Swiss Alps Trips from Geneva

Written by Viator, August 2010

RECOMMENDATION Keywords:
Golfing, Good for Kids, Good Place to Relax, Good Views / Viewpoint, Mountain Biking, Nature & Wildlife, Off-the-Beaten Path, Sunrise / Sunset, Tip - Suggested Itineraries, Walking/Hiking, Glacier, Lake, Mountain, National Park, Park / Garden, Trail

Geneva is a fine base to explore the nearby Alps, whether they're in Switzerland, France or even Italy. There's public transport access by train and bus to nearby mountain destinations where the hiking in summer is as tantalizing as the skiing in winter. Snow-topped mountains and glaciers are even accessible as day trips from the city.

Spend the day in the Swiss mountains on a day trip from Geneva to Chamonix, one of Switzerland's most famous villages. Just 90 minutes' drive through the picturesque Arve Valley from Geneva, Chamonix is at the foot of majestic Mont-Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe. After lunch, take a trip in a cable car to the Aiguille du Midi, with snow year-round, for breathtaking views of Mont-Blanc and the surrounding Alps. Then board the charming red 1908 train to Montenvers, a vantage point with fine views of the magnificent Mer de Glace glacier.

Another glacier within day trip distance of Geneva is Glacier 3000. Drive along Lake Geneva you to the Col du Pillon and hop aboard the Cable Car Glacier 3000 for a flight over the snow-capped summits. This is a rare and unusual opportunity to walk over a glacier. Enjoy a coffee break at the state-of-the-art panoramic restaurant. Stop in the worldwide known village of Gstaad on your return through the charming Saanenland region.

You'll experience the highest peak of the Lake Geneva Alps and the Saanenland, with breathtaking views over the most renowned peaks in the Alps (Mont-Blanc, Cervin, Eiger, Jungfraujoch).

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All Swiss Alps Trips from Geneva Reviews

Reply by Viator, April 2013
Doing what: Chamonix and Mont Blanc

Fantastic day trip from Geneva. The guide was very helpful as well. Well done!

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Reply by Viator, April 2013
Doing what: Chamonix and Mont Blanc

Excellent adventure. We had a great guide, Neil and driver Bernard. If you can stand the heights then this tour is for you. We had a wonderful time.

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Reply by Viator, April 2013
Doing what: Chamonix and Mont Blanc

This was a great tour for the price. Our tour guide was helpful and gave useful information and reiterated the itinerary so there was no confusion.

The weather was not ideal- overcast and a whiteout at the top of Chamonix, but the views on the way up and down were amazing. The lunch we had was incredible- the food was high quality and delicious (I opted for the vegetarian options). As great as that was I might have opted to skip lunch and have more time for shopping as there were plenty of quicker places to grab food.

The train ride to the glacier was scenic and the glacier itself was impressive from the overlooks. The gondola service to take you down for the hike to the glacier entrance was temporarily suspended when we got there due to high winds but did start back up while we were there. I did not know wht aluck that was until I went down and did the ~350 steps down to the glacier entrance. You are able to walk through the glacier in a small loop and it's a unique experience. The walk back up is a bit tiring but well worth it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this tour and imagine it's that much more amazing on a day with clear weather.

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