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In the Alps... Easy to reach without flying! |
If you
fancy a skiing holiday without the pain of the plane, no
problem. It's easy to reach French ski resorts
such as Les Arcs, Courchevel, Méribel or Val d'Isère by
the special Eurostar ski
train which runs from London St Pancras station every
Saturday during the ski season. In
fact, you'd be crazy to fly, the direct train journey is
so much less hassle and so much more fun than 7 hours of
check-ins, airports, flights & the 3-hour nightmare bus
transfer
from the airport. The train journey becomes part of your holiday, with a great atmosphere on
board. This page explains how to plan and book a ski
holiday by train not plane, either independently or as a
package with ski holiday companies who offer travel by
train.
Choose
your ski holiday destination...
Sponsored links...
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French Alps ski train
connections...
Dark blue line = route served by Eurostar Ski Train
Light blue lines = bus or taxi transfers from rail stations. |
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 A beginner's ski slope, the Chantel at Arc 1800
(Les Arcs), with white snow under blue skies.
No flights required... |
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Start here...
Here is a step-by-step guide to
skiing by train in the French Alps, either independently or with a package ski holiday that
includes train travel:
Step 1: Choose your
ski resort
Step 2: Choose how
to get there
▶ Eurostar Ski Train
times, fares, information from £149 return
▶
Scheduled daily trains
Step 3: Book your
travel & accommodation
Step 4: Arrange
transfers from the station to & from the resort
Step 5: Arrange
boot, ski & pole or snowboard hire, & ski lift pass
Step 6:
Don't forget winter sports travel insurance
If you want
the simplest way to ski by train from the UK, start with any
ski resort in the French Alps shown on the map opposite,
including Les Arcs, La Plagne,
Val d'Isère, Méribel, Courchevel & Les Menuires (Trois
Vallées). These French ski resorts are the easiest to
reach from the UK by train as the special Eurostar Ski Train runs from London to this area every
week in the skiing season and many ski holiday packages
incorporate train travel rather than flights to these resorts.
Les Arcs is
the easiest to reach of all, as it's linked by a 10-minute
funicular (mountain railway) ride up the mountain from Bourg
St Maurice railway station at the foot of the mountain. It's
a modern resort, good for beginners, and billed as 'home of the
snowboard'. Courchevel is the traditional haunt
of the Parisian jet set, up-market but not for those on a tight
budget! Val d'Isère is a well-known resort higher
up the valley, better for intermediate and advanced skiers
than beginners. Méribel is a big ski city with
many British visitors. La Plagne is a series of
picturesque villages and tree-lined pistes.
There's a helpful
summary of the pros & cons of each French ski resort on the
Eurostar website.
The ever-popular
Chamonix can also be reached by train, indeed it has its own
station on a scenic narrow-gauge line from St Gervais, but you'll
need to use scheduled trains as it's not served by the
Eurostar Ski Train.
Official resort
websites, with piste maps...
There are four key
ways to reach the French Alps by train:
-
Eurostar direct daytime ski train.
This is the most civilised way to reach the French Alps.
Every Saturday morning from late December to April, a
Eurostar train runs direct from London St Pancras &
Ashford (Kent) to the French Alps, arriving in the early
evening,
see the map above to see the stations and resorts
served. It is available to independent travellers
and is also included in many package skiing holidays. It's become very popular, so
book well in advance!
Timetable,
information, photos & fares are shown below.
-
Eurostar
direct overnight ski train. There is also
a direct overnight Eurostar from London to the Alps on
Friday nights from late December to April.
However, it only has regular seats rather than proper
sleeping-berths (and non-reclining seats, at that) so
you can't sleep very well, you really will be sitting up
all night.
Timetable,
information, photos & fares are shown below.
-
Regular daily scheduled trains.
Alternatively, you can take regular, scheduled trains running
daily, year-round. Take Eurostar to Paris, change
trains & stations, then take either an overnight train with
couchettes or a daytime TGV train from Paris with the
French Alps. Many extra trains run on
Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays in the skiing season. If
you want to reach resorts not
shown on the map above such as the ever-popular Chamonix
(reached by narrow gauge train from St Gervais) you'll
need to use scheduled trains, not the special ski
trains. Details are shown on the
London to France page or book
online using
www.raileurope.co.uk.
-
Rail Europe Snow Train.
This was the most time-effective way to
the French Alps, Eurostar to Paris and couchettes to the
Alps with a party on the train if you wanted
one. However, it last ran in the Winter
2008/9 season and looks as if it won't run again.
Either (a) Go independently, buying train tickets
& accommodation separately...
-
Buy a Eurostar
Ski Train ticket direct from Eurostar at
www.eurostar.com/ski.
-
Or buy tickets for
scheduled trains from London to France
as shown on the
France page.
-
Book
accommodation-only deals at the resort using operators such
as:
www.neilson.co.uk,
www.skihorizon.co.uk. Most accommodation deals
require an arrival on Saturday, departure the following
Saturday, which fits in with the Ski Train or Snow Train.
