My parents going to visit me in Geneva in april for 2 weeks.
I already planned all the attraction points in Geneva that can access by public transport, like flea market in Plainpalais, Zoo near Cimetiere, La Saleve, Historial Museum in Old town, UN, Botanic Garden, the lake
But I still need help and suggestion for belows
1.
I want go to Montreux, Swiss on Friday, Annecy, France on Saturday, and brienz-rothorn-bahn (train) on Sunday - 3 days - Fri to Sun.
We have 4 people
I never drove in Europe and don't know the road very well.
In this case, should I rent a car (CHF200 for 3 days) or take the train? no sure the train can get us to the destination we want to go.
If we take the train, is it worth for us to buy the 1 year Half Fare travel card for myself and my husband? We don't really travel inside Swiss much like 1-2 times a year. But during my parents visit and we will travel another 1-2 places inside Swiss.
2.
Any Winery (can be in France or Swiss), or Cheese factory (Swiss) is easy to access and close to Geneva?
My parents going to visit me in Geneva in april for 2 weeks.
I already planned all the attraction points in Geneva that can access by public transport, like flea market in Plainpalais, Zoo near Cimetiere, La Saleve, Historial Museum in Old town, UN, Botanic Garden, the lake
But I still need help and suggestion for belows
1.
I want go to Montreux, Swiss on Friday, Annecy, France on Saturday, and brienz-rothorn-bahn (train) on Sunday - 3 days - Fri to Sun.
We have 4 people
I never drove in Europe and don't know the road very well.
In this case, should I rent a car (CHF200 for 3 days) or take the train? no sure the train can get us to the destination we want to go.
If we take the train, is it worth for us to buy the 1 year Half Fare travel card for myself and my husband? We don't really travel inside Swiss much like 1-2 times a year. But during my parents visit and we will travel another 1-2 places inside Swiss.
2.
Any Winery (can be in France or Swiss), or Cheese factory (Swiss) is easy to access and close to Geneva?
Elaine VFeb 23, 2013 @ 14:57
First, you may want to include Gruyere to your visit. Great little town on a hill with a castle and a cheese museum/factory/restaurant, and if you take the cable car up in nearby Moleson the view is fantastic.
1.
If you need to rent a car just to get to Montreux, I suggest you take the train. If you intend to use the rental to visit more places you probably want to go ahead and rent that car. Trains in Switzerland are pretty expensive.
Driving to Montreux is pretty straightforward (easy to find, comfortable to drive), but you will need to decide by yourself if you're comfortable driving in Europe at all.
If you take the train I think it's worth getting that half fare travel card; you may even get discount for one or more accompanying travellers. Check the info desk at the train station to be sure.
2.
The canton of Geneva has about 60 wineries, and you can visit them on a Friday afternoon or Saturday morning to taste and buy wine. The nicest place to go to is probably Dardagny, because there are several within walking distance. It's easily reachable by train/bus.
On this website is a list of wineries and a map with all of them marked. Note that it's my website and I intend to take it down within the coming 1-2 months, so copy the info if you think you'll need it.
First, you may want to include Gruyere to your visit. Great little town on a hill with a castle and a cheese museum/factory/restaurant, and if you take the cable car up in nearby Moleson the view is fantastic.
1.
If you need to rent a car just to get to Montreux, I suggest you take the train. If you intend to use the rental to visit more places you probably want to go ahead and rent that car. Trains in Switzerland are pretty expensive.
Driving to Montreux is pretty straightforward (easy to find, comfortable to drive), but you will need to decide by yourself if you're comfortable driving in Europe at all.
If you take the train I think it's worth getting that half fare travel card; you may even get discount for one or more accompanying travellers. Check the info desk at the train station to be sure.
2.
The canton of Geneva has about 60 wineries, and you can visit them on a Friday afternoon or Saturday morning to taste and buy wine. The nicest place to go to is probably Dardagny, because there are several within walking distance. It's easily reachable by train/bus.
On this website is a list of wineries and a map with all of them marked. Note that it's my website and I intend to take it down within the coming 1-2 months, so copy the info if you think you'll need it.
Edward B, Feb 23, 2013 @ 15:23
Sorry the town is called Gruyeres. Gruyere is the cheese.
Even though all the places you mention are accessible by public transport I would rent a car. You are after all 4 people. With internet you can work out your routes in advance. I happen to use via michelin.com but I assume every national motoring organisation has a system
You mention the Brienzer Rothorn train. Check it is open in April. It is a south facing slope but i would be suprised if the snow has disappeared.
Do not forget Yvoire in Hte Savoie which can be made by a boat trip from Geneva and Lausanne (usually combined with a lunch)
Even though all the places you mention are accessible by public transport I would rent a car. You are after all 4 people. With internet you can work out your routes in advance. I happen to use via michelin.com but I assume every national motoring organisation has a system
You mention the Brienzer Rothorn train. Check it is open in April. It is a south facing slope but i would be suprised if the snow has disappeared.
