Chamonix is one of France's oldest and most legendary resorts, as well as being the world capital of mountain sports.
Of course, people come here to ski, but they also come to enjoy the many activities on offer and the legendary panoramas. Summer tobogganing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, a day at the spa... From Mont-Blanc, via the Aiguille du Midi, to the Mer de Glace, there's something for every taste and every age.
But how do you get to Chamonix from Lyon, Paris or Italy?
How do I get to Chamonix from Lyon?
Lyon and Chamonix are about 230 km apart. There are three ways to get to Chamonix from Lyon: by car, bus or train.
By car
The fastest way to get from Lyon to Chamonix is by car. It takes around 2 hours 20 minutes and costs between €25 and €40.
By bus
But for those without a car, the cheapest way to get to Chamonix from Lyon is by bus. From the Perrache train station in downtown Lyon to the Chamonix Sud bus station, you can expect to pay between €18 and €27 for a 3h55 journey, including stops.
By rail
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service between Lyon and Chamonix. However, it is possible to get to Chamonix from Lyon by train, thanks to one or more connections.
From Lyon Part-Dieu station, via Bellegarde-sur-Valserine and/or Saint Gervais les Bains Le Fayet stations, you'll reach Chamonix-Mont-Blanc station. Allow 4 hours 50 minutes for one connection and up to 5 hours 30 minutes for two.
Prices vary according to the season and the day of arrival and departure, but generally range from €45 to €90.
How do I get to Chamonix from Paris?
Paris and Chamonix are about 612 km apart. There are four ways to get to Chamonix from Paris: car, bus, train or plane.
By car
By car, the journey takes around 6 hours and costs between €100 and €140 (including tolls and petrol).
By bus
The cheapest way to get to Chamonix from Paris is once again by bus. From the Bercy Seine bus station to the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Sud station in 9.55 hours, the journey will cost you between €18 and €40.
By rail
Once again, there is no direct train service, but thanks to 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 reach Chamonix in 5h30 to 6h30 for a cost of €60 to €140.
By air
To reach Chamonix from Paris, there's a fourth option: by plane. The nearest airport to Chamonix is Geneva, about 1 hour's drive away.
To get there, you have several options: shuttle, bus, train, cab or car rental.
The two cheapest and fastest ways are by shuttle or bus.
In fact, there is a shuttle bus that runs between Geneva airport and Chamonix in 1h20 for €15.
Buses also offer this route, which takes around 1h40 and can sometimes take longer, depending on border controls.
Chamonix is also close to Chambéry airport, 1h30 away, and Annecy airport, 1h20 away.
Chamonix station
The Chamonix-Mont-Blanc SNCF railway station was completed and commissioned in 1901 to support the region's economic expansion, particularly during the winter season. Situated at an altitude of 1,038 meters, it is served by TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes trains, which connect with the stations at Saint Gervais les Bains Le Fayet and Bellegarde-sur-Valserine.
Next to the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc SNCF train station is the Montenvers railroad station. This is where you'll find the red Montenvers cogwheel train, an obligatory 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 1913 meters to enjoy the panorama of this exceptional glacier.
How do I get to Chamonix from Italy?
Mont Blanc separates Italy and Chamonix, yet it's only 20 km. Here are the 4 different ways to get there from Milan:
By car (using the Mont Blanc tunnel):
The journey takes 2 hours 45 minutes. The crossing costs €55. With an additional €78 for other tolls and petrol.
By car (without the Mont Blanc tunnel):
To avoid the cost of the Mont Blanc tunnel, or in the event of its closure, you can bypass it via Switzerland (Martigny). However, you'll need to allow 5 hours 30 minutes for the drive, plus €49 for the Swiss freeway toll sticker. Then add €43 for other tolls and petrol.
By bus
There are buses between Milan and Chamonix-Sud (allowing you to arrive at the foot of the hotel) for a journey of around 11 hours. Ticket prices vary from €15 to €50, depending on the bus company and the date of purchase in relation to the departure date.
By air
Finally, the easiest flight from Milan is to Lyon airport. A direct flight takes 1 hour; if there are stopovers, it can take 4 hours 30 minutes. To find out how to get from Lyon to Chamonix, please consult the specific section on the subject.
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