Chamonix Self-Guided Adventure
About this activity
Highlights
- Stunning views from Aiguille du Midi
- Explore the Mer de Glace glacier
- Flexible self-paced itinerary
- Scenic journey through the French Alps
- Access to Chamonix's charming town center
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Geneva to Chamonix
- Aiguille du Midi or Mer de Glace cable car tickets
- Self-guided tour materials and maps
- Meals and personal expenses
Itinerary
Exchange your ticket at Keytours Office just in front the Bus station - You will receive some details on your trips, also a map and the tickets for the activities (if option selected)
If Option Selected - Cable car Aiguille du Midi : Ride up the cable car and discover a spectacular panoramic view of the Chamonix Valley and the French, Swiss and Italian Alps at 3842m! On a clear day, you may even see the Mattherhorn, the famous Swiss peak and icon of Switzerland – it’s even found on packages of delicious Toblerone chocolate
If option Selected - You will also have the opportunity to board the charming red cog railway up to Montenvers, you’ll enjoy fabulous views of Mer de Glace. This magnificent glacier is 4 miles (7km) long and averages just under a mile wide. Surrounded by the impressive summits of Les Drus, Les Grandes Jorasses and Les Grands Charmoz, The Montenvers site is a natural living witness of climate change of our era. It offers several visits including the crystal gallery or the Glaciorium, a new space entirely dedicated to the glaciers from their birth, to present and to the future. Depending on the period, it is also possible to visit the ice caves carved into the Glacier.
Enjoy a free time for souvenir shopping in the village before getting back on the bus at 5 pm. If you take both options, you will have a late return from Chamonix at 6:30pm and be back in Geneva at approximately 7:45pm.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Confirm the availability of cable car tickets for your chosen date.
- Be aware of the operating hours of Aiguille du Midi and Mer de Glace.
- Ensure you have a valid passport for border crossing into France.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for mountain terrain.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning alpine scenery.
- Check the weather forecast and dress in layers for changing conditions.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Not recommended for child under 3 years for the cable car
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- Not recommended for pregnant women for the cable car
- Please note that if you take the Aiguille du Midi and Mer de Glace options, you will be provided with a multipass. Multipass which gives access to all the facilities of the Mont Blanc company. If you use this Multipass for a single activity, it will be considered by the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc as used and cannot be refunded if the other activities are closed. The Mont Blanc company offers alternative activities but does not authorize refunds of the multipass.
- Please note that due to maintenance works in Chamonix, some attractions will be temporarily closed: Mer de Glace (03.11 - 21.11) & Aiguille du Midi (03.11 - 19.12). Alternative tours will be offered during this period.
Traveler reviews
Nice ride but terrible and disrespectful staff
Nice ride on the gondola , great views, everything well organized. What is not good is the mass handling with 65 people in a gondola! You get squeezed nicely , and it's just too expensive for that. But the worst thing was the driver on the way back who panicked everyone by shouting loudly . Many assumed the gondola would crash. Absolutely inappropriate. The kids were crying. The driver should reconsider his job whether he should rather work in an amusement park (or better retire) Was a cheek and never again!
A must do if you are in Geneva!
Mountain views are out of this world and feels so surreal! Pleasant coach ride to and from Chamonix - easy to locate the stop for the pickup, it is directly in front of the shop where you collect your tickets for the day. We were provided a map for the day to help find our bearings once we were been dropped off. Would recommend the mountain train and once you step off, you are within the mountains and the view is breath taking. The village itself is cute and has plenty of shops, restaurants and bar - lots of choice to help you pass the day. We went picked up at 10.30 in Geneva, the coach trip is around 1.5 hours and you are picked up at 18.30, returning to Geneva between 19.30 to 19.45 but the time goes by quicker than you imagine!
Incredible views!! Make the time for Aiguille du Midi!!
My wife and I went on our own via cablecar up to top of Aiguille du Midi... It was an amazing few hours of looking down at all the mountains and watching off piste skiers as little specs below our vantage point... would not miss it...
Bad
Lousy, I paid for the tour back and forth and when I returned the driver would not let me get on because according to him the ticket was not valid and I had to pay him cash so he would not leave me lying in chamonix Pay almost $100 and the return bus is worth $60 if you buy it directly with the agency not by this means
Know what is open during the time you intend to travel.
Chamonix and Mont Blanc are beautiful, and I recommend seeing them. Unfortunately, we were never told that the gondola, the train, and much of the town was closed while we were visiting. We were dropped off at 11:30 a.m. and told the bus was leaving at 5:15 p.m., and then started wandering through a largely locked up town. The Office of Tourism in Chamonix was very helpful. We were able to walk 2 KM to Les Prez, and take its gondola up the ski slopes. We also ate at Josephine, which was phenomenal. Overall, it was beautiful, and many stores began to open in the afternoon. Just make sure to look at the time of year you go, and what will be open when you get there. Apparently, mid-November to mid-December is not the best time to visit.