Geneva, Switzerland is a city surrounded by a wealth of natural beauty and captivating destinations. With its stunning lakeside location and charming Old Town, it’s easy to see why tourists flock to this cosmopolitan hub.
While there is plenty to see and do within the city of Geneva, there are also many incredible day trips from Geneva that can be taken within a two-hour drive, which you can do with your own car or a rental car. Which we think is very doable for a day trip!
From quaint local villages to beautiful mountain scenery, these day trip locations offer a perfect escape from the bustling city of Geneva. So, grab your car keys and get ready to explore some of these suggested best day trips from Geneva, Switzerland!
This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclaimer on our privacy page.
Day Trips From Geneva Switzerland
So like we mentioned in the introduction, all the following locations are within 2 hours driving from the city of Geneva. So if you’re visiting Geneva for a long weekend and want a day trip with a car, become inspired with the following locations:
Lyon, France
Driving from Geneva to Lyon is 150 KM and takes 1 hour 44 minutes.
Lyon is the perfect choice for a day trip from Geneva! I chose Lyon because it has a wide variety of attractions, whether you’re interested in history, art, architecture, or food. Plus, many of the top attractions are in a compact area, so you can see a lot with just one day in Lyon.
Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France, so there are plenty of options to delight your taste buds. Foodies will want to visit Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, Lyon’s incredible gourmet food market. Or visit a traditional bouchon to sample local favorite dishes (I recommend Le Fiston in Vieux Lyon).
Take some time to find Lyon’s incredibly realistic murals, such as the Fresque des Lyonnais or Le Mur des Canuts (my favorite). Or see classical statues and art at Lyon’s Fine Arts Museum, bordering the Place des Terreaux. And don’t miss the stunning Bartholdi Fountain!
No day trip is complete without a visit to Vieux Lyon. I love the colourful Renaissance buildings and the traboules (secret passageways). History buffs will enjoy a visit to the Gallo-Roman theater and the Lugdunum Museum of Roman history.
One way to squeeze in a lot of sightseeing during your day trip is to take a Lyon river cruise. It only takes about an hour, and you’ll be able to see Vieux Lyon, the hilltop Notre-Dame Basilica, as well as some of the city’s more modern architecture such as the Musée des Confluences.
Contributed by Lisa Garrett of Travel to Lyon
Tours In Lyon
Lyon: Vieux Lyon Food Tasting Walking Tour
Lyon: Guided Sightseeing Cruise
2-Hour Electric Bike Tour with a Local Guide
Lausanne, Switzerland
Driving from Geneva to Lausanne is 67 KM and takes 1 hour.
Lausanne is a pretty city in Switzerland where vineyards, hillsides, and lakeshore come together to create a postcard-perfect trip. Lausanne is located only 37 miles (67 kilometres) from Geneva and can be reached in just under an hour, making it an ideal day trip from Geneva.
When I decided to visit Lausanne, I was excited to hop on a train from Geneva and enjoy the picturesque landscapes. As I had purchased a Swiss Travel Pass, train travel was budget-friendly. You can also rent a car or book a taxi from Geneva to Lausanne.
The combination of medieval streets and the modern Olympic Museum was enough for me to add Lausanne to my Swiss itinerary. I should have realized how crowded the museum and the park would be and how long it might take to get the tickets. I suggest buying the Olympic Museum entry tickets in advance to skip the queue.
Lausanne Cathedral is a 12th-century Gothic landmark and an important place of worship. Consider stopping by La Luncheonette for lunch, as it is known for offering delicious meal options. I visited the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts during my day trip to Lausanne, but it was a fast-paced tour. I would like to return someday to this extensive art museum to soak in the vibes and enjoy the exhibits.
Many tourists visit Chillon Castle from Lausanne, even though it was not part of my plan. I suggest going if you have at least a couple of hours.
Contributed by Lavina D’Souza of Continent Hop
Lausanne Tours
Lausanne: 2-Hour Lake Geneva Cruise Along Lavaux Vineyards
Lausanne: Self-Guided Boat Excursion to Evian
Day Trip to Riviera Col du Pillon & Glacier 3000
Montreux, Switzerland
Driving from Geneva to Montreux is 98 KM and takes 1 hour 18 minutes.
