Planning a trip to the French Alps? This five summer days in Chamonix France travel guide covers exactly how we spent our time, including our favorite hikes, cable cars, views, and tips I wish I had known before visiting.

A few years back, I decided I wanted to see the Alps from every country this incredible mountain range stretches through (no small feat – I know!!).

After exploring the Swiss Alps in Lauterbrunnen, the Italian Alps in the Dolomites, and the Slovenian Alps over the past few years, it was finally time to experience the French Alps ;).

What I didn’t realize before arriving in Chamonix was just how much this town revolves around hiking, climbing, and mountaineering ~ my first clue should have been that the highest mountain in continental Europe is here (Mont Blanc!) ~ but nope that went right over my head while planning this trip ;0.

Compared to the other Alpine destinations we’ve visited, this one felt like it was built for people who are happiest with hiking boots on and hiking poles in hand.

The easiest way to describe our experience is to say – we didn’t get on a single tram/gondola without the strong smell of sweat (layman’s term = BO!) from all the people who had just spent a day up in the mountains ;0.

However, there are still plenty of ways to experience the incredible scenery even if you’re not planning to summit the tallest mountain in Europe or attempt the Tour du Mont Blanc (the famous 11 day, 110 mile French Alps hike) ~ although I must say ~ you should expect to do at least a little bit of serious hiking if you plan on visiting this French town :).

We spent five full days in Chamonix in June 2026 and between panoramic cable car rides, unforgettable hikes, long lunches with mountain views, and wandering the mountain town streets in the evenings, it ended up being one of our favorite Alp destinations we have seen to date :).

In a rush?

The Little Details

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How to Get to Chamonix

Getting to Chamonix was honestly one of the parts of planning this trip that I spent the most time researching.

If you’ve never been to the area before, figuring out whether to fly, drive, or take the train can feel like a bit of a puzzle.

We ended up flying into Geneva and using the private car company Blacklane for a private transfer to Annecy, where we spent the first three nights of our trip (see our itinerary at the bottom of this travel guide).

From there, we booked the company Daytrip for the drive to Chamonix. Since the train from Annecy would have required two connections and taken nearly four times longer than driving, the one-hour private transfer was an easy decision for us.

Geneva is the closest major airport (about 1 hour 15 minutes away by road), but you can also fly into Lyon (around 2½ hours), Zurich (about 3½ hours), or Milan Malpensa (roughly 2½ to 3 hours depending on traffic).

Trains are absolutely possible from all of these cities, but many routes involve one or more connections, so it’s worth comparing all of your options. Buses also run from Geneva to Chamonix but this is an option we did not look into first hand ~ if this is a method you would consider, I have read good reviews on the company Alpybus :).

When I find it a bit more challenging to plan how to get between cities when we travel, I find the website and app Rome2Rio incredibly helpful before deciding what makes the most sense for our itineraries.

How to Get Around Chamonix

Once we arrived, we didn’t need a car at all.

Chamonix is incredibly walkable, and the local buses and trains make it simple to reach the hiking trails and cable cars.

Because we stayed at a high end hotel, we were able to take advantage of the free car services our hotel provided ~ they dropped us off at all the further away gondola/tram stations as well as picked us up in Les Houches on an afternoon we spent there.

If you do decide you’d like a car for a day trip (maybe to Italy?!), there’s a Europcar office right at the Chamonix train station.

Best Time of Year to Visit Chamonix

If you’re planning a summer trip to Chamonix, I’d aim for late June through September.

We visited June 16–22, 2026 for my birthday, and while the scenery completely blew me away, we did learn a couple of things that are worth knowing before you book your trip.

First, if you’re visiting in June, don’t assume every gondola and chairlift will already be open for the season.

I made that mistake. Several of the lifts that access Chamonix’s most popular hikes were still closed when we arrived, and I was beginning to think I’d have to leave without hiking the iconic trail to Lac Blanc, which would have been a major disappointment.

Luckily, the Flégère gondola opened on Saturday, June 20, giving us just enough time to fit the hike into our itinerary before heading to our next destination.

It ended up being one of my favorite days of the entire trip, so I’d definitely recommend checking seasonal opening dates if you’re traveling in early or even mid-June.

Another gondola ride I was really hoping to do during our trip was the Panoramic Mont-Blanc to Italy! But alas this gondola didn’t open until mid-July…learn the opening and closing dates here!

