How to get to Chamonix from Lyon or Paris?

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Going to Chamonix is an opportunity to visit and discover the most beautiful places in the Alps. Between legendary sights and breathtaking panoramas, come and soak up all the natural beauty of the place.

Chamonix is one of the oldest and most legendary resorts in France, as well as the world capital of high-mountain sports.

People come here to ski, of course, but also to enjoy the many activities on offer and the legendary panoramas. Summer tobogganning, snowshoeing, dog sledding, spa day… From the Mont-Blanc to the Aiguille du Midi to the Mer de Glace, there is something for everyone.

But how to get to Chamonix from Lyon or Paris?

 

How to get to Chamonix from Lyon?

There are about 230 kilometres of road between Lyon and Chamonix. There are three ways to get to Chamonix from Lyon: by car, by bus or by train.

 

By car

The car is the fastest way to get from Lyon to Chamonix. It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes for a total cost of 25 to 40€.

 

By bus

For those without a car, the cheapest way to get to Chamonix from Lyon is by bus. From Perrache train station in downtown Lyon to the bus station in Chamonix Sud, you can expect to pay between 18 and 27€ for a 3-hour 55 minute journey, including stops.

 

By train

Unfortunately, there is no direct train service between Lyon and Chamonix. However, it is possible to get to Chamonix from Lyon by train using one or more connections.

From Lyon Part-Dieu station, via Bellegarde-sur-Valserine station and/or Saint Gervais les Bains Le Fayet station, you can reach Chamonix-Mont-Blanc train station. Allow 4 hours 50 minutes using one connection and up to 5 hours 30 minutes if there are two.

The price varies according to the season and the days of arrival and departure, it is generally between 45 and 90€.

 

How to get to Chamonix from Paris?

There are about 612 km of road between Paris and Chamonix. There are four ways to get to Chamonix from Paris: by car, bus, train or plane.

 

By car

By car, it takes about 6 hours to get there for a total of 100 to 140€ (tolls and petrol included).

 

By bus

The cheapest way to get to Chamonix from Paris is again by bus. From the Bercy Seine bus station to the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Sud bus station, in 9 hours 55 minutes, this journey will cost you between 18 and 40 €.

 

By train

Again, for the train, there is unfortunately no direct route, but with one or more connections, it is possible to get to Chamonix from Paris.

From Paris Gare de Lyon to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine and/or Saint Gervais les Bains Le Fayet station to arrive in Chamonix in 5h30 to 6h30 for a cost of 60 to 140€.

 

By plane

To reach Chamonix from Paris, there is a fourth option: the plane. The nearest airport to Chamonix is Geneva, about an hour’s drive away.

To get there, you have several options: shuttle, bus, train, taxi or car rental.

 

The two cheapest and fastest ways to get to Geneva are by shuttle or bus.

Indeed, there is a shuttle bus that runs between Geneva airport and Chamonix in 1h20 for 15€.

Buses also serve this route, the journey takes about 1 hour 40 minutes and can sometimes take longer, depending on border controls.

Nearby Chamonix, there is also Chambéry airport, 1h30 away, or Annecy airport, 1h20 away.

 

<h2>Chamonix train station</h2>

 

The Chamonix-Mont-Blanc SNCF station was completed and opened in 1901 to support the economic expansion of the region, particularly during the winter season. Located at an altitude of 1,038 metres, it is served by TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes trains, which provide connections to the stations of Saint Gervais les Bains Le Fayet and Bellegarde-sur-Valserine.

 

Next to the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc SNCF station is the Montenvers railway station. This is the home of the red Montenvers rack railway, which is a mandatory stop on the way to the Mer de Glace. For 20 minutes, you can enjoy the scenery and let yourself be transported to an altitude of 1,913 metres to enjoy unmatched views of this breathtaking glacier.

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