Hi
Me, my husband and my 2 years old daughter are planing to visit paris in September 8.
We want to spend full 2 days there and than we are planing to visit chamonix fot another 2 days . What is the fastest and comfortable way to reach chamonix from paris and how much it will cost?
And is there any affordable hotels with a beautiful view?
Posted by
Green Bay
21155 posts
Right now, for September 10, I see prices for a nonrefundable Prems 2nd class for 130 EUR for the 3 of of you, leaving 10:11 from Gare de Lyon, arriving Chamonix at 4:54 pm. For another 19.60 EUR, you can go in 1st class with a TGV Leisure fare, it can be refunded up till the day before departure for a 15 EUR fee. Your 2 yo rides on your lap. If you want a seat for her, that's extra.
Route is to Bellegarde, then change to regional train to St Gervais les Bains, then change to the narrow gauge train for the last leg up to Chamonix.
You need to buy now to get these prices. www.captainetrain.com.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for reply :)
What if we rent a car with a driver do you know how many hour it will take? And how much it will cost to rent a car with a driver
Posted by
Green Bay
21155 posts
I think a small fortune. If you are arriving in Paris on your own private jet, it might be the way to go, although it would be better to fly the jet to Geneva and have your driver take you from there.
Seriously though folks, train is the way to go. Viamichelin gives 6 hours and 15 minutes drive time and the tolls alone are 50 EUR. The train I suggested has a 1 hour change time in Bellegarde. The change at St Gervais, the train will be there waiting for you since it runs on tracks of a different width than what you arrive on.
Posted by
California 🦋
5293 posts
Paris to Chamonix is a long way to travel with a two year old, via train or car.
I would not advice taking your young daughter up to the Aiguille du Midi, as you won't know how the high altitude will affect her.
Since you only have four days to work with, I'd suggest you spend them in Paris.
If you've already visited Paris in the past & are set on visiting Chamonix, you are better off flying into Geneva (as a previous poster suggested), & splitting your time between Chamonix & Annecy.
My daughter & I visited both of these beautiful towns & decided that our favorite was Annecy... And... we would live there if we could!
Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
sara,
One of the easiest and quickest ways to reach Chamonix, is to travel via high speed TGV from Gare de Lyon to Geneva (about three hours, direct). From the main station in Geneva, use a pre-arranged Shuttle for the trip to Chamonix (about an hour). I don't think there's any faster or easier way to travel that route, unless you can afford to hire a Helicopter.
That trip is still going to be at least five hours overall, so you'll arrive about mid-afternoon in Chamonix. That will leave about 1.5 days for sightseeing. Is there any way you could add at least one day to that part of your trip?
As Priscilla mentioned, if you plan to visit the Aguille du Midi you'll need to consider whether you're able to tolerate higher elevations. Your two-year-old likely won't be able to tell you if she's having breathing problems. The top level is at about 3840 metres (12,600 feet). You may be able to tolerate a short time there, but be prepared to shorten your visit and quickly head back to the valley if necessary. If money is an issue, you'll also need to consider the cost, as the adult return fare is €58.50 PP.
You didn't say what your criteria is for "affordable" so difficult to make any hotel suggestions. You might have a look at this website.....
http://www.chamonix.com/hotels,113,en.html
Some hotel rooms have views of Mont Blanc, but those are often priced a bit higher than non-view rooms. Your choice.....