Aiguille du Midi cable car, Chamonix, France

The Aiguille du Midi cable car is one of the most famous mountain lifts in the world. In about 20 minutes it climbs more than 2,700 m from the centre of Chamonix to the Aiguille du Midi, a granite peak in the Mont Blanc massif, where terraces at 3,842 m look straight across to the summit of Mont Blanc.

It is not a local transport line but a high-mountain lift used by sightseers, climbers and skiers. From the top, mountaineers set off for Mont Blanc du Tacul and skiers for the Vallée Blanche off-piste run.

Location and Route

The valley station is a short walk from the centre of Chamonix, and the ride is split into two sections:

• Lower station: Chamonix (1,035 m)
• Mid-station: Plan de l’Aiguille (2,317 m), start of the Grand Balcon Nord trail to Montenvers
• Upper station: Aiguille du Midi (3,777 m), with a lift up to the summit terrace at 3,842 m

The upper section spans almost 2.9 km without a single pylon, straight up to the rock needle. In summer the small cabins of the Panoramic Mont-Blanc continue across the glaciers of the Vallée Blanche to Pointe Helbronner on the Italian border.

History

• Opened: 1955
• At the time of opening, it was the highest cable car in the world
• Step into the Void: the glass box hanging over a 1,000 m drop opened in 2013

Building the line on a bare granite spire was a major feat of engineering, and the cable car soon became a symbol of Chamonix. It is run today by the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc.

Tickets and Prices

The cable car has its own fares, and a time slot must be booked in advance (free of charge). Prices for June to November 2026:

• Return Chamonix – Aiguille du Midi: €60.20–83 for adults, depending on the date and time slot
• Return to Plan de l’Aiguille only: €43
• Children and seniors: €51.20–70.60 for ages 5–14 and 65+; children under 5 travel free
• Return Chamonix – Helbronner: €125.50, including the Panoramic Mont-Blanc

The lift to the summit terrace and Step into the Void are included. The MONT BLANC MultiPass also covers the Aiguille du Midi.

Operating Schedule

• Season: open most of the year, with short closures for maintenance
• Typical hours: first cabin around 8:00, last return between 16:30 and 17:30 depending on the season
• Frequency: continuous or every 15–30 minutes, depending on demand

Operation depends heavily on weather, wind and visibility, so check the live status before you go. At 3,842 m the air is thin and cold even in summer, so take warm clothes and go up slowly if you are sensitive to altitude.

Unique Features

The Aiguille du Midi cable car is unique because it:

• Climbs more than 2,700 m in about 20 minutes
• Offers direct access to glaciers and high-mountain terrain
• Provides panoramic views of Mont Blanc, France, Italy, and Switzerland
• Includes attractions such as observation terraces and the famous glass platform “Step into the Void”

At the top station, visitors move through tunnels, elevators, and terraces carved into the rock.