Home / Tours / Escorted Tours / Lake Annecy Six Nights by Rail – 2026

Escorted Tours

Lake Annecy Six Nights by Rail

We travel by rail to Lake Annecy for a slower-paced tour based near Talloires, with coach visits to Annecy, Chamonix, Lake Geneva, Evian, Yvoire and Geneva. The itinerary balances lake and mountain scenery with time in Alpine towns and villages.

Lake Annecy offers a calm setting for a relaxed tour, with clear water, mountain views and an easy pace from the outset. Travelling by rail keeps the journey straightforward, while our base near Talloires places us close to the lake and surrounding Alpine scenery.

The appeal lies in the balance of landscapes and local character: time by the water, mountain air, historic streets and attractive lakeside towns, all without the need for self-drive arrangements.

From

£1,849

per person

Book Now
Enquire About This Tour

what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts and dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Six nights accommodation at three star Les Grillons Hotel in Talloires, based on shared occupancy of a double room.
  • Discover the Authentic Annecy
    Explore glorious lake and mountain scenery from the family-owned Les Grillons Hotel, a Travel Editions favourite for more than 20 years. Visit Annecy, the medieval lakeside village of Yvoire, elegant Évian and Chamonix, where there is free time to enjoy optional mountain excursions by cable car or rack railway     (payable locally).
  • Your Tour Manager
    Tour manager throughout.
  • Touring Programme
    Full coach touring programme as detailed in the itinerary above conducted by tour manager.
  • Travel from the UK
    Return train travel from St Pancras to Lyon via Lille.
itinerary & excursions

2026 Itinerary

Please note this is the itinerary for the 2026 version of this holiday. For 2027 please see the relevant tour page.

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.

Day 1: Journey by Rail to Lake Annecy

Travel by Eurostar & TGV from St Pancras to Lyon via Lille. On arrival, transfer by coach to Talloires (approx. 2 hours) and the Hotel Les Grillons.

Day 2: Chamonix and Mont Blanc Mountain Scenery

A busy and cosmopolitan town, Chamonix sits at the foot of Mont Blanc surrounded by the best of mountain scenery – glaciers, snow-capped peaks and lush green meadows. It is the base for all mountain-based activities, in summer and winter – for spectacular views take the Aiguille du Midi cable car up Mont Blanc itself, or, for those who aren’t big fans of heights, try the Montenvers rack railway which will take you to the foot of the Mer de Glace glacier. 

Day 3: Annecy’s Old Town, Canals and Lakeside Views

One of the most attractive and popular resorts in the French Alps, the town of Annecy sits on the banks of the lake surrounded by breath-taking alpine scenery. The imposing château on the hill and the Palais de l’Ile provide much historical interest, and you’ll find the canals and narrow passages of the 16th century old town enchanting, especially when the town’s many flowers are in bloom.

Day 4: A Free Day in Talloires

Day 5: Lake Geneva, Évian and Medieval Yvoire

The expanse of Lake Geneva (or Lac Léman to the French) forms a natural border between France and Switzerland. The awe-inspiring scenery and fine climate made the shores of the lake popular for health resorts, the most well-known being Évian-les-Bains, where you can take a lovely stroll along the tree-lined waterfront.

Take a bottle along to taste the famous water from the Source Cachat on the Avenue des Sources. Picturesque Yvoire is a lovely medieval village of narrow cobbled streets and stone houses sloping down to the edge of the water. The castle and two stone gateways date from the 14th century.

Day 6: Geneva, Lake Views and the Old Town

In terms of being international and cosmopolitan there aren’t many cities that can compare with Geneva. Its location is fantastic, strung along the shore of mountain backed Lake Geneva, and it is the place that many international organisations choose to base their European headquarters: you may see the UN, WHO and Red Cross. The museums here are world-class, and the old town is wonderfully picturesque. The 16th-century St Peter’s Cathedral is a perfect spot to enjoy the great views over the city, lake, and mountains beyond.

Day 7: Transfer Back To Lyon Station To Catch The Return TGV To Lille

Transfer back to Lyon Station to catch the return TGV to Lille and onwards on the Eurostar service to St Pancras.

our guests say

Recent reviews

“The group was fantastic and really added to the enjoyment of the holiday. Karen was extremely efficient and always there when needed, while the family-run hotel and beautifully presented French cuisine made the whole experience feel very special.”
Mrs D, May 2026

“Hotel Les Grillons was excellent and made a wonderful base for the holiday. Karen Dean was also an outstanding tour manager: friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable throughout the trip.”
Mrs R, May 2026

“It’s very difficult to choose just one highlight from this wonderful trip, but Geneva, seeing Mont Blanc and visiting the towns around Lake Annecy will all stay in the memory. Karen Dean and the driver were also among the best tour team we’ve travelled with and helped make the holiday so enjoyable.” 
Jane Burke, May 2026

“Lake Annecy was a beautiful location for a holiday, made even more enjoyable by a clean, comfortable and friendly hotel.” 
Mark Lockyer, April 2026

“Chamonix was definitely a highlight for me, with the mountain scenery making it such a lovely place to spend the day. The whole trip was very well organised and easy to enjoy throughout.” 
Ms S, April 2026

Availability

Choose Your Departure

Date
Departing From
Price From
Availability
20/09/2026
London St Pancras
£1,849
Last Few Places
Enquire Now
27/09/2026
London St Pancras
£1,799
Book Now
Solo Traveller Supplement From: £672
Destination
Departure Date
Browse By Interest
our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
 
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
 
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. A reminder will be sent to you approximately 10 days before the balance due date. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

Read More FAQs
Fresh Adventures for Inquisitive Travellers

Why Choose Travel Editions?

Travel with purpose, passion, and like-minded companions, here’s what sets Travel Editions apart.

Designed for Travellers,
Not Tourists

Founded in 1994 offering unique cultural tours beyond typical high street itineraries.

Personal Service, Real People

Small, friendly team with no automated phone lines. Enjoy personal attention from our team.

Expert Tour Guides, Unique Insights

Industry-leading guides, some since day one, who speak local languages and have detailed knowledge.

Win a 2027 Holiday for Two!

Sign Up To Our
Newsletter For A
Chance To Win

Our newsletter keeps you up to date with the latest news from Travel Editions, including new tours, special departures and travel inspiration. You’ll also receive articles from our expert tour lecturers and tour managers, along with insights into the destinations, history, art and culture that shape our holidays.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*