FranceHaute-Savoie, French AlpsSkiChecked Oct 2026

London to Chamonix for Skiing

Chamonix sits under Mont Blanc and is one of the easiest big Alpine resorts to reach from London. This guide covers flying to Geneva, going by train and driving, plus the lift passes and ski areas worth knowing.

28 Nov – 2 MayLift season 2026/27 (varies by area)
Geneva (GVA)Best airport from London
~5–6hFastest, door to door

The short answer

For most people the quickest way is to fly from London to Geneva (about 1h 45m), then take a shared shuttle or bus to Chamonix, which usually takes 1h 15m to 1h 30m. Book the transfer when you book the flight, especially for Saturdays in the school holidays.

Ski essentials

Chamonix is a valley of separate ski areas rather than one linked resort, so it helps to know what's where before you buy a pass.

Season dates

For 2026/27, Grands Montets and Flégère are due to open on 28 November 2026, Brévent and Balme on 12 December and Les Houches on 19 December. Most areas close in mid-April 2027; Grands Montets usually runs until early May. Weather can change opening dates, so check live lift status before you go.

Ski areas

The main areas are Brévent-Flégère (sunny, linked, with views of Mont Blanc), Grands Montets above Argentière (steep, high and north-facing), Balme above Le Tour and Vallorcine (wide, easier runs) and Les Houches (tree-lined runs, good in bad weather). Valley buses link them, and a valid ski pass lets you ride.

Lift passes

Chamonix Le Pass covers Brévent-Flégère, Grands Montets, Balme and the beginner areas, but not Les Houches or the Aiguille du Midi. Mont Blanc Unlimited adds Les Houches, the Aiguille du Midi, the Montenvers train and more; passes of two days or more also cover Courmayeur in Italy. In 2025/26 a 6-day adult pass was about €360 (Le Pass) or €480 (Mont Blanc Unlimited). Expect 2026/27 prices to be similar or slightly higher.

Beginners vs experts

Chamonix is best known for expert and off-piste skiing, especially Grands Montets and the Vallée Blanche, a 20km glacier route you should only do with a mountain guide. Beginners can learn on the valley-floor nursery slopes (Les Planards, Le Savoy, Les Chosalets) and at Les Houches; Balme and Brévent-Flégère have good blue runs for intermediates.

Good to know

Your accommodation should give you a guest card (carte d'hôte), which lets you ride the Mont-Blanc Express train free between Servoz and Vallorcine. February is the busiest and most expensive month; mid-March to April is quieter, with longer days.

Every way to get there

From London to Chamonix, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Fly to Geneva, then a shared shuttle or bus

Best for most
Door to door5–6h
£ Cost££
Best forMost trips, especially short breaks
  1. London to Geneva (GVA)About 1h 45m. British Airways and SWISS fly from Heathrow and London City; easyJet flies from Gatwick and Luton, and other London airports have winter services too. Airlines charge extra for skis or boards. Check current schedules.
  2. Geneva Airport to ChamonixAbout 88–100km, usually 1h 15m to 1h 30m, but allow longer on snowy weekends and peak Saturdays. Shared shuttles (such as Alpybus, Mountain Drop-Offs and Alps2Alps) typically cost from around €20–€35 per person each way and drop you at your door. FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus are often cheaper but stop at the bus station in Chamonix Sud.
Compare LGW–GVA flightsTransfer options: Geneva Airport → Chamonix

Shared shuttles run less often after about 9pm, so avoid the last flight of the day if you can.

2

Fly to Geneva, then a private transfer

Families
Door to door5–6h
£ Cost£££
Best forFamilies and groups with lots of kit
  1. London to Geneva (GVA)About 1h 45m with British Airways, SWISS or easyJet from several London airports. Check current schedules.
  2. Private car to your chaletAbout 1h 15m to 1h 30m with no waiting for other passengers. Prices usually start from around €190–€200 per vehicle each way, so it can work out close to shared-shuttle prices for a group of four or more.
Compare LHR–GVA flightsTransfer options: Geneva Airport → Chamonix

Prices vary a lot by date and time, so get a few quotes.