We recently spent a day in Montreux, a small town on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva (Lac Leman). This gorgeous Swiss town sits in beautiful surroundings and is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Geneva. And as Montreux’s within easy reach of Geneva, it was the perfect place for us to day trip to.
The fact that Montreux is relatively small also means you can easily see the main sights in just one day. You can wander along the lakeside promenade and look out across the lake to the nearby mountains. The scenery is stunning and it’s worth stopping off for a coffee or lunch at one of the restaurants that look out on the lake.
If you walk far enough along the promenade, you’ll get to see the Chateau de Chillon (pictured below). As you walk along, this emerges in the distance on a small island on the side of the lake. You can walk as far as the castle (or catch a bus) and go inside to learn about its history.
When you’re in Montreux, it’s not hard to see why it’s known for having attracted the rich and famous – most well-known among these is Freddie Mercury of the band Queen. So if you’re a fan, you can take a snap of yourself beside the statute of him by the side of the lake and visit the Queen Studio Experience in the Casino Barriere.
Other things you can do on a day out in Montreux include going on a boat trip on Lake Geneva, taking the bus to nearby Vevey and visiting the fantastic museum dedicated to Charlie Chaplin, or riding a cogwheel train up a mountain.
Contributed by Emma Marshall of Travel on a Time Budget
Nearby Tours & Activities
Chaplin’s World Entrance Ticket
Montreux: In the footsteps of Freddie Mercury
Bern, Switzerland
Driving from Geneva to Bern is 162 KM and takes 1 hour 52 minutes.
Are you looking for an interesting day trip from Geneva? Then we would definitely suggest Switzerland’s capital – Bern. Bern is located just under a 2-hour drive, or train ride, from Geneva. We found the drive to be quite easy, but the parking in Bern, not so much!
We really enjoyed Bern as it offeres a mix of attractions that could be enjoyed in a single day.
Our visit started by walking through the Old Town. Did you know that the town is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site? If you would like to learn about the city’s history, we would suggest booking a walking tour with a local. I loved the charming cobblestone streets, the gorgeous fountains, and the cool shopping arcade that lined the main street.
Be sure to visit the Zytglogge, Bern’s famous clock tower. You can watch the glockenspiel’s bears and medieval figures twirl, leading up to the bell being struck by Chronos, the Greek god of time. We also enjoyed the views from the tower of the Bern Cathedral. It’s a great spot to get that perfect photo for the ‘Gram!
For lunch, I suggest Kornhauskeller. While definitely more on the expensive side, this historic restaurant serves delicious Swiss dishes in a beautiful setting. Just be sure to book a table in advance, especially during busy times, as it is quite popular.
If you are into museums, the Einstein Museum is a great way to learn about the physicist’s time in Bern. And art lovers should check out the Paul Klee Center.
Finish your day with a walk along the River Aare. The riverfront is especially nice in the evening.
If you are arriving by train to Bern, we would recommend booking your tickets early to get good prices. You will be able to get to most of the popular sites on foot, as the Old Town is pretty compact. Also, wear comfortable shoes for walking!
Contributed by Marianne of Galavanting the Globe
Nearby Tours & Activities
Bern: 90-Minute Stroll Through the Old Town
Vevey, Switzerland
Driving from Geneva to Vevey is 95 KM and takes 1 hour 14 minutes.
Vevey is a unique place to visit when travelling around Geneva Lake. It is not so touristy so far and travellers can enjoy the views and interesting activities without hustle and bustle. Another advantage of choosing this destination is a short distance from Geneva. It’s ideal for a day trip from Geneva.
We chose Vevey for our day trip not only because of gorgeous lake views, but because of unusual places to observe and interesting activities to do. For instance, Vevey is well-known for its gigantic fork monument, which is located exactly in the water. It is a pretty instagrammable place to visit. We also recommend taking an excursion to one of the local museums, for example, to the food museum called “Alimentarium”.
