Aiguille du Midi: cable car, prices, schedule and views over Mont Blanc
Written by Victor Michel — history enthusiast and passionate alpinist based in Chamonix. Publié le 16 juillet 2026
The Aiguille du Midi, at 3,842 m above Chamonix, has been reachable by cable car since 1955 — at the time the highest in the world, with a 2,808 m elevation gain in a single span. The site offers panoramic terraces over the French, Italian and Swiss Alps, the Step into the Void attraction, and a connection via the Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola to Pointe Helbronner, in Italy.
À retenir
- Summit altitude: 3,842 m, +2,808 m of elevation gain from Chamonix (1,034 m)
- 2026 round-trip fare Chamonix–Aiguille du Midi: €83 adult, €70.60 child (5-14)
- Extension to Pointe Helbronner (Italy): €125.50 adult from Chamonix
- Reservation mandatory and free; children under 3 forbidden, under 5 not recommended
What is the Aiguille du Midi?
The Aiguille du Midi is a rocky 3,842 m summit overlooking Chamonix, equipped with a cable car station and observation terraces. It is also the starting point for the Trois Monts traverse to Mont Blanc and the off-piste Vallée Blanche descent, reserved for equipped mountaineers and skiers. For the non-mountaineering visitor, the site is a round trip from Chamonix, no technical gear needed, for the views and terraces.
History: the world's highest cable car
A first cable car project was considered as early as 1904, but abandoned after World War II for safety reasons. Italian industrialist Dino Lora Totino revived the project with a revolutionary layout: a single 3 km span between Plan de l'Aiguille and the summit, with no intermediate pylon. Construction began in 1951; the cable car was inaugurated on June 24, 1955 and opened to tourist operation on August 19 of the same year, becoming the world's highest cable car, with a record 2,808 m elevation gain between the Chamonix station (1,034 m) and the summit.
Step into the Void and the panoramic terraces
At the summit, a glass box suspended over the void — Step into the Void — lets visitors stand above a sheer drop with a view straight down onto the glacier. The "Pipe" gallery loops around the rocky peak at over 3,700 m. The terraces offer views over the French, Italian and Swiss Alps. Altitude can cause discomfort: staff recommend reporting any severe cold or heart problems.
Panoramic Mont-Blanc to Pointe Helbronner (Italy)
A separate gondola, the Panoramic Mont-Blanc, links the Aiguille du Midi to Pointe Helbronner on the Italian side, flying over the glaciers of the Vallée Blanche. This ticket is sold only at the Aiguille du Midi summit, with no advance reservation possible. On the Italian side, Pointe Helbronner connects with the Skyway Monte Bianco descending to Courmayeur.
| Route | Adult (15-64) | Child / senior (5-14, 65+) | Family (Tribu) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamonix → Aiguille du Midi (round trip) | €60.20 to €83.00 | €51.20 to €70.60 | €186.70 to €257.40 |
| Chamonix → Plan de l'Aiguille (round trip) | €43.00 | €36.60 | €133.40 |
| Plan de l'Aiguille → Aiguille du Midi | €40.00 | €34.00 | — |
| Chamonix → Pointe Helbronner (Italy) | €125.50 | €106.70 | €389.10 |
| Aiguille du Midi → Pointe Helbronner* | €42.50 | €36.10 | €131.70 |
*Aiguille du Midi → Pointe Helbronner ticket: purchase only at the summit, no advance reservation. 2026 rates (June 1 - November 30); free, mandatory reservation for the other routes; first departures at 6:10 am in high season (July 1 - August 23), operations subject to weather conditions.
À lire ensuite
FAQ
What is the altitude of the Aiguille du Midi?
3,842 m, an elevation gain of 2,808 m from the Chamonix departure station (1,034 m) — a world record for elevation gain in a single cable car span when it opened in 1955.
How much does the Aiguille du Midi cable car cost?
The Chamonix–Aiguille du Midi round trip costs €60.20 to €83 for an adult depending on the period (2026 rates), €51.20 to €70.60 for a child aged 5 to 14. The extension to Pointe Helbronner in Italy brings the fare to €125.50 from Chamonix.
Do you need to book to go up the Aiguille du Midi?
Yes, reservation is free and mandatory for the Chamonix–Aiguille du Midi and Chamonix–Pointe Helbronner routes. The Aiguille du Midi–Pointe Helbronner ticket is sold only on site, at the summit, with no advance booking possible.
What is Step into the Void at the Aiguille du Midi?
A glass-walled and glass-floored box suspended at the summit, letting visitors stand above a sheer drop with a view straight down onto the glacier, at over 3,800 m altitude.
Since when has the Aiguille du Midi cable car existed?
It was inaugurated on June 24, 1955 and opened to tourist operation on August 19, 1955, becoming the world's highest cable car at the time. The project, first considered in 1904, was revived after the war by Italian industrialist Dino Lora Totino.
Can you go to Italy from the Aiguille du Midi?
Yes, via the Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola, which links the Aiguille du Midi to Pointe Helbronner in Italy while flying over the glaciers, connecting to the Skyway Monte Bianco and Courmayeur.
Is the Aiguille du Midi accessible without mountain experience?
Yes for the terraces, Step into the Void and the Pipe gallery, reached by cable car with no technical gear needed. However, the Trois Monts traverse to Mont Blanc and the Vallée Blanche descent from this same site require a high-mountain guide and glacier gear.
What are the altitude-related risks at the Aiguille du Midi?
At 3,842 m, a rapid ascent by cable car can cause mild discomfort (headaches, breathlessness). The operator recommends reporting any severe cold sensation or heart problems to staff.