Accessing Annecy from Geneva centre or airport is much easier than it used to be a few years ago. This article, updated regularly, lists the best ways of connecting the two cities.
Geneva Annecy by bus
Annecy is located just 40km from Geneva and is now accessible by several bus companies. Tickets are purchased online but also at the airport at the arrivals level. Ask at the tourist office because no sign is displayed. Once you have your ticket, cross the parking lot and you will see buses, shuttles and the taxi stand.
La ligne Transalis T72 and T73
Transdev Haute-Savoie is a bus company from Annecy. They have hourly departures for Geneva centre and airport. It’s not the fastest way to go to Geneva since they have many stops along the way. A one-way ticket cost €14
transdevhautesavoie.com
Flixbus
Flixbus now has Geneva – Annecy connections. One-way tickets start at €4.99.
flixbus.co.uk/bus–routes/geneva-annecy
Alpybus
With six daily departures, running from June to August, AlpyBus aims to connect both holidaymakers and commuters (Frontaliers). One way cost €19.50.
Alpybus.com
Geneva Annecy by road
There are 2 ways to reach Annecy by road: national road or motorway. The motorway is obviously a lot faster but quite pricey (€7.30). But you don’t have to take it all the way. If you exit at Allonzier la Caille and continue on the national road, you will pay only 4.70 € without lengthening the road by much. Note that the panel signalisation colours change between France and Switzerland.
In France, motorways are indicated in blue and national roads in green. In Switzerland, it’s the opposite. Allow about 1 hour depending on traffic if you take the national road, going through Cruseilles. On the motorway, it takes about 30-40 minutes to reach Annecy from Geneva. Allow more time during rush hour when cross-border commuters (frontaliers) travel between France and Switzerland. Remember that the Swiss motorway vignette is required to use the roads, even if you only go to the airport.
Car rental
It is possible to rent a car on both, the Swiss and French sides. Indeed, the Geneva airport has a French sector with internal flights. The advantage of renting a car on the French side is the price. But note that if you plan to drive on Swiss roads, you must take the Swiss motorway vignette. Even if it is only to reach Annecy. Most cars have the vignette now, but make sure to double-check.
Taxi
Taxis are expensive! Since there is no Uber, it costs from €90 one way.
Carpooling
From €5 to go to Geneva centre or airport.
blablacar.fr
Annecy Geneva by train
Since December 2019, the first rail link was inaugurated: the Léman Express. An ambitious promise that isn’t shared by Annecy-Geneva commuters! The journey between Annecy train station and Genève Cornavin takes 1h29, twice as much as by car. Even though the region has invested 400 million euros in the railway network, it was mainly to connect Annemasse with Geneva rather than Annecy….