How much does it cost?

From £2,799 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,781 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. The package covers Eurostar Plus class from London to Paris and return, TGV First Class Paris to Annecy and Geneva to Paris, the Mont Blanc Express from Chamonix to Martigny and Montreux, and the Mer de Glace cogwheel railway.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish. Most activities are guided, though some afternoons are free.

Which trains are used?

Eurostar (Plus class), TGV and French intercity rail (First Class), the Mont Blanc Express (Standard class), and the Mer de Glace cogwheel railway.

Rivage Hotel & Spa (Annecy, 3 nights, 4-star), Lykke Hotel & Spa (Chamonix, 2 nights, 4-star), and Hotel N'Vy or Hotel Royal (Geneva, 2 nights, both 4-star).

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Classic Lakes & Mountains of France & Switzerland

Eight-day Alps escape from London through Annecy, Chamonix, and Geneva by rail.

Great Rail Journeys' Classic Lakes & Mountains of France & Switzerland is an eight-day escorted tour that departs London and ends in Yvoire, linking the Alpine lakes and peaks of two countries by Eurostar, TGV, and the storied Mont Blanc Express. Over seven nights in three 4-star hotels, travellers spend three days in Annecy, known as the Venice of the Alps, where a guided tour and a lunch cruise on the lake occupy the first full day; two days in Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc, with the highlight a cogwheel train to the Mer de Glace glacier and a free day for optional exploration; and two days in Geneva, centred on a guided Old Town tour and a lake cruise to the medieval village of Yvoire. The package includes all rail and coach travel, a UK Tour Manager throughout, most breakfasts, three dinners, and guided access to two châteaux. The tour runs in May, June, July, and September and suits couples, repeat rail travellers, and those seeking guided comfort without heavy hiking.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at £2,799 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. 3 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

Two of the three dinners are included; dinner on Day 3 and most meals on Days 5 and 8 are not included.
The optional cable car rides (Mer de Glace and Aiguille du Midi) are not included in the tour price.
Single supplement is £1,300 (priceSingleFrom £4,099 versus double from £2,799), a significant upcharge.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Annecy
From London to Annecy
Your holiday begins this morning at London St Pancras, meeting the Tour Manager and fellow guests before boarding the Eurostar in Plus class to Paris, enjoying a light meal at your seat. In the French capital, we switch trains to continue in First Class to the lakeside town of Annecy, our base for the next three nights. After checking in, we enjoy a relaxing welcome drink together before dining in the hotel restaurant.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner
Day 2overnight: Annecy
Sightseeing in the 'Venice of the Alps'
Waking in Annecy, we set out on a guided sightseeing tour of the Old Town, with its cobbled streets, colourful buildings and winding canals - the Palais de l'ile, Pont des Amours, and the well of Saint-Jean. After our tour, we head to the water for a relaxing lunch cruise along the lake. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to dine independently.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3overnight: Annecy
Château de Menthon St Bernard & lakeside Talloires
We travel by coach to the medieval Château de Menthon-St-Bernard, one of the architectural jewels of Savoy, remaining in the same family for over a thousand years, enjoying a guided tour of its interiors and gardens. Afterwards, we travel to nearby Talloires, the 'Pearl of the Lake', with time to stroll the waterfront, before returning to Annecy by coach for an afternoon at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4railovernight: Chamonix
Journey to Chamonix & Mer de Glace
Leaving Annecy after breakfast, we travel by coach towards Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc. After checking in to our hotel, we board the iconic red cogwheel train to the Mer de Glace, climbing to 1,913 metres for breathtaking views of France's largest glacier, with an optional cable car ride down to the glacier and its ice caves included. Returning to Chamonix, the afternoon is free before we reconvene for dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5overnight: Chamonix
A day at leisure in Chamonix
Today is free to soak up the beauty of Chamonix at your own pace. If you wish, you may take the iconic cable car to the summit of Aiguille du Midi, ascending to 3,842 metres for panoramic views across Mont Blanc and, on a clear day, Switzerland and Italy. This evening is free to dine independently.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6railovernight: Geneva
Mont Blanc Express, Château de Chillon & Évian
After breakfast, we board the Mont Blanc Express from Chamonix into Switzerland via Martigny to Montreux. We transfer by coach to the magnificent Château de Chillon on Lake Geneva, once home to the House of Savoy, enjoying a tour of its historic interior, before continuing to the spa town of Évian-les-Bains. We then travel to Geneva, where we check in to our hotel for the next two nights, with the evening free to dine independently.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7overnight: Geneva
Touring Geneva & medieval Yvoire
We get to know Geneva on a guided tour of the Old Town, dominated by St. Peter's Cathedral, visiting Place Bourg-de-Four. After the tour, we cruise across the lake to the medieval village of Yvoire, the 'Gem of the Lake', visiting the Garden of the Five Senses. We return to Geneva for a farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8rail
Homeward bound
Leaving our hotel after breakfast, we make our way to the station where we board the direct train in First Class to Paris. In the French capital, we switch trains to the Eurostar and return to London St Pancras in Plus class, where your holiday comes to an end.
Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Relaxing lunch cruise on Lake Annecy after a guided tour of Annecy Old Town and the Palais de l'Île.
Day 4Historic red cogwheel train climbs to Mer de Glace glacier at 1,913 metres, with an optional cable car descent to the ice caves.
Day 6Mont Blanc Express departs Chamonix and crosses into Switzerland; guided tour of Château de Chillon follows.
Day 7Lake Geneva cruise to the medieval village of Yvoire and the Garden of the Five Senses.

Included

Tour Manager: Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
Accommodation: 7 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
Transportation: Eurostar Plus; First & Standard Class rail travel; all rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
Food & Drink: Eurostar Light Meals; Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
Excursions & Entertainment: All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,799 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,781 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. The package covers Eurostar Plus class from London to Paris and return, TGV First Class Paris to Annecy and Geneva to Paris, the Mont Blanc Express from Chamonix to Martigny and Montreux, and the Mer de Glace cogwheel railway.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish. Most activities are guided, though some afternoons are free.
Which trains are used?: Eurostar (Plus class), TGV and French intercity rail (First Class), the Mont Blanc Express (Standard class), and the Mer de Glace cogwheel railway.
What are the hotels?: Rivage Hotel & Spa (Annecy, 3 nights, 4-star), Lykke Hotel & Spa (Chamonix, 2 nights, 4-star), and Hotel N'Vy or Hotel Royal (Geneva, 2 nights, both 4-star).