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Chamonix to Courmayeur Round Trip DAY TRIP

Posted by (Windsor, ON, Canada) on

HI,
Has anyone taken the lift/s from Chamonix, FR up and over into Courmayeur, IT and then returned by bus to Chamonix from Courmayeur?

I see that it is an option but I cannot find any reviews/blogs from someone who actually did it.

I'm curious if it is worth it. I'm not sure if there would be enough time to explore Courmayeur before taking the return bus ride.

The other option is to go to up to Aiguille Du Midi and take the cable car to Pointe Helbronner and then head straight back and skip going down into Courmayeur.

We like the idea of doing the full round trip (Chamonix - Courmayeur) but will adjust if it isn't worth it.

Thanks for any feedback.

Posted by
645 posts

I have done the second option you mention. We would have gone down into Courmayeur
but kind of ran out of time.

Also, the bus back through the tunnel runs 3 or 4 times a day so you have to be aware
of that schedule. I would also suspect the trip through the tunnel is subject to traffic
delays.

If you have already explored the AdM and done the Panoramique then I would think you'd
have plenty of time to explore Courmayeur, but it is a bit of a walk to the town and I don't
know the bus schedule. Also you do realize the Panoramique only runs during a limited
time during the summer.

Can't remember for sure, but I think you can go down the Monte Bianco gondola for free
but you'd pay to go back up? We paid to go from AdM across on the Panoramique, but
were able to get back on for free.

You might also consider doing the journey in reverse. Could be more time-friendly, with
a queue to go down the AdM at the end, not the start, of the day.

Posted by
1117 posts

I have only done this one way (Aosta>Chamonix). It was the European experience of a lifetime and highly recommended.

I wish I could help you more with the return question, but I do have a few related points:
1. The cable car from Helbronner does NOT come down in Courmayeur. It comes down in La Palud, 5 km away. There are local buses, or an hour's walk.
2. Even if you do get to Courmayeur, there isn't much to see there. Its a pretty typical alpine town. One thing interesting about Courmayeur is how bilingual it is (French-Italian).
3. I don't know the return schedules exactly, but the one-way trip we did took most of a day. True, we started in Aosta, but still we didn't get down to Chamonix until mid-afternoon. It seems like it would be a very long return trip.
4. My advice would be your second option: turn around at Helbronner. The joy of this trip is the glaciers, not La Palud / Courmayeur.

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