It is also a good idea to take a funicular to observe the town and its surroundings from the bird’s eye. Geneva Lake is one of the largest in Switzerland and popular to visit, like also Constance Lake, where picturesque towns can also be found. After a long and busy day, travellers can end their trip to Vevey by taking a tourist train around terraced vineyards of Lavaux which are an object of UNESCO Heritage. It is a good place to try local gastronomy. Vevey is a truly hidden gem of Geneva Lake so do not miss to see this town before it will become a mainstream destination.
Contributed by Julia of Badenguide
Our Top Vaud Canton Content
The Most Luxurious Train In The World – The GoldenPass Railway
Most Beautiful Villages In Switzerland
Exploring the Winter Wonderland of Chateau-d’Oex Switzerland
Festival International de Ballons
Chamonix, France
Driving from Geneva to Chamonix is 82 KM and takes 90 minutes.
Good to know: This route has toll roads you will have to pay as you will be driving in France. When we did this route in June 2024, the there were two toll roads which were 4.70 EUR and 2.20 EUR.
One of the best ways to experience the Alps from Geneva is by taking a day trip over the French border to Chamonix Mont-Blanc.
Located at the base of Mont Blanc – Western Europe’s highest mountain, Chamonix has some of the most breathtaking alpine views in the world, as well as world-class skiing, hiking, climbing, and mountaineering.
And the charming town also has a lot to explore, with several museums, spas, boutique stores, and endless restaurants serving traditional Savoyard food typical in the region (expect a lot of cheese and potatoes). Plus, the town is known for its lively nightlife and après-ski, which you don’t have to be a skier to enjoy!
Chamonix is easy to get to from Geneva, as it’s only a 90-minute drive. I’ve made this journey many times, and it’s always worth it for a day on the slopes in winter, or to hit the trails in the summer.
If it’s your first time visiting Chamonix, I would recommend heading up the Aiguille du Midi, which is the highest cable car in France. Taking you up to 3,842m, you will get spectacular panoramic views of the Chamonix valley and the surrounding mountain ranges in France, Italy and Switzerland. You can go up the Aiguille du Midi any time of year by buying a pedestrian pass, which will also give you access to several other cable cars in the valley.
And, in the summer, one of the best activities to fit into a day trip is hiking up to Chalet La Floria. This family-friendly hike is a little steep at the beginning, but is relatively short, and, once you get there, you’ll be rewarded with a cold drink or coffee at the picturesque chalet overlooking beautiful views of the Mont Blanc Massif.
Contributed by Chanelle of Chasing Chanelle.
Nearby Tours & Activities
Chamonix: Tandem Paragliding Flight
Chamonix, Aiguille du Midi & Mer de Glace Full-Day Trip
Annecy, France
Driving from Geneva to Annecy is 43 KM and takes 44 minutes.
Annecy is a beautiful lake town in the French Alps and is a must visit if you are road tripping in Switzerland.
We were in Lyon which was only 1.5 hours from Annecy, ended up spending almost the entire day in Annecy before heading to Geneva which was our last stop for the day.
You can also do Annecy as a day trip from Geneva since it is only 40 mins (40 kms) away from each other.
We were driving around the French and Swiss Alps last summer and Annecy seemed like a perfect medieval town to visit. With cobblestone streets with a gorgeous old town filled with pretty little flower baskets.
While we were there, we went roaming around streets of the Old town, ate a lot of ice cream, visited Palais De Isle, went boating in the lake as well as spent some quality time in the park by the lake.
Walking around the canals was another thing that we enjoyed while we were there.
Since it is a popular day trip destination from Geneva, you will be surrounded by lots of tourists in summer. An alternate would be to go during the month of September. Additionally, many ski resorts are open around the area during winter.
We loved the idleness of just relaxing in this pretty quaint town of Annecy.
Contributed by Soumya Nambiar of Travel, Books and Food
Nearby Tours & Activities
Traditional Food Group Walking Tour
For Driving in Switzerland tips, check our main blogpost [Coming soon!]
Summary
As you can see, there are some great locations to visit for a day trip from Geneva, all reachable within 2 hours of driving. So there’s no excuse not to explore beyond Geneva and it’s city limits and discover more of what Switzerland has to offer (if you have the time of course!). So, rent a car, grab a map, and embark on an unforgettable day trip from Geneva. You won’t be disappointed!
Leave a Reply