Beaune to Chamonix to Paris---driving/train?
 

Hi everyone,
We have a few nights towards the end of our trip (after Burgundy and before Paris) during which we'd like to visit Chamonix. Yes, I know it'll be a quick visit, and less desirable in early June because it'll be cold and some summer activities will still be closed... but we don't know when (if ever, really) we'll be this close to Chamonix again, and we have a few days to spare. So we're going for it.

Have any feedback on the routes to get there? Quickest vs. most scenic? Then, any suggestions on most efficient ways back to Paris? (This trip more than ever I wish I could simply blink like I Dream of Genie.)

Also, are the roads getting to Chamonix curvy and winding (i.e. with lots of switchbacks).... as in, might I need to worry about my kids getting carsick?

And in the first week of June, will we have to worry about icy road conditions, if traveling early in the morning?

<b>Here's our proposed route:</b>

1) Depart Beaune and drive to Chamonix.
Google maps says (point to point) it's about 2.5 hours (is that realistic)? We're willing to allocate this entire day for travel, so we don't necessarily have to power through that and get right to Chamonix after checking out of Beaune. We have some flexibility to stop along the way, either to pull off and enjoy the view, or visit a village. (i.e... should we stop for a few hours in Annecy?) We're open to all suggestions at this point.

2) Depart Chamonix and get ourselves to Paris (in the same day)
This will be a very LONG travel day no matter which way we slice it. We've considered a number of options... just for fun I'll share them in case I've missed anything:

--Driving all the way back to Paris is 6+ hours and would be exhausting. Ick.
--Driving from Chamonix to Geneva (1.5 hrs); then flying from Geneva to Paris (only a 1 hr flight). BUT... getting from Chamonix to Geneva Airport seems complicated. We may or may not need a Swiss Vignette pass? Does it complicate things that we'd need to cross the border into Switzerland, then go back to the French side of the airport to return our rental car (which we picked up and would need to return in France?) And the only affordable flights from Geneva would require us to leave Chamonix early, (like 7:30 am).

So, we're thinking the most logical and flexible option is to drive from Chamonix to Lyon (about 2.5 hours), then take the TGV to Paris (another 2 hours). It'll still be a long travel day, but some of it will be on the train where the kids can play cards or read, and we can relax. Plus there seems to be a TGV leaving for Paris almost hourly (vs only a couple of cheap flights from Geneva in the morning).

All that said (thanks for wading through it), <b>what's the most efficient way to drive from Chamonix to Lyon?</b> Google maps gives us 2 options (A43 or A40). The satellite terrain looks like A43 (that goes by Annecy) might perhaps be flatter... though that's had to tell.

I really appreciate all the help you kind folks are willing to share with fellow travelers. It's really invaluable having a good sounding board for ideas and planning.

Let's take some of the Chamonix points.

Chamonix's in a valley. The straight E25 route to Lyons is the main NW Italy to core Europe route for heavy lorries. Though the 15 miles or so right after Chamonix aren't technically motorways, and involve a steepish gradient, then road's designed for seriously heavy vehicles to use year round. As Europe's greatest wimp when it comes to twisty mountainous roads, it wouldn't occur to me for a second to worry about this road - though it can sometimes be congested or a bit slow, it's spectacularly safe and effortless.

As far as I'm aware, you DO need a vignette for the stretch of the A1 from then Swiss border to the airport, and the only non-motorway route from the E25 involves a messy - and potentially lengthy if you get lost - drive on French side roads immediately north of the airport. But if you hire a car at Geneva airport, it's very likely it'll have a vignette already, if it's not Swiss anyway. There's a vignette seller at virtually every major former Swiss border, where the passport control office used to be, though heavy morning traffic does slow a bit at many of these former checkpoints.

The E70/712 route (aka A43/A41) from memory is longer. It shares the same 15 miles or so of non-motorway into Chamonix as the E25 route. But it also has the same (pain-free) French motorway standards for radius and gradient as the E25. These are significantly more relaxing and safer than the standards tolerated in Italy or on many US freeways.

I can't begin to imagine why the 7 or so hours' driving to Paris would be "exhausting".

As said above, the A6-A40 motorway itineray is almost all motorway from Beaune up to Chamonix. Neither snow nor ice, but tons of trucks plying between France and Italy.

You don't need a Swiss highway sticker if you enter and cross Switzerland on cantonal roads as it will be the case between Gailard/Thonex (French/Swiss border) and the airport.

If you want to go back to Paris by train, board your TGV at Geneva or Bellegarde (3 hrs journey): TGV to Paris about every 2hrs, direct TGV to Charles de Gaulle airport at 10.30 resp 11.00.

