A family summer week in the Alps works best when drives stay short, and from Geneva Airport you can build one around three bases: Annecy (about 44 km / 40 min), Chamonix (about 90 km / 1 h 15) and Montreux (about 91 km / 1 h 05). Each offers lakes or mountains, easy activities and plenty of space for children. AirportsTransfers.ch can drive the whole loop, with child seats fitted before you board.
- Base 1: Annecy, about 44 km / 40 min from GVA, for lake swimming and the old town
- Base 2: Chamonix, about 90 km / 1 h 15 from GVA, for mountains and glaciers
- Base 3: Montreux, about 91 km / 1 h 05 from GVA, for Lake Geneva and Chillon Castle
- Driving: no single leg longer than about an hour and a half
- Border crossing: the route crosses into France and back into Switzerland
Days 1 to 2: Lake Annecy
Begin gently. Annecy is about 40 minutes from the airport, so even young children arrive fresh. The town's canals and the Palais de l'Isle feel like a storybook, and the lake's clear water makes it ideal for summer swimming at the public beaches around its shores. Pedalo hire, lake cruises and a flat cycle path along the western shore suit families with children of different ages. Picnic lunches by the lake on the Pâquier lawn are a simple pleasure, and the old town's ice-cream shops are a reliable reward after a busy day.
Days 3 to 5: Chamonix and the mountains
The drive from Annecy to Chamonix takes about an hour and a quarter in normal traffic. Chamonix in summer is a mountain playground: the Montenvers rack railway climbs to the Mer de Glace glacier, where you can visit an ice cave, and gentle valley paths along the Arve suit pushchairs and small legs. For older children, the Aiguille du Midi cable car reaches high-mountain views close to Mont Blanc, though the altitude and cold at the top mean it is better kept short with very young children. Lakes such as the Lac des Gaillands, at the foot of a climbing crag, make relaxed afternoons.
- Pack layers: mornings can be cool and glacier viewpoints are cold even in July.
- Use sun cream and hats generously at altitude.
- Plan one cable car excursion per day at most; children tire quickly at height.
Days 5 to 7: The Montreux Riviera on Lake Geneva
From Chamonix the road returns to Switzerland via the Col des Montets and the Col de la Forclaz to Martigny, then along the Rhône valley to Montreux. The drive takes a little under two hours with breaks. Montreux's lakeside promenade, lined with flowers, is perfect for scooters and evening strolls. Chillon Castle, standing on a rock in the lake, is one of Switzerland's most visited historic monuments and fascinates children with its dungeons, towers and great halls. Lake steamers link the towns along the shore, and a boat trip is a highlight for many families. On a hot day, the lakeside swimming spots and public pools offer an easy way to cool off.
Planning tips for families
The secret of a happy family trip is a slower pace. Choose accommodation with family rooms or apartments, so children have space to play, and stay at least two nights in each base. Schedule drives for the middle of the day, after a morning activity, or around nap times for toddlers. In the car, keep snacks, water and a favourite toy within reach. Breaks every hour or so help, and your chauffeur will stop wherever you need. Summer is also busy in all three places, so reserve accommodation early.
Weather in the mountains can change quickly, so keep a rainy-day plan for each base. In Annecy, the château museum and covered markets work well; in Chamonix, indoor climbing walls, swimming pools and the valley's museums keep children busy; around Montreux, the lake steamers have covered decks and the towns have indoor attractions. Building flexibility into the week, rather than fixing every excursion in advance, means you can move the cable car day to the clearest morning and enjoy the best views.
Returning to Geneva Airport
From Montreux, the airport is about 1 h 05 away along the lake. If your flight is early, a last night in Geneva itself, with its lakeside Jet d'Eau and parks, keeps the final morning calm. Allow extra time on summer Saturdays, when traffic along the lake can be heavy.
Booking your family trip with AirportsTransfers.ch
Book each leg online at a fixed price per vehicle, shown before you pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Tell us the ages of your children at booking and the right child seats or boosters will be installed. Your chauffeur follows your flight, meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign and waits if your flight is delayed. A family of four with suitcases is comfortable in the Mercedes V-Class Van, which seats up to seven with ten bags, leaving room for pushchairs. For flexible days, add a chauffeur by the hour, minimum two hours. Questions can go to AirportsTransfers.ch on +41 78 346 56 77 by phone or WhatsApp.
