Chamonix and Mont Blanc

Geneva, Switzerland

Cross the Switzerland-France border on this day trip from Geneva to Chamonix, one of the most famous villages in the French Alps. You'll drive through the mountains, ride the cable car to Aiguille du Midi for breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding Alps, and ride the charming red train to Montenvers.

Your day trip from Geneva begins with an unforgettable 90-minute drive across the Switzerland-France border and through the picturesque Arve Valley to Chamonix, situated at the foot of majestic Mont Blanc, the highest peak in both the Alps and Western Europe at 15,780 feet (4,800 meters).

You'll continue to Aiguille du Midi, a rocky peak near Mont Blanc with year-round snow. On a two-stage cable car, you'll reach the mountain's summit in just 20 minutes. Then, prepare to be awed by the spectacular panoramic views of the Chamonix Valley and the French, Swiss and Italian Alps! On a clear day, you may even see Mattherhorn, the famous Swiss peak and icon of Switzerland - it's even found on packages of delicious Toblerone chocolate.

There are many terraces and balconies at the Aiguille du Midi summit, where you can enjoy the alpine views and watch skiers zooming down toward the glacier. There's also a cafe, where you can have a hot chocolate or enjoy a light snack (own expense).

Head back down to Chamonix for lunch (included in the tour price). After lunch, board the charming red train cars of the scenic rack railway to Montenvers - a railway that has been moving passengers through the mountains since 1908. In Montenvers, you'll enjoy fabulous views of the 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, Montenvers is the perfect place to learn about the glacier and other features of the Alps.

USD $258.53

Traveler Reviews

Review by: Joanne M	April 2012
While visiting our daughter in Geneva we took this trip and enjoyed it very much. The views were breathtaking and the lunch in Chaminox was delicious. It was a very enjoyable day trip.

Review by: Elisabeth B	April 2012
The views were breathtaking but the trip felt rushed. I would have liked more info on the history of Chamonix and Montblanc although tour guide was very knowledgeable about geology. The trip was far too expensive.

Review by: Stephen W	March 2012
Excellent Tour. Would highly recommend it as it proved to be a fantastic day out for everyone.

Review by: Susan S	March 2012
Good narrative and a great overall tour. Went up to Mt. Blanc - phenomenal. Took the train up to the glacier and the lunch was very good. Great value for a full day.

Review by: Brenn H	March 2012
While we could have pieced together this trip on our own, we never would have done it so effortlessly and stress-free. It also helped that the day we went was absolutely beautiful in Chamonix and the views were amazingly clear and enjoyable.

Review by: Eshaana P	January 2012
The trip was not without issues - firstly the bus had a problem before leaving Geneva so this caused a 30 min delay. Unfortunately the weather was not on our side on the day so we did not go up the mountain but spend time in Chamonix. Thank you to Niel for doing his best to make the trip memorable, nonetheless. Would book another trip with Viator. Thanks for the refund for activities not completed.

Review by: Philip H	January 2012
We were unlucky with the weather, rain-snowing, so Mont Blanc tunnel was closed. Telefrenique and rail part did not run on this day, so we were refunded for not being able to do the Mont Blanc portion of the trip. Guide was nice. Lunch was not worth the price.

Review by: Asri A	December 2011
The tour started well with an impressive briefing by Neill, our knowlegeable tour guide, about the ice age and the formation of the mountain range. Unfortunately the cable car was not operational due to the ski season preparation and testing. However we got our refund.The train ride and the trip up to the mountain peak was well worth it, with scenic views of the imposing mountain range and large bluish green glacier. The weather wasn't as cold and the snow/ice as thick. Lunch was quite good. Overall, a satisfying tour.

Review by: Richard Antonio T	December 2011
The tour guide was very helpful. I left my camera flash in a statue at the town square. He was kind enough to go back for it while I had enough time to take pictures of Mont Blanc. It was unfortunate though that the cable cars were not available. So my cousin and I got a refund for that portion. There was no snow ergo there was not much tourists probably for the cable car to operate in the right economies of scale.

