Aiguille du Midi cable car

What it is

The Aiguille du Midi cable car climbs from the south of the town, at 1,035 m, to the summit terraces at 3,842 m. It does so in two stages, changing cabins at the Plan de l'Aiguille, halfway up. At the top you face the north face of Mont Blanc, with the glaciers at your feet and, on clear days, the Swiss and Italian Alps on the horizon. It is the excursion that justifies the trip to Chamonix, and the one to book on the first clear day.

On the summit there are several terraces linked by walkways and an indoor lift. The best known is the Step into the Void (Pas dans le Vide), a glass box with glass on five sides hanging over more than a thousand metres of drop; you reach it by lift, also with reduced mobility. There is also a glazed tube along the ridge and the start of the Vallée Blanche, the snow ridge that mountaineers descend: that one is not for you unless you go with a guide and equipment.

Price, hours and booking

The round trip to the summit costs €60.20 to €83 per adult depending on the date; €51.20 to €70.60 for children aged 5 to 14 and over-65s; and €186.70 to €257.40 for the family ticket. If you only want to go up to the Plan de l'Aiguille, to walk the north balcony, it is €24.50 round trip.

Booking is compulsory: besides the ticket you need a boarding number, which you request free on the website, even if you have a multi-day pass. In winter 2026-2027 the first cabin leaves at 8:10, and at 7:30 at weekends and bank holiday weekends from March to May; cabins leave every 10, 15 or 30 minutes depending on the crowds. After the autumn maintenance, the cable car reopens on 19 December 2026. Hours may change with the weather and the service.

Altitude and health

You climb almost 2,800 m in a few minutes and the air up there has far less oxygen. The company does not admit children under 3, advises against the trip for under-5s and asks older people to follow their doctor's advice. It is not recommended with a heavy cold or heart problems. If you feel dizzy or get a headache, come down. Animals are not allowed and drones are banned.

Getting there

The station is at 100 place de l'Aiguille du Midi, ten minutes' walk from the centre. If you are staying in the valley, the SNCF train and the bus bring you close; by car there are paid car parks in the south of the town.