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Travelling to Chamonix
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If you're not taking a package holiday, where travel to your resort is already catered for, then you might want to consider how you're going to get from the UK to the Alps. Chamonix is not so far way from the UK, and can be reached by car, train or aeroplane. With the advent of DIY travel and travel websites, it's easy to check public transport timetables in France, and there are plenty of companies offering transfer services from the airport to Chamonix. Our guide gives you an idea of the options available, plus some tips on how to get your sporting equipment safely to Chamonix. |
| Planes, Trains or Automobiles : Which is the easiest way to the Alps? |
This really depends on personal choice, budget, phobias, hobbies (spotters!), and days of travel.
If you are travelling on Saturdays the Eurostar whilst potentially being more expensive than charter or low-cost flying, gets you to within a tiny distance of the 3 Valleys and Tarentaise resorts with the minimum of fuss in around 7hrs. Outside the weekends and without direct train links things are trickier and require the jury this end to investigate further before give you a definitive decision....
Flying, whilst seemingly less time moving between countries, involves much longer check-ins and greater potential for delays. This all counts towards stress, tiredness and length of time to get to your destination. With flying you are much more likely to get a 'bargain' price, and if you want to arrive/depart on days other than the weekend is probably less hassle than negotiating the train.
Driving out from the UK by car is relatively inexpensive if you can share the journey with several friends. Bear in mind that the normal nine hour journey across France may take much longer if you chose to travel on a busy Saturday or encounter heavy snowfalls. For more information on driving in Chamonix and getting here by road, take a look at our Driving in France article.
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last updated 17-Sep-2008 |
| Travelling between the Airport & Chamonix |
Geneva airport in Switzerland is the best and closest airport to use for Chamonix at just over an hour away by motorway. Alternatives include Turin, Lyon (Satolas) and Chambery, each being 1½, 2½ and 1¼ hours away respectively. It is also possible to fly into St. Etienne and Grenoble airports although these are not such good options for Chamonix as they are a little too far away and transfer options are more limited and likely to be expensive.
To travel from these airports to resort you have the choice of scheduled bus, shared shuttle, hire car, taxi, tour operators, private helicopter transfer or train. However, it is always worth checking with your accommodation provider in Chamonix first, to see if they make arrangements for you anyway or if they can as an 'optional extra'.
Buses:
From Geneva, you can book coach seats on-line with Altibus, a reliable coach operator that offers routes across the alps. In this area, SAT Buses are the principal operator for the route. A timetable for buses departing Geneva Airport for all ski resorts, can be found by clicking on the link at the bottom of this box.
From Lyon St. Exupéry Satobus no longer operates a route to Chamonix and from Chambéry there is no regular route - as checked Feb 2007. If you fly into either one of these airports you will need to make alternative transfer arrangements.
Shared Shuttle:
There are a number of companies operating in and around Chamonix that offer door-to-door minibus transfers from most airports in the region. With all of them you have the option of booking either a private transfer or a more economical "shared" one, where up to 8 people arriving around the same time travel to resort together. From Geneva, the cost one way is approximately €40 for a shared transfer. Booking in advance is definitely recommended as you cannot guarantee to just pick up a transfer at the airport. For a full list of all the airport transfer companies in Chamonix, see our listings page.
Car hire:
Car hire can be arranged from each of the above airports and if there are several people travelling, it is not always an expensive option. It is however, worth checking in advance to see what parking facilities are available at your accommodation as it can be tricky to find a space in town at certain times of the season. Pre-booking of car hire is highly recommended if not obligatory. Try our Ski Car Rental Finder for some of the best searches and rental prices, or for more information on driving in Chamonix and getting here by road, take a look at our Driving in France article.
Taxi:
For up to 4 people a taxi will cost approximately €150 from Geneva (or 300CHF if you get a taxi at the door). For more than 4 people the cost will obviously be higher for a larger vehicle but probably cheaper per person. Take a look at our Taxi listings and also enquire about "private" transfer prices from the airport shuttle companies .
Tour Operators:
Here there are two possibilities:
1. You can book a "Flight & Transfer Only" with a tour operator which they sell through their agents/web-sites/call-centres - therefore it is paid for in advance and you will appear on the transfer manifests. Or;
2. You can make your own flight arrangements and upon arrival at the airport catch up with a rep from one of the companies and book onto their coaches.
In both cases, as the reps are unlikely to know where you are staying (as you made your own accommodation arrangements), make sure you establish the return journey procedures; give them your flight details, get the resort office's contact number and call a couple of days ahead for transfer details/confirmation.
Option 2 is not guaranteed but is usually fine. Expect to pay €50 one-way for Geneva-Chamonix and you will have to pay the two journeys seperately (as the return cannot be guaranteed till the end of the week).
See Tour Operators listings for contact details
Helicopter:
If you're feeling fancy or it's a special occasion then you can also get to resort by helicopter! Companies such as CMBH and Swift Copters can arrange helicopter transfers for up to 5 people (without much luggage). Take into consideration that in bad weather conditions the helicopter cannot fly and alternative transfer arrangements will be made. It must also arrive during daylight hours.
Train:
Although it is possible to come from/go to all the above airports by train, the journey usually involves at least one change and is a bit more bother than it's worth. Making your way by any of the above methods is preferable, but if trains are your thing, then times and prices can be found here. The nearest mainline station is St Gervais les Bains/Le Fayet and from there you would need to take the valley train up to resort.
Bus Schedule from Geneva Airport
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last updated 17-Sep-2008 |
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