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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made independent rail holiday

Annecy & the Mont Blanc Express

Eight-day Alpine rail loop from London through Lausanne, Chamonix, and Annecy to Lyon

Illustration of Annecy & the Mont Blanc Express

Tailor Made Rail's eight-day Annecy and Mont Blanc Express holiday stitches together Eurostar, Alpine rail, and two major cities with one spectacular narrow-gauge train. You depart London via Eurostar to Paris, then take the TGV Lyria south to Lausanne for your first night. On Day 2, the journey climbs to its centrepiece: the narrow-gauge Mont Blanc Express from Martigny, which threads through the Trient Gorge before crossing into France and descending to Chamonix for two nights. A scenic coach carries you across the Alps to Annecy on Day 4, where you spend three nights exploring the town's canals, cobbled streets, and lakefront. The return leg uses a regional train to Lyon, then TGV and Eurostar back to London. This trip suits independent travellers who want rail connections without daily group activities, couples looking for free time to hike or wander, and those new to Alpine rail travel. Breakfast is included at all four hotels, and Tailor Made Rail provides printed travel documentation and email ticket despatch.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplements apply if you are travelling alone; the from-price assumes two people sharing a room.
  • Day 8 requires a connection: TGV from Lyon Part Dieu to Lille, then Eurostar back to London; confirm this connection time before booking.
  • The Annecy to Lyon rail journey on Day 7 is described as unreserved, meaning no seat reservation is guaranteed.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lausanne

    London to Lausanne

    Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, metro transfer to Gare de Lyon, then a direct TGV Lyria service to Lausanne.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Chamonix

    Lausanne to Chamonix via the Mont Blanc Express

    Regional train to Martigny, then the narrow-gauge Mont Blanc Express through the Trient Gorge and across the French border, transferring at Vallorcine to a regional service to Chamonix. Check in for a 2-night stay.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Chamonix

    Chamonix

    Free day exploring Chamonix, with options including the Montenvers cogwheel railway, the l'Aiguille du Midi cable car, the Musee Alpin, or the QC Terme Spa.

  4. Day 4overnight: Annecy

    Chamonix to Annecy

    Free morning in Chamonix, with hiking or snow-shoeing options, then a scenic coach journey to Annecy. Check in for a 3-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Annecy

    Annecy

    Explore Annecy's cobbled streets and canals, or take a boat cruise on Lake Annecy, including the Palais de l'Ile.

  6. Day 6overnight: Annecy

    Annecy

    Second day in Annecy, including the Chateau d'Annecy with panoramic views over the town and lake.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Lyon

    Annecy to Lyon

    Unreserved rail journey of around 2 hours from Annecy to Lyon.

  8. Day 8rail

    Lyon to London

    Direct TGV service from Lyon Part Dieu to Lille, connecting with the Eurostar back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The narrow-gauge Mont Blanc Express departs Martigny and climbs through the Trient Gorge before crossing into France and the Alps.
  • Day 3Free day in Chamonix with optional Montenvers cogwheel railway ascent or l'Aiguille du Midi cable car, plus the Musee Alpin and QC Terme Spa.
  • Day 4Scenic coach journey from Chamonix through the Alps to Annecy.
  • Day 5Explore Annecy's cobbled streets and canals, including the Palais de l'Ile, or take a boat cruise on Lake Annecy.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 7 nights' hand-picked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. All rail journeys are included in standard class, plus seat reservations where required. This covers Eurostar, TGV Lyria, the Mont Blanc Express, and regional trains.
Is this an escorted tour?
No. Tailor Made Rail describes this as a tailor-made independent rail holiday. You receive travel documentation and tickets by email, but you travel at your own pace without a guide.
What is the highlight train journey?
The Mont Blanc Express, a narrow-gauge train that runs from Martigny through the Trient Gorge and into France, connecting to Chamonix on Day 2.
What hotels are included?
Hotel Mirabeau in Lausanne (1 night), La Folie Douce Hotel in Chamonix (2 nights), BW Plus Hotel Carlton in Annecy (3 nights), and Grand Hotel des Terreaux in Lyon (1 night), all with breakfast.
How much free time is there?
Day 3 is entirely free in Chamonix, with optional activities like the cogwheel railway, cable car, museum, or spa. Day 4 offers a free morning before the coach to Annecy. Days 5 and 6 are free in Annecy to explore the town, lake, and castle.
What does the price not include?
Meals other than breakfast, entry fees to museums or attractions, and the cable car or railway experiences in Chamonix and Annecy.

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