Val Thorens Transport & Parking

Transport & Parking in Val Thorens

All the information you need on car parking, the local bus service, and how to get from the airport to Val Thorens, can be found in this section. Note that Val Thorens is edging closer and closer to being a car-free resort. Driving is restricted to luggage drop-off only, and then you must take your car to one of the open or covered car parks in the resort. There is a free shuttle bus service that runs 24 hours from the car parks, that take you back to your accommodation.

Car Parking in Val Thorens

Val Thorens is a car free resort. You are allowed to use your car to drop off your luggage and then you must leave your car in either covered or open car parks. Spaces can be pre-booked, and car parking booked one month in advance is less expensive than simply arriving. The car parks are open 24 hours and a shuttle service is available to take you back to your accommodation. Price for a week for an ordinary car is 64�, but check out Valthoparc for other durations and reservations. The web-site is really helpful and has useful advice for preparing your car for the sub-zero temperatures.

In Les Menuires the parking is free within designated on-street parking spaces. Closer to the Croisette (centre of Les Menuires and where most of the shops are), smaller car parks charge a small fee. There are generally spaces near to each apartment complex.

Long-term parking in St Martin is close to the bottom of the St Martin 1 telecabine. It is possible to park on the streets in designated spaces upon display of a �disque�, which can be collected from the Mairie (Town Hall). This system was introduced last year on a couple of roads, and it is likely to be extended to more streets this year.

On snow-clearing days and Farmers' Market days, a sign is put out late the night before that all cars should be removed by 7am the following morning. It has been known for the occasional car to be pushed over the edge when buried under heavy snow drifts. You have been warned!

There is a specific car park in Val Thorens for camper vans and/or motorhomes. The price is 22� per night with 2 nights free for every seven booked, thus 1 week costs 220�. The ValThorens carpark company, Valthoparc, can give you more information and options to pre-book.

Valthoparc - Book Your Car Parking Space here!

last updated 30-Apr-2008

Public Transport in Val Thorens

There is a free bus service in and around Val Thorens, and also between Les Menuires and Reberty further down the mountain. There is a local bus service that runs between Val Thorens and Mo�tiers but it is not that frequent, and runs about every 2 hours. It is a good idea to pick up a bus timetable just in case of adverse weather conditions.

The other Three Valley resorts (Courchevel, La Tania, St Martin, Brides les Bains and Meribel) can all be reached on skis/board via the lift system. You can reach other ski resorts and towns via bus (some journeys require a short hop by train).

The nearest train station to Val Thorens is Mo�tiers - approximately 38km from Val Thorens. (The full name is Moutiers les Salins, Brides les Bains - be careful not to confuse with several other Moutiers in France and Switzerland�..it has been done). Buses run regularly from Mo�tiers to Val Thorens (see timetable below) - Tel Transavoie: +33 (0)4 79 24 21 58. Alternatively take a taxi

Bus Timetable Moutiers to VT, Les Menuires & St Martin

last updated 30-Apr-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