Tour du Mont Blanc Luggage Transfer: Pack Heavy, Hike Light

Go ahead, pack the second puffy, the third pair of socks, and that brick of “emergency cheese.” With a Tour du Mont Blanc luggage transfer your duffel takes the taxi while you float uphill like a smug mountain goat. It makes your hike way easier, full stop. If you think you’ll struggle with a heavy pack, this is the upgrade that keeps you smiling, moving, and not slowing the group down.

You hike with a daypack. Your bag gets chauffeured. Your legs write me a thank you note. Everybody wins.

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What is the Tour du Mont Blanc bag transfer?

It’s a simple service that moves your overnight bag between accommodations so you can hike with a daypack. You leave a labeled bag in the morning, go hiking, and it reappears at your next stop in the afternoon or early evening like a fairy godparent.

How TMB luggage transfer works

Pack your soft duffel with clothes and non-essentials. Keep passport, cash, phone, and daily hiking gear in your daypack.
Leave your labeled bag at reception by the morning cutoff (usually 8am, but double check).
Hike light. If you’re staying at a non-served refuge, your luggage skips ahead to the next road-accessible stop.
Your bag will be delivered to the reception or designated spot (i.e. not your room) at your accommodation usually sometime between 4 to 8pm.

Pro tip – book a hotel with a reception in Chamonix or Les Houches for the first and last nights to make your Tour du Mont Blanc luggage transfer smooth.

Apartments or unstaffed stays make organizing your bag transfer more complicated, and result in you possibly having to haul your bag further from a pick up/drop off point back to your accommodation, taking away from your glorious TMB hike.

Benefits of the TMB Luggage Transfer

Lighter pack, happier knees, more views.
Better recovery with fresh clothes and a pillow.
Easier group pace if abilities differ.
Safer and more flexible if weather turns grumpy.

Bag Type and Weight Limit

While you’ll want to check the exact specifics with the Tour du Mont Blanc Luggage transfer service that you use, here are some standard guidelines.

Weight – standard limit is 15 kg (33 lb). Aim for 12 kg (26 lb) and you’ll never sweat the scale. Note: a luggage scale can help you ensure that you’re within the weight limit.
Style – soft bags, max length around 90 cm. Some companies will accept soft luggage with wheels, but they won’t accept responsibility if the wheels get damaged. Hard suitcases are usually a no go.
Security – add a small lock, but don’t pack valuables because bags may sit unattended. Want extra peace of mind – drop an AirTag inside.

Where Luggage Transfer Does Not Go on the TMB

These popular refuges typically cannot receive delivery because there’s no road access:

Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme
Rifugio Elisabetta
Cabane du Combal
Rifugio Bertone
Rifugio Bonatti
Alpage de la Peule
Refuge du Lac Blanc
Refuge de la Flégère
Les Écuries de Charamillon
Refuge de Bellachat

If you’re staying at one of these accommodations – carry your overnight essentials in your daypack and your bag will meet you the following night. Availability can vary a little by provider, so always double check when you book.

Smart logistics in Chamonix, Les Houches and Courmayeur

Start and finish with hotels that have a staffed reception in Chamonix or Les Houches.
In Courmayeur, choose hotels with reception for easy handoffs.
Avoid private apartments when using transfer. No reception usually means having to pickup and dropoff your luggage from a meeting point and you having to haul your luggage to/from there, which isn’t convenient.

How to Book Your Tour du Mont Blanc Luggage Transfer

Hike with us 😀 – luggage transfer is included on our 6-Day TMB Luxury Tour and offered as an option on our 7-day and 10-day tours. We only offer it if you book with us. See our TMB self-guided tours here.
DIY – contact Taxi Mont Blanc to arrange your transfer directly.

What to pack in your daypack on non-served nights

Sleeping bag liner, toiletries, meds, earplugs
Warm layer, rain jacket, dry socks
Power bank and cable
Snacks, water treatment, small first aid
One tiny luxury that sparks joy

Reality check for overpackers

If your motto is “just in case,” you’re the exact person who will benefit most from the TMB bag transfer. Pare it down anyway. Your future quads will write you a thank you note.

Recommended Gear for Your TMB Luggage Transfer

Soft duffel – Osprey Transporter 65L Travel Duffel
Luggage scale – Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale
AirTag for tracking
• Single
• 4-pack

TMB Luggage Transfer FAQs

When do I put my bag out?

Usually by 8:00. It will arrive late afternoon or early evening.

What’s the weight limit

15 kg (33 lb). Extra or overweight bags can be refused or charged.

Can I use a rolling bag?

Sometimes, if it’s soft sided. However if the wheels get damaged, the luggage transfer companies accept no responsibility. Check with the provider.

Can I bring a hard-shell suitcase on the Tour du Mont Blanc?

Short answer NO. Some companies, MAY allow it, but they won’t accept responsibility if your bag is damaged. Some will refuse it altogether.

What if my plans change?

Tell the provider right away and make sure your new place has a staffed reception.

Conclusion

If you want epic views without epic shoulder grooves, let the van do leg day and keep your pack in featherweight mode. On our 6-Day TMB Luxury Tour it’s included, and it’s an option on our 7 and 10-day tours. We only offer it if you book with us – peek the details here:

Tour du Mont Blanc Self-Guided Hiking Tours for 2025

Prefer DIY glory with a side of logistics – contact Taxi Mont Blanc and still hike like a hero with fresh socks waiting at day’s end.