Annecy lies just 44 km (about 40 minutes) from Geneva Airport and Chamonix 90 km (about 1 h 15), so the signature lake and mountain scenery of Haute-Savoie fits comfortably into a three-day long weekend. Booking AirportsTransfers.ch for the road legs means you spend the time on the lake shore and the glaciers, not in car parks.
- Day 1: Geneva Airport to Annecy, old town and lakefront
- Day 2: Annecy to Chamonix, cable car or mountain railway
- Day 3: Chamonix valley or Megève, then back to Geneva Airport
- Border crossing: the route crosses the border into France
- Best season: June to September for lake swims and high-altitude lifts; December to March for snow
Day 1: arrive in Geneva, settle in Annecy
Your chauffeur meets you at Geneva Airport and within about 40 minutes you are in Annecy, crossing the border on the way south. Annecy's old town is built along canals fed by the Thiou river, which give it its nickname of the Venice of the Alps. The Palais de l'Isle, a former prison standing on a small island in the middle of the canal, is one of the most photographed buildings in France. Flower-decked bridges, arcaded streets and a busy market atmosphere make it easy to spend an afternoon wandering.
The lake itself is renowned for its clear water and mountain backdrop. A boat trip around the lake, a walk through the Jardins de l'Europe or a swim from one of the public beaches in summer are all within a few minutes of the centre. For dinner, Savoyard classics such as tartiflette and reblochon are everywhere, alongside lake fish such as féra.
Day 2: Annecy to Chamonix and the high mountains
On the second morning, the chauffeur takes you east towards the Arve valley and up to Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. Leave early: the views are usually clearest in the morning, and queues for the lifts grow as the day goes on.
The two classic excursions are the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which climbs from the town centre to a rocky summit station with a direct view of Mont Blanc's summit, and the rack railway to Montenvers, which overlooks the Mer de Glace, France's longest glacier. Both go to high altitude, so bring warm clothes and sunglasses even in July, and anyone with heart or breathing conditions should take advice before going up. The town itself is lively, with a pedestrian centre along the Arve and plenty of terraces for lunch.
Day 3: Chamonix valley, Megève or a gentle return
The final day can follow your mood. Active travellers might walk part of the balcony paths on the sunny side of the valley or take another lift. Others prefer a slower morning in Chamonix before heading down the valley. A third option is a detour to Megève, an elegant village 75 km and about 1 h 10 from Geneva Airport, known for its medieval centre, horse-drawn sleighs in winter and refined atmosphere.
If you have a little more energy, Les Houches at the entrance of the valley and Saint-Gervais just below it both make pleasant stops on the way out, with views back up to the Mont Blanc massif and quieter cafés than Chamonix itself. They break the journey nicely before the final run back towards Switzerland.
Whichever you choose, the drive back to Geneva Airport takes around 1 h 15 from Chamonix. Your chauffeur keeps an eye on traffic, which is useful on winter Saturdays and summer Sundays when the Arve valley motorway is busiest.
Winter or summer: adapting the weekend
In summer, the weekend is about swimming in Lake Annecy, cycling the lakeside path and hiking around Chamonix. In winter the same plan works with a ski day instead: Chamonix has several ski areas spread along the valley, and Annecy's old town is atmospheric under snow and Christmas lights. Spring and autumn are quieter, though some high lifts close for maintenance between seasons, so check before you go.
- Book the Aiguille du Midi ahead in high season.
- Pack layers: it can be summer in Annecy and below freezing at the top of the cable car.
- Keep the last afternoon flexible in case of traffic on the return.
Booking the weekend transfers
Three simple legs, Geneva Airport to Annecy, Annecy to Chamonix and Chamonix back to the airport, can all be reserved in advance with AirportsTransfers.ch at a fixed price per vehicle shown before you pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Arrival day is easy: a chauffeur waits in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign and follows your flight in real time. Choose a Mercedes E-Class for two or three guests, the S-Class for extra comfort, or a V-Class for up to seven travellers with skis declared at booking. Child seats are fitted on request. Questions about timings can go to +41 78 346 56 77 by phone or WhatsApp, 24/7.
