The Aiguille du Midi is the easiest way to see Mont Blanc up close without being a mountaineer: a two-stage cable car climbs from Chamonix (1,035 m / 3,396 ft) to 3,842 m (12,605 ft), facing the summit. The adult round-trip ticket costs €60.20 to €83.00 depending on the date, and booking a time slot is compulsory. This guide gathers the official hours and prices of the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc, the best time to go up and what you need to know about altitude.
The ride combines with the other sites in the valley covered in our guide to things to do in Chamonix: Montenvers and the Mer de Glace, the Brévent, Lac Blanc. The cog railway and the ice cave have their own guide: visiting the Mer de Glace.
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Aiguille du Midi: key facts
- Hours: from 28 September to 1 November 2026, opens 8:10 am, last round-trip ascent 3 pm, last descent 4:30 pm; in July and August, opens 6:10 am and last descent 6 pm — checked on 15 October 2026 on montblancnaturalresort.com
- Annual closure: 2 November to 18 December 2026 for works and maintenance; reopening announced for 19 December — checked on 15 October 2026 on montblancnaturalresort.com
- Standard price: round trip Chamonix–Aiguille du Midi, adult (ages 15–64) €60.20 to €83.00 depending on the date; ages 5–14 and 65 and over €51.20 to €70.60; free under 5 (at the ticket desk, with proof) — checked on 15 October 2026 on montblancnaturalresort.com
- Booking: free and compulsory (boarding number); same-day tickets at the ticket desk subject to availability — checked on 15 October 2026 on montblancnaturalresort.com
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours round trip on average, up to twice that when it is busy; 1 hour 30 minutes at the top — checked on 15 October 2026 on montblancnaturalresort.com
- Prices recorded on 15 October 2026 (price grid valid from 1 June to 30 November 2026) and subject to change: check before you go.
The Aiguille du Midi, the best viewpoint on Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc rises above 4,800 m (15,748 ft); 4,807 m (15,771 ft) according to Wikidata, as the altitude varies slightly from one measurement to another. From the terraces of the Aiguille du Midi, its summit is only 5.4 km (3 mi) away as the crow flies and about 960 m (3,150 ft) higher: it is the closest view reachable by cable car on the French side. Climbing Mont Blanc itself is mountaineering; the Aiguille is also the starting point for alpine routes and the Vallée Blanche, hence the first cabins reserved for mountaineers.
| Landmark | Altitude | Destination de Voyage calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Chamonix, departure station | 1,035 m (3,396 ft) | — |
| Aiguille du Midi, terraces | 3,842 m (12,605 ft) | +2,807 m (9,209 ft) from Chamonix |
| Mont Blanc summit | 4,807 m (15,771 ft) (Wikidata) | 5.4 km (3 mi) and ≈ 965 m (3,166 ft) above the Aiguille |
Tickets: official vs resellers
The official ticket office sells the ticket and the time slot reservation in one transaction. The round-trip price to the summit is dynamic (€60.20 to €83.00 for an adult); the other trips have a fixed price:
| Trip (round trip unless stated) | Adult 15–64 | Ages 5–14 and 65+ | Family (« tribu ») |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamonix > Aiguille du Midi | €60.20 to €83.00 | €51.20 to €70.60 | €186.70 to €257.40 |
| Chamonix > Plan de l’Aiguille | €43.00 | €36.60 | €133.40 |
| Plan de l’Aiguille > Aiguille du Midi | €40.00 | €34.00 | — |
| Chamonix > Helbronner (Panoramic Mont-Blanc) | €125.50 | €106.70 | €389.10 |
| Aiguille du Midi > Helbronner, one way (bought at the summit) | €42.50 | €36.10 | €131.70 |
The MONT BLANC MultiPass (from €95.60 for an adult, 1 to 9 days) includes the Aiguille du Midi and other sites (Montenvers–Mer de Glace, the Mont-Blanc Tramway, walking areas); reserving a time slot remains compulsory and free. The Panoramic Mont-Blanc is not included. Destination de Voyage calculation: the adult MultiPass costs at least €12.60 more than the round trip at its highest price, and €35.40 more than at its lowest price: it only makes sense if you visit a second paid site the same day that costs more than that difference.
Tickets bought online are non-changeable and non-refundable, except in case of closure for technical or weather reasons, according to the official FAQ. Some platforms sell excursions that include the ride: check that they include a reserved slot, because without a boarding number access to the cable car is refused.
