You've got everything on their web site:

==> http://www.gare-routiere.com

==> Choose "English"

==> Tickets - Reservation

==> Regular Lines Region Bordercross

==> Geneva - Annecy



Saturday 18.04.2009

-------------

07:05 - 09:10

08:15 - 09:40

10:15 - 11:40

12:30 - 13:45

17:15 - 18:40

18:45 - 20:10

20:30 - 22:15



Click on the line that interests you and purchase your ticket online.



You could also go by train from Annemasse. See http://www.sncf.ch/

Enjoy your day there.
Free, Apr 14, 2009 @ 13:17

Thanks Free :)



I bought us two "one way ticket with open return" because we only wanted to visit Annecy for the day on Saturday. However, I'm confused by these paragraphs on the Policy section of the Coach Station web site - does this mean I need to register with some Partner Company in France once I arrive at Annecy to claim our return tickets??



[quote]6. All open return tickets which do not have the departure date affixed in due form is devoid of validity and cannot be accepted, in the case that seats are still available. For all open returns, the passenger must make a reservation with the partner company in the visited country or with an accredited agency in this country at least five (5) days before departure. The passenger will be accepted within the limits of available seating and must pay a reservation fee.



7. Confirmation and reservation are mandatory when a ticket is purchased for an international line. Upon arrival in the country, the passenger with a return ticket, of which the return date is fixed at the time of purchase, must confirm the date of the return on the ticket with the partner company in that country or may be subject to additional charges. When the tickets are sent by mail, the retailer and carrier disclaim all responsibility for delays and risks related to the postal service.[/quote]



Anyway, I was hoping some folks here have used the Coach Station and know what I need to do with an Open Return ticket?



Otherwise, I guess I'll give them a call (their website says that they charge you 1.50CHF per minute when you call, which I think is a bit ridiculous).
JustAdam, Apr 16, 2009 @ 16:32

I went to Annecy last summer and we bought tickets on the bus. They were 11 euros I think. Maybe ask the bus driver about the return tickets.
Marz, Apr 16, 2009 @ 17:45

I haven't got the slightest idea... I would follow Marz advice and ask the driver or give them a call. I agree with you, this CHF 1.50 fee is ludicrous, but I do not see how you can avoid it, apart from going there.
Free, Apr 16, 2009 @ 18:30

Thanks guys, I will give them a call and post here what I find out.. maybe it will help someone else down the road.
JustAdam, Apr 16, 2009 @ 18:35

Just following up, we had a great day in Annecy on Saturday! Here is how the Geneva Coach Station worked for us:



1. Arrived at Geneva Gare Routiere with our printed voucher (which we received by email from our internet order and printed out) at 7:45am. We then went into the white trailer next to all of the parked buses and picked up our tickets from the ticket office. We received two tickets total (or one for each person), which was to be used to travel there, and then back later.



2. Had trouble finding out which bus was going to Annecy - there are several in the parking lot and they are not marked, and all the passengers were sort of standing around outside confused too. I finally asked the various bus drivers and found the correct bus. When I boarded, he took our tickets and tore them halfway. He then departed after a few more people got on board - he never made any announcement to the people waiting outside, and the bus was not labeled so it was a good thing I asked him because he left right on time at 8:15am.



3. We arrived at Annecy at 9:40am on schedule. We got dropped off at the main train station "Gare Routiere". We asked the driver and he said that the bus that returns to Geneva would be at the same location, and that we would just need to show-up with our torn tickets.



4. There was a 2:15, 5:15 and 7:15 bus back to Geneva. We arrived back at the Annecy train station at 5pm and there was already a long line at one of the many buses parked at the station. We had to ask some of the people in line and they the bus was going to Geneva (they really need to label those buses!).





And that's it!



Hopefully this will help someone else out there looking to travel by the Geneva Coach Station - it is a pretty nice way to travel and seems to go all over the place :)

JustAdam, Apr 20, 2009 @ 16:57

Glad it worked so nicely, thanks for the feed back.
Free, Apr 20, 2009 @ 18:07