-
Do a dry run on
both websites to check train and accommodation prices &
availability first.
...or (b) Book a ski holiday package
which includes travel by Eurostar Ski Train...
This can be a
cheaper option. Most 7-day or 14-day holidays start on a
Saturday, leaving on a Saturday one or two weeks later. To avoid wasting valuable time with
supposedly 'expert' ski holiday companies who don't offer
sensible train travel to the
French Alps, just flights, flights & more flights, here are
the main holiday operators who do offer travel by
Eurostar Ski Train as part of
their ski holiday packages:
-
Start with
www.eurostar.com/ski,
as they offer package ski holidays with travel by Eurostar
Ski Train.
Look for the 'Ski Packages' and 'book now' button below the
train-only booking form on the right. As well as the
Ski Train they also offer holidays with travel by
Eurostar to Lille or Paris and connecting French Railways
train to the Alps. Look for the trains shown as
'direct' to make sure you book the direct Eurostar to the
Alps. Booking for the Eurostar ski train usually opens
in late July.
-
Railbookers
(www.railbookers.com/themes/ski-holidays-by-rail)
offer tailor-made ski holidays to Chamonix or Les Arcs,
including train travel from London or any other UK
station to the French Alps by Eurostar Ski train or by
Eurostar and TGV, and hotel or chalet accommodation.
They also do tailor-made ski holidays by train to
Switzerland and Austria.
-
www.crystalski.co.uk &
www.thomasonholidays.co.uk also include Eurostar Ski
Train holidays. To find holidays with train travel,
select 'France' then select 'St Pancras' as your 'departure
airport'(!). Also try
www.inghams.co.uk/ski-holidays (select 'London rail' as
your departure point for rail packages).
-
It's worth checking
www.lastminute.com for late-booking ski packages, some
of which include travel by Eurostar.
...Jump to step 4,
arranging transfers
-
The Eurostar
daytime ski train is easily most
civilised way from London to the French Alps, especially in
Standard Premier
(first class) with complimentary lunch, afternoon tea & drinks. Far more relaxed
than flying, and great scenery too, although it will
probably be dark when you arrive in the Alps.
-
Eurostar's Ski
Train runs direct from London St Pancras & Ashford (Kent)
to Moutiers, Aime & Bourg St Maurice every Saturday from late December to mid April, with
connections for a whole range of popular skiing resorts such
as Val d'Isère, Tignes, Les Arcs, Méribel, Courchevel and the Trois
Vallées, see the map above.
-
Choose between
standard class from £149 return or first class
(called Standard Premier) from £229 return, centre to
centre with no hidden extras.
Standard Premier fares include at-seat airline-style lunch,
afternoon tea and
complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Two
cafe-bar cars are available to all passengers. You're
free to bring your own food & drink, even wine or beer,
but there's a (still generous) booze limit of 1 bottle of
wine or 4 bottles of beer or 50cl of spirits per person on
the Eurostar Ski Train.
-
You can take
skis or a snowboard free of charge, in addition to your
normal luggage allowance. Skis & boards go in a
designated luggage area at the end of each car.
-
There's a
60-minute minimum check in for the Eurostar Ski Train.
-
Transfers are not included in the price.
A funicular railway links Bourg St Maurice rail station with
Les Arcs, a 10 minute ride up the mountain. Buses & taxis link the railway stations with the
other ski resorts,
see the
map above (but note that the Eurostar doesn't call at
Chambéry, Albertville or Landry). Transfers are not included in the price,
so see the table of
transfer options below.
-
The Eurostar
Ski Train has proved extremely popular, and seats get booked
up well in advance, so book early to avoid disappointment.
See
www.eurostar.com/ski for times, fares & online booking.
Booking for the Ski Train opens in late July.
-
There's also
an overnight service, but remember this is a normal Eurostar
train with seats not couchettes or sleepers. Standard
class seats do not recline, and even first class seats only
recline a limited amount, so it's not a particularly
comfortable night! the day service is recommended if
you like your comfort.
-
Buy tickets
online at
www.eurostar.com/ski.
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The
Eurostar Ski Train at Bourg St Maurice...
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Eurostar
1st class, meals & drinks included...
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Eurostar
standard class...
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London ►
French Alps (Eurostar Ski Trains)
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French Alps ►
London (Eurostar Ski Trains)
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Day train: Runs
every Saturday from 17 December 2011 to 14 April 2012
Night
train: Runs
every Friday from 23 December 2011 to 13 April 2012 |
Day
train: Runs
every Saturday from 24 December 2011 to 14 April 2012.
