Major city · France
Aix-les-Bains
Give Aix-les-Bains 2 nights: one for the lake (swim, boat, greenway), one for the Belle Époque centre and thermal baths. Skip only if alpine hiking is your priority — this is a lake-and-town base, not a mountain one.
Aix-les-Bains is a spa and lakeside town in Savoie, between Chambéry and Annecy, on Lac du Bourget — France's largest natural glacial lake. It is a Belle Époque resort: casino, listed palace hotels, thermal baths, a freshwater port and a flat lakeside greenway. Two nights covers it; three if you add a lake day or Musilac in July. It is a town for slow days, not a mountain base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, festival nights, hot), Nov–Mar (many lake services closed)
- Airports
- CMF · GVA · LYS
- Nights
- 2
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.
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 Aix-les-Bains112 ▾
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 Aix-les-Bains, 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
- SafetyA calm, safe small city; the real risks are cold, deep lake water, cycling traffic on the greenway in summer…
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 numbers112 European emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 15 ambulance (samu) · 17 police (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.
- AirportCMF Chambéry-Savoie (About 5 km (3.1 mi) south, at the end of the lake; seasonal routes, mostly winter.CMF Chambéry-Savoie (About 3.1 mi (5 km) south, at the end of the lake; seasonal routes, mostly winter.
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
- Sit-down mealDinner, mid-range restaurant€25–40 (≈ US$30–50)
- Beercafé / supermarket can€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)€1–2 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–25 (≈ US$12–30)
- Museum or sight ticketBeach entry, supervised municipal beach€3 (≈ US$4)
- Budget bedHostel or budget room, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, 2–3 star, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedDouble room, 2–3 star, a night, per room€190 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €65 (≈ US$80) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €220 (≈ US$300)
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
- CMF Chambéry-Savoie (About 5 km (3.1 mi) south, at the end of the lake; seasonal routes, mostly winter. Check the official airport site for your dates.) · GVA Geneva (Check road time and rail connections; TER routes via Bellegarde are listed but not confirmed here.) · LYS Lyon-Saint Exupéry (Check road time and rail connections; TGV/TER via Lyon is the usual route but not confirmed here.)CMF Chambéry-Savoie (About 3.1 mi (5 km) south, at the end of the lake; seasonal routes, mostly winter. Check the official airport site for your dates.) · GVA Geneva (Check road time and rail connections; TER routes via Bellegarde are listed but not confirmed here.) · LYS Lyon-Saint Exupéry (Check road time and rail connections; TGV/TER via Lyon is the usual route but not confirmed here.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Aix-les-Bains: 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
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°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
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°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
The centre is walkable. Buses cover the station, centre and lake; the greenway runs along the lake to Le Bourget-du-Lac for bikes and walking. Summer boats sail Lac du Bourget from the port. A car helps for the lake's north end and Chautagne.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chambéry
goDoor to door: About 45 min
TER train from Aix-les-Bains-Le Revard, about 15 min
Old ducal capital: castle, old town, markets. Half a day is enough.
Annecy
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
TER train, about 40–50 min
Canal town and lake; go early, it is busy by midday in summer.
Bozel and the Vanoise valleys
overnightDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Car or train to Moûtiers then local road
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep in the valley.
Bourg-Saint-Maurice
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h (check)
Check the route and whether a direct TER runs; often via Chambéry
Doable as a long day for the alpine rail line; better as a stop en route.
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.
Town centre (around the casino and rue Georges 1er)
Walk to baths, casino, restaurants and the palace hotels. Best for a short stay without a car.
Lakeside / Esplanade du Lac
Beach, port and festival site; 15–25 min walk or a short bus ride from the centre.
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
- €60–95 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- €95–160 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
- High
- €160 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, 2–3 star1 × 2 nights × €110 | €220 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €120 | €480 |
| TER Chambéry return, per person2 × €8 | €16 |
| Lake boat trip, per person2 × €15 | €30 |
| Bike rental, one day2 × €18 | €36 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €81 |
| Trip total≈ €223 per person per day, bed included | €893≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in euros; travel to Aix excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Lunch menu (menu du jour) | €16–25 (≈ US$19–30) |
| Dinner, mid-range restaurant | €25–40 (≈ US$30–50) |
| Beer: café / supermarket can | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) / €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Beach entry, supervised municipal beach | €3 (≈ US$4) |
| Musilac day ticket | from €59 (≈ US$70) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–25 (≈ US$12–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Lake swimming is only supervised at designated beaches and hours; check the beach board before you swim.
- Scuba diving in Lac du Bourget is for experienced divers with a local club — cold water, depth and boat traffic.
- Musilac week (mid-July) may fill beds and raise prices (check); book months ahead or avoid those dates.
- Some lake boats, beaches and rentals only run in summer; check before you plan a lake day outside Jun–Sep.
Emergency numbers
- European emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 15
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
Pocket card
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Aix-les-BainsAix-les-Bains
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- European emergency112
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- Police17
- Fire18
Embassy
No embassies here; the US and most countries have embassies in Paris and consulates in Lyon. Check your own country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- TER Aix-les-Bains → Chambéry: about €4 (≈ US$5), 15 min
- Taxi, town centre → lake beach: €10–15 (≈ US$12–18)
- TGV Paris → Aix-les-Bains: about 3 h 30 min; book ahead for fares
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-SYON seel voo PLAY)
- Je peux payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (zhuh puh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où est la plage ? — Where is the beach? (oo ay la PLAZH)
- Un billet, s'il vous plaît — One ticket, please (uhn bee-YAY seel voo PLAY)
Service is included by law; round up or leave 5–10% for good service.
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 Aix-les-Bains. 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–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, festival nights, hot), Nov–Mar (many lake services closed) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CMF, GVA and LYS: last trains, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: casino and rue Georges 1er, baths and old town, port and Esplanade du Lac, Le Bourget-du-Lac greenway.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Casino Grand-Cercle, Église Notre-Dame, palace hotels, observatory) and eat pages with last orders.
- Summer lake fixtures: beach hours, boat times and rental desks, so lake days can go green.