Chamonix is one of the most charming alpine villages in France. It’s perfect for those wanting to experience the way of life in the French Alps.
Whether you’re visiting Chamonix as part of a longer trip to France or other countries in Europe, or coming from another European city for a quick weekend trip, Chamonix is sure to impress you.
Keep reading to find more about how to spend 3 days in Chamonix. You’ll learn all about where to stay in Chamonix, what to do in Chamonix, and where to eat in Chamonix.
How to Get to Chamonix, France
Getting to Chamonix By Plane
The most accessible airport to fly into for 3 days in Chamonix is the Geneva Airport in Switzerland (airport code: GVA).
Not only is Geneva the closest airport to Chamonix, but it’s also a major airport. You can fly into Geneva from many cities within Europe.
You can also fly nonstop into Geneva from a few airports in the United States and Canada, like New York, Washington DC, and Montreal.
Once you get to the Geneva Airport, the most affordable way to make it to Geneva is by taking a bus. When I did this, I used Swiss Tours and found them to be efficient, comfortable, and reasonably priced.
Getting to Chamonix By Train
It’s also possible to reach Chamonix by train from a few different areas in France. Unless you’re coming from a town pretty close by, like Annecy or Lyon, you’ll likely have to change trains once to get to Chamonix.
You can get to Chamonix by train from close major cities such as Paris and Geneva, but the price tends to be quite expensive and involves at least one train change, as mentioned above.
As a result, I don’t find trains to be the most efficient way to get into Chamonix, even though it is possible.
Getting to Chamonix By Bus
Getting to Chamonix by bus can be quite a bit more convenient than taking a train.
Depending on where you’re coming from, it might take several hours to get to Chamonix by train. For example, from Paris, the bus to Chamonix takes nearly 9 hours.
However, you can at least sit on only one bus and not have to worry about changes like you do with trains.
Coming from closer cities like Lyon or Geneva by bus is much easier. Lyon to Chamonix by bus only takes around 3.5 hours. Geneva to Chamonix by bus only takes around 1.5 hours.
Buses to Chamonix are offered by a few different companies, like FlixBus, SNCF Bus, and Swiss Tours.
Getting to Chamonix By Car
The last way to get to Chamonix is by car. If you live nearby and already have a car, that’s of course the easiest option.
If you’re on a larger trip across Europe or France, already have a rental car, and you’re just spending a quick 3 days in Chamonix, that works as well.
Having a rental car during your time in Chamonix isn’t necessary, so if that’s the only reason you’re thinking of renting a car, I would opt against it. However, it can be an option to get to Chamonix if the above options don’t work for you.
I would make sure to check with your hotel before arriving that you’ll have a place to park, as parking can often by a bit difficult.
Where to Stay in Chamonix
Chamonix is quite a small area and there are only so many hotels. That being said, it can still be quite difficult to decide on your own which is best for you.
Below is a list of my top picks for Chamonix. Each hotel will have a dollar sign next to it to indicate if it’s luxury ($$$), mid-range ($$), or budget ($).
- Hôtel Mont-Blanc ($$$)
- Grand Hôtel des Alpes ($$$)
- La Folie Douce Hôtel Chamonix ($$)
- Hotel Le Faucigny ($$)
- Auberge de Jeunesse HI Chamonix ($)
My #1 pick for hotels in Chamonix is the La Folie Douce Hôtel Chamonix. This is where I stayed when I visited Chamonix and it was perfect!
Not only was it in a great location, but the staff was helpful and friendly, the rooms were comfortable, and there was a restaurant and spa on property.
Things to Do in Chamonix, France
The perfect Chamonix itinerary needs a list of fun activities and things to do.
We’ll chat more in the next section about how to structure your 3 days in Chamonix, but first I want to list al the best things to do in Chamonix.
Chamonix is fantastic for people who are really into hiking and climbing, but this list is more focused on the average visitor who will be going to see some beautiful sights and participate in a few fun activities.
- Take the cable car up to Aiguille du Midi. Aiguille du Midi is arguably the most famous thing to do in Chamonix. The cable car takes you up 3,842 meters (12,605 feet) to the top of Aiguille du Midi, located in the Mont Blanc massif in the French Alps.
- Ride another cable car from Aiguille du Midi to Mont Blanc. Take the cable car even further from the French side to the Italian side to the top of Mont Blanc mountain, the highest peak in the Alps and all of Western Europe.
- Ascend from the town of Chamonix to Mer de Glace via the Montenvers Train. This 20-minute train ride takes you up to an altitude of 1,913 meters (6,276 feet) for fantastic views of the Mer de Glace glacier and the Dru peaks.