We also happened to arrive right as Europe was being hit by that massive heat wave in June 2026… and now here we are in August, and parts of Europe are still dealing with it.

From previous European Alps trips we have taken in the past, I already knew that many hotels outside larger cities don’t have air conditioning.

It’s something I always research before booking, and I’m that person asking for two fans at check-in (that is my biggest check in advice right there fyi ;0).

Menopause and no A/C aren’t exactly a dream combination. 😂

Thankfully, our room at Hotel Mont Blanc had a balcony, multiple windows, and plenty of airflow, so once we opened everything up in the evenings, we slept just fine.

However, what you can’t research or be aware of before booking a no-AC hotel is the presence of window screens ;0.

Many hotels expect you to cool your room by leaving the windows open, but they often don’t have screens to keep bugs out (what????!!).

Luckily, we didn’t have any issues during our mid-June stay, but I could see that being something to consider if you’re visiting later in the summer when insects are more active.

It’s not something that would keep me from visiting ~ I would absolutely come back ~ but it’s one of those little travel details that’s nice to know ahead of time.

While this guide is all about visiting Chamonix in the summer, it’s impossible not to mention its winter reputation.

Chamonix is one of the most iconic ski destinations in the world and has been attracting skiers for more than a century.

Whether you’re looking for challenging terrain, breathtaking alpine views, or simply want to soak up the mountain atmosphere with a mug of hot chocolate, winter is every bit as popular here as summer.

That said, I completely fell for Chamonix in June: wildflowers were blooming, hiking trails were replacing ski runs, outdoor cafés were buzzing, and every time I looked up, Mont Blanc somehow looked even prettier than it had five minutes earlier ~ how is that even possible????

I’d go back in a heartbeat… although next time, maybe without Europe trying to break temperature records.

How Many Days You Need in Chamonix

Since this is a guide to spending five days in Chamonix, I’d say that’s a great starting point, but if you have the time, stay longer!!

We spent five full days here and easily could have filled another three or four without running out of things to do.

And honestly? Even that wouldn’t have scratched the surface.

If your only goal is to ride the cable car up to see Mont Blanc and wander around town, one or two days will do the trick.

But Chamonix is so much more than a quick mountain stop.

I left already hoping I’d be back one day to spend another full week exploring this beautiful corner of the French Alps – maybe an early fall trip this time???

Money and Plug Details in France

In France, the currency is the Euro (€), and while most places accept credit and debit cards, it’s always handy to carry a small amount of cash for smaller establishments or tips.

It is recommended to use a BANK ATM machine once in the country you are traveling to to withdraw money out of your US (presumably) bank account. This is the least expensive way to handle bank fees and foreign exchange rates.

Be sure you are also using a credit card with zero foreign transaction fees as those can add up!!

Don’t forget to pack a Type C or F plug adapter (these are my favorites) for your electronics.

I won’t travel without this travel extension cord or this portable charger because nothing kills the travel vibe faster than a dead phone and no way to charge it!

Best Luxury Stays in Chamonix

Hôtel Mont-Blanc

We made the Hôtel Mont-Blanc our home base for six nights in Chamonix, and it ended up being one of those hotels that just felt good to come back to after a full day outside.

Other than the lack of air conditioning (which is fairly common in the Alps), we absolutely loved staying here.

Waking up every morning to a view of the Mont Blanc peak from our room never got old, and a couple of evenings we were treated to incredible lightning and thunderstorms rolling over the mountains.

Watching nature put on a show from the comfort of our room was one of those unexpected memories we’ll always associate with Chamonix.

Le Hameau Albert 1er – Relais & Châteaux

Even though we didn’t stay at Le Hameau Albert 1er – Relais & Châteaux, it deserves to be on my list of luxury stay suggestions in Chamonix.

I’m a longtime fan of Relais & Châteaux properties, and they’ve rarely let me down when it comes to comfort, service, and that feeling of settling into somewhere special after a full day of exploring.

If you’re looking for a smaller luxury hotel with a great reputation and an easy home base for exploring Chamonix, I have no doubt this would be an excellent choice.

Photos courtesy of Instagram

Grand Hôtel des Alpes

If Hotel Mont Blanc isn’t available for your dates, I’d also take a look at the Grand Hôtel des Alpes.