Review by: Amelia A	December 2011
Great trip - friendly guide!

Review by: Jessica G	November 2011
The area and its view are worth the trip. However, there was too much down time in Chamonix, which doesn't have a lot to offer. Had I had time to do more research, I would've done the trip on my own rather than with a tour.

Review by: Don M	November 2011
Who was outstanding in this tour was the tour guide (the Swiss man whose English is very British as his parents are from the UK, believe his name is Neil, am I right?), the type of tour guide I always like to have! He was not only kind and detailed in his explanations but also he deepened in political and social talks and discussions, which is really a serious way of approaching a new country when you are visiting it. Excellent tour guide! The only weakness of this tour is the fact that no drinks are included for the lunch and the restaurant doesn´t take credit cards for paying them

Review by: Annie M	October 2011
Recommanded tour!

Review by: Sophia L	October 2011
Overall the trip was nice, though the weather is not good, and we did not manage to take the train ride. _br/_ The lunch was good, and the village at the bottom of Mont Blanc was very friendy. A great view of Mont Blanc when sky is clear

Review by: Alla M	October 2011
We had no guided tour, just a bus with a lady who ask us about what we want for lunch and where our meeting point was, who directed us there. We expected to hear some info about Chamonix, mountains, history...Nothing! Thanks for relatively good cold weather with clear sky to see Mont Blanc. It was the best reward!

Review by: Melissa V	October 2011
We loved this tour and our only complaint would be our tour guide could have used the long ride to Chamonix to actually give us some information instead of having to spend so much time with tickets. He escorted us around all day, but was more of a babysitter for the people than a guide. For the price we expected to learn a lot more than we did. The sights will not disappoint!! Beautiful day!

Review by: dave A	September 2011
beautifull countryside and breathtaking gondola rides to mont blanc. the views are unforgettable. neely the guide was extremely knowledgable and made the tour interesting and a lot of fun._br/_ dave a

Review by: betty	September 2011
Great day tour a beautiful part of Switzerland just make sure you are dressed for -10 degress.

Review by: Martine F	August 2011
The trip overall was quite wonderful. We would have appreciated more guidance on the part of the tour guide in Chamonix and have him accompany us in the cable car to the top of Mont Blanc and would have preferred to have the option of lunch with the group or on our own. We would have liked to spend more time in Chamonix and less time on lunch, which turned out to be less than satisfactory.

Review by: Karen S	August 2011
Highly recommend, but try not to book too far in advance so that you can be fairly sure that the mountains will not be covered in fog. When this area gets fogged in, you can literally stand nose to nose with Mont Blanc and not see it. The guide was fantastic and provided a lot of geological and geographical context for the landscape. Great tour if you have good weather.

Review by: maomalley	August 2011
Great day, great guide, would recommend to anyone with limited time. With the tour, we avoided many of the lines, and were able to visit everything in a day.

Review by: Karen C	August 2011
this trip was great. we enjoyed the bus ride, the gondola ride and the towns. the tour guide was informed and spoke english well.

Review by: Nina D	July 2011
Great trip and excellent guide to complement the beutiful scenery and atmosphere. However, would recommend not to include the lunch option as the return trip from the top was backlogged and the meal had to be done in a hurry. Well done on the whole - will defintiely adcise friends to avail from it.

Review by: YASER H	July 2011
We were unlucky for that day, it was raining all day and the cable car was cancelled ! The rest of the trip was ok and well organized. Our tour guide was such a character, everyone loved him, so i think this trip deserves to get the 5 stars because weather has nothing to do with Viator!

Review by: Ayman Elsawy	July 2011
excellent however they skipped the lunch and refunded the money

Review by: Paul I K	July 2011
It was a most memorable trip._br/_ The guide was a knowledgable, highly intelligent person._br/_ The lunch at Chamonix was well organised and we enjoyed talking tp some of our fellow tour members._br/_ The ascent to Mont Blanc was breathtaking as was the afternoon train trip to the "see of ice"._br/_ The health warnings were much appreciated ._br/_ All in all a most memorable tour._br/_ Paul Korner

Review by: Lynette M G	July 2011
Excellent tour, knowledgeable guide. Unfortunately the weather conspired against us.

