Travelling to Val d'Isere

How to get to Val d'Isere

If you're not taking a package holiday, where travel to your resort is already catered for, then you might want to consider how you're going to get from the UK to the Alps. Val d'Isere is not so far way from the UK, and can be reached by car, train or aeroplane. With the advent of DIY travel and travel websites, it's easy to check public transport timetables in France, and there are plenty of companies offering transfer services from the airport to Val d'Isere. Our guide gives you an idea of the options available, plus some tips on how to get your sporting equipment safely to Val d'Isere.

Planes, Trains or Automobiles : Which is the easiest way to Val d'Isere?

This really depends on personal choice, phobias, hobbies (spotters!), and days of travel.

The nearest train station is Bourg St.Maurice which is about 30-45 minutes away by car or bus.

If you are travelling on Saturdays the Eurostar, whilst potentially being more expensive than charter or low-cost flying gets you to within a tiny distance of the resort with the minimum of fuss in ~7hrs.
Eurostar runs both a direct daytime and an overnight train from London or Ashford to Bourg St. Maurice station (fares from �179). There are two Eurostar direct services weekly. The night service leaves London/Ashford on Friday evening and arrives in the French Alps early on Saturday morning (returns Saturday night/Sunday morning) while the day service leaves early Saturday morning from London/Ashford and arrives late afternoon (same for return). The tickets tend to book up very fast. An alternative is to take a Eurostar to Paris or Lyon and take a French train (perhaps overnight from Paris) to Mo�tiers Salins.

It is also possible to book onto the 'snowtrains' which offer less comfort but are cheaper and permit an extra two days on the snow (if you are not too knackered/hungover from the journey). Check out RailEurope. Travel from London Waterloo or Ashford International on Friday afternoon and change platforms at the Gare du Nord in Paris to board the Snow Train. There is a choice of six destinations in the French Alps, serving more than 25 resorts. The Snow Train gives you 8 days on the piste, and an onboard disco/bar carriage, plus accommodation in a 6-berth couchette. Prices start at �219 return per person.

From Bourg you can then either take a taxi or buses.

If you are taking the 8 day option bear in mind you may not be able to check into your accommodation until the Saturday evening - arrange with your hotel/chalet/agency for somewhere to leave your bags while you ski on the first and last day. Outside the weekends and without direct train links things are trickier and require the jury this end to investigate further before give you a definitive decision....

Flying, whilst seemingly less time moving between countries, involves much longer check-ins, greater potential for delays, and hours of extra transfer time. This all counts towards stress, tiredness and length of time to get to your destination. In its defence, with flying you are much more likely to get a 'bargain' price, and if you want to arrive/depart on days other than the weekend is probably less hassle than negotiating the train. At 130kms from Val d'Isere (about 2hrs transfer), Chamb�ry Airport is the closest airport to the resort. However, Chamb�ry is susceptible to bad weather, and it can often be closed with flights frequently being diverted to Lyon or Grenoble airport. Geneva, Lyon and Grenoble are the other airports close by at a distance of 180kms, 220km and 210kms respectively. Transfer times from these airports can take anything between 3.5 - 4.5 hours.

Driving out from the UK by car is relatively inexpensive if you can share the journey with several friends. Bear in mind that the normal nine hour journey accross France may take much longer if you chose to travel on a very busy Saturday or encounter heavy snowfalls.

From Calais the journey takes from 7 to 10 hours depending on your speed. There is motorway or dual carriageway from Calais all the way to Bourg St Maurice (45 minutes past Moutiers) and then a 20-30 minute climb on single carriage road to the resort.

The better route is via Reims and not via Paris. Try using ViaMichelin to plan your route. If you click the 'Options' button on the second page before finalising your route, you can add precision to the route planner.

Remember that it is a legal requirement in France to fit adaptors to your car headlights so that you don�t dazzle oncoming traffic. You must also place a GB (or relevant country) sticker on the back of your vehicle if your number plate doesn�t already indicate the nationality of the car. It is also recommended (but not obligatory) to carry a warning triangle and spare bulbs with you.

Speed limits on French motorways vary depending on the weather. On autoroutes the speed limit is 130km/hr (80mph) unless it is raining when it reduces to 110km/hr (68mph). Speeding fines are expensive and must be paid immediately to the traffic police who are then obliged to give you a receipt.

The roads around Lyon, Albertville and Mo�tiers are often slow moving or at a standstill during the busy French holiday weekends. You can check which weekends to avoid by visiting our Road Report or the French Government�s Bison Fut� Traffic Information site.

last updated 13-Feb-2008

Travelling between the Airport & Val d'Isere

Chamb�ry airport is the closest airport to use for Val d'Isere at just over 2� hours away on a good day by motorway and then by mountain road. Chamb�ry is used by several UK tour operators and there are some low-cost carriers who use it too but usually just on weekends.

