AlpinExpress - Thonon les Bains station to Châtel and Abondance Valley
How to get from train station to resort
Key Facts
Buying your ticket
Most buses require payment in cash. If you have not already taken out money, cash machines can be found at Place des Arts in Thonon, less than 3 minutes walk from the station. There are two cash points: Crédit Lyonnais & Société Générale.
Finding your bus
Buses for Châtel and the Abondance Valley look like this, they are the Y91. They will have their bus number on the front, which is the bus intercommunal No 12, and their final destination should be shown.
To check with the driver you can ask “Vous allez à Châtel?” Oui = yes / Non = no. Most drivers do not speak much English but will try to ensure you understand!
Thonon les Bains train station information
Useful facilities
Toilets are available in the SNCF station, on the platform towards Geneva.
Two cash machines can be found at Place des Arts at Crédit Lyonnais & Société Générale.
Eating in Thonon
A pizzeria opposite the station is open for lunch and dinner : Il Vesuvio
A CocciMarket (food shop) is just behind Il Vesuvio for purchasing snacks and drinks.
Many other options are available in the town.
Sites to visit in Thonon
A 10-minute walk will take you to the Belvedere with its view of Lake Geneva and Switzerland: Parc du Belvédère
From here you can also take the funicular railway down to the lake and the port where there are numerous restaurants and a nice lakefront walk.
A 7-minute walk will take you to the 14th-century St-Hippolyte church: Église Saint-Hippolyte de Thonon-les-Bains
Buying a train ticket
If you are on your return journey and need to buy a train ticket, you can easily do this online, or you can use the machine or ticket office in the station.
Finding your bus stop
There are 3 stops in Thonon:
Gare SNCF: 30m from the station, Thonon-les-Bains (Bus Station)
Place des Arts : 200m from the station, the Gare routière.
Jeanne d’Arc: 500m from the station, Jeanne d’Arc bus station
ATTN! Until the 21st of April 2025 the buses for Châtel will not stop at the station or Place des arts, but at Jeanne d’Arc. This is due to work being carried out. They are expected to get back to leaving from the from “Place des Arts” as of the end of 2025, following work carried out on the square.
How to get from the Train Station to Jeanne d’Arc:
If coming from Geneva or Annemasse you will need to go up steps to cross over the platforms and exit at the other side. You will be following signs for “centre ville”. Coming out of the main doors head straight down the road opposite you, and stay on “rue Jean Blanchard” as it curves left. Take the second right at the Place des Arts roundabout and continue along this road till you get to the bus stop opposite the Jeanne d’Arc school.
How to get from the Train station to the Place des Arts:
If coming from Geneva or Annemasse you will need to go up steps to cross over the platforms and exit at the other side. You will be following signs for “centre ville”. Coming out of the main doors head straight down the road opposite you, towards a larger open square with lots of bus stops, the “Place des Arts”.
How to get to Châtel, Abondance and la Chapelle d’Abondance
Use the bus intercommunal n°12
Journey length: around 1 hour
Cost €1.20
The timetable can be found here.
In summer and winter seasons there are 6 buses a day on weekdays, 3 buses a day on Saturdays, 2 buses a day on Sundays.
Alternate Saturday access via Evian station is available only on reservation here, line n°VEX.
Timetable publication dates: Please be aware these are often very late, currently they are published around 10th December for the winter season (December to April).
Advanced ticket reservation is not possible, tickets need to be paid for in cash payment in € only, made on the bus.
In Thonon the stop is not at the train station but at the “Jeanne d’Arc” bus stop
Jeanne d’Arc: 500m from the train station, Jeanne d’Arc bus station
Two cash machines can be found at Place des Arts at Crédit Lyonnais & Société Générale.
Please be aware most drivers do not speak English, and anticipate that buses may arrive at the destination with a little delay. Ensure you leave plenty of time in case there are delays.
Stops at the final destination
There are two stops in Châtel :
Place de l’Eglise by the church in the village : Eglise – Chatel
Châtel Linga, near the Linga télécabine : Chatel Linga
At the Linga bus station there is a covered, heated waiting area, with a waiting room, toilets and vending machines.
On the way to Châtel the bus also stops at other resorts in the Abondance Valley:
Abondance : Sous le Pas Ancienne Ecole, Abbaye, Terres Noires & Champs Pantins
La Chapelle d’Abondance: Eglise, Office de Tourisme, La Panthiaz & La Ville du Nant
In season time free buses run in the village during the day time and may help you get closer to your accommodation. Timetable information can be found here.
Recognise your bus
Buses for all destinations will look like this!
Using a taxi
If you prefer, you can take a taxi from Thonon station to Châtel. The taxi rank is on your left as you walk out of the main entrance. However, there are not always taxis waiting. You can prebook this service with resort taxi drivers so one will be waiting when you arrive.
Thonon Taxis centralised booking office: +334 50 71 07 00
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