Chalet Petit Tinqueur - Chamonix, France

Getting here

By air

The valley lies just an hour from Geneva airport, with its low-cost and regular airlines flying from all over the UK and the rest of Europe. But did you also know that we're less than 2 hours from Turin (easyJet, Ryanair, BA, Alitalia), Lyon (easyJet, BA, Air France), Grenoble (easyJet) and Chambery? Flights there are sometimes cheaper than Geneva. Use the website links below to get full price info.

To get from the airport to Chamonix, we can arrange minibus transfers right to the chalet door (40€ per person each way from Geneva; a bit more from Turin/Lyon/Grenoble/Chambery). Or you can hire a car – we find Holiday Autos offer reasonable value. Driving directions are provided below. Note: during winter, always request a car with snow tyres, snow chains and ski racks. If hiring from Geneva Airport, specify the Swiss side (not French).

By train

Chamonix has its own railway station and is connected directly into both the French and Swiss rail networks. High-speed TGV trains from Paris and beyond arrive at St Gervais le Fayet, about 30 minutes away by local connecting train. Use the SNCF link below for timetable and price information.

By road

Chamonix is easy to reach by car. The A40 motorway/N205 dual carriageway heads up from Geneva (1 hr away) and stops just outside town. Tolls cost approx 5€ from Geneva each way. You'll also use this road if arriving from Lyon (2 hrs), Paris (5-6 hrs) or Calais (8-10 hrs).

The Mont Blanc Tunnel connects through to the Italian motorway network (Turin 2 hrs, Milan 2.5 hrs). The toll is about 35€ return. While the Col des Montets links into the Swiss motorway network at Martigny (45 mins).

During winter, the A40 and Mont Blanc Tunnel remain open almost constantly. The Col des Montets is sometimes blocked by snow. Whichever way you're coming, make sure your vehicle has snow tyres and/or snow chains. And drive cautiously – it's completely different from what you're used to.

Detailed directions to the chalet

If you're coming from the French side (whether from Geneva, Lyon or elsewhere), here are directions to get to the chalet. If you're coming from Italy, follow the signs for Monte Bianco, go through the tunnel, then use the same directions below.

Follow the signs on the A40/N205 towards Chamonix. When you reach Chamonix, stay on the same main road, which is signposted towards Argentiere, Martigny (Suisse) and Les Praz. You'll skirt around the centre of town, crossing 2 or 3 roundabouts. The road then bends around to the left and you'll cross a railway level crossing. The road continues around to the left, rising on a bridge over some more rail tracks. It then straightens up before hitting a roundabout, behind which you'll see a car park. Turn right at this roundabout – again signposted towards Argentiere, Martigny (Suisse) and Les Praz.

Drive another 2km up this road until you reach the village of Les Praz. Turn left at the roundabout by the church (signposted to the Flégère cable car) and drive another 100m to a junction. Cross over the junction into the car park for the Flégère cable car. Then bear left into the overflow car park area (passing in front of the Ravanel ski hire shop) and drive a further 50m where you'll see a gate on your right marked Clos des Vorgeats. There's a big pink-painted building called 'Hotel Splendid & Golf' on your left. Park the car anywhere there and come through the pedestrian side gate into the Clos. We're the 4th house around to the left – number 228.

Getting about in Chamonix

Depending on when you're here, you can get around the valley by foot, bike, bus, taxi or car.

The bus stop is 100m from the chalet, taking you up the valley to Argentière/Le Tour (15-20 mins) or back into town (5 mins). Services are very frequent during the winter and summer seasons. Winter daytime buses are included with your lift pass.

The chalet is 20-30 mins' walk from the centre of town along a lovely riverside path (lit at night). Or you can drive in – which takes about 5 mins.

Taxis are available, though they are few and far between (approx 20€ each way for up to 6 people).

Map of the Haute-Savoie region

Click here for a Michelin map of the Haute-Savoie region. Chamonix is centre-right. You can re-centre the map and zoom in & out until you find what you want.

Useful links

We try to keep this list updated, but sometimes airlines introduce new services and sometimes they withdraw existing services. Check out their sites for the most up-to-date info.

www.easyjet.com - low-cost flights into Geneva, Turin, Lyon and Grenoble from the UK, Holland, Spain, Italy, France, Hungary and Germany

www.ba.com - British Airways site (sometimes cheaper than easyjet) with flights to Geneva, Turin and Lyon from across the UK

www.ryanair.com – Ryanair flights from London to Turin or Grenoble (less than 2 hrs from Chamonix)

www.airfrance.com – Air France site, with flights into Geneva and Lyon

www.swiss.com - Swiss International Airlines site - flights to Geneva from all over

www.bmibaby.com - low-cost flights to Geneva from E Midlands, Cardiff, Manchester and Teesside

www.jet2.com - low-cost flights to Geneva or Chambery from Leeds-Bradford and Manchester

www.flybe.com - low-cost flights to Geneva or Chambery from Southampton, Birmingham, Exeter or Norwich

www.flyglobespan.com - low-cost flights to Geneva from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stansted

www.gva.ch - list of airlines flying in/out of Geneva Airport; also live arrivals & departures info + departures info from Geneva Airport

www.sncf.com - SNCF (France's national railways)

www.viamichelin.co.uk - Michelin's excellent general travel info site