Travelling to Val Thorens

How to get to Val Thorens

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 Thorens 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 Thorens. Our guide gives you an idea of the options available, plus some tips on how to get your sporting equipment safely to Val Thorens.

Planes, trains or automobiles - which is the easiet way to Val Thorens?

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

During the winter season Eurostar runs both a direct daytime and a direct overnight train from London or Ashford to Mo�tiers Salins station (fares from �179). 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.

A second option is to take a Eurostar to Paris or Lyon and take a French train (perhaps overnight from Paris) to Mo�tiers Salins.

A third option is to take the overnight Snowtrain. 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.

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.

Flying, whilst seemingly quicker, 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. On the other hand, you are much more likely to get a 'bargain' price if flying, and if you want to arrive/depart on days other than the weekend is probably less hassle than negotiating the train.

The four closest airports are: Geneva (Switzerland, 135km), Chambery (95km), Lyon St-Exupery Airport (185km) , and Grenoble (172km). You may also want to consider St. Etienne (250km) or even Turin (Italy 235 km)

Each airport has it pros and cons. Chambery is closest but may close in bad weather and your flight be diverted elsewhere. Geneva has excellent bus/shuttle links to Val Thorens, but finding the route in a hire car isn't particularly easy. Lyon St-Exupery has fewer links to Val Thorens, expecially midweek, but the journey is easier and quicker than from Geneva if you hire a car.

Each major airline carries destination information on its websites - although you either have to try all of them to find one which operates to from your local airport or know your local operators.

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.

Ski-mad, budget travellers have long used the Ski Meribel overnight sleeper coach from Vicoria Station in London to Meribel centre, with return prices starting at �109. From Meribel, it is just a short local bus ride up to Val Thorens. Alternatively, Eurolines offers return London to Moutiers coach travel for as litle as �66 (30 day advance fare). Both coach services offer 8 days' skiing by travelling overnight on Friday and returning overnight on Saturday.

last updated 4-Jun-2008

Travelling between the Airport and Val Thorens

You have the choice of scheduled bus, shared shuttle, hire car, tour operator, taxi, private helicopter transfer or train.

Bus:
From Geneva Altibus run 8 buses per day on Saturday and 3 or 4 on other days. The journey takes around 3 � hours and costs �64 one way. 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 run 4 buses on Saturday and 2 or 3 on other days. The journey takes 3 - 4 hours and costs �57 one way. Tel +33 (0)4 72 35 94 96.

From Chamb�ry Altibus run one bus per day. The journey takes 2 � hours and costs �50 one way. Tel +33 (0)4 79 08 54 90.

Shared Shuttle:
The Alps based company ATS (Airport Transfer Service) run shared minibuses which take you door-to-door. From Geneva the journey time is 2 � hours, and from Chambery (Saturday only) the journey time is 1 � hours.

Taxi:
A taxi for up to 4 people will cost approximately �275 (Geneva), �215 (Chamb�ry) and �335 (Lyon St Exup�ry). For For more than 4 people the cost will be higher for the vehicle and probably cheaper per person.

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

Tour Operator
Two options:
1. book in advance a 'Flight & Transfer' with an operator which they sell through their agents/web-sites/call-centres.

2. 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. You will usually find a spare space, though this can't be guaranteed.

In both cases (as the reps are unlikely to know where you are staying) 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.

Helicopter:
A helicopter can transfer up to 5 people (without much luggage) to M�ribel airport for the following total price. Geneva �1311, Chamb�ry �912, Lyon St Exup�ry �1545. In bad weather conditions the helicopter cannot fly and it must arrive in Val Thorens in daylight hours. Tel SAF +33 (0)4 79 08 00 91

Train:
Although it is possible to reach all the above airports by train from Mo�tiers station, a journey would involve changing at least once and would take quite a lot of time and is therefore not highly recommended.

last updated 29-Jan-2008

Getting Your Sporting Equipment to Val Thorens

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 Thorens. There is motorway or dual carriageway from Calais all the way to Mo�tiers and then a further 38km of single carriage road. The better route is via Reims and not via Paris. It�s approximately an 7-10 hour drive (895kms/550 miles) from Calais and will cost around �70 in road tolls. 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 4-Jun-2008