The Autoroute Blanche – More Than A Motorway!

Although travelling to and from the airport may not be the most exciting part of your ski trip, the Autoroute Blanche (A40) is by far one of the most scenic and interesting drives out there, as you wind through the magnificent Alps and Jura mountains.

If you’re getting an airport transfer from Chamonix to Geneva, your driver will probably take this route as it provides easy access to and from all of the major ski resorts and it avoids going into the centre of Geneva, so it will be a lot quicker (usually 1 hour 15 mins, depending on traffic).

Read on to find out which sights you can expect to see along the way!

A Brief History

The Autoroute Blanche was established in 1973 and has continued to grow ever since. It welcomes approximately 20,000 customers every day, and as a result of its popularity, ATMB employs nearly 400 staff members to ensure the 110km road is maintained to the highest standards - especially during the winter season.

What to Look Out For

The Autoroute Blanche is a key route through the Haute Savoie, a beautiful region in eastern France which is renowned for its incredible natural heritage. It is also the ideal area for winter sports enthusiasts, with immense ski areas and resorts, not to mention a gastronomic heaven for foodies. For those looking to be pampered there are plenty of highly-acclaimed spa resorts to try. Furthermore, there are several points of interest to look out for during your journey from Chamonix to Geneva, which you don’t even have to leave the car to appreciate (unless you want to of course):

• Mont-Blanc: you can’t miss it, as this is the highest mountain in the Alps and in Western Europe at just over 4800m! the "White Mountain" manages to straddle France, Switzerland and Italy. Admire the glistening snowy peaks from afar, or join thousands of other climbers in tackling the summit (did you know, more than 20,000 people reach Mont Blanc’s peak every year?).
• You’ll see 3 viaducts during your journey: the Bellegarde (1050m), Bardonnex (360m), and Bois d’Arlord (300m).
• You will drive through the Vuache tunnel (1.4km long), which cuts through the stunning Vuache hills.

Winter is Coming!

Due to the A40 being such a popular route, especially for skiers travelling back from Chamonix to Geneva Airport during the winter season, it is vital that the roads are serviced correctly to make sure people are still able to travel. With 6 metres of snow per year to combat, members of the ATMB team are on duty 24/7 for salting, snow-clearing, and preventative measures in case of avalanches near the tunnel. In other words, ATMB will be doing everything they can to make sure you can get to your destination via the A40, despite the snow!

Plan Ahead

Although the Autoroute Blanche is always being serviced, our drivers always keep an eye on the ATMB website before driving off. It provides real-time traffic updates, network maps and a live webcam, so they can make you aware of any potential disruptions to your journey. In the worst case scenario, our drivers at Shuttle Direct will be able to take you on an alternative route from Chamonix to Geneva, providing that you allow some extra time to get to the airport for your flight.

Don’t delay in booking your pre-booked airport transfer with our team to make sure you have a reliable and efficient journey to and from the airport.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you need an airport transfer from Chamonix to Geneva, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.