Annecy or Chamonix with teens in Summer?

[Daffodils23]

We would like to travel by train to the Alps in the Summer - 2 adults + 2 x 14 and a 9 year old. Thinking of Annecy or Chamonix - which would be best in terms of things to do? Or any other recommendations? Thanks!

We did a week in each on one of our holidays. Was a good balance. Chamonix has great public transport - whereas in Annecy it’s a bit more limited, although a trip up Semnoz is a must and perhaps a cycle round the like on an e-bike

I was also going to suggest a week on each!! They are quite different.

I went to Chamonix as a teen 35 years ago. Vivid memories of going up the Augiduo d'Midi mountain (probably not spelled correctly!) in a cable car. It's the mountain next to Mont Blanc and gives amazing views. I think we went up through the clouds that day

Yes do both! We went in March, they are very different. We stayed in Annecy and drove up to Charmonix for the day to do the Aiguille du Midi which was absolutely amazing! There are a few other cable cars worth doing aswell, from the Aiguille du Midi you can also take the Panoramic Mont Blanc cable car over to Italy, which you can only do in the summer!

We loved Annecy, the lake is spectacular and so blue and crystal clear. There are a few beaches dotted around the lake so fantastic for a swim. Do try and stay in or near the old town though, it is so beautiful - the new town is just a bit meh. There is so much to do - we went hang-gliding, took a private plane tour over the lake and nearby Aravis Mountains and took a lovely boat trip on the lake.

Sounds great. Thanks for all the tips :-)

Actually for Annecy, I'm wondering if it's better to stay in the town or someone round the lake? ( also bearing in mind that we might be a bit limited re choice now!)

We stayed in a lovely place on the lake some years ago with a gorgeous garden/beach directly on the lake. However we had a car and did a lot of driving round including to get to town - though if you hired bikes this might work for you.

If you don't stay in old town Annecy try to get acccommodation in Talloires, there are more restaurants there. We had an Airbnb because the hotels were so expensive!

Definitely both - doesn’t have to be as long as a week in each place if you don’t want to go for that long - 3 to 4 nights in each place would still be plenty. Both have train stations quite central so easy to get from one to the other.
You’ll be fine without a car if you stay in the old town at Annecy. They have pedalos and you can jump out and swim in the clear lake, it is only about waist deep in that area.
Chamonix has a luge, well worth a few goes! Both places are great for cycle hire too.

Annecy is beautiful, and there’s lots of things to do . The Annecy website is really good for tips and ideas.