Do not forget Yvoire in Hte Savoie which can be made by a boat trip from Geneva and Lausanne (usually combined with a lunch)
Paul E, Feb 23, 2013 @ 18:39
Dont forget to visit Rochers De Naye, if you use a car it really goes uphill, you should be comfortable with that. Otherwise you can take that small country train from Montreux via Caux and the Rochers De Naye. You might want to walk up to the Alps and you have a beautiful view of the Lake of Geneva from the top, at Rochers De Naye.
Its no use buying the Half Fare travel card if you only use it once or twice a year for there is another system which is cheaper. Its buying the day ticket which costs about sFr. 40.-- and you can travel all over Switzerland for 24 hours. Ask the ticket info, Im sure they will be helpful and its possible that your visitors travel cheaper if you go to a tourist office and ask for infos they will give you tips on how to travel cheap, at least you get this info in Basel.
Dont forget to visit Rochers De Naye, if you use a car it really goes uphill, you should be comfortable with that. Otherwise you can take that small country train from Montreux via Caux and the Rochers De Naye. You might want to walk up to the Alps and you have a beautiful view of the Lake of Geneva from the top, at Rochers De Naye.
Its no use buying the Half Fare travel card if you only use it once or twice a year for there is another system which is cheaper. Its buying the day ticket which costs about sFr. 40.-- and you can travel all over Switzerland for 24 hours. Ask the ticket info, Im sure they will be helpful and its possible that your visitors travel cheaper if you go to a tourist office and ask for infos they will give you tips on how to travel cheap, at least you get this info in Basel.
Dorothy W, Feb 24, 2013 @ 02:18
Some cheese farms, near Geneva, include Valle de Joux in Vaud Canton, driving in Jura mountain.Two are located in Le Brassus and Le chenit. They are known to manufacture famous Vacherin and Tomme cheeses.
As to Geneva canton, it is worth visiting Laiteries Reunies Geneve in Plan-les-Ouates in the morning to check production lines of yoghurts and "swiss reblochon" cheese. Enjoy your food tasting delight.
Some cheese farms, near Geneva, include Valle de Joux in Vaud Canton, driving in Jura mountain.Two are located in Le Brassus and Le chenit. They are known to manufacture famous Vacherin and Tomme cheeses.
As to Geneva canton, it is worth visiting Laiteries Reunies Geneve in Plan-les-Ouates in the morning to check production lines of yoghurts and "swiss reblochon" cheese. Enjoy your food tasting delight.
Milord, Feb 27, 2013 @ 08:49
Some cheese farms, near Geneva, include Valle de Joux in Vaud Canton, driving in Jura mountain.Two are located in Le Brassus and Le chenit. They are known to manufacture famous Vacherin and Tomme cheeses.
As to Geneva canton, it is worth visiting Laiteries Reunies Geneve in Plan-les-Ouates in the morning to check production lines of yoghurts and "swiss reblochon" cheese. Enjoy your food tasting delight.
Feb 27, 13 08:49
do I need to make an appointment for just walk-in in the morning for visiting Laiteries Reunies Geneve in Plan-les-Ouates?
do I need to make an appointment for just walk-in in the morning for visiting Laiteries Reunies Geneve in Plan-les-Ouates?
Elaine V, Mar 3, 2013 @ 14:10
if you are 4 , definetely hire a car, much cheaper and you can go everywhere! maybe you can ask the rent company an included gps inside so you can ind your destination easily !
if you are 4 , definetely hire a car, much cheaper and you can go everywhere! maybe you can ask the rent company an included gps inside so you can ind your destination easily !
gaudi, Mar 3, 2013 @ 16:27
especially if you intend to go to annecy there is no train between geneva and annecy , so you have to take the bus of geneva annecy , but is a real pain , 90 minutes or about 40 km ( 25 minutes by highway) and if you are 4 that will cost 120 CHF for the go and return , plus the last bus is @ 7 pm.to go back to geneva. rent a car it is defintely the best option , but ask for a gps , this would help you a lot !
especially if you intend to go to annecy there is no train between geneva and annecy , so you have to take the bus of geneva annecy , but is a real pain , 90 minutes or about 40 km ( 25 minutes by highway) and if you are 4 that will cost 120 CHF for the go and return , plus the last bus is @ 7 pm.to go back to geneva. rent a car it is defintely the best option , but ask for a gps , this would help you a lot !
gaudi, Mar 3, 2013 @ 16:30
if you are 4 , definetely hire a car, much cheaper and you can go everywhere! maybe you can ask the rent company an included gps inside so you can ind your destination easily !
