I'm thinking of going to chamonix sometime in the near future i was just wondering the best way to get there without a car. i've heard that there is a coach service from England but don't really want go by coach for that distance, any help will be appreciated
thanks
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 When I was 18 I took the bus from London - NEVER AGAIN! It’s not fun.
You should get a cheap flight with a budget airline to Geneva, which shouldn’t cost more than £50 return. Then catch the bus to Chamonix, which takes about one and a half-hours and cost about £20 each way. There are a few English people who now live in Geneva who specialise in taxiing people from Geneva to Chamonix:
Use this people:
Renseignements-Réservations
Tel/fax : +33(0) 450536397
Andy.Cleaver mailbox :
andy.cleaver@guides-du-montblanc.com
They will drop you off anywhere in the valley and it’s around £25 each way as long as they are around at the time you are travelling.
Failing that, you could try:
www.a-t-s.net
tel +33 450536397
fax +33 450559706
Heidi. x
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In 2000 I went with Easijet from Luton to Geneva then got a train to Chamonix - I think we had to change at St Gervais but it was no hassle.
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 I've got an easyjet flight booked for the end of August to Geneva (from Liverpool), which was about £60. Have previously done the journey with a combination of coach and train - which took a long time (couldn't get such cheap flights then).
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Thanks alot everyone it looks like flying it is then. it's now just a case of getting everything into one bag.
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 It's a good idea to give them your ice axes separately. They will be considered "dangerous items" and won't go through with the rest of your baggage. This way they may not get included in the weight (well, they haven't so far in my experience). Also it's worth wearing your heaviest boots and Jacket for travelling in, and any other heavy clothes if you can bear it. I used to carry my lead rack in my hand baggage, but since Sept 11th that's not on anymore. Nowadays I stuff all my clothes in my hand baggage and all my gear in my rucksack. It's worth checking what excess different airlines charge too; this can vary enormously. Also, people driving out or back will sometimes have room for an extra bag if you ask nicely, and there are several club meets this summer in that general vicinity.
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 Sleazyjet give you an additional 10 KG's of baggage allowance for "Sports Equipment". I phoned them and they confirmed that climbing kit IS considered sports equipment. You need to pack it seperately, so it can be examined if required, but thats not too much hassle. Ropes, harness, rack, axes, sleeping bags (!) all count according ot the nice lady on the phone.
Not had a problem with Axes on the couple of occasions I've taken them, just put them in the hold luggage and all was fine. It'd be an idea to check with the airline though..
Si(C)
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 I always put my diving knife (which looks very very lethal!) in my main luggage and I've not had a problem. They're not interested so long as I can't get to it in the aircraft cabin.
Disclaimer: Oh sorry, sharp diving tools (sports equipment) carried on aircraft have nothing to do with sharp mountaineering tools (sports equipment) carried on aircraft at all. Apologies, can't think what made me write that.
;0P
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It's not a problem taking the axes, but if you pack them inside your bags their weight gets included in the total. If you hand them over separately they travel with the special items and your bag weighs less.
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Sneaky! Does that work with ice screws and stuff too?
Si(C)
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 Jeanie, I can't believe you are going on about diving knives, when they are obviously not relevant to ice axes!
I have found this link on the web to information on shipping sharpened gardening . . .
Oh heck, I may be catching Dan disease.
lol
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 Quick everyone, face masks on!
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Ha ha you fell for it!!
;0)
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Thanks for all the info relative to the subject or not, i'll give easyjet a ring and ask them about this sports equipment extra baggage that would be quite useful.
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 Without a car, fly into Geneva and organise yourself a transfer up to Chamonix (approx 40 mins).
We used these guys to get to Morzine in the past but I think they will also go to Chamonix:
Airport Transfer Services
ATS Central Reservations
Tel: 0033 (0) 450 53 63 97
Fax: 0033 (0) 450 55 97 06
www.a-t-s.net
HTH
M
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Hi Neil Flying into Geneva airport with oneof the low cost airlines such as easyjet is a good option. They normally fly from most regional UK airports. You can then jump on a transfer bus for between €25 and €50 euros each way depaending on your time of arrival. We have used Geneva airport transfers before and they were prompt, relaible and very friendly. Took us straight to Chamonix and our accommodation. Takes about 1 hr for the chamonix transfers and its door to door so no waiting about. Whilst in the valley you can then use the public bus or train system that runs free of charge up and down the valley Best JJ
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 In 2000 I went with Easijet from Luton to Geneva then got a train to Chamonix - I think we had to change at St Gervais but it was no hassle. Not only is it no hassle. If you like trains changing at St.Gervais/Le Fayet (I used to live there & my brother-in-law worked at the station) is a lot of fun, since you change onto the little finicular railway. Kish
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