Getting to Les Houches & Chamonix for the Tour du Mont Blanc

Most hikers fly into Geneva, spend a first night in Chamonix, then reach the traditional TMB trailhead at Les Houches by train or bus on day one. This guide is the transport and first-night logistics we used — plus alternative starts if you are approaching from Italy or Switzerland.

Also read: Complete TMB Guide · Itinerary · Refuges guide

Quick route — Geneva to trailhead

Geneva Airport (GVA)
    → bus ~1.5–2 h → Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (pre-trek night)
    → train or bus ~30 min → Les Houches (day 1 start)
    → TMB trailhead (Les Houches / Bellevue cable car area)

Geneva airport → Chamonix

Geneva Cointrin (GVA) is the closest major airport — ~88 km from Les Houches.

Option	Operator	Duration	Cost (approx.)
Shared shuttle bus	AlpyBus, SAT Mont Blanc, Mountain Drop-offs	1.5–2 h	€20–€35 / person
Private transfer	Taxi / pre-booked van	~1 h 15 m	€200+ / vehicle
Rental car	Park in Chamonix or Les Houches	Flexible	Parking fees apply

We pre-booked a shared bus from Geneva to Chamonix for about €20 per person — straightforward after an international flight. Book return at the same time in peak season.

Tip: Buses drop at Chamonix Sud or centre — confirm your hotel is walkable or arrange a short taxi.

Chamonix → Les Houches (day 1)

Les Houches is the classic TMB start (~8 km down-valley from Chamonix).

Mode	Notes	Cost
Train (SNCF)	Chamonix–Les Houches, scenic	~€5–€10
Bus	Frequent in summer	Similar
Taxi	If you have a tight refuge check-in	€25–€40

We took the train — short uphill walk from Les Houches station to the trailhead / Bellevue cable car area.

Bellevue cable car (optional day 1)

Many hikers take the Bellevue téléphérique to skip the first steep climb (~6–8 km of ascent). Cost ~€20–€30; saves legs for the refuge push to Nant Borrant. We used it and were glad we did on a rainy afternoon.

Why stay in Chamonix first?

Les Houches is smaller with fewer hotels. Chamonix gives you:

• Gear shops if something failed in transit
• Restaurants and ATMs
• Mont Blanc views from town
• Time to adjust before the first col

We stayed at Chalet Hôtel Le Prieuré (€150, breakfast included) — mid-range with Mont Blanc views. Any central hotel works; book early for August.

First-night checklist:

• Pick up any missing gear (liner, poles, sunscreen)
• Withdraw EUR cash
• Check refuge confirmation emails
• Download offline maps (AllTrails / GPX)
• Pack day-one snacks and water

Getting home

We finished at Les Houches and took a bus back to Chamonix for two celebration nights before the Geneva return bus.

Reverse the outbound route: Chamonix → Geneva airport. Allow 2+ hours before international flights.

Alternative start points

The TMB is a loop — you can start anywhere if refuge bookings align.

Courmayeur, Italy

Airport	Milan Malpensa (MXP) ~217 km
Ground	FlixBus / train via Aosta — ~3–4 h
Good for	Italian speakers, dolomite veterans, clockwise loops

Champex-Lac, Switzerland

Airport	Geneva or Zurich
Ground	Train to Martigny → Orsières → bus to Champex (~3–4 h from Geneva)
Good for	Quieter Swiss start, anti-clockwise hikers

Les Houches (classic)

Best if you want the “standard” narrative and easiest Geneva access — our recommendation for first-time TMB hikers.

Local transport on the trail

You will use mountain transport even on a walking holiday:

When	Transport	Why
Day 1	Bellevue cable car	Skip first climb
Day 5	Courmayeur bus	Bonatti out-and-back if hut full
Day 9	Col de Balme lift	Weather escape (we used this)
Day 10	Optional Flégère cable car	Skip descent to Chamonix

Budget €60–€90 per person for the full loop — see cost guide.

Luggage transfer (optional)

Companies will move a bag between refuges or hold luggage in Chamonix. We carried everything — a 40 L pack is manageable with half board. Transfer services add cost but reduce daily load if you book hotels more often.

Practical tips

• Swiss francs — get CHF before entering Switzerland (day 6+ on classic route)
• EU plug — Type C/E; Switzerland uses Type J — bring adapter
• Mobile roaming — EU/EEA SIMs work in France/Italy; check Swiss roaming fees
• Late refuge arrival — call the hut if delayed past dinner; kitchens close early

Related planning

• 11-day itinerary — stage distances from Les Houches
• Refuges & accommodation — book before you fly
• Packing list — what to carry from day one
• Trek overview — stats and tools