Coach Rental Across France

Annecy Coach Hire, Driver Included

Annecy's lakeside coach park is closed for works, so drop-off has moved. The new routine is simple once the driver and the group both know it.

Lakeside coach park out of use

Works on the water mains shut the Tournette coach park, on the lakeside, on 16 June 2025. Reopening is pencilled for 31 March 2027 by the tourist office, but the agglomeration says that may change.

For now, rue Jean Jaurès, alongside Bonlieu, is the kerb for setting down and picking up. Parking there is not allowed, but the toilets inside Bonlieu help after a long run. The coach then waits on avenue de France, next to Sainte-Bernadette church.

MAN Lion's Coach 49-seat touring coach, front three-quarter view
MAN Lion's Coach 49-seat touring coach, front three-quarter view

The way in from the A41

Leave the A41, a toll motorway, at exit 16 (Annecy-Centre) or exit 17 (Annecy-Nord). In town, follow avenue de la Plaine, then avenue du Parmelan, then rue Sommeiller, where coaches are allowed in the bus lane, arriving on rue Jean Jaurès.

Grand Annecy runs a ZFE-m over part of the town at all hours. Since January 2025 unclassified vehicles are banned; for heavy vehicles, that means those registered before 1 October 2001. Crit'Air 5 goes in January 2028, Crit'Air 4 a year later and Crit'Air 3 in January 2030. A sticker is required, and the timetable can still change.

Airports for groups arriving in Annecy

Stadiums and arenas a coach can serve

  • Bonlieu Scène nationale — Theatre, dance, concerts and conferences

Coach day trips from Annecy

  • Talloires — about 13 km, about 25 min
  • Aix-les-Bains — about 36 km, about 30 min
  • Geneva, Switzerland — about 47 km, about 45 min
  • Chambéry — about 52 km, about 45 min
  • Yvoire (Lake Geneva) — about 74 km, about 1 h 5 min
  • Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Aiguille du Midi cable car) — about 99 km, about 1 h 20 min
  • Lyon — about 139 km, about 1 h 45 min

Rules for coaches in Annecy

  • Genève Aéroport (GVA), across the border in Switzerland, is about 49 km by road from Annecy old town, about 1 h in light traffic. Lyon-Saint Exupéry (LYS) is about 127 km (about 1 h 30 min).
  • Trains arrive at Gare d'Annecy, a few minutes on foot from the old town and the main hub for trains, coach lines and city buses. It has direct TGV trains from Paris (about 3 h 45 min), Léman Express trains to Geneva and regional trains to Lyon, Chambéry, Grenoble and Chamonix.
  • The Tournette coach park on the lakeside is closed for water-main works from 16 June 2025; the tourist office gives 31 March 2027 as the end date, and the agglomeration says the date may move. Check before travel.
  • While it is closed, coaches drop off and pick up passengers on rue Jean Jaurès, beside the Bonlieu centre (no parking there; toilets inside Bonlieu), and park on avenue de France, beside the Église Sainte-Bernadette.
  • Recommended coach route from the A41: leave at exit 16 (Annecy-Centre) or 17 (Annecy-Nord), then take avenue de la Plaine, avenue du Parmelan and rue Sommeiller (coaches may use the bus lane) to rue Jean Jaurès.
  • Grand Annecy has a low-emission zone (ZFE-m) on part of Annecy, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for all motor vehicles including heavy vehicles. Since 1 January 2025 unclassified vehicles are banned (for heavy vehicles, those registered before 1 October 2001); Crit'Air 5 follows from 1 January 2028, Crit'Air 4 from 1 January 2029 and Crit'Air 3 from 1 January 2030. A Crit'Air sticker is required. Check the current rules before travel.
  • Winter equipment: from 1 November to 31 March, vehicles in Haute-Savoie, coaches included, must carry snow chains or snow socks for at least two drive wheels or have four winter tyres (3PMSF marking).
  • The A41 (to Geneva and to Chambéry) is a toll motorway (autoroute à péage).
  • Geneva: a coach or bus over 3.5 t registered outside Switzerland must pay the Swiss lump-sum heavy vehicle charge (PSVA) for each day it is in Switzerland, even when parked, on all public roads. It is paid in advance through the Swiss customs (BAZG) Via portal or app.

Winter rules

Haute-Savoie's winter rule runs from 1 November to 31 March. A coach needs either four winter tyres with the 3PMSF mark, or chains or snow socks on board covering at least two driving wheels. For a winter booking, ask the operator to confirm the coach's equipment in writing.

Snow also slows the drive. Chamonix and the Aiguille du Midi are about 1 h 20 by car in good conditions; Aix-les-Bains is about 30 minutes and Chambéry about 45.

Arriving via Geneva

Many groups fly into Genève Aéroport, across the Swiss border, about 49 km away and about an hour by car. Lyon-Saint Exupéry is about 127 km. Switzerland levies a flat daily charge on foreign-registered coaches above 3.5 t, parked or moving, paid ahead through the Swiss customs portal. Ask for it to be shown on the quote.

Trains: direct TGVs from Paris take about 3 h 45 to Gare d'Annecy, a short walk from the old town. For a lakeside conference, the Centre de Congrès Impérial takes up to 600 people.

Organisers ask

When is the Fête du Lac?

Every year, first Saturday in August: a large fireworks show over the lake. Fix drop-off and pick-up times with the operator early.

Can the coach park near the old town?

Not for now. It sets down on rue Jean Jaurès and parks on avenue de France until the Tournette reopens.

Can a group take a lake cruise?

Yes. Boats with commentary sail from Annecy's landing stages, and you can book a group trip or charter a boat.

Other group trips we book

Vehicles with a driver