The valley is long and thin — about 16 kilometres from Les Houches to Argentière — and a free shuttle bus runs the length of it, connecting all the ski areas in winter and the main villages year-round. In the ski season, buses run every 10–15 minutes between the main stops; in summer, less frequently. The bus is the main way to move between Chamonix town, the Grands Montets cable car station in Argentière, and Les Houches.
The Mont Blanc Express narrow-gauge railway also serves the valley, stopping at a series of small stations from Saint-Gervais at the western end through to Vallorcine and on into Switzerland. It is slower than the bus but more scenic, and convenient for reaching Les Praz and the Flégère cable car.
Central Chamonix is compact and easily walkable — the cable car stations, restaurants, and most hotels are within 10 minutes' walk of each other. Bicycles can be hired in summer and the valley floor has a reasonable network of cycling paths. Cars are useful for getting to trailheads away from the main bus route but unnecessary for most visitors staying in town.