Chamonix Mont-Blanc Day Trip: Cable Car & Glacier Train
You stand at a high altitude looking at Mont-Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Grand Jorasses all at once.
A full-day guided tour departing Geneva for Chamonix includes a cable car ascent to Aiguille du Midi, a walking tour of the summits, free time in the alpine village, and a cogwheel train ride to Mer de Glace Glacier. The tour runs about 8 to 9 hours with an English-speaking guide. Children from age 4 are welcome. Note that the ice caves and cog-train close from May 11 to June 3, 2026 for maintenance.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Full day tour from Geneva to Chamonix
- Meet guide and board bus in Geneva
- Bus drive to Chamonix village
- Take cable car to Aiguille du Midi summit
- Enjoy views and 20-minute walking tour
- Descend to Chamonix village
- Free time to explore shops and lunch
- Walk to train station, see landmarks
- Board cogwheel train to Mer de Glace Glacier
- Option to visit ice caves and hike stairs
- Train back to Chamonix village
- Free time for souvenirs
- Bus back to Geneva
The experience
You leave Geneva in an air-conditioned bus and arrive in Chamonix after an hour's drive. The cable car takes you straight up to Aiguille du Midi at 3,842 meters: high enough to see across three countries. A twenty-minute walking tour on the summit shows you the peaks around you: Mont-Blanc, the Matterhorn, the Grand Jorasses. The views are the point. The walk is short and the guide names what you're standing in front of.
Back in Chamonix village, you have about an hour and a half to eat lunch at a local restaurant, browse the shops, or just sit in the square. This is the only part of the day you plan yourself. Then you walk with the guide toward the train station, passing historical landmarks of the town on the way. The cogwheel train climbs 1,900 meters to Mer de Glace, France's largest glacier. If you want to see the ice caves, you take a gondola down and hike 200 stairs to the glacier itself, then hike back up. This is optional and happens in season. Around 5 p.m. the train brings you back down to Chamonix, where there's time for one last souvenir stop before the bus departs at 5 p.m. for Geneva, arriving around 6 p.m.
The tour includes the cable car and the cogwheel train, so you don't buy separate tickets or figure out the schedule. You need a valid passport. The bus is air-conditioned and the guide speaks English throughout. Children from age 4 can join. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller.
What’s included
- Cable car ascent to Aiguille du Midi.
- cogwheel train ride to Mer de Glace Glacier.
- air-conditioned bus transport from Geneva.
- English-speaking guide throughout the day.
- walking tour of the summits at 3,842 meters.
Options for this experience
2 optionsBefore you book
Prices and times updated yesterday
Operated by Niels
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Geneva with a free day and want to see the Alps without renting a car or planning the mountain logistics yourself. The fixed schedule and included cable car and train mean you move through three different elevations and two major glaciers in a single afternoon, with the guide handling the route and the timing.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's the cable car ride to Aiguille du Midi actually like?
The cable car climbs 3,842 meters in one ascent, taking you from the Chamonix valley to the summit in a single ride. At the top, the air is thin and the view spans across Mont-Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Grand Jorasses: all visible on a clear day. The twenty-minute walking tour on the summit keeps you moving gently while the guide points out the peaks and valleys around you.
How much free time do I get in Chamonix village?
You have about an hour and a half to explore Chamonix on your own after descending from Aiguille du Midi. That's enough time for lunch at a local restaurant, browsing the shops, or sitting in the village. You rejoin the guide afterward for the walk to the train station and the afternoon glacier visit.
Can I visit the ice caves at Mer de Glace?
Yes, the ice caves are optional and available in season. You take a gondola down and hike 200 stairs to reach the glacier, then hike back up the same stairs. This is your choice when you arrive at the glacier. It's not mandatory. Note that the ice caves and cogwheel train close from May 11 to June 3, 2026 for maintenance.
What's included in the tour price?
The cable car to Aiguille du Midi, the cogwheel train to Mer de Glace Glacier, the air-conditioned bus from Geneva and back, and the English-speaking guide are all included. Lunch is not included. You buy it in Chamonix during your free time.
How long is the whole day, and what time do I get back to Geneva?
The tour runs 8 to 9 hours total. You leave Geneva in the morning and return around 6 p.m. The bus departs Chamonix at 5 p.m. after your last chance to buy souvenirs.
Do I need a passport for this tour?
Yes, a valid passport is required. The tour crosses into France and you'll be at high altitude on the border region, so bring it with you.
Chamonix Mont-Blanc Day Trip: Cable Car & Glacier Train
8h–9h · EN
from US$ 122 per person
4.87442 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider