Zurich to Chamonix – first time in the Alps!
Derek Torrey is planning a family ski trip from Zurich to Chamonix, arriving on December 26th, and seeks advice on the best scenic train route. He wants a journey that allows for snacks and sightseeing, especially since it's his wife's first time in Switzerland and on the rail.
Consider taking the route via Kandersteg and Interlaken for beautiful scenery, but be mindful of journey length. If time permits, opt for the train route from Les Tines to Geneva via Montreux for a lovely view along Lake Geneva. For train tickets, a Saver Day Pass could be beneficial, but purchase it early to secure the best price.
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Hello,
This is my second time using this forum – and my last trip was absolutely fantastic. My wife, 14 y/o daughter and I arrive in Zurich at Noon on 12/26 and need to get to Chamonix for a several days of skiing. This is my wife’s first trip to Switzerland and her first time by rail, so if possible I would enjoy a nice scenic route.
The route that appears with a simple search is Zurich > Visp > Martigny > Vallorcine > Chamonix (with many stops/changes along the way).
Is this a good route, should we adjust somehow, is so on which leg and how so? My guess is we’ll grab a bite at the airport before boarding – so a nice route where we can snack and take in the scenery would be awesome.
Many thanks for any suggestions – and if you are ever on your way to Chicago IL, USA – I can really help out with your itinerary.
Sincerely,
Derek Torrey
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Welcome Back Derek,
Did you go Luzern to Zermatt via Interlaken and Kandersteg last time? If not you could throw that into the mix.
You could also go via Zweisimmen and Montreux for a little Golden Pass action.
Depends how much you want to add to the length of the journey after an overseas flight.
http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
Rockoyster!
Great to hear from you, the assistance you gave my daughter and I on our previous trip was perfect – and has a lot to do with why we’re coming back to Switzerland (that and how beautiful it is!).
A few follow-ups if you please, we arrive Weds eve and stay over in London – so we can make a longer trip on Thursday from Zurich to Chamonix – it is part of our plan:
1) I would like to do the Interlaken and Kandersteg, it was gorgeous – I’m not sure in the timetable how to select this option Zurich > Les Tines, Chamonix via ? This is what I am looking at, would you say this is a good option?
Zürich Flughafen > to Les Tines
Travel route via Interlaken Ost (See). Thu, 26.12.2019. Departure 12:30.
(Bern > Interlaken > Spiez > Visp > Martigny > Vallorcine > Les Tines) over 6:30 hours.
Lastly, the second part of our trip is from Chamonix to Geneva, where we are spending new years eve after our skiing in Chamonix – any recommendations for this trip?
Thank you so much,
Derek Torrey
Hi Derek,
Zurich Airport to Les Tines via Kandersteg will take you 5 hours 18min. See attached sample connections using the SBB Mobile app (bit.ly/2ICIUHi).
I wouldn’t go via Interlaken Ost (forget See, that’s the docks adjacent to the station) unless you also go via Luzern rather than Bern. But that route will take you 8-ish hours and involves more changes.
Les Tines to Geneva you can either return to Martigny and continue via Montreux ( nice ride along Lake Geneva) or use French transport to get Geneva. I’m pretty sure there is a bus which only takes an hour but French transport is a bit of a mystery to me. Sorry.
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Hi Derek,
in addition to Rockoyster’s excellent answer, if you have time, I wouldn’t go from Les Tines directly to Geneva, on the French site you could do that only by bus. The route via Montreux by train is wonderful. Choose that one if you do not mind that it is longer (extra 1,5 hours).
See also:
- Montreux: http://www.myswissalps.com/montreux
- Zurich Airport: http://www.myswissalps.com/airports/zurich
- Zurich: http://www.myswissalps.com/zurich
- Lake Geneva: http://www.myswissalps.com/lakegeneva
Thank you both! Perhaps one last bit of advice, I am trying to purchase the tickets in advance using a web browser but continue to get an error (this class/this reservation not available) regardless of what changes I make – am I better off purchasing upon arrival in Zurich?
Many, many thanks.
Derek
Chamonix – Geneva via France should have been a fab new direct train as of 15 December with the inauguration of the Léman Express but the current strike by railway workers put paid to that excitement!
Not sure if it will be available by the end of December
I don’t know why the SBB website wouldn’t work for you. Maybe it was a temporary glitch?
I would have thought that going from Zurich to Les Tines a Saver Day Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass) would be your best bet at least to get to the French border at Vallorcine. Although you have probably left it too late to get the best price.
Have you tried the SBB Mobile app (bit.ly/2ICIUHi)?
Hi Derek,
On which page did you try to buy it?
Rockoyster’s right. You should try the Saver Day Pass. Here is the list of the reliable and recommended resellers of the Saver Day Pass: http://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass/price. Buy it earlier to get it cheaper.
If it is already too expensive, check this, it helps you how to get your ticket to France: http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/france.
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