Mont Blanc Tramway: 2026 schedule, prices and access to Nid d'Aigle
Written by Victor Michel — history enthusiast and passionate alpinist based in Chamonix. Published July 25, 2026 · Updated August 6, 2026
The Mont Blanc Tramway (TMB) links Saint-Gervais/Le Fayet to the Nid d'Aigle (2,412 m), the only foot access to the Goûter normal route. In 2026, it opens June 13 as far as Bellevue, then to the Nid d'Aigle terminus from July 3. A full round-trip costs €40 for an adult (summer 2026 rates). From the Nid d'Aigle, climbers hike on foot to the Tête Rousse refuge, then the Goûter refuge.
Key takeaways
- 2026 opening: June 13 (to Bellevue only), Nid d'Aigle terminus from July 3, 2026
- Summer schedule (July 4 - Aug 30): departures from Le Fayet hourly 7am-4pm, returns from Nid d'Aigle hourly 8:13am-5:13pm
- Late-summer schedule (Aug 31 - Sep 27): departures from Le Fayet at 7am then hourly 9am-3pm, returns from Nid d'Aigle at 8:13am then hourly 10:13am-4:13pm
- 2026 prices to Nid d'Aigle (July 4 - Sep 27): adult round-trip €40, child or senior €34
- Two departure stations: Le Fayet or Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
- Nid d'Aigle terminus (2,412 m since the June 2026 extension): starting point on foot for the Goûter normal route, via the Tête Rousse and Goûter refuges
The Mont Blanc Tramway: history and role today
Put into service in 1904 after ten years of hesitation, the Mont Blanc Tramway was originally meant to reach the Aiguille du Midi; it ultimately stops at the Nid d'Aigle. The full story, tied to the 1892 Saint-Gervais glacial disaster, is covered on our page on the history of the Mont Blanc villages. It's a rack railway rather than a funicular, and climbs a maximum gradient of 24% thanks to this cog-rail system, making it the highest railway line in France. Today, the TMB remains the fastest way to reach the foot of the Goûter normal route, the most climbed route up Mont Blanc.
Rack rail — A central toothed rail that a cog wheel on the train engages with, to climb steep gradients without slipping. The Mont Blanc Tramway uses it on its steepest sections, up to a 24% gradient, which makes it a genuine rack railway despite its 'tramway' name.
Mont Blanc Tramway schedule in 2026
From July 4 to August 30, 2026, departures from Le Fayet run hourly from 7am to 4pm, with returns from the Nid d'Aigle hourly from 8:13am to 5:13pm. From August 31 to September 27, 2026, departures from Le Fayet run at 7am then hourly from 9am to 3pm, with returns from the Nid d'Aigle at 8:13am then hourly from 10:13am to 4:13pm. The tramway opens on June 13, 2026, but only as far as Bellevue; the Nid d'Aigle terminus does not open until July 3, 2026.
2026 Mont Blanc Tramway prices
Two fare periods apply in 2026. From June 13 to July 3, the tramway only serves Bellevue: adult one-way €22.70, round-trip €34.70, child round-trip €29.50. From July 4 to September 27, all the way to the Nid d'Aigle: adult one-way €32.20, round-trip €40, child or senior (65+) round-trip €34. Free for under-5s. Two departure stations: Le Fayet or Saint-Gervais.
Nid d'Aigle: the starting point for the Goûter route
The Nid d'Aigle (2,412 m), the tramway terminus, is the starting point on foot for the Tête Rousse refuge (3,167 m) and then the Goûter refuge (3,835 m), on the normal route — the most climbed way up Mont Blanc. Since June 2026, a 280 m extension drops passengers directly onto a flat platform at the foot of the Nid d'Aigle hut, instead of the previous tunnel exit onto a 24% slope (terminus then at 2,372 m). Allow 1.5 to 2 hours on foot to Tête Rousse (see the full Goûter route itinerary). Without the tramway running, reaching the Nid d'Aigle means hiking from Les Houches or Bellevue instead, adding several hours.
280 m
Length of the extension to the Nid d'Aigle hut, inaugurated in June 2026
Ville de Saint-Gervais
€7.4M
Cost of the works, 100% funded by the Haute-Savoie Département
Ville de Saint-Gervais
24%
Maximum gradient of the tramway on its rack-rail sections
Wikipedia / Wikidata
2026 Mont Blanc Tramway prices
Two fare periods apply, depending on service: Bellevue only before July 4, all the way to the Nid d'Aigle afterward.
| Period | Adult one-way | Adult round-trip | Child / senior round-trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 13 - July 3, 2026 (to Bellevue) | €22.70 | €34.70 | €29.50 |
| July 4 - September 27, 2026 (to Nid d'Aigle) | €32.20 | €40 | €34 |
Child fare: ages 5-14; free under 5. Senior fare (65+) matches the child fare in summer. Two departure stations: Le Fayet or Saint-Gervais. Rates from the Régie Départementale du Tramway du Mont-Blanc, 2026 season.
Booking the tramway is mandatory, with the day and departure time chosen at purchase: nothing guarantees a same-day seat. In peak season, several departures show as fully booked — book online well ahead of time, especially if planning an ascent with a fixed-date refuge booking.
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FAQ
When does the Mont Blanc Tramway open in 2026?
On June 13, 2026, but only as far as Bellevue; the Nid d'Aigle terminus does not open until July 3, 2026.
How much does the Mont Blanc Tramway cost to Nid d'Aigle in 2026?
€40 round-trip for an adult (€32.20 one-way) from July 4 to September 27, 2026; €34 for a child or senior.
What is the Mont Blanc Tramway schedule in summer 2026?
From July 4 to August 30, departures from Le Fayet run hourly from 7am to 4pm, with returns from Nid d'Aigle hourly from 8:13am to 5:13pm.
Where does the Mont Blanc Tramway depart from?
From two possible stations: Le Fayet or Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, both in Haute-Savoie.
What is the Mont Blanc Tramway used for on the Mont Blanc ascent?
It drops climbers at the Nid d'Aigle (2,412 m since June 2026), the starting point on foot for the Goûter normal route, via the Tête Rousse and Goûter refuges.
Has the Mont Blanc Tramway's terminus changed recently?
Yes: since June 2026, a 280 m extension brings the tramway directly to the Nid d'Aigle hut (2,412 m) onto a flat platform, versus 2,372 m and a sloped tunnel exit before that.
Can you reach the Nid d'Aigle without the tramway?
Yes, on foot from Les Houches or Bellevue, though this adds several hours compared to the tramway ride.
Since when has the Mont Blanc Tramway existed?
Since 1904, put into service after ten years of hesitation and originally designed to reach the Aiguille du Midi.
How long does it take to walk from Nid d'Aigle to the Tête Rousse refuge?
About 1.5 to 2 hours, on a well-marked trail with no technical difficulty (see the full Goûter route itinerary).