train à crémaillère au Montenvers

Access & Transport

In the heart of the Alps and at the foot of the prestigious Mont Blanc massif, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a mountain town located in the upper Arve valley.

  • vue satellite de la vallée de Chamonix

    Valley's map

    Map of the Chamonix Mont-Blanc valley: Les Houches, Les Bossons, Les Praz, Les Tines, Argentière ...

  • train en gare des Houches

    Access by train

    Finally we must not underestimate the importance of the rail network: 
    Chamonix is one of the rare mountain resorts that is served by a railway line, with a direct connection to the TGV network.

    Major SNCF (French railway) lines to St-Gervais/Le Fayet (TGV network) during the season, or Geneva, Bellegarde and Annecy. From Switzerland (CFF) (Swiss railway) via Martigny.

    Connections by the Mont Blanc Express (Mont-Blanc Express) which leaves from St-Gervais/Le Fayet or from Martigny (Switzerland). Serving train stations : Servoz - Les Houches - Taconnaz - Les Bossons - Les Pélerins - Les Moussoux - Chamonix Sud - Chamonix - Les Praz - Les Tines - La Joux - Argentière - Montroc - Le Buet - Vallorcine. Horaire

    MODERNISATION OF THE MONT BLANC EXPRESS  LINE : SAINT GERVAIS – VALLORCINE 2012 à 2014

    The strengthening of the rail service in the valley is the principle action in the plan to reduce the pollution in the valley. The objective is to double the frequency of trains by proposing 1 train every 30mins before the end of 2013. Major railworks have been undertaken therefore there are no trains running between Montroc and Vallorcine until December 2013. During the renovations, buses will replace the trains to guarantee the service. 

    Historique - Trains du  Mont-Blanc  is a website dedicated to this rail line.

  • sommets de la vallée de Chamonix

    Access by plane

    Otherwise, 88km away there is Geneva International Airport (Aéroport international de Genève) which facilitates intercontinental access.
    Annecy Mont Blanc Airport (Aéroport Annecy Mont Blanc) is 90km away - Allo Taxi Long Distance +33 612 200 144.
    Lyon/Saint-Exupéry International Airport (Aéroport international de Lyon/Saint-Exupéry) is 220km away - Allo Taxi Long Distance +33 612 200 144.
    Lyon/Saint-Exupéry International Airport is served by a TGV railway station : www.sncf.f

  • "Le Mulet"

    Free transport on the spot

    Chamonix-Bus  Timetable (Horaires Bus)
    Mont-Blanc Express  from the TER to SNCF (between the stations of Servoz and Valorcine). Mont Blanc Express Timetable (Horaire Mont-Blanc Express)
    (Navette : le Mulet ) The bus : The Mulet provides service to the centre of town of Chamonix with small buses with a capacity of 19 places, compact, accessible to people of a reduced mobility and have little pollution as they are equiped with micro particle filters. It has regular stops throughout the town that are linked to the regular bus routes every 10 minutes.

    The community of the Chamonix valley (La Communauté de Communes de la Vallée de Chamonix) have graciously provided this service,  within their environmental plan and have finally resolved the problem of traffic jams during the holiday periods. Due to rail works on the line, there will be no trains between Montroc and Vallorcine until December 2013. During these rail works, buses will be used to maintain the train timetable. 

  • VTTAE

    Electric bikes

    Concrete action of the Territorial Climate Energy Plan, the community of municipalities of the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley provides the general public with 15 electrically assisted bicycles in the tourist offices of the Valley: 7 in Chamonix, 4 in Les Houches, 2 in Vallorcine and 2 in Servoz.

    Each bike has 5 operating modes, from "economy" to "sporty", depending on your desires and your physical condition. The autonomy of the bike is between 30 and 100 km, depending on its use, which allows you to discover the Valley, on paths, easy trails and roads, overcoming difficulties.

    Equipped with a basket, the bike can be used for shopping, at the Market or in the city center.

    Bikes are available from the age of 15 but minors must be accompanied by an adult.