Mar 3, 13 16:27
the car rental company will charge chf20 per day for GPS (so I need to pay another chf60 for 3 days). I have put another post in glocal and asking people lent or borrow me their GPS, but so far no one respond to the ad.
the car rental company will charge chf20 per day for GPS (so I need to pay another chf60 for 3 days). I have put another post in glocal and asking people lent or borrow me their GPS, but so far no one respond to the ad.
Elaine V, Mar 3, 2013 @ 17:13
do I need to make an appointment for just walk-in in the morning for visiting Laiteries Reunies Geneve in Plan-les-Ouates?
Mar 3, 13 14:10
You can try going early like 8:30 AM no later, weekdays Mo-Fri , but as they have a clientele relation service you could contact them before hand at 022 8848000.
You can try going early like 8:30 AM no later, weekdays Mo-Fri , but as they have a clientele relation service you could contact them before hand at 022 8848000.
Milord, Mar 7, 2013 @ 14:01
I'd say to go to Annecy take the bus: http://gare-routiere.ch
the car rental company will charge chf20 per day for GPS (so I need to pay another chf60 for 3 days). I have put another post in glocal and asking people lent or borrow me their GPS, but so far no one respond to the ad.
Mar 3, 13 17:13
Hi Elaine,
Even with the extra chf20 per day it will still be much much cheaper than 4 people using public transport each day and, trust me, the gps will be worth it's weight in gold if you don't know the roads.
Plus, if you find yourself with plenty of time, use the scenic routes rather than the motorways. You will be well rewarded with great scenery and some lovely little villages wherever you go.
Have fun!
Hi Elaine,
Even with the extra chf20 per day it will still be much much cheaper than 4 people using public transport each day and, trust me, the gps will be worth it's weight in gold if you don't know the roads.
Plus, if you find yourself with plenty of time, use the scenic routes rather than the motorways. You will be well rewarded with great scenery and some lovely little villages wherever you go.
Have fun!
David Lloyd, Mar 7, 2013 @ 16:14
Like the rest of the guys said, hire a car. It is easy to drive to all the destinations, just gets a wee bit tricky in GVA city. Highway driving is easy, just stay under the speed limit. It's actually the most picturesque driving country I know.
Like already mentioned by others, my top destinations also for visiting people are:
Gruyeres (raclete a must)
Annecy, lake strolls.
Montreux, see Freddie
Chamonoix, for cable car to Mont Blanc viewing, followed by fondue.
Turin via Mt Blanc tunnel for saturday markets.
One tip I will give you for car hire, is head to the airport and out to the french sector for car hire. All cars are French, but hell of a lot cheaper than Swiss side. For 200CHF you could get a decent Focus/Golf etc, which if its a new model may have GPS built in, tetarget="_blank" hrefore not costing you any extra.
Failing that, download google maps or gps app onto a smartphone and have your front passenger be navigator and well, getting lost in the swiss countryside aint a bad thing for a little adventure.
http://www.hertz.fr > enter geneve cote Francais
www.autoeurope.fr
Entrance to Secteur Francais is signposted in Geneva airport. (entrance next to KLM checkin)
Enjoy!
Like the rest of the guys said, hire a car. It is easy to drive to all the destinations, just gets a wee bit tricky in GVA city. Highway driving is easy, just stay under the speed limit. It's actually the most picturesque driving country I know.
Like already mentioned by others, my top destinations also for visiting people are:
Gruyeres (raclete a must)
Annecy, lake strolls.
Montreux, see Freddie
Chamonoix, for cable car to Mont Blanc viewing, followed by fondue.
Turin via Mt Blanc tunnel for saturday markets.
One tip I will give you for car hire, is head to the airport and out to the french sector for car hire. All cars are French, but hell of a lot cheaper than Swiss side. For 200CHF you could get a decent Focus/Golf etc, which if its a new model may have GPS built in, tetarget="_blank" hrefore not costing you any extra.
Failing that, download google maps or gps app onto a smartphone and have your front passenger be navigator and well, getting lost in the swiss countryside aint a bad thing for a little adventure.
http://www.hertz.fr > enter geneve cote Francais
www.autoeurope.fr
Entrance to Secteur Francais is signposted in Geneva airport. (entrance next to KLM checkin)
Enjoy!
Kevin M, Mar 7, 2013 @ 16:15
Elaine - just checked the Brienzerrothorn website. The trains start runnîng on the first of June so that is one thing less to look at.
For sights with not too much walking consider Chateau de Chillon
If you parents like trains an option is a day ticket on the trains (eg Goldenpass) and you just sit and let the countryside roll past but a day ticket costs around 100 francs if you do not have the half fare card.
Thinking of other options
Elaine - just checked the Brienzerrothorn website. The trains start runnîng on the first of June so that is one thing less to look at.
For sights with not too much walking consider Chateau de Chillon
If you parents like trains an option is a day ticket on the trains (eg Goldenpass) and you just sit and let the countryside roll past but a day ticket costs around 100 francs if you do not have the half fare card.
