Where is Courmayeur, Italy?
Courmayeur is deep in the Aosta Valley Italy, gloriously surrounded by Europe’s highest mountains near the borders of France & Switzerland.
The Courmayeur ski resort is located 150km north of Turin in the Valle d’Aosta. The town & ski resort are on the ‘sunny side’ of Monte Bianco 35km west of Aosta & 22km southeast of Chamonix via the Mont Blanc tunnel.
Flights to Courmayeur
The best international gateway airports for Courmayeur are Turin (TRN), Milan (MXP) or Geneva (GVA). Turin airport is available to Europe or UK based Powderhounds. Those from further afield are best to use Milan Malpensa or Geneva in Switzerland. Geneva is the closest major airport to Courmayeur, only 118km away, but does involve travel through the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
Search & book a flight to Turin, Milan or other European airport, use our recommended flight search engine.
Transport options to Courmayeur from either airport include car rental, private transfers & public train/bus combinations (see below).
Airport Transfers
The Powderhounds recommend taking public transport from the airport to Courmayeur but understand that is not for everyone. If you cannot abide public transport, are in a larger group of 3 or more people or just have the cash to splash, the quickest way to Courmayeur from the airports is a private transfer. Search & book private transfers to Courmayeur.
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Train & Bus Transport to Courmayeur
If one does not have a car or wish to pay for private transfers, travel to Courmayeur from Aosta, Geneva, Turin or Milan is possible via public bus (Savda and/or Sadem), or combination of train & bus. Other private bus transfer services exist.
Search & book bus tickets direct from Chamonix, Geneva, Lyon, Milan or Turin to Courmayeur here.
From Geneva airport to Courmayeur public bus services run twice daily (& 3 times on weekends). See timetable here.
From Milan Malpensa airport to Courmayeur, public bus services run twice daily (& 3 times on weekends) with a change required in Aosta. See timetable here.
From Turin airport it is necessary to travel into central Turin. Regular buses make the 45min journey and stop at both major railway station in Turin (Porta Nuova and Porta Susa). The main bus terminal (Autostazione corso Bolzano) is conveniently situated opposite the Porta Susa railway station. Buses to Courmayeur leave from both main train stations three times daily (& 4 times on Fridays). See timetable here.
Trains no longer go to Courmayeur and the line terminates at Aosta. All train services to Aosta start at Chivasso on the main Milan-Turin line. At least 12 services run to Aosta per day. From Aosta, the bus to Courmayeur runs every hour and can be taken from the bus terminal across the road from the train station.
Once in Courmayeur, all local timetables are on display and any questions can be answered by the friendly staff at the main bus terminal in the centre of town.
Driving to Courmayeur
Driving to Courmayeur is as easy (& potentially expensive) as sticking to the motorways. Driving in from France is far more expensive than Italy due to higher motorway tolls and the exorbitant Mont Blanc Tunnel (MBT) toll.
From Turin or Milan, reasonably priced motorway tolls can be expected. The drive from Milan Malpensa airport is entirely on tolled and toll-free motorways allowing for the 215km journey to take only 2¼hr. From Turin airport the 15okm takes 1hr40min. The E25 motorway runs through, under and around the Aosta Valley directly to Courmayeur. There are two exits for town prior to the entrance to the MBT.
From France, head to Chamonix on the N205 road and take the MBT directly to Courmayeur.
From Switzerland, depending on starting point, routes can be via France directly to the MBT (118km from Geneva airport or 1.5hr) or a much longer journey via Martigny to either Chamonix or Aosta (through the Grand Saint Bernard Tunnel) . Note that the Grand Saint Bernard Tunnel is shorter and more scenic than the MBT, but only a little less costly. The trade-off is Swiss roads don’t have tolls, however a single one-off fee for all motorways may be required to be paid at border crossings.
Car Rental
All the major airports and cities have car hire available, however if coming into Courmayeur via Turin or Milan, we recommend avoiding driving in the city and getting a vehicle directly from the airport. Ensure the hire car comes with snow tyres and/or snow chains (bare minimum). All-wheel drive or 4WD vehicles offer the safest driving experience but driving to Courmayeur is generally on major roads at low elevation, so it is not absolutely necessary unless planning on driving to Cervinia or other such location.
Search & book here for all rental cars.
Getting Around the Ski Resort
Local buses run by Savda do regular circuits around Courmayeur from the central bus station and to the Dolonne gondola, Entreves & the Skyway Monte Bianco (cost €1 a trip).
Unless staying out of town or heading to Entreves and the Skyway Monte Bianco, Courmayeur is small enough to walk most places. From the Dolonne gondola into the centre of Courmayeur is around a 10min walk in ski boots.
Nearby Ski Resorts
At the head of the Aosta Valley, Courmayeur is an easy day trip to the excellent La Thuile, Pila and Crevacol. Other Valle d’Aosta ski resorts further down valley make the area an excellent ‘ski safari’ location and include Cervinia Valtournenche & Monterosa.
The French Chamonix ski areas are close via a short bus or car drive. If driving, the cost of the Mont Blanc Tunnel may come as a shock.