TMB - FAQ

Is it possible to pay the toll with "chèques vacance" (French)?

No. The toll can only be paid with main credit cards or cash (Euros, Swiss Francs), and exceptionally with a bank cheque on the French side.
Link: Tolls

What is the validity period of a return ticket?

Link: Tolls

What is the validity period of a 10 or 20 transits subscription card

Link: Tolls

Can several cars pass through at the same time using the same subscription card?

No. For technical reasons, there must be an interval of at least 30 minutes between two transits in the same traffic direction using the same subscription card.

What’s the weather like?

Link: Web cam

Is the Tunnel open 24 hours a day?

Yes, the Tunnel is always open.
However, traffic may be interrupted to allow a safety exercise to take place or for maintenance work to be carried out. These interruptions are normally programmed to take place during the night hours. In these cases, the disruptions are announced beforehand via the press, by means of material distributed at the toll, and on the Tunnel internet site.
Also, at certain times of the year, carrying out programmed maintenance work requires alternating one way traffic to be in force, according to a calendar which is published beforehand. Lastly, application of the safety regulations may cause the traffic surveillance operators to interrupt the traffic flow temporarily, depending on what is happening.

Link: Calendars

What is the distance between the Tunnel and some of the main towns?

The distance from the Italian tunnel entrance apron to:

Courmayeur	5 km
Aoste*	42 km
Turin*	151 km
Milan*	224 km
Rome *	760 km

The distance from the French tunnel entrance apron to:

Chamonix	5 km
Genève*	87 km
Lyon*	222 km
Macon*	229 km
Paris*	612 km

* distance by motorway

Under what conditions can dangerous goods pass through Tunnel?

Vehicles transporting dangerous goods are not allowed to use the Mont Blanc Tunnel, apart from those transporting packaged goods in limited quantities (reference: European agreement on the international carriage of dangerous goods by road ADR 1999 and addendum 10010 and ADR 2001 paragraph 1.1.3.4.2).
Link : Traffic regulations

Why is there a long queue to the Tunnel in periods of heavy traffic?

To allow vehicles to keep a distance between them of 150 m right from the Tunnel entrance, the toll barriers are timed to let a vehicle pass through about every 7 seconds. So it is not possible to increase the rate of traffic. When the flow is heavy, a queue will naturally form. The surveillance operators can reduce the flow of heavy vehicles by giving instructions to the regulation areas of Passy-Le Fayet and Aosta, but they cannot do anything about the flow of light traffic. The traffic information services are constantly informed about the waiting time. When an unplanned event takes place, for example a vehicle stopping inside the Tunnel, the movement of traffic is immediately suspended and the disturbance that arises from this can be of considerable duration.

Can vehicles that use LPG fuel pass through the Tunnel?

Yes, but they must mention it at the toll point. In this case, the driver is given a label that must be displayed on the windscreen during transit. There is no additional cost.

Why are we asked to listen to the radio in the Tunnel?

The traffic surveillance operators are able to broadcast information messages live to your FM radio. To receive the messages all you have to do is listen to the radio on one of the 12 frequencies that can be received in the Tunnel. As well as this every 6 minutes messages recorded in 3 languages (Italian, French and English) are sent out reminding you about the safety rules to be observed during transit.

What must I do if the safety barriers are lowered?

The safety barriers are lowered after the traffic lights are switched to red. So you are obliged to stop! The electronic variable message boards overhead or close to the barriers will inform you about what to do. If the doors of the safe shelters are flashing, if the messages on the electronic boards tell you to, or if the operator asks you to on the radio, make your way to the nearest safe shelter and do not go back into the Tunnel until you are invited to do so. The video telephones inside the safe shelters allow you to contact the operators, who will give you the necessary information about what to do.

What must I do if my vehicle has a technical problem?

Try to reach a parking area: there is one every 600m on your right. Park your vehicle and call for assistance using the emergency call post in the safety booth. Be aware that the surveillance system is able to follow your situation at every moment. If your vehicle stops on the carriageway, try to get as close as possible to the edge of the pavement.

What is the thermographic gateway?

This allows the presence of any overheating on a heavy vehicle to be detected.

Can mobile phones be used in the tunnel?

Mobile phones cannot be used in the tunnel. Every 100m emergency call posts are available that allow you to get in touch with a traffic surveillance operator.