Opening hours and closing days
| Period (2026) | Opening | Last round-trip ascent | Last one-way ascent | Last descent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–31 May | 8:10 am (7:30 am weekends and public holidays) | 3:30 pm | 4:30 pm | 5 pm |
| 1–12 June | 8:10 am (7:30 am weekends) | 4 pm | 5 pm | 5:30 pm |
| 13–30 June | 7:10 am | 4 pm | 5 pm | 5:30 pm |
| 1 July–23 August | 6:10 am | 4:30 pm | 5:30 pm | 6 pm |
| 24–30 August | 7:10 am | 4 pm | 5 pm | 5:30 pm |
| 31 August–13 September | 8:10 am | 4 pm | 5 pm | 5:30 pm |
| 14–27 September | 8:10 am | 3:30 pm | 4:30 pm | 5 pm |
| 28 September–1 November | 8:10 am | 3 pm | 4 pm | 4:30 pm |
| 2 November–18 December | Closed (works and maintenance) | — | — | — |
| 19 December 2026–28 March 2027 | 8:10 am | 3 pm | 4 pm | 4:30 pm |
The site can also close temporarily because of wind or weather: on the day we recorded it, it was shown as « closed » despite being within the opening period. Check the live info and the webcam on the official website the same morning. The Step into the Void is not guaranteed (crowds, lifts, very low temperatures, frost, strong wind). The Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola to Italy ran from 13 July to 27 September in 2026 — checked on 15 October 2026 on montblancnaturalresort.com.
Best time to go up the Aiguille du Midi
The first criterion is visibility: if the summit is in cloud, the view of Mont Blanc is nil. The summer months offer the longest opening hours; September is often quieter. The table gives, for each month, sunrise and sunset times at the summit and the valley normals.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Valley max | Valley rain | Cable car |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8:10 am | 5:13 pm | 9 h 04 | 1.2 °C (34 °F) | 97.2 mm (3.8 in) | Open |
| February | 7:35 am | 5:58 pm | 10 h 23 | 5.0 °C (41 °F) | 77.3 mm (3.0 in) | Open |
| March | 6:45 am | 6:37 pm | 11 h 52 | 9.8 °C (50 °F) | 77.8 mm (3.1 in) | Open |
| April | 6:47 am | 8:18 pm | 13 h 32 | 14.0 °C (57 °F) | 86.8 mm (3.4 in) | Not published for 2027 |
| May | 6:01 am | 8:57 pm | 14 h 56 | 18.0 °C (64 °F) | 121.6 mm (4.8 in) | Open (2026 calendar) |
| June | 5:41 am | 9:24 pm | 15 h 43 | 21.8 °C (71 °F) | 122.1 mm (4.8 in) | Open (2026 calendar) |
| July | 5:56 am | 9:19 pm | 15 h 23 | 23.9 °C (75 °F) | 121.1 mm (4.8 in) | Open (2026 calendar) |
| August | 6:31 am | 8:41 pm | 14 h 10 | 23.4 °C (74 °F) | 125.7 mm (4.9 in) | Open (2026 calendar) |
| September | 7:10 am | 7:44 pm | 12 h 34 | 18.8 °C (66 °F) | 96.9 mm (3.8 in) | Open (2026 calendar) |
| October | 7:48 am | 6:47 pm | 10 h 59 | 14.1 °C (57 °F) | 101.4 mm (4.0 in) | Open (2026 calendar) |
| November | 7:31 am | 5:01 pm | 9 h 29 | 6.9 °C (44 °F) | 93.7 mm (3.7 in) | Closed (maintenance) |
| December | 8:06 am | 4:48 pm | 8 h 41 | 0.7 °C (33 °F) | 111.1 mm (4.4 in) | From the 19th |
How to read it: in July the sun rises around 6 am at the summit and the cable car opens at 6:10 am; taking one of the first public cabins lets you enjoy the often clearer morning air, before the afternoon thunderclouds that are common in summer in the valley. In winter, the last round-trip ascent (3 pm) comes well before sunset.
Crowds: the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc does not publish daily figures; it says that places are put back on sale, notably the day before, and advises arriving at opening time. Summer vacation periods are the busiest (see our Chamonix page for crowds by month).
What to see at the summit and suggested route
- The cable car: two stages via the Plan de l’Aiguille, 65-person cabins, 20 to 40 minutes of travel depending on crowds.
- The terraces (3,842 m / 12,605 ft): panorama over the French, Swiss and Italian Alps, facing Mont Blanc.
- The lift and the Step into the Void: a glass cage above the drop, free access included in the ticket, not guaranteed depending on conditions.
- The Tube: a gallery that circles the central spire, at over 3,700 m (12,139 ft).
- The Panoramic Mont-Blanc (summer): a gondola to the Pointe Helbronner, in Italy, above the glaciers; separate ticket.
- On the way back: a stop at the Plan de l’Aiguille, which the FAQ recommends on the way down rather than on the way up; the Grand Balcon Nord trail to Montenvers starts there.
Checklist: warm clothing (hat, gloves, jacket) even in July, sunglasses and sunscreen, water, a charged phone for the ticket; the return half of the ticket can be used up to 7 days after the ascent, according to the FAQ.
Altitude, health and restrictions
The official website bans children under 3 from going up and advises against it under 5. It advises against the trip in case of a heavy cold or a heart problem; for elderly people, « unless medically advised otherwise ». There is no regulatory contraindication for pregnant women, but the site recommends consulting your doctor if in doubt. At 3,842 m (12,605 ft), breathlessness and headaches are possible: the staff are trained, so report any discomfort.
Getting there and accessibility
Departure station: 100 place de l’Aiguille du Midi, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Nearest paid car park: the Grépon car park, in the town center. By bus: the « Le Mulet » shuttle or line V2 (stop « Jean Franco »); the MONT BLANC MultiPass gives access to valley buses in summer — checked on 15 October 2026 on montblancnaturalresort.com. To reach Chamonix by train or via Geneva, see our guide to visiting Chamonix.
Reduced mobility: wheelchair access for accompanied visitors, 2 wheelchairs maximum per cabin, an accessible lift for the Step into the Void, adapted toilets at the departure station and at the summit; the dining area at the summit is not accessible. Assistance dogs and guide dogs are admitted at no extra charge with proof; other animals are not allowed. Free left-luggage (carry-on size) at the departure station.
Common mistakes (official rules)
- Going up without a reserved slot: the boarding number is compulsory, even with a pass.
- Counting on the first cabins: the first 5 cannot be booked online, they are reserved for mountaineers.
- Paying online without checking the weather: the ticket is not refundable, except for a technical or weather closure.
- Coming in November or early December: annual maintenance closure.
- Going up with a baby under 3: not allowed.
- Bringing a drone or a pet: not allowed.
- Venturing onto the ridge or the glaciers without equipment: these are mountaineering terrain, reserved for mountaineers or clients of a guide.
What to see nearby
In the valley, our guide to things to do in Chamonix details Montenvers and the Mer de Glace, the Brévent and Lac Blanc. For another Alpine trip, see Annecy, our guide to Switzerland or the one on the Dolomites. And for more ideas in France: travel to France.
History of the Aiguille du Midi and its cable car
The Aiguille du Midi rises to 3,842 m (12,605 ft). Its north summit was first climbed on 4 August 1818 by Count Antoni Malczewski, accompanied by Jean-Michel Balmat and five other guides; the central summit was climbed on 5 August 1856.
An earlier cable car, whose first section opened in 1924, was the first passenger cable car in France. The current installation was built from 1951 to 1955; it was then billed as the highest and longest cable car in the world, with a 3 km (2 mi) span without a pylon. The Step into the Void, a glass cage above more than 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of drop, opened in December 2013. At the summit, a museum area traces the conquest of the massif.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to go up the Aiguille du Midi?
The round trip Chamonix–Aiguille du Midi costs €60.20 to €83.00 for an adult depending on the date (price grid from 1 June to 30 November 2026, recorded on 15 October 2026 on the official website). Free for under 5s, at the ticket desk.
Do you need to book the Aiguille du Midi?
Yes: reserving a time slot is free and compulsory. Some tickets are still sold at the ticket desk on the day, subject to availability.
How long does it take to go up the Aiguille du Midi?
20 to 40 minutes of travel depending on crowds, and 2 to 3 hours in all for the visit, according to the official FAQ.
Can you see Mont Blanc from the Aiguille du Midi?
Yes, in clear weather: the summit of Mont Blanc is about 5.4 km (3 mi) from the terraces as the crow flies (Destination de Voyage calculation). Check the webcam before you go up.
What is the best time to go to the Aiguille du Midi?
June to September for the longest hours, early in the morning and under a clear sky; the cable car is closed for maintenance from 2 November to 18 December 2026.
Our sources
- Wikipedia, « Aiguille du Midi » article (first ascents, cable car history, Step into the Void), consulted on 16 October 2026
- Chamonix Valley tourist office (chamonix.com), Aiguille du Midi page, consulted on 16 October 2026
- Compagnie du Mont-Blanc, official Aiguille du Midi website (aiguilledumidi.montblancnaturalresort.com): hours and prices, ticket office, access and maps, FAQ, Panoramic Mont-Blanc, consulted on 15 October 2026
- Météo-France: 1991–2020 normals, Les Houches station (1,004 m), taken from our Chamonix page
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, IANA Europe/Paris time zone, applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates of the Aiguille du Midi (15th of each month, year 2027)
- Wikidata: coordinates and altitudes of the Aiguille du Midi (Q404728) and Mont Blanc (Q583)
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026. Prices and hours may change: check the official website before you go.
