How much does it cost?

From £1,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,755 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

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.

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

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.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at £1,299 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 2 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Day 6overnight: Annecy
Annecy
Second day in Annecy, including the Chateau d'Annecy with panoramic views over the town and lake.
Day 7railovernight: Lyon
Annecy to Lyon
Unreserved rail journey of around 2 hours from Annecy to Lyon.
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

How much does it cost?: From £1,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,755 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
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.