Tunnel du Mont-Blanc

About

The Mont Blanc Tunnel, officially known as Tunnel du Mont‑Blanc, is a 11.6 km highway tunnel that links Chamonix, France, to Courmayeur, Italy beneath the Alps. Inaugurated in 1965 after decades of joint French‑Italian engineering, it has become one of the busiest cross‑border routes in Europe, carrying tens of millions of vehicles each year. Modern safety upgrades—including a comprehensive surveillance camera network, emergency shelters, and advanced ventilation—were installed in the early 1990s following a tragic 1999 fire. Today, the tunnel operates 24/7, with a 50–70 km/h speed limit and a 150‑meter separation between vehicles. Fares are charged per vehicle type: a one‑way car ticket costs €51.50, a 7‑day pass €64.20, with lower prices for motorbikes (€34.10) and caravans (€68.10). The tunnel’s strategic importance and remarkable engineering make it a must‑experience for road‑travel enthusiasts heading across the Alps.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes