Couermayeur to Chamonix gondola

janet,

That trip could be a bit "challenging" as a day trip. The Mont Blanc Panoramic cable car is somewhat dependent on conditions at the time so if the weather changes, it may cease operations before you head back to Courmayeur. It also has more limited hours in September, so that will reduce the time you have to spend in Chamonix. The schedules are posted online, so you can verify that at the time.

To find parking for your vehicle and buy tickets, you could stop at the tourism office in Courmayeur - https://www.lovevda.it/en/database/4/regional-tourist-offices/courmayeur/tourist-office-courmayeur/1635 .

Driving time from Courmayeur to Chamonix is apparently only about 35 minutes (22 km), so that's another option. That would allow you more time to look around Chamonix, or take a trip to the Aguille and back.

One other important point to mention is that the Aguille du Midi is at an elevation of about 12,600 feet. If either of you have ever experienced problems with altitude, that's something to keep in mind. If you do have problems when you arrive at the Aguille from Courmayeur, that could affect your return trip . I wanted to mention that, as I had a problem with the altitude there.

Thank you Ken,
I appreciate your advice. My thinking comes from having done the trip about 15 years ago when my husband and I and one granddaughter did the Coeurmayeur to Chamonix bit while my daughter and granddaughter went back to Courmayer I believe from the stopover at the Pointe Helbronner platform as granddaughter # 2 became anxious! Our daughter then drove to Chamonix so we came back in the car to Courmayeur. The difference this year is that we have friends who have a house in Chamonix so I was thinking we could park the car in Courmayeur, take the gondola over the mountains to Chamonix where we'd stay a night or two and THEN gondola back up and over to Courmayeur. However - I see that there are TWO companies running gondolas over Monte Bianco.
Which is the better of the two and why? The altitude didn't seem to affect us. Probably because we were not exerting ourselves: just taking in the extraordinary vistas!!!
SO:
1) leave the car in Courmayeur for a night or two works?
2)Which company? 15 years ago we were quite pleased with the Aiguille du Midi. The Skyway seems exorbitantly expensive. Also, reading info on-line there is no discussion re. the starting point being Courmayeur.
Thanks for advice.
Janet

Each company operates the cable car on its side of the mountain: from Courmayeur, it's the Skyway. No real choice.