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Table of Contents:
How to get to Courmayeur from Turin
How to get to Courmayeur from Milan
How to get to Courmayeur from Geneva
When to travel to Courmayeur
Courmayeur is considered to be the oldest ski resort in Italy. It is located quite away from the other resorts, almost on the border with France. The treasured Mont Blanc peak is seen from Courmayeur on a sunny day. There are no super long trails for skiing in Courmayeur, but the quality of the trails is impeccable, with different levels of difficulty and ideal coverage. The entertainment options also surprise you with their diversity. Courmayeur is famous for its pedestrian area, or promenade. Restaurants, shops, and thermal complexes can be found here.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Courmayeur. I figured out how to get to the town, where to stay & what to do there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Courmayeur.
Courmayeur is an all-year-round resort. The winter period lasts from December to March incl., when you can try classical skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and other winter kinds of sport. During the period of April to October incl. tourists also can visit Courmayeur for hiking, rock climbing, sightseeing, playing tennis, golf and other summer sports. Natural landscapes are amazingly colorful and inspiring during the summer time. As far as I know, cable cars and lifts operate any season of the year except for a short period of time in November.
How to get to Courmayeur
Where do you fly into to get to Courmayeur? The closest major city to Courmayeur with an international airport is Turin. If you wish, you can also get to Courmayeur from Milan or Geneva, Switzerland. You can check the flight timetable to these cities, as well as purchase tickets, on specialized booking services like Aviasales and other similar ones. I often use Aviasales when planning my trips, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options. Then you can get from these cities to Courmayeur by public transport, by transfer service or by rented car.
How to get to Courmayeur from Turin
After some map examining, I figured out that the distance between Turin and Courmayeur is 147 km. You can get from Turin to the ski resort by public transport (several changes along the way are required), by taxi or transfer services (the most popular type of transportation) or by rented car.
By public transport: There is no train station in Courmayeur, so you need to combine train + bus options. Firstly, you need to take a train from Turin to Aosta town. The travel time is 2 hours. Trains run once in two hours during the day (09.25, 11.25, 13.25, etc.). You can check the current timetable and purchase tickets via Raileurope booking service. It is one of my favourite services as It has a decent search and a lot of convenient filters to sort the results, including duration of a trip, departure and arrival points, number of changes, prices, etc. Then you need to take a bus in Aosta to go directly to Courmayeur. Focus on the bus line # 581. The travel time by bus is about 1 hour.
◊As an option you can also use Flixbus services. During the skiing period (from the end of October until April) there are Flixbus buses, operating directly between Turin and Courmayeur. They run once a day, departing at 11.35 from Corso Vittorio Emanuele. You can purchase tickets online via Flixbus booking service. The travel time by Flixbus is 2 hours 15 minutes. As I know Flixbus is a pretty popular bus service in Europe and designed for cheaper trips with affordable prices.
By transfer service: Private transfer can also be booked in advance. In this case, the driver will be waiting for you at the time of your arrival. The travel time from Turin to Courmayeur takes about 1,5 hours. Ordering a transfer or taxi service is the most popular option for getting to the resort, since it does not require making changes and takes a minimum amount of time. Kiwitaxi, Intui.Travel and other transfer services run along the route. According to my research, both services are good and have a lot of positive reviews. During winter, group transfer services are also available.
By rented car: Various rental offices can be found right at Turin airport. To rent a car you need to have a passport, a driver`s license and a bank card. You can check prices and book a car in advance via specialized international services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. I often use both online services and I can say they have a convenient search and a lot of filters to sort the results as you may need. Turin and Courmayeur are connected with highway No. A5. The travel time takes about 1 hour 50 minutes (see on the map).
How to get to Courmayeur from Milan
By public transport: There is no train station in Courmayeur, so you need to combine train + bus options. Firstly, you need to take a train from Turin to Aosta town (via Turin). The travel time is 3-3,5 hours, depending on the duration of a change in Turin. You can check the current timetable and purchase tickets via Raileurope booking service. I can recommend this online service as I personally use it very often and I think it is pretty much convenient. Then you need to take a bus in Aosta to go directly to Courmayeur. Focus on the bus line # 581. The travel time by bus is about 1 hour.
◊Besides, you can also use a Flixbus service. There are direct Flixbus buses, running 3 times a day from Lampugnano Bus Station, Milan to Courmayeur resort (are available during the skiing period). You can check the current timetable and purchase tickets in advance via Flixbus online service. The travel time is 3-3,5 hours, depending on traffic. As I know Flixbus is a pretty popular bus service in Europe and designed for cheaper trips with affordable prices.
By transfer service: Tourists can also use taxi or transfer services to get to Courmayeur. This option is especially useful in case you bring a lot of pieces of baggage or your own ski equipment with you. There are Kiwitaxi, Intui.Travel and other transfer services, running along the route. Based on my research, both transfer services have a great number of positive reviews. The travel time from Malpensa Airport is just about 2 hours. During winter, group transfer services are also available.
By rented car: As an option, tourists with driver`s license can also rent a car at the airport to get directly to Courmayeur resort. You can book a car in advance via specialized international services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Milan and Courmayeur are connected with motorways # A4/E64 and A5/E25. The distance is 220 km. The approximate travel time is 2,5 hours (see on the map).
How to get to Courmayeur from Geneva
By public transport: There is no train station in Courmayeur, so you need to use bus lines to get to the resort from Geneva. First, you need to take a bus from Geneva to Chamonix. There is a lot of bus companies, running directly from Geneva airport to Chamonix, including Swiss Tours, Alpy Transfers, etc. The travel time is from 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Then you need to take a bus in Chamonix to go directly to Courmayeur. Buses depart from Chamonix Sud and run via Montblanc Tunnel. The travel time is about 45 minutes. The carriers are Arriva and SAT bus companies.
