Cidade Turismo
France

Before you go

Your trip to Chamonix.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Get it on Google Play

Chamonix – Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes Destination French Alps about 225 km from Lyon

How to get there

  • Aéroport international de Genève (GVA) Genebra (Suíça) · 90 km
  • Aéroport de Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (LYS) Colombier-Saugnieu · 220 km
  • Gare de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

The most used airport is Geneva (GVA), in Switzerland, about 90 km away, with buses and transfers. Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (LYS) is about 220 km away. Confirm before booking. By train, the TGV from Paris goes to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet, and the Mont-Blanc Express climbs to Gare de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.

How many days

Two full days is the minimum: one for the Aiguille du Midi and another for Montenvers and Brévent. With 3 or 4 days you can include the Lac Blanc hike, the Tramway du Mont-Blanc and a spare day for bad weather, common in the mountains.

When to go

From June to September for trails and cable cars to be open; from December to April for skiing, with snow conditions varying each year. In April, May and November many cable cars close for maintenance: check the dates. It is cold at high altitude even in summer.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The Mont-Blanc Express train and local buses link the valley villages, and the cable cars depart from the center or nearby. Guests staying in the valley usually receive a guest card that grants access to local transport; confirm with your accommodation. Parking in the center is paid.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Chamonix
  1. Morning
    Aiguille du Midi

    Take the first ascent on the Aiguille du Midi cable car, wearing a jacket, hat and sunglasses. Stay about 1 hour at the top, on the terraces facing Mont Blanc.

  2. Afternoon
    Montenvers and Mer de Glace

    After lunch in the centre, around 12:00–14:00, take the train up to Montenvers, see the Mer de Glace and descend to the Grotte de Glace.

  3. Late afternoon
    Chamonix town centre

    Walk through the centre, along the banks of the Arve river and around Place Balmat, with the statue of Balmat and Saussure pointing toward Mont Blanc.

  4. Evening
    Savoyard dinner

    Have fondue, raclette or tartiflette at one of the restaurants in the centre; dinner service usually starts from 19:30.

2 days in Chamonix

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Aiguille du Midi

    Ascend early to the Aiguille du Midi and, if it's summer, consider continuing on the Panoramic Mont-Blanc to Pointe Helbronner.

  2. Afternoon
    Musée du Mont-Blanc

    Descend, have lunch and visit the Musée du Mont-Blanc, if it's open, to learn about the history of mountaineering.

  3. Late afternoon
    Brévent

    Go up to Brévent by gondola and cable car to see the Mont Blanc massif head-on, lit by the afternoon sun.

  4. Evening
    Chamonix town centre

    Dinner in the centre and a short walk along Rue du Docteur Paccard.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Flégère and Lac Blanc

    In summer, take Flégère up and hike to Lac Blanc. Out of season, substitute it with Montenvers.

  2. Afternoon
    Montenvers and Mer de Glace

    On the return, take the Montenvers train to see the Mer de Glace and the ice cave.

  3. Late afternoon
    Les Praz and Argentière

    Take the valley train to Argentière or walk in Les Praz, villages of wooden houses in the same valley.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the valley

    Dine in Argentière or return to Chamonix centre.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to go to Chamonix by train?

The TGV from Paris goes to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet. There you change to the Mont-Blanc Express, a mountain train that arrives at Gare de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Check timetables and connections.

Do I need climbing skills to go up to the Aiguille du Midi?

No. The cable car takes you to the upper terraces, which are for visitors. Only the altitude and the cold require caution.

What to do in Chamonix on a rainy day?

Visit the Musée du Mont-Blanc, the Montenvers train with its ice cave, which operates in cloudy weather, or stroll around the centre. The viewpoints have no view when it's cloudy.

When do the cable cars close?

Generally in parts of April and May and in November, between the summer and winter seasons. Each cable car has its own dates: check before you go.

Back to Chamonix
Back