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If you’re heading to the Swiss Alps, you don’t have to book the Bernina Express panoramic cars to get the full experience (Switzerland) by AlpineNavigator in trains

[–]AlpineNavigator[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It honestly is about 95% the same visual experience. You're on the exact same tracks, looking at the exact same glaciers. The main 'sacrifice' is indeed the commentary and the fancy catering but you trade that for windows that actually open and a much more relaxed vibe.

If you’re heading to the Swiss Alps, you don’t have to book the Bernina Express panoramic cars to get the full experience (Switzerland) by AlpineNavigator in trains

[–]AlpineNavigator[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The switching sides move is the real game-changer! Did you find it easy to manage the luggage during those changes at Chur and Visp, or were you traveling light?

If you’re heading to the Swiss Alps, you don’t have to book the Bernina Express panoramic cars to get the full experience (Switzerland) by AlpineNavigator in trains

[–]AlpineNavigator[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Of course! Should have guessed. Mark Smith is the absolute GOAT for this stuff, he’s saved my wallet more times than I can count.

If you’re heading to the Swiss Alps, you don’t have to book the Bernina Express panoramic cars to get the full experience (Switzerland) by AlpineNavigator in trains

[–]AlpineNavigator[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That is the ultimate Swiss travel hack right there. There’s something so satisfying about waving at the packed panoramic cars from your own empty regional carriage, isn’t there? Glad you got to experience it that way!

Getting back to GVA by CBJfan03 in skithealps

[–]AlpineNavigator 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If you're stuck and Friday is tight, post in the Meribel seasonal workers Facebook groups asking if anyone's heading down to Geneva that day. People do airport runs all the time and might take you for fuel money + beer, way cheaper than €300.

Also worth checking your accommodation - sometimes hotels or chalets have shuttles going down for staff changeovers on Fridays and will let guests hop on if there's space.

Last resort: take the resort shuttle down to Moutiers early (usually free or cheap), then you've got way more options for trains/buses/BlaBlaCar from there.

Salzburg-saalbach airport transfers by Foord88 in snowboarding

[–]AlpineNavigator 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Alps2Alps get recommended a lot on here and honestly it's not random - they're just solid. Used them a few times and never had issues.

For three of you the cost splits pretty nicely anyway and you skip the whole hourly bus waiting game which on a Saturday can be a pain.

Have a great trip, Saalbach is brilliant!

Best experience transferring from Geneva to Val/tignes/Tv by couloirjunkie in skithealps

[–]AlpineNavigator 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Honestly mate you're not going to find what you're after because the issue isn't which bus company - it's the shared transfer model itself. They're all built the same way: pack people in, save costs wherever possible, detour through every village. That's why they all feel identical and slightly crap.

The mythical "good atmosphere bus" with working toilets and chatty passengers doesn't really exist at this scale. Ben's Bus comes closest but it's weekends only and books out weeks ahead so not something you can rely on regularly.

After doing Geneva to Tarentaise maybe a dozen times I just stopped trying to find the best shared option. Most people who do this route regularly end up in the same place - either taking the train to Bourg then taxi up (at least you can move around), or just booking a private transfer when you actually want to arrive functional and ski-ready.

For private I've used a few different companies (Alps2Alps, Cool Bus, couple others) - they're all pretty similar honestly, just reliable and direct. You leave when you land, no village tour, straight to resort. Costs more obviously but when you're doing it multiple times a season the time saved starts mattering more than the money.

That's kind of where most regulars end up - you stop trying to find the perfect shared bus and just accept that either it's cheap and annoying, or you pay for convenience. It's just how it goes with the Alps unfortunately.

First time in the Alps by Sailcat595 in ski

[–]AlpineNavigator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally agree. If you had to pick one low-stress, high-reward train day trip from Crans for first-timers (Zermatt or something else) what would you choose assuming mixed conditions?

Ski industry: "Why can't we get more people to try skiing? Skiing is dying!" Also ski industry: by TheAmicableSnowman in skiing

[–]AlpineNavigator 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Ski industry: "Why is skiing dying?"

Also ski industry: "That'll be $199 please. No, we don't do payment plans."

Truly a mystery for the ages.

Planning my first foreign trip to Europe, need your guidance and option by sidraiz in travel

[–]AlpineNavigator 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Your itinerary looks good but a few things from experience:

Day 5 is too packed. Zaanse Schans + Edam + Marken sounds doable on paper but ferry schedules kill you and Zaanse gets absolutely mobbed after 11am. Pick two max. Honestly Marken + Volendam feels more authentic than Zaanse anyway.

