Major city · France
Samoëns
Spend 2–3 days in Samoëns: one day for summer hikes or ski‑area lift rides, plus a half‑day for the village market and local cafés.
Samoëns is an Alpine valley town in Haute‑Savoie, linked to the Grand Massif ski area and the Cirque du Fer‑à‑Cheval nature reserve. Summer visitors enjoy rafting, mountain‑biking and hiking; winter visitors use the new lift to the 1600 m plateau. The town centre is walkable, so a short stay covers the main activities.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (summer), Dec–Mar (ski)
- avoid Feb (possible heavy snow, check conditions)
- Airport
- GVA
- Nights
- 2–3
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 Samoëns17 ▾
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 Samoëns, 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
- SafetySamoëns is a safe Alpine resort; main risks are mountain weather and occasional road closures in winter.
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 · 112 fire and ambulance · 15 SAMU (ambulance) (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.
- AirportGVA Geneva International Airport (≈45 min drive to Samoëns via A40; major airlines serve it.).
- Getting aroundWinter: rent a car (taxis scarce).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealPizza slice€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Budget bedCamping or budget chalet, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range chalet/hotel, a night, per person€80 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedMid‑range chalet/hotel, a night, per person€110 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €70 (≈ US$85) · 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 International Airport (≈45 min drive to Samoëns via A40; major airlines serve it.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Care
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
Best
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: Mar, Jun–Sep, Dec–Jan. Mixed: Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest May (13 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Samoëns: 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
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 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
Winter: rent a car (taxis scarce). Summer: walk or rent a bicycle; the village is compact.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Morzine
goDoor to door: ≈45 min total
Car via D907, about 30 min
Portes du Soleil ski area, good for a half‑day.
Les Gets
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Car via D907, about 35 min
Family‑friendly ski and hiking.
Chamonix
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h 30 min
Car via A40, about 1 h 15 min
Longer drive; consider overnight if you want to explore Mont Blanc area.
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.
Absolute Alpine
Luxury chalet, chef, hot tubs; central location.
L'Edelweiss
Chalet hotel, double rooms €60, family‑friendly.
Le Gai Soleil
En‑suite rooms, sauna, pool; double rooms €60‑93.
Le Giffre Caravaneige (camping)
Year‑round campsite 700 m from centre, near ski lifts.
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
- €70–100 (≈ US$85–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- €100–160 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
- High
- €160 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range chalet/hotel2 × 2 nights × €80 | €320 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €120 | €480 |
| Geneva‑to‑Samoëns taxi (one way)2 × €70 · check | €140 |
| Grand Massif ski lift pass (1‑day)2 × €55 · check | €110 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €108 |
| Trip total≈ €297 per person per day, bed included | €1,188≈ US$1,400 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and car‑rental not included.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Pizza slice | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Ski lift ticket (1 day)check | €55–70 (≈ US$65–85) |
| Bike rental (half‑day) | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxis are rare; plan a car if you need flexibility.
- Mountain weather changes quickly; check lift status before heading up.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
- SAMU (ambulance)
- 15
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SamoënsSamoëns
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance112
- SAMU (ambulance)15
Embassy
US consulate in Lyon (check address); other nations have consulates in Geneva or Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Geneva Airport → Samoëns (taxi): ≈ €70, 45 min (check)
- Grand Massif lift ticket (1 day): ≈ €55–70 (check)
Say or show
- Excusez‑moi / Pardon — Excuse me / Sorry (ex-kyoo-zay mwa / par-dohn)
- Merci — Thank you (mehr-see)
- C’est combien ? — How much is it? (say kohm-byen)
- Parlez‑vous anglais ? — Do you speak English? (par-lay voo ahn-glay)
- Où est le téléski ? — Where is the lift? (oo ay luh tay-le-skee)
- Je peux payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (zhuh puh pay-yay par kart)
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 Samoëns. 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: Jun–Sep (summer), Dec–Mar (ski) · avoid Feb (possible heavy snow, check conditions) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a car‑rental package from Geneva airport.
- Include lift‑pass for Grand Massif (check seasonal rates).
- Link to nearby ski‑area guides (Morzine, Les Gets).
Sources
Ask about Samoëns
Loading…
Was this useful?