Chamonix Day Trips
Chamonix in a day – one of the most popular day tours from Geneva! See Mont-Blanc, Europe’s highest peak and visit the famous Alpine town on a day trip from Geneva with Mountain Drop-offs.
Geneva to Chamonix Day Trips by Minibus
Mountain Drop-offs operates regular services from Geneva Airport and Geneva Bus Station to Chamonix Mont Blanc.
The journey, on smooth motorway routes, takes around 1 hour and 15 to 1 hour and 30 minutes, with drop off points at the Chamonix Sud Bus Station and Chamonix’s main train station too. Travelling in smart, modern minibuses, you’ll arrive relaxed and ready to explore Chamonix.
What to see & do on a day trip to Chamonix
Enjoying the views of Mont-Blanc is a must-do when in Chamonix. On a day trip to Chamonix, we recommend:
Aiguille du Midi
Take the two-stage Aiguille du Midi cable car to 3842m for the closest views to that famous 4810m-high Mont Blanc summit. The ride up will take your breath away.
Once at the top, there’s lots to explore, including the ‘Step Into The Void’, the elevator to the ‘Summit Terrace’ and watching as skiers and alpinists walk the knife-edge, snow-covered ridge to access the glaciers.
In summer, you can even extend your trip into Italy, by taking the Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola lift. Take in the incredible views and look down on the alpinists and climbers, as you traverse the Giant glacier in around 30 minutes to reach the Helbronner Summit.(Lift ticket for this costs extra).
Le Brevent
An alternative to the highest-altitude sightseeing at the Aiguille du Midi is to take the Brevent bubble lift (accessed at the top of the hill behind the Chamonix Tourist Office, or by bus) to Plan Praz.
From the sun-soaked terrasse, you will enjoy fantastic views across to Mont-Blanc and panoramas of the surrounding mountain range. Go in winter and you can ski for the day (hire your skis in town or from the shop opposite the lift station), go in summer and you can sunbathe on that terrasse over a long lunch.
Montenvers Mountain Railway
The historic rack and pinion Montenvers train journey takes around 20 to 30-minutes, winding up the mountain from Chamonix to reach Montenvers at 1913m. From here, you can take in the Mer de Glace views and take the gondola lift down to visit the ice cave inside the glacier.
The train runs year round. In winter you’ll see skiers arriving from doing the famous Vallée Blanche, a 20 km off piste ski excursion from the Aiguille du Midi back down to Chamonix. In summer, you’ll spot alpinists traversing the moraine and hikers on the mountain paths.
Our top tip: buy a Mont Blanc Multipass (summer) or Mont Banc Unlimited (winter) day pass and, if you’re organised, you’ll be able to do the Aiguille du Midi and Montenvers (or Brevent) with this one pass in one day!
Exploring Chamonix town
Before you leave the birthplace of alpinism for your return journey back to Geneva, make sure you take time to explore the town. It is a truly charming place, with charisma and a definite ‘buzz’ about it.
Enjoy a stroll along the pedestrianised main streets where there are boutiques, bars, cafes and restaurants galore. Do some shopping, visit the museums, bask on a terrace with an aperitif drink, or tuck into a nice lunch. Chamonix has it all, with culture and cuisine from around the world!
Have a look at our Chamonix Restaurant Guide for where to eat in Chamonix.
What makes Chamonix a great day trip destination from Geneva
Many say the vibrant atmosphere, the spectacular mountain scenery, the history, the sunny outdoor terraces and the variety of cuisine available are what makes Chamonix one of the best places for a day trip from Geneva.
Geneva to Chamonix in a day is :
- A really easy journey from Geneva Airport or Bus Station
- Just a 1 to 1 hour 30 drive on the motorway
- Amazing in winter or summer
- Perfect for sightseeing or skiing – or both!
- Brilliant for a meal out with views
And remember Chamonix is in France, so don’t forget to take your passport/ID card when you travel from Geneva!
For Geneva to Chamonix day trip enquiries, contact Mountain Drop-offs via our Online Contact Form or call us during office hours on (UK) +44 (0) 207 043 4874 or (FR) +33 (0)4 50 47 17 73.
Photo credits: AlexAndrews@Pexels / @CFace / Chamonix TO FB