Thinking of other options
Paul E, Mar 7, 2013 @ 16:41
Hi Elaine,
Even with the extra chf20 per day it will still be much much cheaper than 4 people using public transport each day and, trust me, the gps will be worth it's weight in gold if you don't know the roads.
Plus, if you find yourself with plenty of time, use the scenic routes rather than the motorways. You will be well rewarded with great scenery and some lovely little villages wherever you go.
Have fun!
Mar 7, 13 16:14
Thanks David,
One glocal member lent me the GPS, so I think I will rent a car to go outisde Geneva.
Thanks David,
One glocal member lent me the GPS, so I think I will rent a car to go outisde Geneva.
Elaine V, Mar 7, 2013 @ 16:58
Elaine: assuming you will be driving a minimum 300kms in 3 days (average 100kms/day) why not consider renting a car in Ferney Voltaire (french side) where you can negotiate for a promotional offer and/or a forfait in kms per day and small add'l cost for any add'l kilometers.You have access with the Geneva bus from UN building.
Price would be less than many other classic rental Cies .
Elaine: assuming you will be driving a minimum 300kms in 3 days (average 100kms/day) why not consider renting a car in Ferney Voltaire (french side) where you can negotiate for a promotional offer and/or a forfait in kms per day and small add'l cost for any add'l kilometers.You have access with the Geneva bus from UN building.
Price would be less than many other classic rental Cies .
Milord, Mar 7, 2013 @ 17:58
Elaine: assuming you will be driving a minimum 300kms in 3 days (average 100kms/day) why not consider renting a car in Ferney Voltaire (french side) where you can negotiate for a promotional offer and/or a forfait in kms per day and small add'l cost for any add'l kilometers.You have access with the Geneva bus from UN building.
Price would be less than many other classic rental Cies .
Mar 7, 13 17:58
Any car rental company in Ferney Voitaire is recommended?
Any car rental company in Ferney Voitaire is recommended?
Mar 7, 13 21:14
AUTOHIRE company is on 12 chemin Pré Similien, corner of Avenue du Jura, with telephone+33450 42 88 41
AUTOHIRE company is on 12 chemin Pré Similien, corner of Avenue du Jura, with telephone+33450 42 88 41
Milord, Mar 8, 2013 @ 10:55
You mention La Seleve just thought I'd point out that if you are planning on using the cable car there to be aware it is closed "until April" according to the website - so probably ok for you but check nearer the time just in case to avoid disappointment.
http://www.telepheriquedusaleve.com/?lang=en
You mention La Seleve just thought I'd point out that if you are planning on using the cable car there to be aware it is closed "until April" according to the website - so probably ok for you but check nearer the time just in case to avoid disappointment.
http://www.telepheriquedusaleve.com/?lang=en
Bob P, Mar 9, 2013 @ 10:48
Thanks everyone here gave me useful and wonderful suggestions, I have planned wonderful trip for my parents and my parents have wonderful time in Switzerland and France in last 2 weeks.
Here is our trip details
I rented National auto car for 3 days from Geneva airport france side, pick up on friday and return on Monday. Cost around Eur100, included insurance and unlimited miles.
Here is the place we've been
Geneva
- Old town, Planpalais flea market, CSP warehouse, UN, WHO, History Museum, Sciences Museum, Bontonique garden, Geneva beach, Zoo near cerementry, Bridge near cerementry to see the river and lake combine point, feed the birds around the lake.
- Bought 24 hours Geneva pass - Old town min-train tour, The Mermaid's cruise, Patek Philippe Watch Museum, Saleve cable car.
Switzerland
- Nyon, Lausanne, Montreux, Gruyere, Fribourg
France
- Annecy, Saint-Julien-en-Genevois
We would not have such great time without you guys help. Thanks again
Thanks everyone here gave me useful and wonderful suggestions, I have planned wonderful trip for my parents and my parents have wonderful time in Switzerland and France in last 2 weeks.
Here is our trip details
I rented National auto car for 3 days from Geneva airport france side, pick up on friday and return on Monday. Cost around Eur100, included insurance and unlimited miles.
Here is the place we've been
Geneva
- Old town, Planpalais flea market, CSP warehouse, UN, WHO, History Museum, Sciences Museum, Bontonique garden, Geneva beach, Zoo near cerementry, Bridge near cerementry to see the river and lake combine point, feed the birds around the lake.
- Bought 24 hours Geneva pass - Old town min-train tour, The Mermaid's cruise, Patek Philippe Watch Museum, Saleve cable car.
Switzerland
- Nyon, Lausanne, Montreux, Gruyere, Fribourg
France
- Annecy, Saint-Julien-en-Genevois
We would not have such great time without you guys help. Thanks again
Elaine V, Apr 14, 2013 @ 14:49
