If you are arriving at Geneva airport and going to Annecy it is better to use the main exit on the Swiss side (there is a French side of the airport in Ferney but it is the opposite way from us). If you are looking for informations on your transfer from Geneva airport or Geneva center to Annecy, please check below:
1/ By train
When arriving at the airport (main arrival terminal), just follow the sign CFF train station (same floor), you will then find Cointrin train station: you have 5 trains per hour going to Cornavin station (Geneva center), it takes only 7 minutes.
There is a new service called Leman express, you will have to go to Cornavin first.
At the airport, next to the luggage delivery, you can get free tickets for the train from Geneva airport Cointrin station to Geneva center Cornavin station.
It will cost approximately 20/25€ but will nearly take 2 hours (you can also get a day pass), not easy if you have lots of luggages, travelling with kids, arriving at night or on Sunday…
But if you do not have much luggage and some time, you can stop in Cornavin to visit Geneva center before going to Annecy.
For information, all Swiss train départs from the airport too before going to Cornavin (French and Italian trains will depart from Cornavin only).
If after your stay in Annecy, you are taking a train to Switzerland, please book your ticket from Cointrin as it is faster and easier (a lot of traffic jam to go to Cornavin, the access is not easy, crowded…)
Find below websites:
https://www.lemanexpress.ch/fr/
2/ By bus
Transalis buses T72 are doing approximately 15 trips per day from Geneva airport to Annecy.
You will have 2 itineraries, one itinerary, the bus stops quite a lot of times before reaching Annecy so the trip will last approximately 1h40.
And another one using a little portion of motorway so a bit faster, 1h20.
It will cost approximately 11.5€ one way.
But not so many buses during the week ends, bank holidays or at night, and in case of flight delay it can be long to catch the next one.
Or else it is one of the cheapest and easiest way to travel from Geneva airport to Annecy.
The bus stop is just outside the arrival terminal and the Coach station in Annecy is just next to the train station.
Other companies
3/ By ride share
For people who are flexible, usually a lot of offers and a nice way to meet local people. The cheapest transfer from Geneva airport to Annecy.
4/ By taxi
I will not recommend you to use the Swiss taxis are they are double price than the French ones, also they will not know Annecy streets very well.
To save you some waiting time and to follow taxi regulations please book your French taxi in advance. Depending on arrival times and taxi companies, it will cost from 90€ to 140€ for a taxi from Geneva airport to Annecy center.
Using a taxi is the fastest way, flexible and easy but more epensive. The taxi will wait for you even if your flight is delayed!
I will be happy to give you a free quote on https://www.taxi-massingy.com/en/taxi-annecy-geneve/
5/ Rent a car
You have 2 options either rent a Swiss car or a French one.
https://www.gva.ch/fr/Site/Passagers/Acces-Transports/Location-voitures/Suisse
Renting a Swiss car is more expensive but you will have the winter tyres and Swiss motorway sticker included. Easy to reach as on the right of the arrival terminal. If you are returning the car to France, it will cost a lot more.
Renting a French car is cheaper but no winter tyres or Swiss motorway sticker, you will have to get your car at “Secteur France” (reach departure level and show your boarding pass to access it, aprroximately 10 min walk) but the best option if you wish to return the car to a French city.
Usually I recommend my customers who are staying in Annecy center for a week to just a rent a car in Annecy for 2 days to explore the outside of the area. As you do not really need a car to explore Annecy itself and it can be difficult or expensive to park in town.