3

Train via Paris and the Mont-Blanc Express

Flight-free
Door to door10–12h
£ Cost££
Best forFlight-free travellers who like the journey
  1. Eurostar: London St Pancras to ParisAbout 2h 20m to Gare du Nord. Skis or a board count as one of your two large bags.
  2. TGV: Paris to Annecy or GenevaDirect TGVs from Paris Gare de Lyon reach Annecy in about 3h 45m, or take TGV Lyria to Geneva in about 3h 15m. Allow time to cross Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon. On some winter weekends SNCF also runs direct TGVs to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet, so check SNCF Connect for your date.
  3. On to Saint-Gervais and the Mont-Blanc ExpressAnnecy or Geneva to Chamonix takes about 2h 40m by train via Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet, where you change to the Mont-Blanc Express for the last 40 minutes or so up the valley. From Geneva you can also take a bus or shuttle instead.
Train times: London → ParisTrain times: Paris → Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet

The Eurostar ski train (Saturdays, 19 Dec 2026 to 20 Feb 2027) only goes to Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, not Chamonix, so it isn't a good fit here.

4

Drive via Le Shuttle

Door to door11–13h
£ Cost££
Best forGroups, families and longer stays
  1. Folkestone to Calais on Le Shuttle35 minutes under the Channel, and you stay with your car.
  2. Calais to ChamonixAround 8h 30m on French motorways via Arras and Dijon, finishing on the A40 Autoroute Blanche. French tolls add up; budget roughly €80–€100 each way. Many people break the drive with an overnight stop.
Le Shuttle crossingsPlan the drive

From 1 November to 31 March you must carry snow chains or socks, or have four winter tyres, in French mountain areas.

Where to stay in Chamonix

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Chamonix

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly to Geneva, then a shared shuttle or bus5–6h££Most trips, especially short breaks
Fly to Geneva, then a private transfer5–6h£££Families and groups with lots of kit
Train via Paris and the Mont-Blanc Express10–12h££Flight-free travellers who like the journey
Drive via Le Shuttle11–13h££Groups, families and longer stays

Where to stay and ski nearby

Where you stay in the valley shapes your trip, and a Mont Blanc Unlimited pass opens up more terrain.

Your base

Chamonix town

Best for restaurants, nightlife and buses to every ski area. Stay near the centre or a bus stop to avoid long walks in ski boots.

Hotels in Chamonix
About 20 min by bus

Argentière

A quieter village at the foot of Grands Montets, ideal if you want the steepest skiing and the best snow.

Hotels in Argentière
Down the valley

Les Houches

Gentler, tree-lined slopes and a calmer feel. A good pick for families and beginners.

Hotels in Les Houches
Through the Mont Blanc Tunnel

Courmayeur, Italy

Included on Mont Blanc Unlimited passes of two days or more. A good day out for Italian food and a change of scenery.

Hotels in Courmayeur

Local tip: The lifts up to Flégère and back down from Grands Montets get busy at the end of the day, so start back a little earlier if you have a bus to catch.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

What is the nearest airport to Chamonix?

Geneva is the closest and most convenient airport, about 88–100km away. Transfers usually take 1h 15m to 1h 30m.

Is there a direct Eurostar ski train to Chamonix?

No. The Eurostar ski train for 2026/27 runs to Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-Saint-Maurice. For Chamonix, go via Paris and change for Annecy, Geneva or Saint-Gervais, then take the Mont-Blanc Express.

Is Chamonix good for beginners?

It's better known for advanced and off-piste skiing, but beginners can learn on the valley-floor nursery slopes and at Les Houches. Intermediates will enjoy Balme and Brévent-Flégère.

Which lift pass should I buy in Chamonix?

Chamonix Le Pass suits most skiers who stay on the main areas. Choose Mont Blanc Unlimited if you want Les Houches, the Aiguille du Midi or the Vallée Blanche, or a day in Courmayeur.

When does the Chamonix ski season start and end?

For 2026/27 the first areas are due to open on 28 November 2026. Most close in mid-April 2027, and Grands Montets usually stays open until early May.

How long does it take to drive from London to Chamonix?

Allow 11–13 hours including Le Shuttle, check-in and stops. The drive from Calais alone is around 8h 30m.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.