Next up is Geneva and Lyon St. Exup�ry (Satolas) each being 3� and 3 hours away respectively.

To travel from these airports you have the choice of scheduled bus, shared shuttle, hire car, taxi, tour operators, private helicopter transfer or train. However, make sure you check with whomever you booked your accommodation in Val d'Isere with to see if they make arrangements for you anyway or as an 'optional extra'.

Buses:
From Geneva Altibus provides a means for booking coaches on-line, wih SAT being the principal operator for the route. Moreover, a timetable for buses departing Geneva Airport for all ski resorts, can be found at Geneva Ski Resort Bus Timetable
From Lyon St. Exup�ry Satobus.
From Chamb�ry there is no regular route so either look to hire a car, go by train, or book through a tour operator.

Shared Shuttle:
Val-based company ATS run shared minibuses which take you door-to-door. From Geneva the cost one way is �60. Booking on-line is recommended.

Car hire:
Car hire can be arranged from each of the airports above and if there are several people travelling is not always an expensive option. Pre-booking is highly recommended if not obligatory. Try using Holiday Autos for the best searches and prices

Taxi:
A taxi for up to 4 people will cost approximately �300 from Chambery/Lyon/Geneva. For more than 4 people the cost will be higher. See Taxis for contact details

Tour Operators:
Here there are two possibilities:
1. you can book a Flight & Transfer with an operator which they sell through their agents/web-sites/call-centres - therefore is paid for in advance and you will appear on the transfer manifests
2. you can make your own flight arrangements and upon arrival at the airport catch up with a rep from one of the companies and book onto their coaches.
In both cases as the reps are unlikely to know where you are staying (they have no details as you made your own accommodation arrangements), make sure you establish the return journey procedures: give them the flight you are on, get the resort office's contact details and call on Thurday evening for transfer details/confirmation.
Method 2. is not guaranteed but is ususally fine. Expect to pay �50 one-way for Geneva-Chamonix and you will have to pay the two journeys seperately (as the return cannot be guaranteed till the end of the week).
See Tour Operators for contact details

Helicopter:
A helicopter transfer with SAF for up to 5 people (without much luggage) can be arranged to Val d'Isere. In bad weather conditions the helicopter cannot fly and it must arrive during daylight hours.

Train:
Although it is possible to come from/go to all the above airports by train a journey would involve changing at least once and would take a great deal of time and is therefore not recommended, perhaps with the exception of Chambery.

last updated 11-Dec-2007

Getting your Sporting Equipment to Val d'Isere

There are numerous options for getting your sports equipment to resort, be it flying, train or coach. Most travel companies have their own individual policy terms and conditions depending on the type of sporting equipment you are transporting. Here's a snap shot of the different transport options and a guide to their restrictions.

A review of airlines terms and conditions in relation to sports equipment baggage indicates that it is highly likely that you will be subjected to a standard charge for taking your sporting equipment on board. Leisure 'Equipment' that will require additional handling can include bikes, golf clubs, parachutes, mountaineering equipment or skis/snowboards. If you like your skis, it is imperative that you pack them in a ski or board bag for protection! Most airlines will still take your skis if they are not in a ski bag; just don�t be surprised at the condition they arrive in at the other end of your flight. A ski or snowboard bag can also be packed with soft items (ski trousers, jumpers etc) around your skis or board to give them added protection. Just be careful if the equipment is covered in storage wax.

If you choose to take a mountain biking holiday most holiday firms will collect you from the airport where the hours drive from the airport is included within your holiday price. However, should you choose to book your transfer independently most airport transfer companies will still permit you to take your mountain bike in the vehicle provided you give advance warning at the time of booking.

If you prefer the use of your own car you can drive down the autoroutes to Val d'Isere. Check out Viamichelin for exact route information. The most convenient way to travel with skis is a roof "coffin" style box that will carry several pairs of skis/boards, boots and poles. A roof rack is also a handy alternative and can be retned from many ski shops. If using a roof rack, try to cover the bindings over to prevent them getting covered in grit and salt. Roof boxes and roof racks should be lockable and therefore fairly secure from thiefs.

If you choose to take a train all the way to your ski resort it may involve a couple of changes and cost slightly more than a cheap flight. Eurostar recommends using its registered luggage service for your bike if you�re travelling from London, Paris, Brussels or Lille and charges approximately �20 for carriage of your bike. If travelling by France's national rail system check here for further train and route timetables.

last updated 21-Apr-2008