Express) - Martigny- Interlaken - Murren.
Another way probably will be:
June 3 : Geneva- Bern (sleep Bern)
June 4 : Bern - Murren (sleep Murren)
June 5 : Tour Murren (sleep Interlaken)
June 6 : Lake Brienz Cruise - Interlaken - Martigny (IME) - Chamonix (sleep Chamonix)
June 7 : Aguille Du Midi and depart to Geneva airport at 1.30pm.
Not sure whether the above is better....
Thank you.
So, my alternative route on June 3 is Geneva-Chamonix (Mt Blanc Express) - Martigny- Interlaken - Murren.
Another way probably will be:
June 3 : Geneva- Bern (sleep Bern)
June 4 : Bern - Murren (sleep Murren)
June 5 : Tour Murren (sleep Interlaken)
June 6 : Lake Brienz Cruise - Interlaken - Martigny (IME) - Chamonix (sleep Chamonix)
June 7 : Aguille Du Midi and depart to Geneva airport at 1.30pm.
Not sure whether the above is better....
Thank you.
May 27th, 2015, 06:02 AM
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I like the 2nd version more because you stay in Chamonix and thus not such a long day as Geneva-Cham-Murren would be. Plus you'll save a lot by staying the night in France over a typical Swiss hotel.
