Geneva is an incredible city on its own, but one of the best things about it is how easy it is to escape for a day. Whether you’re craving mountains, lakes, vineyards, or charming old towns, there are so many day trips from Geneva that are totally worth your time.
From quick train rides to scenic boat journeys, we’ve gathered our favorite day trips from Geneva, with everything you need to know – how to get there, what to do, how long it takes, and local tips to make the most of your visit.
Before heading out for these epic day trips, you might want to check out our guides to Geneva itself:
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Montreux – Lakeside Vibes & Château de Chillon
📍 Distance: ~93 km
🚆 How to get there: Direct train from Geneva Cornavin to Montreux (about every 30 min) or by car (~1h 10m)
🕒 Travel time: 1h 10m
Montreux is a dreamy lakeside town that feels like a vacation the moment you arrive. Walk along the flower-lined promenade, visit the iconic Château de Chillon, and enjoy lake views with the Alps in the background.
👉 Local tip: Visit in July during the Montreux Jazz Festival if you want music and summer energy, or in winter for the magical Christmas market!
🎟️ Entry to Chillon Castle: ~13 CHF
Why it’s one of the best day trips from Geneva: Close, scenic, and packed with things to do in a few hours.
Annecy – The Venice of the Alps
📍 Distance: ~42 km
🚗 How to get there: Flixbus or BlaBlaCar Bus (~1h), or by car (~1h)
🕒 Travel time: 1h
This French town looks straight out of a fairytale. With canals, pastel houses, and a stunning lake, Annecy is hands-down one of the most popular day trips from Geneva.
Wander through the old town, try a local crêpe or tartiflette, and take a boat out on Lake Annecy. Don’t miss the Château d’Annecy for views over the town (~5.50€)
👉 Local tip: Visit early in the morning to beat the crowds, especially in summer weekends.
Gruyères – Cheese, Chocolate & Castles
📍 Distance: ~122 km
🚆 How to get there: Train to Gruyères via Lausanne and Bulle, or by car (~1h 40m)
🕒 Travel time: 2h by train | 1h 40m by car
Calling all cheese and chocolate lovers! Gruyères is famous for its namesake cheese, and it’s one of the tastiest day trips from Geneva you can take.
Visit the La Maison du Gruyère, tour the Cailler Chocolate Factory in nearby Broc, and explore the medieval hilltop village and its castle.
👉 Local tip: Get the Chocolate Train ticket if you want a full cheese + chocolate day with scenic travel!
🎟️ Castle entry: ~12 CHF | Cheese museum: ~7 CHF | Cailler Chocolate tour: ~15 CHF
Yvoire – A Medieval French Village by the Lake
📍 Distance: ~27 km
⛴️ How to get there: Boat from Geneva to Yvoire (spring–fall), or bus/train via Nyon (~1h)
🕒 Travel time: 1h
One of the most charming day trips from Geneva, Yvoire is a small medieval village in France with cobbled streets, flower-filled balconies, and views over Lake Geneva.
Perfect for a slow day of strolling, shopping for local crafts, and enjoying a lakeside lunch.
👉 Local tip: Visit in May–July when the gardens are in full bloom!
🎟️ Entry to Garden of Five Senses: ~12€
Lausanne – Culture, Cafés & Lake Views
📍 Distance: ~64 km
🚆 How to get there: Direct trains every 15 min or by car (~40m)
🕒 Travel time: 35–40 min
Lausanne is another lakeside city that makes for a super easy and fun day trip from Geneva. Visit the Olympic Museum, explore the steep streets of the old town, or relax at Ouchy port with an ice cream.
👉 Local tip: Use the free public transport card from any hotel in Lausanne for buses/metro while you’re there.
🎟️ Olympic Museum: ~20 CHF
Chamonix & Mont Blanc – For Mountain Lovers
📍 Distance: ~82 km
🚗 How to get there: Shuttle, guided tour or drive (~1h 30m)
🕒 Travel time: 1h 30m
If you want to see the real Alps, this is one of the most unforgettable day trips from Geneva. Chamonix sits at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe.
Take the Aiguille du Midi cable car up for epic views, walk around the cute ski village, or just chill with a hot chocolate and admire the snowy peaks.
👉 Local tip: Book your cable car tickets in advance, especially on sunny days.
🎟️ Aiguille du Midi round-trip: ~70€
If you’d rather sit back and let someone else handle all the details, check out this top-rated guided tour – perfect for a stress-free day in the mountains:
Tips for Day Trips from Geneva
- Get the Swiss Half Fare Card if you’re doing multiple trips – it saves you a lot on trains. Or if you decide to travel around Switzerland a bit more, take a look at this offer – you can get a train pass for 3 or more days, which will save you a lot on tickets!
- Bring your passport for trips into France like Annecy or Yvoire (Schengen, but just in case).
- Start early – most places are calm in the morning and you’ll get more out of the day.
- Check the weather – especially for Chamonix or anything with lake views!
- Pack layers – even in summer, mountain areas can get chilly.
- Download the SBB Mobile app – it’s super handy for checking train times, buying tickets, and finding connections.
- If you’re planning to do multiple day trips, consider packing a light backpack with snacks and a reusable water bottle – it’ll save you money and keep you going throughout the day.
- Keep some cash on you, especially for smaller towns or markets that might not accept cards.
Final Thoughts
There are so many day trips from Geneva to choose from – whether you want mountains, cheese, castles, or quiet lakeside towns, you’re totally spoiled for choice.
The best part? Most of these are under 2 hours away, so you can be back in time for dinner in the city (unless you fall in love with Gruyères and stay for fondue).
Have you done any of these day trips from Geneva already? Let us know which was your favorite!