Les Deux Alpes Transport & Parking

Transport & Parking in Les Deux Alpes

Environmental concerns are pushing more and more Alpine resorts to become traffic-free; with free buses, train links and plenty of long-term covered parking spaces you may find that you can happily manage without the car whilst in Les Deux Alpes. If you are staying in a catered chalet enquire with your host about the availability of minibus transport, many chalets offer this service to and from the slopes and sometimes of an evening as well.

Public Transport in Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes is accessed fairly easily by public transport; Grenoble has both a train and coach station from which you can then catch a bus to resort.

As well as the local buses that run in and out of resort, Les Deux Alpes also operates a free shuttle service throughout the winter season that operates on 3 different circuits. Stopping at 23 points throughout the resort, the service runs between:
- 2 Alpes 1800 (F1) & Info point at Mont de Lans (I5)
- Info point at Mont de Lans (I5) & Diable Telecabine (T4)
- Diable Telecabine (T4) & Residence du Soleil (S8)

Buses run 20 minutely on each circuit from 8am to 8pm, daily. Full timetables are posted on each bus stop or you can enquire at the Tourist Office or the information point in Mont de Lans.

Bus Timetable to/from Grenoble
SNCF (French Rail Network) Website
Overview of transport routes in the Rhône Alpes

last updated 22-May-2008

Car Parking in Les Deux Alpes

Once in resort there is really no need to drive - you can walk from one end to the other in approximately 20 minutes (slightly more if allowing for clunky ski boots!) and there is a free bus service. Ski resorts are trying to cut down on the amount of traffic, partly to avoid congestion and partly because of environmental concerns regarding snow levels and glacial shrinkage. However, if you have arrived in your car and need somewhere to leave it for the duration there are multiple options...

You can park for free all along Avenue de la Muzelle, the main road that runs through the resort. It can get busy however, so it is sometimes best to arrive early, bag your space and leave the car there until you have to go.

There is secure covered parking in Place de Venosc, which is free during the summer season and pay and display in winter.

Les Deux Alpes 1800 is serviced by a network of free covered car parks that lead out either into the residential buildings or onto the pedestrianised streets.

Motorhomes can park for free at the 'aire de camping car' on Avenue da la Muzelle. There is water access and facilties for emptying waste, see here for further details.

last updated 1-Jul-2008

Travelling Between the Airport & Les Deux Alpes

At 110kms from Les Deux Alpes (about 2hrs transfer), Grenoble is the closest airport to the resort. Chambéry and Lyon are the other airports close by at a distance of 135kms and 160kms 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 Les Deux Alpes with to see if they make arrangements for you anyway or as an 'optional extra'.

Buses:
Grenoble and Lyon St Exupéry are the easiest airports to travel from by bus, for Chambéry and Turin we would recommend a shared shuttle or private transfer. From Grenoble Transisère provides a means for booking coaches on-line, which leave from the airport and Grenoble Coach Station and can take between 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours depending on the route and time of day. From Lyon St. Exupéry you can book your journey through Satobus.

Shared Shuttle:
There are a number of local companies that can provide shared minibuses which take you door-to-door. This can be easier than trying to navigate your way around a foreign public transport system and you will generally find that the drivers speak good English. Although slightly more expensive than travelling by public transport it is still one of the cheaper means of getting to resort.

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 Grenoble or Lyon. For more than 4 people the cost will be higher. See Taxis for contact details.

Motor Bike:
If you are travelling light and want to arrive in style you can roar into Les Deux Alpes on the back of a Honda Goldwing 1800! Moto-Express provide airport transfers from Lyon and Grenoble and will provide you with helmet, gloves and protective clothing for the journey.

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 it 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 Thursday evening for transfer details/confirmation.
Method 2 is not guaranteed but is usually fine. You will have to pay for the two journeys separately (as the return cannot be guaranteed till the end of the week).
See Tour Operators for contact details.

Helicopter: A helicopter transfer with for up to 5 people (without much luggage) can be arranged to Les Deux Alpes. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes from Grenoble Airport. In bad weather conditions the helicopter cannot fly and it must arrive during daylight hours. Click here for details of companies that can provide this service.

last updated 29-Feb-2008