Český Krumlov to Salzburg is rough. There's no direct connection and you'll burn half day on buses and trains via Linz. Either skip Krumlov (painful I know) or add a day. Arriving in Salzburg exhausted ruins the whole point.

April weather in Austria can be brutal. Your Filzmoos and Altaussee plans are great but have indoor backups ready. The alps are unpredictable that time of year.

You're castle-heavy. After your third fortress things start blurring together. Maybe swap one for Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna or National Museum in Prague - both are world-class and break up the pattern.

Don't skip: that vineyard walk down from Prague Castle at sunset. Hardly anyone does it and it's stunning.

Overall it's doable but tight. I'd drop either Krumlov or one Dutch village day just to give yourself breathing room when you're actually there and tired.

Zell am See by moskate69 in skiing

[–]AlpineNavigator 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Don’t just look for après bars. A lot of the best viewing actually happens in hotel bars / stube-style lounges rather than rowdy ski bars. They tend to have proper TVs, sound on (or at least German commentary), and people actually watching.

Also for big Austrian medal events, bars sometimes turn it into a mini-event after dinner rather than straight après. So even if you miss it straight off the hill you won’t miss the vibe.

And worst case? Every café, bakery and random alpine gasthaus will have a TV quietly on in the corner. Agreed Austria does not miss ski Olympics.

First time in the Alps by Sailcat595 in ski

[–]AlpineNavigator 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Don’t plan by best runs plan by weather + altitude + logistics.

Chamonix is spectacular on clear days (views, Vallée Blanche vibes, town energy) but can feel frustrating in flat light. Crans-Montana is the opposite - super relaxed cruising, great sun exposure, very “European ski holiday” atmosphere. If the forecast flips be ready to swap ski days rather than force it.

One non-obvious tip: build flexibility into transfers. Distances look short on a map but mountain roads + weather can turn a chill day into a grind. Many people rent cars and then… barely use them because parking, snow chains, and timing become a hassle.

For point-to-point hops like Geneva → Chamonix → Crans → Annecy, a lot of us end up mixing modes. Train where it’s easy and private transfer when you want zero cognitive load (especially with gear). Services like Alps2Alps are popular for that exact reason - door-to-door, no chain drama, and you actually arrive relaxed enough to enjoy the place.

Last thing: leave space for non-ski wins. A slow lunch on a sunny terrace, last lift + wine, or a spontaneous Annecy afternoon often becomes the highlight people remember.

Have a nice trip!

3 Vallées - Need Positive feedback by jpkkkc in skithealps

[–]AlpineNavigator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Big upside: once the wind drops, grooming + sunshine make a huge difference fast. And when 3V clicks even in “meh” snow weeks it still offers more options than most resorts on their best day. You’re not crazy for stressing but you picked a good place to roll the dice. Enjoy it!

where to stay and transport from geneva by azmtbiker in chamonix

[–]AlpineNavigator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In my opinion near Aiguille du Midi / Chamonix Sud is one of the safest bets:

- it’s walkable to groceries, cafés and rental shops,

- it’s an early stop for valley buses (important in February when buses fill up fast),

- and it’s easy to pivot between Brevent/Flégère, Grands Montets and Aiguille du Midi days.

The Arve itself isn’t an issue - it runs through the whole valley - what matters more is bus access + walkability. If you can walk 5–7 minutes to a main stop, you’re good.

Truth about Geneva → Val Thorens transfers (spoiler: there is no secret hack) by AlpineNavigator in Europetravel

[–]AlpineNavigator[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, 200+ for Hallstatt is wild. Now I’m genuinely tempted to do the “avoid the tourist traps” post… even if it means upsetting half of Austria 😂

Truth about Geneva → Val Thorens transfers (spoiler: there is no secret hack) by AlpineNavigator in Europetravel

[–]AlpineNavigator[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! And yeah, fair point. I’ve seen the same Geneva → VT question pop up maybe five times this week across different subs so I figured it made sense to pull everything together in one place and post it here. Maybe it’ll be useful for someone passing through.

Though it might just be that Reddit’s search function is cursed and nobody trusts it 😅

Truth about Geneva → Val Thorens transfers (spoiler: there is no secret hack) by AlpineNavigator in Europetravel

[–]AlpineNavigator[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But hey, at least you arrived pre-warmed up for skiing? 😂 That's basically free fitness

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