We will be staying in the French Alps for a few days in late September/early October. We will probably make Annecy as our home base but would like to visit Mt. Blanc. Using trains as our primary mode of transportation, can we do this w/o renting a car? <BR> <BR>Also, if we decided to stay in Geneva, could we access Mt. Blanc and/or Annecy via train for day trips? <BR> <BR>Larry <BR> <BR>Larry <BR> <BR>Larry

I was in Chamonix about 1 1/2 weeks ago, and notice a train station located a walkable distance from the center of town, just below Mt. Blanc. But I don't know where the trains originate from. I did notice there was several car rental companies also located at the train station. So it does sound possible.

We were there a couple of weeks ago and the train from Annecy to Chamonix is about 2 hours with one change. Have you considered staying in Chamonix? It is really beautiful and there seem to be a wide range of different-priced hotels. Also then you can be there to go up when it isn't cloudy. Let me know if you need more info. <BR>

Thee are also trains from Geneva, although I would'nt recommend staying there in preference to Annecy. All trains involve two changes en route, and journey times vary quite widely. For example the 0710 takes 2.5 hours, the 0805 takes 3.5 hours, and the 0842 takes 4.5 hours. After that it gets worse !!

Sorry, I forgot to mention those trains from Geneva are to Chamonix, not Annecy. There are trains from Geneva to Annecy also, and involve changes in most cases.