The best way to get from Italy to Chamonix is via Mont-Blanc Tunnel.
Caselle to Chamonix by Car
Renting a car out of Caselle is a smart idea, as the airport is on the north side of the city and on the autostrada (Motorway) network. No partial circumnavigation of Torino is required.
On exiting Caselle airport by car, the route leads quickly to the Autostrada. Sign posting is greatly improved.
For Chamonix, follow signs for Ivrea and Aosta.
Driving on the AutoStrada
Several sections of the Autostradas of northern Italy provide a welcome departure from the monotony of motorway travel. Tunnels and bridges penetrate the mountain terrain with feats of engineering almost as wonderful as the landscape and scenery they reveal.
The journey from Caselle to Chamonix will take about two hours. The Autostrada heads north, crossing the flat lands of Piedmont, passing Ivrea and on towards the foothills of the Alps that rise abruptly out of the plain. On a clear day, the dramatic alpine scenery that lies ahead is quite a distraction.
The autostrada follows the route of least resistance, into the Aosta Valley. The narrow valley floor is shared with the rapid waters of the River Dora Baltea, twisting and turning its way down the valley, and many settlements, of which, Aosta is the largest.
Some 70 minutes into the journey the road passes Aosta and heads on towards Courmayeur and the Tunnel di Monte Bianco. As the tunnel gets closer, the altitude increases gradually, until the final short and steep climb between Courmayeur and the Tunnel entrance.
Speeding and Road Traffic Fines
It's smart to drive within the 130/110 (dry/wet) kilometres per hour (80/68mph) speed limits in force through much of western Europe. Do that, and the journey from Caselle to Chamonix takes a cruising 2 hours.
Forget ideas about travelling at high speed on the Autostrada. The days of burning the asphalt at 200+kph are long gone. Italy has embraced and is enforcing speed restrictions vigorously.
Some may consider this surprising for a nation that designs and assembles an impressive line up of high octane vehicles; Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti and and Maserati are some of the better known super car manufacturers; Ducati heads up the bike builders. A tough act to beat!
Speed cameras are being installed throughout Italy. There are few speed cameras along the route to the Aosta Valley and on to the Tunnel di Monte Bianco.
If your hire vehicle is photographed speeding, the Italian Authorities will track to you down to enforce payment.
Travelling through the Tunnel du Monte Bianco
From the Italian side, the entrance to the tunnel is at 1381metres above seal level. There is an Italian Immigration post and a Customs post.
There is a parking area with great views down the Aosta valley, but this parking is not setup for a picnic stop.
Click here for more information about The Mont-Blanc Tunnel.
Important Information
To see what is happening on the roads in France, check out BisonFute, site run by the French government.
French law requires you to have a reflective vest handy in the car as well as an emergency warning triangle. Non-compliance could result in a 90-135 Euro fine.
In winter, it’s a legal requirement to carry a set of snow chains.
