There are 4 ways to get to Chamonix:
- 1) Fly to Geneva, and book a bus ticket on https://alpybus.com/ directly from the airport to the bus stop Chamonix Sud. It is about a 1,5-hour bus drive. This is really the best solution. The alternative is Easybus: https://www.easybus.com/en/routes/geneva-airport/. Please note that you pay for the seat and if you have a lot of bags and need more space, then it cost extra. I think that is fair, but some people get mad about it. Price somewhere 20-30 Euro depending on date and time.
- 2)Fly to Geneva. The airport is located half in Switzerland and half in France, so there is an exit to both countries from the airport. Use the french exit and rent a car in France since it is a lot cheaper. Some issues with this solution: The shortest way still goes through Geneva and there is very heavy traffic there during the rush hours. So only do that if you really are in a good time if going between 7-10 or 15-19. The second problem is that IF you use the highways in Switzerland, you need to pay a €100 tax fee. Instead, follow the route described below. In Google maps, simply click “options” and then tick off that you want to avoid toll roads. This way, you will drive through the Geneva centre. In rush hour it is Zzzzzzzzzzz – but it is nice to see the city and the fountain.
- 3)Fly to Milano, rent a car and drive 2½ hours to Chamonix. This is my favourite solution if I want to rent a car. There are two airports in Milan and the Milan Bergamo airport is about 1 hour extra.
- 4) Fly to Turino and rent a car from there. This can be a very chap. From 30€ for a return flight:
If you rent a car, then be aware of some things.
- The Italians will rip you off if they get any chance. This is what they do:
- Give you a car that already has damage. Check the car
- Charge you super high insurance. Book it beforehand online or go without
- Charge you a lot extra for winter tires (The french also do this trick)
- Charge you a lot for baby and child seat
- If you don’t have a credit card with your name they will charge you a lot extra. Really a lot
- They will charge you extra 70 Euros if you drive into France
- Winter tires cost extra. I go without winter tires. The reason is that the road is really good all the way from Geneva or Milan to Chamonix. It is all highway. Chamonix is located in 1000 meters in height where it is colder, but the rest of the road is much lower, and very seldom has snow. Once in Chamonix, Winter tires would be nice or even needed if you plan to drive around to the different lifts. One solution is to bring snow chains and use those when there is snow instead of winter tires.
There is also a train and regular busses going to Chamonix that are well connected to the rest of France, but with bad connections to Geneva and Milan.