The cable car ride on a clear day is the experience of a lifetime:

http://www.chamonix.com/aiguille-du-midi,80,en.html

I'd head for Megeve, a very cute town, about 45km from Chamonix. Stay and dine here:

http://www.hotel-megeve.com/en/

I drove to Chamonix from Burgundy and like flanner says it is nothing scary but for most of the way autoroutes - the part from St Gervais-les-Bains is if I recall on regular roads but a main road to Switzerland so nothing hair-raising.

But once in Chamonix you need no car as the narrow-gauge train running up and down the valley will take you anywhere you want - cars cannot access many place like the thrilling cable car ride to Pt Heilbronner in Italy - the most awesome cable car ride I have ever taken - especially up top over a sea of ice in small gondolas when they stop midway to let folks on and off at either end - you are lfet dangling over the glaciers far far below and there is no escape!

for train tickets at a discount check www.voyages-sncf.com or www.cap[itainetrain.com - same trains the latter site is easier to use many say - many TGVs are now duplex or doubledeckers and the view from up top is infinitely better than that in the lower level where views are often blocked by windblocks and banks along the rail line.

Some TGVs leave from St-Gervais-les-Bain where the narrow-gauge train from Chamonix terminates or you can go to Bellegarde or Geneva as flanner says. For lots of general info on French trains check these IMO superb sources: www.seat61.com (good info on discounted tickets); www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. You can always IME buy full fare tickets right up to the train but you can save a bundle by buying the limited in number discounted tickets which also I believe are non-changeable non-refundable.

Chamonix is fantastic - allow as much time there as possible 0 some great excursions to glaciers, up Mont Blanc by train or the cable ways. Awesome baby as Dick Vitale might say!

Thanks so much to both of you. Just exactly the kind of information that I need to plan and brainstorm ideas. For me, it's helpful to know what all the options are in order to feel confident about the choice we ultimately make.

FlannerUK... forgot to mention... "exhausting" because we'll have our 2 kids (12 and 9) in the car. After about the 4 hour point in any vehicle, they transform into little trolls. Otherwise driving would be simpler. We're not ruling it out. In fact, if we have to leave Chamonix by 8-9am to safely get to a train that puts us into Paris mid-afternoon, it's essentially the same start to finish as driving ourselves.

Neckervd... thank you for the info! You gave me an entirely new option I hadn't considered... the TGV Lyria from Geneva. It does shave some time off the trip, but we just need to decide if it's worth the extra 150U to drop off in Switzerland plus the $40 for the Vignette. Price starts ticking up at that point. If money weren't an issue, this would be the best and quickest option. But flying or training from Geneva will end up costing $550 for the 4 of us, and only saves us about an hour or 2 total from start to finish.

So, it's starting to look like driving ourselves back to Orly is the best option for us, followed closely by dropping off in Lyon/TGV to Lyon if we're really not up to the long drive.

Wow... I wish I could just blink myself there.

Thanks for the help folks!

-skatterfly

Oh... wow... more replies while I was thanking Flanner and Neckervd... all wonderful information from everyone. Thanks!

I'll post again once I have a chance to absorb it all.

I think this will be a really breathtaking part of our trip.

-sk

Me and my wife did this trip on our honeymoon. I dont remember times exactly but we left beaune in the late morning and arrived in annecy had a picnic lunch walked around for a little bit and headed for chamonix. it was not a long drive at all and with the beautiful scenery it really helps keep you interested.

I second the suggestion for Megeve. Much more charming than Chamonix.

Driving there is easy, follow the motorway. Everything's very well signposted on French motorways. I've only driven this in winter, but even then it's an easy drive.

Early June is not at all cold, but since there are no school holidays, it's probably not so busy. Good time to visit.

You will need a vignette in Switzerland if you're on the motorway, even if just going to the airport. I've done this a few times and don't know any other route except the motorway.

I would just drive from Chamonix to Paris. Your kids are old enough to keep themselves occupied, put some movies on Ipad.
Stop half way for lunch. There are kid's play areas at the rest stops on the motorway, look out for the signs.

Once again: you don't need a Swiss motorway sticker if you take just the same itinerary as Geneva people: Annemasse - Gaillard - Geneva city - Geneva airport (no motorway on the Swiss leg).
Is it really not possible to give back your car in a French town close to Geneva: Annemasse, St-Julien, Ferney Voltaire, Geneva airport French side or - if you take the TGV - Bellegarde-sur-Valserine?
There are frequent Geneva city buses between Annemasse, St-Julien, Ferney oln the one hand and Geneva Cornavin railway ssttion on the other hand.