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Travel to Chamonix

Chalet La Forêt is most easily accessed by driving or flying (about an hour from Geneva airport) 

Please note that I don’t recommend coming to Chamonix without a car, even if you intend on using mainly public transport to get around. Details here: Do I Need a Car?

Looking for information about the chalet’s location in Chamonix? That’s here.

Flying

Try for a window seat as the views of the mountains are lovely.
Make sure you check which side of the airport your flight arrives and departs from. Most are from the Swiss side (Secteur Suisse) but occasionally you do get them (notably with Easyjet) from the French side (Secteur Francaise). There is a short walk between the two sides which is not as well signposted as it might be, so it’s best to check – it should be clear both on booking and on the confirmation if the flight is from the French Sector.

If you’re hiring a car, the same applies – see Car Hire for more on this.
Once at Geneva, you are just 100 km from the chalet, via (in approximate order of convenience and expense) hire car, airport transfer, bus, or rail (not recommended). More about flying and airport transfer options.

Driving

The route from Calais takes approximately eight hours and has many advantages, less likely to be disrupted, no concerns about luggage, saves on car hire.
• A run-down of French driving regulations from the RAC.
Our list of good stopovers on the way, if you want to break the journey
• A telepeage device like Bip N Go or Emovis makes life exponentially easier on this drive and is highly recommended.
• If you have a large car or a ski rack, you may have problems with the automatic tolls overcharging you – just press the button and tell them you’re “Classe une, s’il vous plait, pas classe deux” and they’ll correct the toll.

Train

From the UK, this is only for the dedicated but it can be done. You can go by train all the way to Chamonix, usually via Paris where there is a very good train to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine. You can get a train to Chamonix from Bellegarde, but it also has convenient car hire which Chamonix does not. Train to Bellegarde and picking up a car there can be a good option.

It can be quicker to go to Geneva and then get a transfer, bus or hire a car from the airport.

Please note that I don’t recommend coming to Chamonix without a car, even if you intend on using mainly public transport to get around. Details here: Do I Need a Car?