Geneva to Chamonix by train
There is no direct train. From Geneva Airport the timetable lists three changes, at Cornavin, Annemasse and Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet, and the trip takes 2 h 41 to 2 h 59. Trains leave the airport at 14 minutes past each hour through the day.
Train sites usually say "one change", because they start at Geneva's main station. If you are standing in the airport with your bags, count on three. The train is still a good way up for one or two people with light luggage who land in daylight. It gets harder with skis, children, or a flight that lands late.
The connection, stop by stop
This is a sample Saturday connection from the October 2026 timetable. The pattern repeats every hour.
- Geneva Airport stationTrain to Geneva Cornavin, 7 minutes
- Geneva CornavinLéman Express towards Annemasse
- AnnemasseTrain to Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet, 1 h 14 through the Arve valley
- Saint-Gervais-Le FayetMont-Blanc Express up the valley, 45 minutes
- Chamonix-Mont-BlancArrive, 2 h 59 after leaving the airport
Saturday 3 October 2026, from SBB timetable data read on 23 September 2026. Some Léman Express trains may run through Annemasse towards Saint-Gervais; the departure board tells you whether to stay on.
Replacement buses this autumn
In the October 2026 timetable some trains between Saint-Gervais and Chamonix, and some late ones from La Roche-sur-Foron, show as buses. Check the journey on sbb.ch or SNCF Connect for your exact day before you travel.
First and last trains
- Earliest: on weekdays a 05:25 departure from the airport reaches Chamonix at 08:54, with four changes via La Roche-sur-Foron.
- Last on a Saturday: 18:14 from the airport, arriving at 21:13.
- Last on a weekday: 20:14 from the airport, arriving at 23:50, with the final stretch from La Roche-sur-Foron by bus.
These times are from the October 2026 timetable. The winter timetable starts in mid-December 2026, and this page will be updated when it is published.
Tickets and fares
The Léman Pass covers the airport to Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet: a single, adult, second class, costs CHF 21.00 (EUR 22.40) and is valid for 180 minutes, or CHF 33.70 in first class. The Saint-Gervais to Chamonix leg is a separate French regional (TER) ticket, sold by SNCF.
The Swiss way round, via Martigny
A direct train runs from the airport along Lake Geneva to Martigny, about 1 h 50. There you change to the Mont-Blanc Express, which climbs through the Trient valley and crosses into France at Vallorcine, where the French train continues to Chamonix. It takes about 3 h 30 with two changes, against 2 h 41 to 2 h 59 via Saint-Gervais, and runs every two hours on Saturdays. In the October 2026 timetable the stretch from Le Châtelard to Chamonix runs as a bus. For the line itself, see the Mont-Blanc Express on AlpsByTrain.
When the train stops making sense
- You have ski or board bags
Each change means lifting them on and off, three or four times, then walking from Chamonix station to your door.
- You are four or more
A private car is priced per vehicle, so once four people share it, each pays a figure that overlaps the dearer shuttle starting prices, with no changes. The sums are on the prices page.
- You land after about 17:00
Miss one connection and the next is an hour later. Miss the last one and there is no train until the morning.
- Your address is not near a station
The train ends at Chamonix-Mont-Blanc station. For Les Houches, Argentière or Le Tour, check how you get from the nearest station to your address.
When a car is the better answer
If one of those fits your trip, ask local drivers for a private transfer from the arrivals hall to your door. You post the trip once on TransferBnB, carriers reply with prices, and you choose one or none.
Get offers for Geneva Airport to Chamonix TransferBnB is owned by the same company as this guide.For the other train stations in the valley and more of the Alps by rail, see Chamonix-Mont-Blanc on AlpsByTrain, a rail guide from the same publisher.
Questions
Is there a direct train from Geneva to Chamonix?
No. From Geneva Airport the timetable lists three changes: Geneva Cornavin, Annemasse and Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet, where the Mont-Blanc Express line starts. Some Léman Express trains may run through Annemasse. The trip takes about 2 h 41 to 2 h 59.
What time is the last train from Geneva Airport to Chamonix?
In the October 2026 timetable the last Saturday departure that reaches Chamonix the same evening leaves the airport at 18:14 and arrives at 21:13. Later weekday connections exist but use a replacement bus for part of the way. Check again after the timetable change in mid-December 2026.
How much is the train from Geneva Airport to Chamonix?
A Léman Pass single, adult, second class, from the airport zone to Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet costs CHF 21.00 (EUR 22.40). The Saint-Gervais to Chamonix leg is not in the Léman Pass calculator.
Can I take skis on the train?
Check SNCF's luggage rules for the regional trains and the Mont-Blanc Express before you travel. At each change you move your own bags, skis included.
Is there a train from Geneva to Chamonix through Switzerland?
A direct train runs from the airport to Martigny, about 1 h 50. There you change to the Mont-Blanc Express to Vallorcine, where you normally change again for Chamonix. On the sampled October 2026 Saturday it took about 3 h 31 with two changes, with a bus from Le Châtelard.
Train times are from SBB timetable data for October 2026 and the fare from the Léman Pass calculator, both read on 23 September 2026.