Review by: Lynette M G	July 2011
Excellent tour, knowledgeable guide. Unfortunately the weather conspired against us.

Review by: Lynette M G	July 2011
Excellent tour, knowledgeable guide. Unfortunately the weather conspired against us.

Review by: juthathip h	June 2011
I like Chamonix. It is very lovely town and has very good restaurant. I cannot see Mont Blanc because of snowing but it is very fun to go up to the top of mountain through the mist and the cloud. Neil,our tour guide said "you are lucky because you can feel the time of ice age"

Review by: Sankar K	June 2011
It was amazing! Don't miss it!

Review by: Yazeed	June 2011
the best view ever, it totally worths it.

Review by: ELIZA M MENEZES M	May 2011
EXCELLENT DAY, great weather and incredible views.

Review by: Paul Rose	May 2011
Excellent trip and tour guide. Everything went like clock work and well worth the cost. The only comment is the people should be told that they must bring Euros on the tour as there are many spots to purchase food,etc. that do not take Swiss franks.

Review by: Cathy F	May 2011
Well planned trip. Informative and helpful guide. Worth every dime!

Review by: Beatrice	May 2011
Great trip!!!!

Review by: Farhod A	May 2011
It was great and unforgettable!!!

Review by: Mardy D	April 2011
Very glad I took this trip. It was interesting and informative. The guide was great, and very knowledgeable. The included lunch was also very good. Highly recommend this trip.

Review by: Misty A	April 2011
I really enjoyed the trip - it was great!

Review by: Steven O	April 2011
This was a fabulous day, simple, relaxing with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc. The Glacier cave was a surprise bonus. Definitely worth doing and our guide was the best, thanks Neal.

Review by: HP1977	April 2011
A very fun trip!! Beautiful day well planned tour. The lunch was EXCELLENT!! but you do have to pay for the drinks. I wish i would have brought really good ski gloves(I had just small ones) it is VERY cold at the top of the mountain, even in March. Our guide was ok....but seemed more into his political agenda/world views than parts of the tour. _br/_ I only had one day to play in Switzerland and was glad I was able to go!!

Review by: Joan B	April 2011
The highlight of our trip to Geneva. Very well organized and on time. Guide Neal was excellent. We whole-heartedly recommend this outing to Chamonix and Mont Blanc.

Review by: Ivan F, South Africa	June 2010
Excellent guide, 100 precise program, really great!!!

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	June 2010
A must! this trip will make you dream.

Review by: Lillian C, United States of America	May 2010
Truely amazing!

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	May 2010
The Chamonix Mont Blanc tour was a highlight of our trip.We booked online only a few days before arriving in Switzerland and everything was confirmed very quickly.The tour itself was great , very diverse ,with plenty of timespent allowed for each stop. The view from Aiguille Du Midi was amazing.

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	May 2010
This was an excellent trip, with a very good guide. It was a very full agenda which made the afternoon quite tiring. You were able to buy parts of the trip locally, however we were locked into the full trip and access to purchasing only parts was limited. Although the trip is expensive, not assisted by the exchange rate, there is no other easy option for comfortably getting to Chamonix and Mont Blanc from Geneva and back in a day without driving yourself.

Review by: Lian Lian T, United Kingdom	April 2010
Awesome trip with a very considerate guide. We were among the few people who booked lunch, but the lunch was great and worth it since we were ravenoous after the cable car trip. For the thrifty, there is the option of just buying the transport itself, but it was nice having the meal and the guide ensuring we had the max exploration of the French Alps, Chamonix and Mer de Glacier. Beware though, the altitude sickness does take a bit of getting used to.

Review by: Janette D, Australia	March 2010
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour. The beautiful scenery was the highlight. Well organized and very informative. Recommend this tour to fellow travellers.

Review by: Anonymous, Azerbaijan	January 2010
This was excellent!