Annecy, Megève and Chamonix fit neatly into three days because none is far from Geneva Airport: Annecy is 44 km and about 40 minutes away, Megève 75 km and 1 h 10, and Chamonix 90 km and 1 h 15. The loop moves from a lakeside old town to an elegant mountain village and finally to the foot of Mont Blanc, with short drives between each. AirportsTransfers.ch can handle every leg, including the final run back to GVA for your flight.
- Distances from GVA: Annecy 44 km / 40 min, Megève 75 km / 1 h 10, Chamonix 90 km / 1 h 15
- Border crossing: the loop crosses the border into France near Geneva
- Structure: one night in each place, or two bases if you prefer fewer moves
- Best for: first-time visitors to the French Alps, couples, short breaks
- Seasons: all year; summer for lake swims and hikes, winter for skiing and festive villages
Day one: Annecy, the lake town
Land at Geneva Airport in the morning and you can be in Annecy before lunch. Start in the old town, where the Thiou canal runs between pastel houses and the Palais de l'Isle, a former prison set on a tiny island, forms the town's most familiar image. Walk along the lakeside to the Jardins de l'Europe and the Pont des Amours, then take an afternoon boat cruise on the lake for views of the surrounding peaks. In summer, the water is clean enough for swimming from the public beaches. In the evening, the old town's restaurants serve Savoyard classics and lake fish such as féra. If you have time, a drive up to the Col de la Forclaz above the eastern shore gives a panoramic view of the whole lake.
Day two: Megève, the elegant village
From Annecy, the road crosses the Aravis range or follows the Arve valley to Megève, a village shaped by its history as a fashionable winter resort. Its medieval centre is pedestrianised, with a church, a cobbled square and chalet-style shops, and horse-drawn carriages are a common sight in winter. In summer, the Mont d'Arbois and Rochebrune areas offer easy walks with views of the Mont Blanc massif, and mountain farms sell reblochon and tomme. In winter, the ski area is known for its wide, tree-lined pistes and relaxed atmosphere, suiting cruisers and families more than steep-slope seekers. Megève is also a pleasant place for an unhurried lunch on a sunny terrace before moving on.
Day three: Chamonix and Mont Blanc
Chamonix is barely half an hour beyond Megève, in a deep valley right beneath Mont Blanc, the highest peak in western Europe. The Aiguille du Midi cable car is the star excursion, rising in two stages to a high terrace with a close-up view of the summit and the glaciers; a glass box called the Step into the Void projects from the terrace for the adventurous. The Montenvers rack railway, from the centre of town, climbs to the Mer de Glace, France's longest glacier, where a stairway leads down to an ice cave. Chamonix itself is lively, with mountaineering shops, cafés and a long history as the birthplace of modern alpinism. In the late afternoon, the chauffeur brings you back to Geneva Airport, an easy drive for an evening flight.
The three places also suit different travellers in a group. Annecy pleases those who like strolling, cafés and the water; Megève appeals to anyone who enjoys a refined village atmosphere, good food and boutiques; and Chamonix is for those drawn to high mountains, glaciers and outdoor sport. Splitting a day so that some go up the Aiguille du Midi while others browse the shops of Chamonix is easy when a chauffeur can collect everyone afterwards at an agreed time.
Making three days work
- Book cable cars in advance in summer and check the forecast: high viewpoints are pointless in cloud.
- At altitude, temperatures can be freezing even in July; bring a warm layer and sunglasses.
- If you prefer fewer hotel changes, stay two nights in Annecy and one in Chamonix, visiting Megève on the way.
- In winter, Saturday traffic in the valleys can be heavy; travel early or mid-week if possible.
The loop also works in reverse, starting with Chamonix while you are fresh and finishing beside the lake. It can be extended with a fourth day in the Aravis villages of La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand.
Book the three-day loop
Book the arrival, the transfers between Annecy, Megève and Chamonix, and the return in one go with AirportsTransfers.ch. Each price is fixed per vehicle and shown before you pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your driver meets you in Geneva Airport arrivals with a name sign, tracks the flight and waits if it is late. The E-Class suits up to three passengers with three bags, the V-Class van carries up to seven with skis, and child seats are available on request. You can also keep a chauffeur by the hour for a full day of sightseeing. Questions? Phone or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77.
