Geneva to Chamonix Transfer
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan towns in the French Alps. Visitors flock to the alpine resort of Chamonix, drawn by the breathtaking scenery which surrounds the valley and the myriad of activities available year round.
If you’re an active type, almost every conceivable outdoor pursuit can be experienced around Chamonix. From skiing and ice climbing, to paragliding and mountain biking, with Mont Blanc (Europe’s highest mountain at 4810m) as your backdrop – and all this just over an hour from Geneva Airport.
The lifts and railways that traverse the entire Chamonix valley, from Les Houches up to Le Tour, are open both winter and summer, boasting incredible skiing, mountaineering and hiking, with captivating viewpoints at every turn.
Our top tip for Chamonix ski holidays – think about skiing in late March/early April. The main Feb school holidays are done, the days are lighter longer and you can usually make the most of the sunshine on a mountain restaurant terrace!
Europe’s Highest Mountain
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan towns in the French Alps. Visitors flock to the alpine resort of Chamonix, drawn by the breathtaking scenery which surrounds the valley and the myriad of activities available year round.
Superlative skiing in Chamonix – and so much more!
If you’re an active type, almost every conceivable outdoor pursuit can be experienced around Chamonix. From skiing and ice climbing, to paragliding and mountain biking, with Mont Blanc (Europe’s highest mountain at 4810m) as your backdrop – and all this just over an hour from Geneva Airport.
The lifts and railways that traverse the entire Chamonix valley, from Les Houches up to Le Tour, are open both winter and summer, boasting incredible skiing, mountaineering and hiking, with captivating viewpoints at every turn.
Our top tip for Chamonix ski holidays – think about skiing in late March/early April. The main Feb school holidays are done, the days are lighter longer and you can usually make the most of the sunshine on a mountain restaurant terrace!
Chamonix attractions off the slopes
If all that sounds too much like hard work, back down in Chamonix town itself, there’s plenty to occupy the visitor. Chamonix is a truly year-round destination. It’s a lively, working town with so much to offer to both those who make it their home and those who come to visit.
Chamonix transfers all year round
Our Geneva to Chamonix shuttle is by far our most popular transfer route. Of all the alpine resorts, Chamonix attracts a huge amount of visitors in winter, summer, spring and autumn too.
So where is Chamonix? It’s a really easy transfer from Geneva Airport in Switzerland across the border into France and from there it’s a straight transfer run up the motorway. Chamonix is one of the few alpine ski resorts that’s dual-carriageway all the way from Geneva Airport.
The Geneva to Chamonix transfer time is between 1hr 15 and 1hr 30, depending on road conditions and your drop off point. So with Mountain Drop-offs, you’ll soon be checking out the latest snow conditions at the foot of the snow-capped peaks of the Chamonix Mont Blanc Massif on your way to the ski hire shop, ready to hit the slopes!
The Chamonix mountains are calling, I must go…
So, now you know a little more about what’s happening in Chamonix, the best time of year to ski in Chamonix and the best restaurants to try out in resort, it’s time to get organised. Think about getting your holiday form in to the boss, book your flights, reserve your accommodation and get those Mountain Drop-offs Geneva to Chamonix transfers in the bag!
Use the online booking form to get a quote and book your transfers in just a few simple steps.
Aiguille du Midi
Take the two-stage cable car to the viewing platforms, walkways and exhibition areas. Summiting at an incredible 3842m, you’re getting unparalleled views of Mont Blanc and 360° views of the French, Italian and Swiss Alps. Don’t miss ‘The Tube’ walk and the ‘Step into the Void’ glass viewing box.
QC Terme Chamonix
The QC Terme Centre Bien-Etre (Wellness Centre) is run by the same people behind the Pre St Didier Thermal Baths just past Courmayeur. Covering 3000m2 and based right next to the municipal swimming pool and sports centre in Chamonix, this very Italian-style thermal bathing centre boasts outdoor and indoor hot and cold basins, jacuzzi pools, saunas, hammams, restaurant and treatment rooms. And yes, you can laze in a jacuzzi and gaze at Mont Blanc!
Montenvers Railway
Spectacular cog railway from Chamonix to Montenvers above the Mer de Glace. From here you can visit the Grotte de la Mer de Glace ice cave, which takes three months to carve out and has a constant interior temperature between -2 and -5 degrees. You can catch the train back down or walk (spring/summer only).
The Vallée Blanche
Known as the VB, this is the legendary 20km-long off piste ski itinerary from the top of the Aiguille du Midi lift, that takes in the glacial terrain of the Geant, Tacul and Mer de Glace glaciers. Hiring a fully qualified Chamonix guide is strongly recommended for this non-pistes, high mountain outing in a stunning glacial setting high above Chamonix.
On your bike!
Chamonix’s reputation as a mountain playground isn’t limited to snow and rock. Mountain bikers are spoiled in Chamonix thanks to a combination of a long (June to September) summer lift season and a diverse range of trails from the rocky technical challenges of Brevent and Flegere, to the more flowy singletracks of Le Tour and Les Houches.