We didn’t stay there ourselves, but we walked past it countless times and honestly, you couldn’t ask for a better location.

It’s just around the corner from Hotel Mont Blanc, right in the heart of Chamonix, so you’re only a few minutes from restaurants, shops, the pedestrian streets, and several of the main lifts.

When you’re only in Chamonix for a handful of days, location really is everything ~ and both of these hotels absolutely nail it ;).

Photos courtesy of Instagram

Best Places to Eat in Chamonix

We kept meals in Chamonix pretty casual, saving the fine dining for another trip and instead grabbing easy, laid-back dinners once we were off the mountain each afternoon.

During the day, though, we almost always stopped at one of the mountain refuges for lunch, which ended up being one of my favorite parts of hiking here ~ the views somehow made even the simplest meal taste better.

Poco Loco Burger

One evening we grabbed burgers from Poco Loco to go, brought them back to our hotel balcony (the seating inside this small restaurant was just too hot that evening!), and ended the day with dinner overlooking the mountains, and honestly, it was one of our favorite meals in Chamonix :).

Stories Tacos

We headed to Stories Tacos for an early dinner of tacos, chips and guac, and margaritas ~ a fun, laid-back spot after a full day of hiking and exploring.

Bighorn Bistro

We grabbed dinner one night at Bighorn Bistro, a fun little spot opened by a family from the American West whose love of the mountains brought them to Chamonix where they realized the town could really use a great burger and American cuisine joint :).

Le Pastaïolo

Don’t let the tiny storefront fool you: Le Pastaïolo was another one of our favorite easy meals in Chamonix, with incredible homemade pasta and ready-to-eat dishes that most people walk right past without even realizing they’re there.

Chez Richard

Before heading out for the day, swing into Chez Richard for a flaky croissant or whatever pastry catches your eye ~ it’s the kind of quick breakfast you’ll find yourself thinking about long after you leave Chamonix (I know I am still thinking about those croissants!!!).

Refuges on the Mountain

One of my favorite parts of hiking in the Alps is stopping for lunch at the mountain refuges ~ a tradition I first fell in love with in the Italian Dolomites, and now I can’t resist seeking them out everywhere we hike because nothing beats a simple meal with a view of the Alps ;0.

See map above for locations of a few of my favorites as well as some that we didn’t make it to but were highly recommended :).

Fine Dining Options

We actually didn’t do any fine dining during our week in Chamonix ~ we were usually more interested in grabbing something casual after a long day on the trails.

But if you’re in the mood for a special meal, here are a few of the valley’s most well-known fine dining restaurants that are worth adding to your list.

• La Maison Carrier
• Restaurant Albert 1er
• Le Matafan

Top Things to Do in Chamonix

First things first: BUY THE MONT-BLANC MULTIPASS!! This will get you unlimited rides on all the area gondolas, trams, lifts, and local trains and is 100% worth it for this ease!!

You will need to book your timed Aiguille du Midi reservation separately with the pass but trust me – this is a pass worth having :).

We picked our passes up in person at the ticket machines by the Aiguille du Midi station the afternoon we arrived into Chamonix and used them everyday after that :).

Second: because this travel guide is already FILLED with so much information (and photos ;0) – I have to split this post into two to make it more helpful and reader friendly :).

GO TO THE PART TWO BLOG POST WITH ALL THE DETAILS ON WHAT TO DO IN CHAMONIX FRANCE HERE…

What to Wear in the French and Swiss Alps in the Summer

We experienced an unusually warm June during our two weeks in the French and Swiss Alps.

It was actually a massive continental heat wave, but thankfully once we were up in the mountains, the temperatures stayed comfortable enough for some really great hiking.

For most of our hiking days, I was able to wear hiking (aka tennis!) dresses with a pair of comfortable hiking shoes, and they ended up being the perfect combination of practical and cute for photos.

On the handful of days we went higher than usual to the mountain peaks (for those insane views!), I wore hiking pants and a warm jacket :).

Even though afternoon and evening rain showers rolled through occasionally, they rarely affected our plans.

Most nights we were already back at the hotel watching the rain from bed with the windows open, and there was only one afternoon when we actually got caught in it.

Thankfully we had thrown a couple of disposable rain ponchos into our backpacks (always handy to bring with you!!!), and they ended up being all we needed.

