UKC

Hey guys,

I'm due to attend an Alpine training course with Plas y Brenin in Chamonix towards the end of June and wanted to ask how you guys get there.

I'm on a bit of a budget and had considered either driving down or getting the bus. Is it worth flying into Geneva?

I'm all ears for suggestions.

Cheers,

Alex

In reply to Alexander_Metcalfe:

Geneva is the most obvious, then get a transfer bus? Don't  PYB offer any transfer or recommend a transfer company?

Tip. Do you collect Avios points eg from shopping at Tesco?

I've redeemed my points 3 times in the last couple of years which has bought me a free return flight from London City Airport to Geneva. All you pay is Airport Tax. Just a thought.

In reply to Trangia:

Flying is nice but can be expensive and kills the planet. Coach is 24 hours, can be grim but is cheap anfmd can take a fair bit of luggage. Driving is good if you can share fuel and ferry costs and gives you more flexibility if you plan on staying around after the course. I did the coach once, said I'd never do it again but did it again the year after. Hope that helps! 

In reply to Alexander_Metcalfe:

I flew in to Paris and took the train down to Chamonix (got a good deal on the tickets, booking quite early though). Timed it with Fete de la Music in the capital, which was excellent fun! 

In reply to Alexander_Metcalfe:

Last time I looked at driving down from London over five years ago there wasn't much of a saving to be made, based on two people, verses flying to Geneva and taking a shared transfer. Factoring in road tolls, fuel and Channel crossing. You can avoid some of the road tolls but it increases the journey further. The main advantage to driving to me is that you can bring a lot more things. Plus it's obviously easier to get around once there, although Chamonix public transport is very good. 

In reply to Alexander_Metcalfe:

The first time I went to Cham was on the 24 hour coach.  At the time I was young and enjoyed taking to who ever was willing to pass the time on the trip.
Now that I am older, I'd fly part way. Don't think my joints would cope now.

In reply to Alexander_Metcalfe:

Train is the nicest way IMO, but it does run at about £200 return from London. Think it's best to buy a ticket to St Gervais and then get a local train rather than buy a ticket all the way to Chamonix. Loco2 and trainline.eu are the best ways IME.

In reply to Alexander_Metcalfe:

I did the Bus Liverpool to Chamonix via London in the hot summer of 2003.

It was grim, swore i'd never do it again and I haven't!!

 

 

In reply to Alan M:

I've been there too Alan... Dark days

In reply to Alexander_Metcalfe:

Don't know if it helps but I went a few months ago, flew Manchester to Geneva for £25 each way then got one of the transfer busses to cham, ( about £30 ish I think)

In reply to Alexander_Metcalfe:If you can find a cheap flight to Lyon, a "Oui" bus can take you to Chamonix for as little as €19. It goes from the airport; you don't need to take the overpriced tram into Lyon city centre.