◊During the winter time you can use direct buses of Flixbus company. There are 3 buses a day, departing from Geneva directly to Courmayeur. The departure times are 08.30, 14.55, 22.35. The travel time is about 2-2,5 hours. You can check the current timetable and purchase tickets in advance on the Flixbus online service. As I know Flixbus is a pretty popular bus service in Europe and designed for cheaper trips with affordable prices.
By transfer service: As an option travelers can also use a private taxi or transfer service. In case of booking a transfer car in advance, the driver will be waiting for you at the time of your arrival. Kiwitaxi, Intui.Travel and other transfer services run along the route. The travel time is 1 hour 35 minutes. After examining some information, I can recommend both transfer services as they have a great number of positive reviews.
By rented car: Car rental option is also available at Geneva Airport. To rent a car you need to have a passport, a driver`s license and a credit card. You can book a car in advance via specialized international services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. Please note you may need to register for cross-border insurance to go to Italy. The distance is almost 100 km. The travel time is about 1,5 hours, depending on traffic jams at Mont Blanc Tunnel. Geneva and Courmayeur are connected with motorways # A40 and N205 (see on the map).
Where to stay in Courmayeur
Courmayeur is a classic resort with a hotel accommodation, although renting apartments is also popular. In addition to hotels and apartments, you can also stay in guest houses, B&B`s, and holiday homes in Courmayeur. The price range in Courmayeur is wide; there are both very budget options and luxurious and exclusive ones.
Most hotels in Courmayeur are chalet-style, one or two floors, with a small number of rooms, so guests can feel quite comfortable. The rooms are spacious, made in a traditional style and from natural materials. Courmayeur, as a resort, strives for impeccable environmental friendliness.
As for food, as a rule, breakfast is included in the price. Also, some hotels have restaurants in their area where you can dine à la carte. Free parking and free Wi-Fi are also provided in hotels of Courmayeur. I also discovered that some hotels in the 4-star category and above have spa areas, while others have fitness rooms or indoor pools. Even if the hotel is not equipped with additional options, the resort has its own thermal complexes.
Apartments in Courmayeur sell out very quickly; it is better to book them in advance. If there is no available option left, then you can consider apartments in neighboring towns. They can be, according to my research, La Thuile, La Salle, Pré-Saint-Didier and others. Most of these towns are located within a radius of 6-10 km directly from Courmayeur.
In order to find the ideal accommodation option in terms of price and quality, no matter whether it is a hotel or an apartment, I would recommend making reservations as far in advance as possible, ideally several months before the trip, so you can consider a larger number of offers.
The following accommodation options are popular in Courmayeur:
Villa Novecento Romantic Hotel 4* – This boutique hotel has a convenient location; a free bus runs to the ski slopes. The hotel has a fitness room, a sauna, hydromassage, and a massage room. There is also a restaurant on site. You can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Breakfast or half board is offered. Private parking is available for an additional fee and upon reservation;
Hotel La Grange 3* – The hotel is located in the surroundings of Courmayeur and 500 m from the nearest ski lift. The hotel has a fitness room, a sauna and a restaurant. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Buffet breakfast is offered. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Parking is also provided;
Hotel Des Glaciers 3* – The hotel has a good location relatively close to the center of Courmayeur and to the ski lifts. The hotel has a bar and a restaurant. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Buffet breakfast is offered. The hotel has a free private parking area. Wi-Fi is also provided for free;
Hotel La Compagnar 3* – The hotel is located in a picturesque place, at a distance of 200 m from the nearest ski lift. The hotel has a bar and a restaurant. You can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included. As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I found out that guests are offered a free private parking area, ski storage area and wireless Internet.
What to do in Courmayeur
Courmayeur, as a ski resort, gained its fame back in the 18th century, and since then the infrastructure of the town has been consistently improved. Today it is a modern resort with a wide variety of trails and sports-related entertainment. In total, Courmayeur has about 80 km of ski slopes of various difficulty. Despite the relatively short total length, the routes are very diverse. There are also areas for free skiing, and for a comfortable climb there are 18 different lifts, operating daily. A snow park, forest trails, artificial lighting, heli-skiing – all this can also be found in Courmayeur.
Prices for ski passes in Courmayeur vary depending on the length of use. In addition to Courmayeur, the ski pass can also include the ski areas of neighboring resorts in the Aosta Valley.
In addition to skiing, Courmayeur offers other types of entertainment. For example, after an active day you can visit the thermal complex in the neighboring village of Pré-Saint-Didier. The wellness center offers a wide variety of relaxation areas and treatments. So, here you can visit an outdoor thermal pool with picturesque views of Mont Blanc, hydromassage pools, artificial waterfalls, and steam baths. Various types of saunas, salt rooms, massage and beauty treatments are available here. There is a restaurant on site. I found out detailed information for visiting the complex:
- The complex is open daily from 09 am to 10 pm;
- It is open until 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
In the summer, the resort offers a visit to the family amusement park called Parco Avventura Monte Bianco. Hiking along one of the pre-designated routes, and hang-gliding or paragliding flights with an instructor are also available at the resort. Fishing, ski lifts, mountaineering, skating and cross-country skiing, golf, tennis – all this is also offered for tourists in Courmayeur. The resort has first-class instructors and ski schools are open in winter, so Courmayeur is perfect for beginners.
In general, I can say that Courmayeur is a resort known for a long time. Courmayeur is a resort with the highest reputation. While at the resort, you can always go for a day or two to one of the Italian, French or Swiss cities for an excursion. As far as I know, in summer, Courmayeur also offers a lot of entertainment for families, individuals, and large groups.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: SNappa2006
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…