- Descend into a cave made of ice. When at the Montenvers site, you can opt to take an additional gondola that will bring you down closer to the Mer de Glace and allow you into an ice cave that’s carved out every summer.
- Take the cable car up to Brévent for epic views of Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc. Brévent is on the opposite side of the Chamonix Valley, facing towards Mont Blanc. Taking the cable car up here allows for stunning views of the valley below and Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountains.
- Ride the Mont Blanc Tramway for gorgeous views. The Mont Blanc Tramway is the highest cogwheel train in France and offers fantastic views of the Bionnassay glacier from Nid d’Aigle (NOTE: you can only travel so far as Mont Lachat while renovations are going on at Nid d’Aigle).
The Perfect Itinerary for 3 Days in Chamonix
Now that we’ve talked all about how to get to Chamonix, where to stay in Chamonix, and what to do in Chamonix, let’s make it all make sense in the perfect Chamonix itinerary.
I will break down what I’d recommend doing every day for 3 days in Chamonix. Keep reading for your itinerary!
Day 1 in Chamonix: Explore the Town / Grab Your Tickets
Today is the first day in Chamonix, so you’re likely just arriving. I’m going to assume most people will arrive in the early afternoon, so you won’t have a full day of exploration today.
It’s a great day to go to your hotel, drop your bags off, and dive right into Chamonix while you’re waiting for your room to be ready.
You’re probably hungry, so have lunch at Rose du Pont restaurant. It’s an adorable and yummy restaurant right in the center of town.
Getting Your Mont Blanc MultiPass Tickets
After your meal there is finished, you’ll want to head over to grab your Mont Blanc MultiPass tickets (Google Maps location of ticket office). Mont Blanc MultiPass is a discounted pass that allows you access to multiple different things to do in Chamonix for a discounted price.
The MontBlanc MultiPass includes entry to Aiguille du Midi, Montenvers – Mer de Glace, Tramway du Mont Blanc, Les Grandes Montets, Brévent-Flégère, Balme (Le Tour – Vallorcine), Les Houches – Saint-Gervais, and Megève.
Multiple ticket options exist, but I recommend doing 1 or 2 consecutive days. These tickets cost €90 for 1 day or €105 for 2 days. Since you have 3 days in Chamonix, I recommend spreading it out between 2 days so you’re not rushing so much to finish everything in 1 day.
Make sure your ticket doesn’t start until tomorrow (day 2), so you can have all of day 2 and day 3 in Chamonix to do all these activities.
Aiguille du Midi and Tramway du Mont Blanc both require advanced reservations for a specific time slot.
Unless early time slots are open for the next day (day 2), I’d recommend scheduling Aiguille du Midi on day 3 in the morning and Tramway du Mont Blanc in mid-afternoon.
After you get your tickets and your time slots reserved, slowly make your way back to your hotel to get into your room. Once you’re hungry, you can grab a fondue dinner at Malabar Princess before calling it quits for the night.
Day 2 in Chamonix: Brévent, Mer de Glace, and the Ice Grotto
Welcome to day 2 in Chamonix! The first thing on our itinerary today is a ride up the Brévent cable car.
If you’re staying at my hotel pick in Chamonix, the station for the cable car is right around the corner from the hotel.
Brévent Cable Car
There’s no need to reserve an entry time for the Brévent cable car. There’s rarely a line and it’s a pretty quick ride up to the top. You’ll use your Mont Blanc MultiPass as your ticket.
On your way up, you’ll likely see lots of people paragliding, as Brévent is typically the starting point for paragliders in Chamonix.
Once you make it up to the top, you’ll be met with marvelous views of Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc across the valley. There’s a small snack shop up top as well in case you get hungry.
There are some short hikes you can do from the top, or like me, you can just marvel at the scenery before heading back down.
Mer de Glace
After you’ve finished at Brévent, you’ll want to head to the other side of town to catch the Montenvers train to Mer de Glace.
The trains run every 15-20 minutes, however, they’re often not on time. You’ll likely wait in a short line until they let you out on the track when the train is about to arrive. Your Mont Blanc MultiPass will serve as your ticket here as well.
The train has open seating. Try to sit on the side closest to the station building for the best views.
After a 20-minute ride, you’ll make it to the top of the Montenvers tourist site. There’s a viewing platform for Mer de Glace, Grand Dru, and Petit Dru.
There’s also a restaurant up here. You’ll likely end up being here around lunchtime, so it might be a good idea to grab something for lunch if you have the time.
