Chamonix Transport F&Qs

Which is the nearest airport?
How do I get from the airport to Chamonix?
How do i hire a car?
  
1. Which is the nearest airport?
Geneva is the nearest airport to Chamonix, a little under 100km by road and an easy drive within an hour.  Many international airlines fly to Geneva, including easyJet, British Airways, Globespan and FlyBe.  There are several other airports that are a little further away, including Turin in Italy (2 hours away, served by RyanAir), Chambery (1.5 hours away, RyanAir) and Lyon (2 hours drive, many airlines).

2.  How do I get from the airport to Chamonix?
Perhaps the easiest and most efficient way to get from the airport is a private minibus transfer.  Typically, the minibuses take up to 8 people and can be booked person by person, or privately by minibus.  There is huge competition in this sector and it is worth checking the credentials of the operator you choose.  Frankly, you get what you pay for and the cheapest is not always the right choice - there's nothing worse than waiting in the airport, or missing your flight on the return journey.  For this reason, Mountain Lifestyle have chosen to work with Haute Transfer as our partners.  One way trips cost from €25 per person, or €200 for a private minibus.  Transfers from other airports are priced differently, but will be more expensive.  More information on airport transfers & in resort transfers services & prices can be found on our site.

Car Hire is also a good option.  There are many car rental companies operating from Geneva airport, so the best idea is to use a site such as CarRentals.co.uk, which compares the best deals.  We recommend hiring from the Swiss side of the airport.  SAT Buses operate a regular bus service from the airport, which runs 6 times a day between 8am and 8pm (check the latest timetable), roughly every 2 hours.  The journey is "scenic", to say the least, and takes over 2 hours compared to 1 hour in a minibus.  A one way fare is €35, or €55 return.

It is possible to get to Chamonix by train, but it is not recommended as it involves at least 2 changes.  The nearest main station is St Gervais/Le Fayet, from where you need to catch the local train to Chamonix itself.

Finally, you can get a private taxi, which will cost about €150 if booked in advance (or around €250 on demand from the airport) for up to 4 people.

3. How do i hire a car?

Geneva Airport
There are many car rental companies operating from Geneva airport, so the best idea is to use a website such as www.carrentals.co.uk, which compares the best deals on offer.

We would recommend hiring from the Swiss side of the airport, as it is a long walk to the French hire cars and you are forced to drive through the centre of Geneva, rather than to take the motorways from the Swiss Side to the French border.

In Chamonix
Europcar has an office in central Chamonix, opposite the train station.

36 Place de la Gare, Chamonix
Visit their website at www.europcar.com for more information on rental.