Mont Blanc Express Train Ride
Boarding the little red Mont Blanc Express at Servoz station and riding it toward Saint-Gervais or up to Chamonix is one of those travel experiences that feels almost too cinematic to be real — the train hugs cliff edges, crosses viaducts and threads through pine forest with the glaciers growing larger in the window every minute.
The Journey from Servoz
Servoz sits on the metre-gauge rack-and-pinion line that connects Saint-Gervais-les-Bains with Vallorcine at the Swiss border, and the section around Servoz is arguably the most dramatic: the train crosses the Viaduc de Sainte-Marie, a slender arch bridge above the Arve gorge, just minutes after leaving the station.
The full ride from Saint-Gervais to Chamonix takes about 45 minutes and costs around €12 one way (2024 SNCF pricing); buying a day pass lets you hop on and off at Les Houches, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Montenvers for the Mer de Glace.
Tips for the Best Experience
Sit on the right-hand side of the carriage heading toward Chamonix for the most unobstructed views of the Mont Blanc massif as it fills the window above the tree line. Early morning departures (first train around 06:30 from Saint-Gervais) are quieter and the light is spectacular.
The train runs year-round, which means in winter you can watch avalanche debris fields and frozen waterfalls slide past the window — an entirely different, equally thrilling experience. Check timetables at sncf-connect.com or the Transdev Mont Blanc website.
More of Servoz
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Servoz →