Chamonix’s Ice Cave
After you’ve finished at the viewing point, your next stop should be the Ice Cave. Follow the signs to another cable car (we’re sensing a trend, right?) that will take you down to the Ice Cave.
From the cable car, you’ll have to walk down 430 steps to the actual entrance of the Ice Cave.
While Chamonix typically experiences moderate temperatures, we’re still talking about an ice cave during mid-summer. Be aware that the ice cave does drip quite a bit, so you might get a little wet.
While walking through the ice cave, you’ll see lots of different fun facts carved out in ice throughout the tunnels in the cave. There are also a few photo spots, although it can be pretty dark for photos.
After Mer de Glace and the Ice Cave, I recommend taking some more time to walk around and take in the charming town of Chamonix before having dinner and calling it a night.
Day 3 in Chamonix: Aiguille du Midi / Tramway du Mont Blanc
Hopefully you were able to secure an early time slot for the Aiguille du Midi cable car when you purchased your Mont Blanc MultiPass two days prior.
If so, the first thing we’re doing today is heading up to the top of Aiguille du Midi.
Aiguille du Midi
You’ll want to plan to spend around 2-2.5 hours at the top of Aiguille du Midi, the highest cable car in France. It takes two cable cars to get to the top.
Be aware that if it’s busy, they really pack a ton of people into these cable cars. Each cable car only takes 5 minutes max, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re really claustrophobic.
Once you step off the first cable car, you’re at about 7,500 feet in elevation. You can either opt to continue onto the second cable car to the top of Aiguille du Midi right away, or stop here for a little while and do some light hiking or grab a bite at the restaurant located here.
The second cable car will be just as packed at peak times as the first cable car. However, the views from the top will be worth it!
Once you reach the top, you’re at the highest elevation you’ll be so far, which is 3,842 meters (12,605 feet). If you’re sensitive to altitudes, be aware that you might start to feel sick up here (I did!).
When you’re up here, there are a few activities you can participate in like Step Into the Void, the Moutaineering Museum, and more. There’s also a snack bar and toilets in case you need them.
Keep in mind that if you’re traveling during peak times, you might be handed a time slot upon arrival to the top for the time you have to take the cable car back down. This can often be 2+ hours from the time you arrive, so be prepared that you’ll likely need to carve out at least 2 hours up here.
EXTRA TIP: You can also buy a ticket to the Panoramic Mont Blanc cable car. This cable car takes you from Aiguille du Midi to Mont Blanc across the France / Italy border. It’s a 50-minute ride and an extra €39.50 on top of the Mont Blanc MultiPass, so make sure you have enough time if you opt to do this.
Tramway du Mont Blanc
After you make it down from Aiguille du Midi, I recommend grabbing a bite to eat. You’ve likely just spent most of your morning at a high altitude and will have quite the appetite when you return to the town.
The next stop on your Chamonix itinerary is Tramway du Mont Blanc. I actually ran out of time to do this during my visit to Chamonix, which is why I recommend getting the 2 day Mont Blanc MultiPass instead of the 1 day pass.
That being said, this was something that was still highly recommended to do during 3 days in Chamonix.
Rainy Day Activity in Chamonix
While Chamonix is often gorgeous in the summer with perfect, moderate temperatures and sunny skies, it can sometimes rain.
As you can tell from all the details on what to do in Chamonix above, almost everything is outdoors. That means, a rainy day can really put a damper on your plans.
The QC Terme spa in Chamonix is the absolute best way to spend a rainy day in Chamonix.
Day passes are available starting at €66 for a night entrance or €74 for a day time entrance with no time limits. Massages are an extra cost, but there’s plenty to do without booking a massage.
3 Days in Chamonix Itinerary – FAQs
Chamonix is famous for being the location of the first-ever Winter Olympics in 1924. You’ll find nods to the Olympics throughout Chamonix.
Chamonix is located in France, so the primary language is French. That being said, many people speak English, making it very easy to get by as a tourist.
Three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Chamonix. This will allow you to visit all the sites worth seeing here without rushing too much.
The way to pronounce Chamonix is “sha-muh-nee.”
The QC Terme spa in Chamonix is the perfect thing to do when it’s raining. Entrance to the spa facilities starts at €66 for a night entrance or €74 for a day entrance with no time limit.
Map for Your Visit to Chamonix
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Maddie is the traveler behind A One Way Ticket. She has been traveling internationally for over 10 years and has visited 75+ countries on 6 continents. In addition to traveling herself, she’s been helping others plan their own travel for 6+ years. Maddie eats, sleeps, and breathes travel and loves to help others discover that same wanderlust!