Major city · France
EvianÉvian-les-Bains
Half a day to one night: drink from the free spring, walk the lakefront and take the ferry to Lausanne. Not a base for the Alps.
Evian is a small spa town on Lake Geneva, best known for its free spring water and the ferry link to Lausanne, Switzerland. The town itself is compact — the lakefront, the spring sources and a casino are a 15-minute walk apart. Most visitors come for a few hours on the way to or from the Alps, or as a day trip from Lausanne. One night is enough to add a lakeside dinner and a morning walk.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (many hotels and restaurants close or run reduced hours)
- Airport
- GVA
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Evian17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Evian, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire · 15 ambulance (samu) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckGVA Geneva Airport (About 1 h by car or train (via Geneva or Annemasse); check).
- Getting aroundWalkable: the lakefront, spring sources and casino are within 1 km (0.6 mi).Walkable: the lakefront, spring sources and casino are within 0.6 mi (1 km).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Sit-down mealDinner (three courses, mid-range)€30–50 (≈ US$35–60)
- BeerBeer (pint)€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GVA Geneva Airport (About 1 h by car or train (via Geneva or Annemasse); check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Evian: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable: the lakefront, spring sources and casino are within 1 km. A free shuttle (Navette Évian) runs between the town centre and the upper neighbourhoods; check the schedule. For longer trips, a car or taxi is needed.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lausanne
goDoor to door: About 1 h (walk to port + crossing)
CGN ferry from the port, about 35 min
Ferry runs year-round but less frequently in winter; check CGN.ch.
Door to door: About 1.5–2.5 h
Car via the A40 (about 1 h 15 min) or train via Geneva (about 2 h)
Doable as a long day trip by car; by train it's tight.
Door to door: About 1.5–2 h
Car via the A41 (about 1 h) or train via Annemasse (about 1.5 h)
A full day; leave early to see the old town and lake.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lakefront (Quai Baron de Blonay)
Central, near the ferry port, casino and restaurants.
Royal Parc Evian
Upscale resort with spa and golf course; about 1 km (0.6 mi) uphill from the lake.Upscale resort with spa and golf course; about 0.6 mi (1 km) uphill from the lake.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (mid-range hotel)1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €120 | €240 |
| Ferry Evian–Lausanne return2 × €25 · check | €50 |
| Local bus ticket2 × €2 · check | €4 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €41 |
| Trip total≈ €228 per person per day, bed included | €455≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €2–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Lunch menu (plat du jour) | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Dinner (three courses, mid-range) | €30–50 (≈ US$35–60) |
| Beer (pint) | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Bottle of Evian water (1.5 L, supermarket) | €0.80–1.50 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Ferry Evian–Lausanne (one way)check | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Taxi from Evian to Geneva Airportcheck | €80–120 (≈ US$95–140) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry schedules change seasonally; check CGN.ch before you go.
- The free spring sources are along Avenue des Sources; bring a bottle.
- Many shops and restaurants close on Sundays and in the off-season (Nov–Feb).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 15
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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EvianÉvian-les-Bains
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire18
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- European emergency112
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Lyon; most other countries have embassies in Paris. The nearest Swiss consulate is in Geneva.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Evian → Lausanne: about €12–18 (≈ US$14–25), 35 min (check)
- Taxi Evian → Geneva Airport: €80–120 (≈ US$95–140) (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-byen sa koot)
- Où est la source ? — Where is the spring? (oo ay la soors)
- Un billet pour Lausanne, s'il vous plaît — A ferry ticket to Lausanne, please (uhn bee-yay poor loh-zahn seel voo pleh)
- Parlez-vous anglais ? — Do you speak English? (par-lay voo zahn-glay)
Switzerland is a Schengen country; no border check on the ferry, but carry your passport.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Evian. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (many hotels and restaurants close or run reduced hours) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry schedules and prices for the current year.
- Spring source locations and water quality (check).
- Golf course opening hours and green fees.
- Casino opening hours and dress code.
Sources
Ask about Evian
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