Chamonix is located in southeast France, in the Haute-Savoie district, and it sits just at the base of Mont Blanc (4810m), which is right at the border between France, Italy and Switzerland.
There are many ways to get to Chamonix, as it is close to many international airports and has good road and rail connections. Probably the fastest way to get there is to fly to Geneva (which is the second largest airport in Switzerland) and then get a transfer from the airport to the city of Chamonix. You can take a private or shared transfer, regular coach/bus or even a helicopter transfer.
The buses to Chamonix usually stop in the main bus station from Chamonix, in the south. Right next to the bus station there is a nice hotel, Plan B, which we highly recommend for spending the night. We really liked the place and we’ll probably stay there as well in our next trips in the area, because the hotel:
- has many rooms, so finding one available might be easier than at the downtown hotels;
- the rooms are very spacious, with good amenities and fast internet;
- the breakfast is varied and quite good;
- there is a luggage room where you can leave the baggage in your last day in Chamonix or while you’re hiking the TMB;
- it’s really close to the bus station, so you don’t have to take a cab or haul your heavy bags through town.
Other close airports are listed below, with approximate driving times from each of them:
| Airport | Distance to Chamonix | Driving time to Chamonix | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva (GVA) | 100 km | 1h10 | Find best prices |
| Turin (TRN) | 173 km | 2h20 | Find best prices |
| Lyon (LYS) | 220 km | 2h15 | Find best prices |
| Grenoble (GNB) | 225 km | 2h20 | Find best prices |
| Milan Malpensa (MXP) | 235 km | 3h15 | Find best prices |
| Milan Bergamo (BGY) | 283 km | 4h | Find best prices |
You can also get to Chamonix by train, using the French railroad (SNCF) or the Swiss railroad (ÖBB). This is by far the most eco friendly option, but might not always be very convenient. In June 2022, the connection with the Geneva airport was not so good (1 or 2 changes, about 3h30-4h of travelling).
Driving to Chamonix is also a good option that gives you greater flexibility in the valley and the car can provide you with a place to leave the extra gear. There are numerous paid and free parkings in the area, but bear in mind that parking right in the city center might be difficult and expensive. A parking guide for Chamonix can be read on the official city website (only in French) or this leaflet (only in French).