Driving Geneva-Chamonix-Lake Maggiore

BullBauld

Hi all

I'm looking for a bit of advice from anyone who has driven through the Alps and their experiences.

My girlfriend and I are hoping to go to Northern Italy in the first week of October. I recently won flights to Geneva so we would use these and make our way to Lake Maggiore/Northern Italy from there, stopping off in Chamonix on the way.

Now I'm of the opinion that we rent a car and drive over. The car would obviously give us flexibility moreso than public transport. Now I've driven abroad before (Iceland, Chicago, Belgium) but would be a bit apprehensive about driving though the Alps. And my girlfriend is very apprehensive!!

So is there anything to worry about really? It's something I'd love to do but I don't want my girlfriend spending our trip looking though her fingers

Any advice or experiences welcomed.

kindalen

You could get train from Geneva to Stresa as an alternative, maybe just rent a car for a day there?

munchkin_utd

driving "across the alps" can mean taking the motorway which is no different than driving in Ireland, or the scenic route on windy roads. Big difference.

if dropping the car back in italy you should be aware that it could cost 100s if not 1000s extra as a 1 way international fee which would knock the idea on the head before starting.
Geneva airport also has 2 exits, one to switzerland and one to France, with cars supposedly being cheaper to rent in France.

BullBauld

Thanks for your reply. Yes that's my girlfriends preferred option as she'd be nervous about the windy roads. Whereas I'd love to drive it and say I drove through the Mount Blanc Tunnel etc.

I think I'll lose out though!

athtrasna

BullBauld wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. Yes that's my girlfriends preferred option as she'd be nervous about the windy roads. Whereas I'd love to drive it and say I drove through the Mount Blanc Tunnel etc.

I think I'll lose out though!

Toll for the tunnel is scarily high iirc.

munchkin_utd

athtrasna wrote: »

Toll for the tunnel is scarily high iirc.

€44.20 one way and €55.20 return aparantly

kindalen

You can buy a supersaver mini ticket for 21chf each way if you book train in advance.

ncmc

There's nothing scary at all about driving through the Alps, the roads are excellent, two lanes wide and will have guard rails at dangerous points. You could probably go via very small back roads, but we drove all around that region last year and we never came across any hair raising roads. Stay off the motorways where you can, they are expensive with tolls and the secondary roads offer much better scenery in most cases. As munchkin has said, you may incur a hefty one way rental fee if you collect in Switzerland and deposit in Italy. It might be less if you pick your car up on the French side of Geneva airport. Just bear in mind you need a ticket or 'vignette' to drive on the motorways in Switzerland. They come as standard if rented in Switzerland, but cosy CH40 if you're renting in France, so bear that cost in mind.

Sounds like a lovely trip, honestly the driving is part of the enjoyment, it's so beautiful. Make sure to visit Lac des Gaillands just on the outskirts of Chamonix. Stunning views up to Mont Blanc. The Tramway du Mont Blanc is a fun way to spend a morning.