Transport & the TMB: How to Get Around Between Chamonix, Les Houches and Le Fayet?

Once parking is sorted, there's one last logistical detail before lacing up your boots: how do you reach Les Houches, the official starting point of the Tour du Mont Blanc, from your arrival station or car park? Good news: the Chamonix valley has one of the densest transport networks in the French Alps.

The Mont-Blanc Express train: the perfect link between Le Fayet, Chamonix and Les Houches

The Mont-Blanc Express is a rack railway connecting Saint-Gervais - Le Fayet to Vallorcine (and Martigny in Switzerland), serving every station in the valley: Les Houches, Chamonix, Argentière, Montroc, Vallorcine. It's the backbone of TMB transport.

• Le Fayet → Les Houches: about 15 minutes, several departures per hour in high season.
• Chamonix → Les Houches: about 10 minutes.
• Frequency: a train every 30 to 60 minutes depending on the season, with extra services in July-August.

The Chamonix valley bus network (Line 1)

Alongside the train, Line 1 of the Chamonix Bus network serves the whole valley, from Le Tour to Servoz via Les Houches, Chamonix-centre and Argentière. It's the most flexible option for short trips.

• Timetables: reinforced service from June to September, with buses every 15 to 20 minutes during the day in high season.
• Access: stops serving the main car parks directly and the TMB start in Les Houches ("Les Houches Télécabine" stop).
• High-season tip: in July-August, buses can fill up at peak times (8-10am). Allow a 20-30 minute margin if you have a train or gondola time to catch.

The TMB shuttle and connections with Italy and Switzerland (Courmayeur / Orsières)

For hikers completing the full loop, dedicated shuttles serve the Italian and Swiss sections of the route. From Courmayeur (Italian side), regional buses and seasonal shuttles reach the Mont Blanc tunnel toward Chamonix. On the Swiss side, a regular bus line connects Orsières, Champex-Lac and La Fouly, with connections to Martigny and the Mont-Blanc Express network.

These cross-border connections are especially useful for hikers who, in case of the unexpected (weather, a minor injury, fatigue), need to quickly reach a transport hub and get back to their car parked on the French side.

The winning combination: park your car securely and take the bus or train to the start

The strategy most used by experienced TMB hikers: book a secure private spot in a slightly outlying town (Le Fayet, Passy, Les Contamines) where parking is easier and cheaper, then reach Les Houches by train or bus in under 20 minutes.

We left the car with a local host in Le Fayet, at €8/day. The next morning, 15 minutes by train and we were at the starting arch, without spending an hour looking for a spot like the year before.

— A TMB hiker, sharing their experience

This combination — private parking plus public transport — removes both the stress of finding a spot on departure day and the risk of leaving your car unsupervised in a public car park for 7 to 11 days.

Book your parking near your departure station

Discover our verified private spots in Les Houches, Chamonix, Le Fayet and Les Contamines — each just a few minutes' walk or bus ride from a station or Line 1 stop.