Chamonix is a French mountain town in the Alps, near the borders with Switzerland and Italy. Getting there from Paris requires an easy 5.5-hour train ride or a combination of a quick flight to Geneva and a 90-minute drive.
Chamonix is one of France's best ski destinations in the winter, and also offers many hiking and mountain biking options in the summer. Summer travelers can try this 7-day itinerary around Mont Blanc. For food lovers hoping to see more of western France, this 10-day itinerary takes you to Lyon, Annecy, and Chamonix, and includes plenty of food tours, wine tasting, and culinary delights.
From Paris
Duration: 2 to 5.5 hours
Traveling from Paris to Chamonix by train takes about 5.5 hours. If you fly to Geneva and then take a shuttle bus, it takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes, not counting the transfer to/from the airport.
By train, travel from Paris to Gervais Les Bains - Le Fayet and then switch to a TER (regional train) to Chamonix for the last 12 miles (20 km) of the journey. By plane, you can take a direct flight from Paris to Geneva-Cointrin International Airport (GVA). From there, book a private transfer or shared shuttle bus to Chamonix, which is only 54 miles (88 km) away.
Learn more about traveling from Paris to Chamonix.
From Geneva
Duration: 1.5 hours
Geneva is only 54 miles (88 km) away from Chamonix, even though it's on the other side of the border. If you're traveling to Chamonix from abroad, one option is to fly into Geneva Airport (GVA) and then transfer to Chamonix from there. Several companies offer shuttle buses or private transfers. Depending on the weather conditions, traveling from Geneva Airport to Chamonix takes an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and 30 minutes.