By Bus in Lyon and the Alps

By Bus

Where there's no train service, SNCF often provides bus transport. Buses cover the entire region, but Lyon and Grenoble are the two main bus hubs for long-distance (national and international) routes. The new (Dec. 2005) Grenoble-Lyon connection on TER-SNCF (www.ter-SNCF.com/rhone-alpes) will get you to from Grenoble to Lyon's Part-Dieu train station in 1 hr, 17 min for EUR 17.30. Buses from Lyon and Grenoble thoroughly and efficiently serve the region's smaller towns. Many ski centers, such as Chamonix, have shuttle buses connecting them with surrounding villages. Tourist destinations, such as Annecy, have convenient bus links with Grenoble. There are many other routes, so always check in with the regional tourist office or information window at a gateway rail or bus station to get printed bus schedules.

Grenoble's gare routière is right next to the train station and is the place to catch VFD buses to Annecy (EUR 6.5, 1 hr, 40 min), Alpe d'Huez (EUR 5, 1 hr, 30 min), and Chamrousse EUR 4, 1 hr, 15 min). All buses leave Annecy from the gare routière right next to the train station on the Place de la Gare. From it, Voyages Crolard has routes around the Lac d'Annecy. Autocars Francony has buses to Chamonix. As for Alpine villages, regional buses head out from the main train stations at Annecy, Chambéry, Megève, and Grenoble.

Bus Information

Gare routière Grenoble (11 pl. de la Gare. 04-76-87-90-31. www.transisere.fr).

Gare routière, Centre d'Échanges de Lyon-Perrache (Pl. Carnot s/n. 04-72-56-95-30. www.intercars.fr).