We did carry our rain jackets in our hiking backpacks every day just in case, but funny enough, they never actually came out.

I also will not travel without a personal fan – while I used this one on my 2026 Alps trip, I have recently upgraded to this one :).

Since our vacation also included a ride on the Glacier Express as well as a few days NOT hiking, I also brought along a nice sundress and a couple pairs of linen shorts :).

Our France and Switzerland 17 Day Itinerary Overview

DAY 1 | Fly San Diego to Geneva on British Airways via London

DAY 2 | Arrive in Geneva | Blacklane private car to Annecy | Stay 3 nights at Hôtel La Maison Bleue par Yoann CONTE

DAY 3 | Annecy: Walk to Chateau du Menthon, dinner at Menthon-Saint Bernard snack stand before walking back to hotel

DAY 4 | Annecy: Explore Old Town, dinner at Chez Ingalls, walk along lake back to hotel

DAY 5 | Use company Daytrip for transport from Annecy to Chamonix | Stay 6 nights at Hotel Mont-Blanc

DAY 6 | Chamonix: 7:40am Aiguille du Midi tram tickets – spent three hours at top before riding tram back down to Plan de l’Aiguille where we hiked the Grand Balcon Nord trail to Montenvers Mer de Glace, dinner at Bighorn Bistro

DAY 7 | Chamonix: sleep in, take 1pm Brevent Gondola to top for views and lunch at Bergerie de Planpraz and drinks at Brev Bar, dinner at Stories Tacos

DAY 8 | Chamonix: 1pm train to Montenvers de Glace, 1:30p gondola to glacier cave (explored for 45 minutes), late lunch at Montenvers de Glace cafe, walk trail #64 back to Chamonix with snack stop at Caillet refuge,

DAY 9 | Chamonix: 9:45am Flegere gondola ride to Les Praz for Lac Blanc hike, lunch at Refuge du Lac Blanc, continue hike to Index chairlift to return to Chamonix, walk along river back to town where we had dinner at Le Pastaiolo shop

DAY 10 | Chamonix: hotel car dropped us off for lunch at Hotel du Buet, then relaxed meadow walk to Vallorcine, train to Les Houches (where the Tour du Mont Blanc starts with a sign), then hotel car back to Chamonix for dinner at Poco Loco Burgers

DAY 11 | Use company Daytrip for transport from Chamonix to Zermatt | Stay 2 nights at Mont Cervin Palace

DAY 12 | Zermatt: 9:30am train to Gornergrat, stop at Rotenboden for iconic Matterhorn reflection in Riffelsee, lunch at Buffet & Bar Riffelberg with views of Matterhorn, hike down to Riffelalp train stop to return to Zermatt, dinner at Mont Cervin Palace

DAY 13 | Glacier Express train ride from Zermatt to St Moritz | Stay 3 nights at Kulm Hotel

DAY 14 | St Moritz: local train to Morteratsch stop for Morteratsch Glacier Trail hike, light lunch at Alp-Schaukäserei,

DAY 15 | St Moritz: 10am cogwheel train to Muottas Muragl for views and short hike, light lunch at Alp Muottas, dinner at Mountainfire Steakhouse, evening walk along lake back to hotel

DAY 16 | Use company Daytrip for transport from St Moritz to Zurich with stop in Vaduz, Liechtenstein | Stay one night at Hotel Storchen

DAY 17 | Fly Zurich to San Diego on British Airways via London

And just like that, our five summer days in Chamonix were over ~ and what a way to celebrate turning 56 (my birthday is June 23rd while we were on the trip :)).

This entire Alps trip was such a fun one, with Chamonix being one of those places I already know I’ll want to come back to someday.

From here, we continued on to Switzerland and eventually one of the experiences I had been looking forward to most: riding the Glacier Express through the Swiss Alps (see our full itinerary above).

I’m getting pretty close to seeing the Alps from every country they stretch through, although we all know that doesn’t mean I’m checking them off the list and moving on ;0. There will definitely be return trips!

I hope this Chamonix itinerary helps you plan five fantastic summer days of your own and that you love this beautiful little corner of the French Alps as much as we did :).

Don’t forget to read my other Chamonix post for best things to see and do in the French Alps!

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Life is short, the world is wide.

I want to make some memories.

~Mamma Mia

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