How to get to Chamonix
There are basically three ways to get to Chamonix:
- Fly to Geneva in Switzerland then go overland to Chamonix (approximately 90km).
- Drive all the way to Chamonix.
- Take the train all the way to Chamonix.
Flying to Geneva
The nearest airport is Geneva, Switzerland. Airlines that fly direct and have online booking facilities include:
Travel sites where you can search for flights include:
Chamonix is just over an hours drive from Geneva airport. All the main Car Hire companies are at the airport. Driving to Chamonix is very straightforward. From the airport car park, simply follow the signs for France. Once you have passed the border controls follow the signs to Chamonix. You will need some Euros for the two toll booths, the road is a dual carriage way except for the last few kilometres. Car parking is included in the rental of the flat.
If you wish to see the Swiss, Italian and French Alps in all their splendour you can take the mountain train from Geneva with Swiss Federal Railways.
Trains to Chamonix
You can get high speed trains to Geneva from Paris and then a train to Chamonix.
Driving to Chamonix
Driving across France is not as mad as it first sounds. Think about flying - you need to check in now at airports around three hours before departure, then add in the time getting to the airport before flying, the flight time, waiting to get your bags, going through customs and then getting to Chamonix - either by hiring a car (more time to get the car) or taking a transport (waiting for the people on the next flight to arrive). When you add all that time together you don't save much flying.
The costs of flying can soon add up as well: airport parking or a taxi there, flights (budget airlines also charge for luggage, skis), car hire or transport to Chamonix.
For the me the biggest thing that puts me off flying is the hassle of going through security: shoes off, no drinks, pat down, getting the kids through. And then once through being ripped off buying a drink for the kids.
You can also fill up the car with Duty Free on the way back as well.
If you have decided that driving is for you and you have space in your car why not have a look at Mountain Ride Share and offer someone a lift.
Discover France.
You can always make the trip to Chamonix part of your holiday and take a few days to arrive and get back and explore France. Chamonix is about a ten hour drive from Calais so you'll need to get across the Channel which comes down to ferry or tunnel:
If you are taking a few days to get there Accor Hotels have the easiest to use web site and hotels in many small French towns - and finding family rooms is really easy.
Coach to Chamoix
It is possible to get a coach to Chamonix from London if you are on a budget. The journey is an arduous over night journey that could turn out to be longer than expected depending on English Channel conditions and congestion on the roads. Companies that provide this service are:
