How to get to the start of the Tour du Mont Blanc

How to Get to the Start of the Tour du Mont Blanc: A Traveler’s Guide

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of the world’s most iconic long-distance alpine hikes - a stunning 170 km loop around the Mont Blanc massif, taking you through France, Italy, and Switzerland. For hikers coming from the United States and Canada, the journey starts long before you hit the trailhead. One of the most common questions we hear is where does the Tour du Mont Blanc start? And how do I actually get there? This guide will walk you through the best ways to reach the trail and prepare for your adventure.

Man walking out of a mountain hut with his suitcase

Where Does the Tour du Mont Blanc Start?

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a circular route, so technically it hasn’t got a single, fixed beginning and end - hikers can begin and finish at multiple points along the circuit. However, Les Houches is the main starting point for our Macs Adventure itineraries, with Chamonix as the starting point for our Classic Walks of Mont Blanc itinerary, because they’re easy to reach and well-connected.

Popular Starting Locations

Les Houches, France – Widely considered the traditional start of the TMB; marked by an official trailhead arch in the village centre.
Chamonix, France – The vibrant base town in the Chamonix Valley is a common gateway with excellent transport links and services.

Tip: Starting from Les Houches is particularly convenient for North American visitors because it’s directly accessible from major airports via public transport.

Hotel gai soleil chalet hotel and maison noel restaurant in les contamines

How to Get to the Start of the Tour du Mont Blanc

Traveling from the United States or Canada to the Alps involves a few key steps - but with good planning, you can reach the trailhead smoothly and start your trek refreshed.

Step 1: Fly into a Major European Hub

For nearly all Tour du Mont Blanc trips, the first leg will be a flight from North America to Europe. The most convenient airports are:

Geneva Airport (GVA), Switzerland

This is the most popular choice for TMB travel, with several direct flights from North America, making it one of the easiest ways to arrive before your alpine hike.

Direct flights from the USA to Geneva:

New York (JFK)
Washington D.C. (IAD)

Direct flights from Canada to Geneva:

Montreal (YUL)

Tip: Other U.S. cities - like Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Denver, and Atlanta - frequently offer one-stop or seasonal options.

Flight time from major North American cities is typically around 8–10 hours direct to Geneva, though exact times vary by route and carrier.

two people sat on a wooden bridge

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), France

Paris is one of the easiest and most flexible gateways from North America, with extensive direct flight options from both the USA and Canada - and a very good excuse to turn your TMB into a two-part adventure.

Direct flights from the USA to Paris:

Atlanta (ATL)
Boston (BOS)
Charlotte (CLT)
Chicago (ORD)
Cincinnati (CVG)
Dallas (DFW)
Denver (DEN)
Detroit (DTW)
Durham (RDU)
Houston (IAH)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Miami (MIA)
Minneapolis (MSP)
New York (JFK & Newark)
Orlando (MCO)
Philadelphia (PHL)
Phoenix (PHX)
Salt Lake City (SLC)
San Francisco (SFO)
Seattle (SEA)
Washington D.C. (IAD)

Direct flights from Canada to Paris:

Montreal (YUL)
Toronto (YYZ)
Vancouver (YVR)

From Paris, you can take a high-speed train (TGV) to Geneva or directly to the Alps, making onward travel surprisingly smooth.

Why choose Paris? Add a few days for café terraces, croissants, and a gentle ease into European time before heading for the mountains.

Zurich Airport (ZRH), Switzerland

Zurich is another excellent entry point, particularly for those looking for efficient onward travel and Swiss precision from the moment you land.

Direct flights from the USA to Zurich:

Atlanta (ATL)
Boston (BOS)
Chicago (ORD)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Miami (MIA)
New York (JFK & Newark)
Philadelphia (PHL)
San Francisco (SFO)
Seattle (SEA)
Washington D.C. (IAD)

Direct flights from Canada to Zurich:

Toronto (YYZ)
Vancouver (YVR)

From Zurich, it’s easy to connect via train to Geneva, Champex-Lac, or other Swiss access points on the TMB route.

Why choose Zurich? Seamless trains, scenic routes, and just enough time for lakeside wandering before swapping city views for alpine ones.

tour du mont blanc

Milan Airports (MXP & LIN), Italy

Flying into Milan is a great option if you fancy starting your TMB journey with a dose of Italian style - and perhaps your first proper espresso of the trip.

Direct flights from the USA to Milan:

Atlanta (ATL)
Boston (BOS)
Chicago (ORD)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Miami (MIA)
New York (JFK & Newark)
Philadelphia (PHL)

Direct flights from Canada to Milan:

Montreal (YUL)

From Milan, you can travel by train or transfer to Courmayeur - one of the most scenic starting points on the Italian side of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Why choose Milan? A ready-made city break of aperitivo, architecture, and excellent food before heading into the mountains.

Tip: If you’re weighing up flight options, these larger hubs often offer more availability and competitive fares than Geneva - and the chance to ease into your trip with a city break before lacing up your boots.

two women looking at a map

Step 2: Transfer from the Airport to the Trail Region

Once in Europe, you’ll complete your journey to the mountains by train or bus.

From Geneva Airport

Shuttle Services:

Several shared or private shuttles run between Geneva Airport and Chamonix/Les Houches during hiking season.
Macs Adventure is partnered with Mountain Drop Offs and offers a discount code for your transfer from the airport to your first accommodation.

Train & Bus:

Take a Swiss train or regional shuttle from Geneva Airport to Geneva city center.
From Geneva, you can catch shuttle buses to Chamonix and then a local bus/train onward to Les Houches - the primary TMB start point.

From Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Train:

Take the high-speed TGV train from Paris (Gare de Lyon) to Geneva, Annecy, or Bellegarde.
From there, continue by bus or train to Chamonix and Les Houches.
Total journey time: around 5–7 hours, depending on connections.

Good to know: The train journey is smooth, scenic, and far less effort than navigating Paris traffic.

From Zurich Airport (ZRH)

Train:

Take a direct Swiss train from Zurich Airport to Geneva (around 3 hours).
From Geneva, continue by bus or transfer to Chamonix/Les Houches.

Good to know: Swiss trains run like clockwork - reliable, comfortable, and with views that make the journey part of the adventure.

From Milan (MXP / LIN)

Train:

Take a train from Milan to Courmayeur (via Aosta) - a popular Italian starting point on the TMB.
Journey time: around 3–4 hours.

Good to know: Starting in Courmayeur offers a slightly different perspective on the TMB - and a strong introduction to Italian mountain culture.

Tip: Whichever airport you fly into, aim to arrive at least a day before your hike begins. It gives you time to adjust to the time zone, enjoy the journey in, and start your TMB feeling rested - not rushed.

people walking along a river on the TMB

Top Travel Tips

When to Go

The hiking season for the Tour du Mont Blanc typically runs from early July through early September, when trails and mountain huts are open. While most of the snow will have melted from the passes, some will remain throughout the season, especially in early July and early September.

Planning Your Arrival

Allow 1–2 days before your TMB start to recover from jet lag and explore the area.
Consider booking accommodations in Chamonix or Les Houches the night before your trek – one of our adventure specialists can help with this!

Packing and Preparation

With Macs Adventure, luggage transfers are included, which means you only need the daily essentials with you on the trail. We suggest packing the following in your day bag:

Layers
Extra socks
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Hat
Rain gear
Phone – to use our navigational app
Portable charger – to keep your phone charged
Plenty of snacks and water
Passport - for when checking into your accommodations along the route

See our complete TMB packing list >

Three people enjoying an ice cream on the TMB

Why Choose Macs Adventure for Your TMB Hike?

At Macs Adventure, we specialize in expertly planned self-guided adventures. With detailed route notes, GPS navigation, luggage transfers, and 24/7 on-the-ground support, you can focus on the joy of hiking - not the logistics.

Explore our Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided trips and start planning your alpine adventure today.