Road bikers are spoilt for choice, with Chamonix ideally located between the renowned road routes of the Swiss Valais, the Chablais and the Aravis. And there’s plenty of Tour de France and Criterium du Dauphiné stages to try!
With free transport of bikes available* when you book your Mountain Drop-Offs airport transfer, we are the best transfer option for your next cycling holiday.
Chamonix Golf Course
Enjoy a round of golf on the 18 holes on this challenging par 72, 6188m golf course with stunning mountain views. You can also practice your swing and aim at the driving range. Chamonix’s golf course in Les Praz is open until 19:00 each day in the summer months. And of course, there’s the club house for members and the Cabane restaurant overlooking the greens for refreshments afterwards.
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Chamonix FAQs
Each ski area in the Chamonix valley has its own lift opening dates for the winter and summer seasons. The Aiguille du Midi and Montenvers are open all year round (with breaks for maintenance). During the ski season, lifts are generally open from 09:00 to 16:30 each day. Before making any plans to travel to Chamonix, check full details on lift openings on the Mont-Blanc Natural Resort website.
If you want peaceful skiing come outside of school holiday season (the whole of Feb is holiday time in France). We love spring skiing in March and April. January can be cold, but there’s often lots of snow.
Christmas and New Year is, of course, really busy but it’s a magical family time too. If you’re really lucky, there may be some early doors skiing at weekends as early as the end of November, but it’s pretty rare these days.
Yes! Chamonix is different to other alpine ski resorts in that it is a proper working town. That means it’s not a ghost town when the snow melts. There are always lots of shops, bars, restaurants and cafes open even in spring and autumn.
WhaThe first thing you need to know is that there are two passes. The Chamonix Le Pass and the Mont-Blanc Unlimited. Chamonix Le Pass gives access to Brevent, Flegere, Balme (Le Tour), Grands Montets (except the very top lift) and the low level beginner areas.
The Mont-Blanc Unlimited (or MBU) is valid for all these areas PLUS Les Houches, the top of Grands Montets, Mer de Glace Montenvers, Aiguille du Midi and Tramway Mont Blanc. MBU passes of 2+ days give you access to Courmayeur, Verbier from 6+ days and the Chamonix pool and ice rink for 3-21 day MBUs.
At certain times of the year, Mountain Drop-offs offers clients a 5% discount on 2 to 9-day Chamonix Le Pass and Mont-Blanc Unlimited passes. Simply book directly through the Mont-Blanc Natural Resort lift company website using the special code in your transfer confirmation email from us!
The cost of ski and snowboard hire in Chamonix varies massively from shop to shop. It always pays to reserve in advance on the internet for the best prices.
All the usual big names like Intersport, Sport2000, SkiSet, Twinner, Ski Republic and Skimium are in Chamonix. You need to allow from around 25€ when booked in advance, 30€ in the shop for a set of beginner skis, boots and poles for a day. A 6-day hire will cost around 100€ for beginners and up to 200€ for top-end skis boots and poles.
Yes, we work with Sanglard Sports (part of the Skimium ski hire network) who have their flagship store by the place du Mont-Blanc in Chamonix and a shop at the foot of the Grands Montets ski area. When you book a transfer with us, you’ll receive an email about exclusive offers in Chamonix for our customers. You can save up to 15% off your ski hire with us!
They may vary from season to season, with everything from free children’s pizzas to money off your lift pass purchases. Make sure you read your transfer confirmation email from us for the latest promo codes and deals.
You can, but it’s a bit of a mission as there is no direct service. It’d be Eurostar to Paris or Lille. After that you’ve got a choice of routes. You could cross Paris to Gare de L’Est for a train to Annecy. Then regional train to Le Fayet, then Mont Blanc Express to Chamonix.
Or changing at Lille (the International station) you can go to Geneva and either Leman Express to Fayet and then Mont-Blanc Express, or book yourself a Mountain Drop-offs transfer from the airport or main train station in Geneva.
Chamonix has everything from five-star hotels and luxury catered chalets, to rental studios. Which you choose depends on what sort of holidaymaker you are. If you want best value, a small self-catering apartment you booked yourself could work for you (there’s the market and lots of food shops).
If you want to relax and do nothing for yourself, a catered chalet will take care of everything for you. Hotels are great for being in the town centre. And in all cases, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants to eat out in!
Yes. There are two return journeys a day from Chamonix Sud main bus station. You have to have a valid Mont Blanc Unlimited pass to access it (it’s a paid service around 15€ day return) and it’ll drop you the Skyway Cable Car – a 5-mins walk to Val Veny cable car to access the main Courmayeur ski area.
Enquire at the SAT office at the bus station. Advanced booking advised. If there’s a group of you, why not ask Mountain Drop-offs? That way you can come and go when you want and be dropped off and picked up from the town centre, the fast access Dolonne bubble lift or at the foot of Val Veny cable car. No walking required.
There are ESF (Ecole de Ski Francaise) in Chamonix and Argentiere and other independent ski schools such as Evolution 2. All take bookings online for group and private lessons. Make sure you get in there early for February half term, as that peak week gets fully booked.
Yes. The Chamonix tourist office is in Place du Triangle de l’Amitié, the big square next to the main church, town hall and ski school office. Open every day in high season.