French Alps
 

Hi,
As part of a France trip, my husband and I will be visiting Annecy / Chamounix for three days / two nights. We plan on spending a day each in Annecy and Chamounix. Is it better to stay both nights in the same hotel and go to Chamounix on the day the weather is best? Or is it better to save time and stay one night in each place. In reading about the area, we have realized that good weather is very important for Chamounix so we are thinking about staying in Annecy and going to Chamounix on the day the weather is best. Just worried if the travel time will be too much hassle.

Thanks!

The problem is travel between the two places. If you decide to go on (for example) your second day then you haven't got a lot of time to get to Chamonix from Annecy. Public transport links between the two are poor.

It is risky but spending a night at 1000 metres - the altitude of Chamonix town - and seeing the sunset on the Aiguilles Rouges followed by sunrise behind the Petit Dru is like no other experience in the world. As long as the weather is nice.

Be sure to check when the trains leave from Annecy to go to Chamonix. On some days they don't leave until 11:30AM which will get you into Chamonix at around 2PM. Don't know when you're going but it doesn't necessarily leave you a lot of time there. Only go to Chamonix if it's a nice day as I'm sure you'll want to go up to the Aguille du Midi. Fantastic.

Are you driving?

The cable car is a once in a lifetime experience. I would stay at the Hotel du Port in Yvoire, hoping for clear skies on one of the days for a trip to Chamonix, and not go if there is heavy overcast.

Thank you for the feedback. We are driving from Lyon to Annecy / Chamonicx and have decided to stay in Chamonix to make the most of the limited time we have.