The French Alps - France 2014 - page 1216

The Multipass ticket option saves time and money for most, particularly if you're
spending two or more days in the Chamonix valley. It allows unlimited access to all the
lifts and trains (except the Helbronner gondola to Italy), and includes all reservation fees
(both Aiguille du Midi and Montenvers) and the elevator at the top of Aiguille du Midi.
You also get discounts for various activities in Chamonix, such as the Parc de Loisirs des
Planards.
Best of all, it allows you to bypass lift-ticket lines after your first purchase. Your
pass is a smart card, valid all day, that allows you to scan your way to the top, letting you
ride lifts you'd otherwise skip—hop on a lift just to have a drink from a view café at the
top (€55/1 day, €68/2 days, €79/3 days, €94/4 days, €104/5 days, available for up to 15
days; days are consecutive, though youcan buya more expensive pass fornonconsecutive
days;kidsages4-15—andkidsover64—payabout15percentlessfortwo-dayandlonger
passes, kids under 4 may not be allowed). The one-day price is a good savings if you plan
to do the round-trip lift from Chamonix to Aiguille du Midi plus the round-trip train from
ChamonixtoMontenvers(andnothikebetweenthetwo).Noticethatatwo-daypasscosts
only€13morethanaone-daypass.Familiescanbenefitfromreducedfares(2adultsand2
children ages 15 and under). The pass is sold online ( www.compagniedumontblanc.com ),
at participating lift stations, and at some hotels for no added cost.
By Foot: See “Chamonix Area Hikes” on here .
By Bike: The peaceful river valley trail is ideal for bikes (and pedestrians). The TI
has a brochure showing bike-rental shops and the best biking routes.
By Bus or Train: One road and one scenic rail line lace together the valley's towns
and lifts. To help reduce traffic and pollution, your hotel will give you a free Chamonix
GuestCardgoodforfreetravelduringyourstay.ThecardsarevalidonallChamonix-area
buses(exceptthenightbus)andthescenicvalleytrainbetweenServozandVallorcine,and
also give small discounts on a handful of area sights. This is a great value for those with
time to explore the valley.
Localbuses#1,#2,and#21runtovalleyvillages(1-2/hour,mainstopsare200yards
totherightwhenyouleave theTI—pastHôtelMontBlanc—look forthebusshelters, and
onRueJosephVallotwhereitcrossesAvenueduMontBlanc).Direction“LeTour”onbus
#1 and “Les Praz/Flégère” on bus #2 takes you toward Les Praz (for Hikes #2 and #3) and
Switzerland (see map on here ) .
Le Mulet minibusescirculatearoundChamonixvillageandarelifesaversforpooped
hikers; they're especially handy to or from the Aiguille du Midi lift, which is a 15-minute
walk from many hotels (free, every 10 minutes late June-early Sept, otherwise every 20
minutes, 8:30-18:30).