The Mont Blanc tunnel between France and Italy is to close soon for 15 weeks for renovations and repairs, requiring drivers to take alternative routes through the mountain.
The road will close in both directions on September 1 at 17:00, with a scheduled re-opening date of December 12, 2025 allowing for work to the vault of the tunnel.
It follows a similar closure of the tunnel last year, when similar work was carried out.
The autumn period has been chosen by tunnel operator TMB-GEIE because it is generally the quietest time for traffic.
This is particularly the case for cars (as opposed to freight trucks), which make up 75% of the overall traffic in the tunnel.
Three main alternatives to enter Italy
Traffic levels are expected to increase throughout the Haute-Savoie department this autumn as drivers use alternative routes to bypass the closure.
Three main alternatives exist, as shown in the graphic below:
One option is to use the Fréjus tunnel between Modane in France and Bardonecchia in Italy.
Drivers on the French side need to take the A43 (from south of Albertville) to reach the tunnel.
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While this is a popular choice, it takes drivers far south of the Mont Blanc tunnel, which can add hours to a journey, particularly if drivers are heading towards Milan.
At the same, it is the only alternative route not at risk of closure from snowy weather conditions.
Tolls are required to use the tunnel. Prices in 2025 include €54.80 for a one-way journey for a car from the French side, or €55.80 from the Italian side.
Several options for return journeys and reduced-price passes for multiple crossings exist, and prices vary based on the vehicle type.
Other tolls on the roads before and after the tunnel are also in place.
A second alternative is the Great St Bernard tunnel between Switzerland and Italy.
This requires drivers to cross into Switzerland from Chamonix-Mont Blanc using the Col de Montets pass, then south to use the tunnel, which continues onto Aosta.
This keeps drivers closer to the original exit point of the Mont Blanc tunnel, however tolls to use this tunnel are also in place (€30 for a one-way passage in a car).
The tunnel will also be closed overnight (between 22:00 and 06:00) for much of the autumn period – the timetable for closures can be found on the official website.
The Col de Montets may also be forced to close due to snow, requiring an even further detour to Switzerland to reach the tunnel.
Finally, the Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard (Little St Bernard Pass) takes drivers from Albertville in France to Courmayeur in Italy by the Tarentaise / Val d’Aoste Valleys, just south of the Italian exit of the Mont Blanc tunnel.
This is a toll-free mountain pass that snakes through the Alps. However, it can take a long time to drive through compared to the other routes, and is often closed in the winter period.
Drivers can check the status of the road through the official Haute Savoie live road map website.
