Travelling to Les Deux Alpes

How to Get to Les Deux Alpes

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

Planes, Trains or Automobiles : Which is the easiest way to Les Deux Alpes?

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

The nearest train station is Grenoble, from which you can then connect to regular bus services to Les Deux Alpes.

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).

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 Grenoble you can then either take a taxi or a bus.

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 giving 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 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.

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.

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 popular towns and resorts are often slow moving or at a standstill during the busy French holiday weekends. You can check which weekends to avoid by visitng the French Government’s Bison Futé Traffic Information site.

last updated 4-Jun-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

Getting your Sporting Equipment to Les Deux Alpes

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 12-Aug-2008