Driving from Geneva (Switzerland) to Chamonix Mont-Blanc – Best Routes
Driving from Geneva Airport to Chamonix Mont-Blanc
If you plan to fly to Geneva and hire a car, the route to Chamonix is relatively straight-forward, covering a distance of eighty eight km. Chamonix is located eighty km southeast of Geneva, Switzerland, and driving time from Geneva Airport (GVA) to Chamonix is about one hour via the Autoroute Blanche (A40) motorway. There is a brief open up of Swiss autoroute before reaching the French autoroute. To use the Swiss autoroute system, a Swiss Vignette is required (CHF 40).
Alternatively, you can drive through the centre of Geneva. If you are fortunate, it may add no more than 20mins to your journey.
Our recommendation is to take the autoroute. During rush hour, the autoroute will also incur a traffic jam at the border crossing inbetween Switzerland and France. In the worst script, this may delay your journey by up to 15mins.
The best route to Chamonix avoiding Geneva centre
Directions from Geneva Airport to Chamonix
This route avoids Geneva centre and is usually quicker albeit about 14km longer.
The toll cost is the same as driving through Geneva city centre, but a Swiss Vignette is required (CHF 40).
- on leaving the airport, join the main road, Route De Pré-Bois heading South West;
- go after the green autoroute signs to France along a straight road for about 1km;
- budge into in the centre right lane on arriving at a T-junction with traffic lights;
- at the T-junction turn left onto the Route de Vernier;
- instantaneously budge into the right lane (bus lane);
- drive 150m then take the slip road onto the autoroute sign-posted France;
- two tunnels:
- Tunnel de Vernier
- Tunnel de Confignon
About €6 is required for the two péage points in France (toll charges) for a normal family car. All major credit cards are accepted 24/7. The tolls have very likely gone up by a few centimes since we wrote this guide.
Routes Geneva to Chamonix avoiding the Swiss Autoroute
To avoid purchasing the vignette, there are two separate routes.
1. Drive through the centre of Geneva. Go after signs for Le Lac via Pont (bridge) du Mont-Blanc and then to the Moillesulaz border crossing at Gaillards.
Rent a car from Geneva Airport
Read more about how to rent a car from Geneva Airport and comeback your hire car at the GVA, both Swiss and French sectors, en-routes, as well as the nearest fuel stations to drop-off points and choose what suits you best!
Significant Information
From one Jan two thousand fourteen driving with headlights on during the day is required by law in Switzerland. Non-compliance could result in a CHF forty fine.
Don’t leave behind to stick the autoroute vignette at the inwards of your windshield or you risk a fine, even if you have the sticker with you.
The French autoroute signs are BLUE whereas the Swiss autoroute signage is in GREEN .
French law requires motorists to have a reflective vest in the car as well as an emergency warning triangle. Non-compliance could result in a €90-135 fine.
From 2012, you must also carry an approved breathalyseryser kit in your car. Read more about driving regulations in France and in Switzerland from the RAC.
In winter, it’s a legal requirement to carry a set of snow chains. Attention! Snowsocks for tyres do not conform to French regulations!
If you are caught speeding by the French police, on-the-spot fines are expensive and will have to be paid there and then.
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 40km/h, is a risk of having your licence confiscated on the spot.
The use of radar detectors is illegal in France and in Switzerland. Failure to conform involves a fine of up to €1500 and the vehicle may be confiscated.
(Ouvert = Open; Fermé = Closed; Equipements Spéciaux Obligatoires = Special Equipement is necessary).
Travel by car to Chamonix from Martigny
If you’re driving to Chamonix over the Col de Montets check here for conditions
Driving from Geneva (Switzerland) to Chamonix Mont-Blanc – Best Routes
Driving from Geneva Airport to Chamonix Mont-Blanc
If you plan to fly to Geneva and hire a car, the route to Chamonix is relatively straight-forward, covering a distance of eighty eight km. Chamonix is located eighty km southeast of Geneva, Switzerland, and driving time from Geneva Airport (GVA) to Chamonix is about one hour via the Autoroute Blanche (A40) motorway. There is a brief spread of Swiss autoroute before reaching the French autoroute. To use the Swiss autoroute system, a Swiss Vignette is required (CHF 40).
Alternatively, you can drive through the centre of Geneva. If you are fortunate, it may add no more than 20mins to your journey.
Our recommendation is to take the autoroute. During rush hour, the autoroute will also incur a traffic jam at the border crossing inbetween Switzerland and France. In the worst script, this may delay your journey by up to 15mins.
The best route to Chamonix avoiding Geneva centre
Directions from Geneva Airport to Chamonix
This route avoids Geneva centre and is usually quicker albeit about 14km longer.
The toll cost is the same as driving through Geneva city centre, but a Swiss Vignette is required (CHF 40).
- on leaving the airport, join the main road, Route De Pré-Bois heading South West;
- go after the green autoroute signs to France along a straight road for about 1km;
- budge into in the centre right lane on arriving at a T-junction with traffic lights;
- at the T-junction turn left onto the Route de Vernier;
- instantly budge into the right lane (bus lane);
- drive 150m then take the slip road onto the autoroute sign-posted France;
- two tunnels:
- Tunnel de Vernier
- Tunnel de Confignon
About €6 is required for the two péage points in France (toll charges) for a normal family car. All major credit cards are accepted 24/7. The tolls have most likely gone up by a few centimes since we wrote this guide.
Routes Geneva to Chamonix avoiding the Swiss Autoroute
To avoid purchasing the vignette, there are two separate routes.
1. Drive through the centre of Geneva. Go after signs for Le Lac via Pont (bridge) du Mont-Blanc and then to the Moillesulaz border crossing at Gaillards.
Rent a car from Geneva Airport
Read more about how to rent a car from Geneva Airport and comeback your hire car at the GVA, both Swiss and French sectors, en-routes, as well as the nearest fuel stations to drop-off points and choose what suits you best!
Significant Information
From one Jan two thousand fourteen driving with headlights on during the day is required by law in Switzerland. Non-compliance could result in a CHF forty fine.
Don’t leave behind to stick the autoroute vignette at the inwards of your windshield or you risk a fine, even if you have the sticker with you.
The French autoroute signs are BLUE whereas the Swiss autoroute signage is in GREEN .
French law requires motorists to have a reflective vest in the car as well as an emergency warning triangle. Non-compliance could result in a €90-135 fine.
From 2012, you must also carry an approved breathalyseryser kit in your car. Read more about driving regulations in France and in Switzerland from the RAC.
In winter, it’s a legal requirement to carry a set of snow chains. Attention! Snowsocks for tyres do not conform to French regulations!
If you are caught speeding by the French police, on-the-spot fines are expensive and will have to be paid there and then.
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 40km/h, is a risk of having your licence confiscated on the spot.
The use of radar detectors is illegal in France and in Switzerland. Failure to serve involves a fine of up to €1500 and the vehicle may be confiscated.
(Ouvert = Open; Fermé = Closed; Equipements Spéciaux Obligatoires = Special Equipement is necessary).
Travel by car to Chamonix from Martigny
If you’re driving to Chamonix over the Col de Montets check here for conditions
