Travel to Chamonix

Travel to Chamonix

Chamonix has 10,000 inhabitants and is a lively and beautiful Alpine town. Even during the summer season the town remains busy. The many restaurants and Alpine lodges, situated along a gushing river, and the towns unique Savoie character make it an excellent place to take a break from the mountainous region. From many locations in town, the flat-topped Mont Blanc can be seen.

Transportation to Chamonix

Nearest to Chamonix is Geneva International Airport; Lyon is the closest international airport in France. Links from Lyon are available to Chambery, where several transportation services follow routes to the town.

By road, Chamonix is about 880kms away from Calais, the duration of the trip is approximately nine hours, and the toll roads will cost you about 100. If you plan to travel to Geneva by air and rent a vehicle, it shouldnt be very difficult to reach Chamonix as driving the 88kms long route is relatively straight-forward.

What to see

The five ski areas comprised of 76 runs which Frances oldest resort boasts is the star attraction. The skiing here is some of worlds finest, with incredibly lofty peaks providing above tree-line skiing and excellent hiking during the summer months.

Away from the mountains, there are numerous activities and amenities for aprs-ski. Available activities and leisure amenities feature: ice skating (artificial and natural), indoor tennis and swimming, paragliding in the summer, sleigh riding, saunas, a sports hall, bowling, curling, squash, snowshoeing and winter walks and indoor wall climbing. There are also a several restaurants and discos, as well as a number of outstanding shops.

Day trips

A major attraction in the area is The Mer de Glace (sea of ice). It is the second-longest glacier in Europe at 12kms. Additionally, the annually carved ice cave (Grotte) can be accessed via the historical rack-and-pinion railroad. Inside the cave the temperature is chilling, just below freezing.

Activities and leisure

Tourists have plenty of options for drinking expensive beers at some vibrant pubs or enjoying some excellent cuisine at the finest restaurants. However, any sort of leisure in Chamonix isnt exactly cheap. You will have to pay more for similar services than in Geneva, yet having dinner on the slopes of Chamonix at altitude is an unforgettable moment. Chamonix also boasts entertainment facilities that you will not find in the average ski resort. There is a casino, live music and cinemas.

Safety issues

Chamonix is a very safe town. The only danger could be breaking bones when falling while skiing. You still should be aware of pickpockets as they are not entirely immune to the region. Also, in the middle of the winter the roads can become hazardous. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for you and your family.