Night
train: Runs
every Saturday from 17 December 2011 to 13 April 2011 |
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Day train |
Night train |
|
Day train |
Night train |
|
London St Pancras depart |
10:00 |
19:38 |
Bourg
St Maurice
depart |
09:48 |
22:15 |
|
Ashford depart |
10:47 |
20:28 |
Aime la Plagne depart |
* |
* |
|
Moutiers arrive |
18:13 |
05:55 |
Moutiers depart |
10:28 |
22:54 |
|
Aime la Plagne arrive |
18:31 |
06:20 |
Ashford arrive |
15:36 |
06:34 |
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Bourg
St Maurice
arrive |
18:51 |
06:41 |
London St Pancras arrive |
16:11 |
07:16 |
Both 'day' and
'night' trains are Eurostar trains, with seats but sadly no
sleeping accommodation. Booking for these Ski Trains
is now open, as of July 2011!!
 |
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Above: The Eurostar passes lovely snowy
scenery in the French Alps as it approaches Bourg St
Maurice. This is Landry. |
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Transfer to Les Arcs: There
is a funicular (mountain railway)
from Bourg St Maurice up to Les Arcs, a 10 minute ride
up the mountain. The funicular station is right
next to the mainline rail station at Bourg St Maurice.
Fare around 6 euro. There's a ski pass bureau &
cash point at the funicular station. |
If you book a
package ski holiday this will probably include transfers from
rail station to ski resort. But if you're travelling
independently, tickets for the Eurostar Ski Train don't include transfers. For most
resorts you can either take a bus (cheapest) or book a taxi
(quicker, but expensive unless there's a group of you to share
the cost).
-
Taxi prices shown
here are for the whole taxi for 1-4 people. Slightly
higher prices apply for a minivan for over 4 people.
-
Bus fares are per
person, there's a 50% discount for children under 12, children
under 4 free.
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Resort: |
Station: |
Transfer
options: |
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Courchevel |
Moutiers |
Buses run by
www.transavoie.com link Moutiers with Courchevel
(45 minutes, 10.60 euro) every hour or two.
Taxis are
quicker, and cost around 60-72
euro for 1-4 persons, reserve at
www.taxijeanloup.com,
www.meribeltaxis.com or
www.alpes-savoie-taxis.com. |
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La Plagne |
Aime |
Buses run by
www.autocars-berard.com
link Aime with La Plagne, 30-45 minutes, 10.10 euro.
For
transfer by taxi, around 40 euro, contact
www.bouzon.eu. |
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La Tania |
Moutiers |
Buses run by
www.transavoie.com
link Moutiers with La Tania, 40 minutes, 10.60 euro.
Taxis are
quicker, costing around 50 euro, reserve through
www.taxijeanloup.com or
www.alpes-savoie-taxis.com. |
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Les Menuires |
Moutiers |
Buses run by
www.transavoie.com
link Moutiers with Les Menuires in 45-50 minutes, fare
12.50 euro.
Taxis are
quicker, costing around 68-75 euro, reserve through
www.taxijeanloup.com or
www.alpes-savoie-taxis.com. |
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Les Arcs |
Bourg St Maurice |
Alight at Bourg St Maurice
and walk back towards the rear
of the train and over the footbridge to the funicular
(mountain railway) station which is right next to the
mainline station platforms. Bourg St Maurice is at
the bottom of the mountain on which Les Arcs ski resorts
sit, and the funicular links Bourg St Maurice station with
Arc 1600 every 15 minutes or so, fare around 6 euro one
way or 11 euro return, journey time about 10 minutes.
Free shuttle buses ("navettes gratuites" in French) link
the funicular station at Arc 1600 with Arc 1800 & Arc
2000. If you're skiing at Les Arcs, 10 minutes up
the hill by funicular from the railway station is so much
easier than a cramped 4 hours transfer by bus from the
airport! There's an ATM if you need euros and a ski
pass bureau at the funicular station. |
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Méribel |
Moutiers |
Buses run by
www.transavoie.com link Moutiers with Méribel
(40 minutes, 12.50 euro) every hour or two.
Taxis are
quicker, costing around 48-52 euro, reserve through
www.taxijeanloup.com,
www.meribeltaxis.com or
www.alpes-savoie-taxis.com. |
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Tignes |
Bourg St Maurice |
Walk towards the
front of the train through the station building to the
forecourt for bus or taxi transfers.
www.autocars-martin.com
run to Tignes in around 60-70 minutes, fare 13.10 euro.
|
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Val d'Isère |
Bourg St Maurice |
Walk towards the
front of the train through the station building to the
forecourt for bus or taxi transfers.
www.autocars-martin.com run to Val d'Isère
every hour or two, 1 hour journey time, 13.10 euro.
A taxi
takes 45 minutes and costs around 75-80 euro, try
www.valdiseretaxi.com,
www.taxis-bozzetto.com or
www.altitude-espace-taxi.com. |
|
Val Thorens |
Moutiers |
Buses run by
www.transavoie.com
link Moutiers with Val Thorens, 60-75 mins, 16 euro.
Taxis are
quicker, costing around 99 euro, reserve through
www.taxijeanloup.com or
www.alpes-savoie-taxis.com. |
|
Resorts linked to Albertville: |
Albertville |
Buses run by
www.altibus.com link the
station with surrounding esorts. |
|
Resorts linked to Chambéry: |
Chambéry |
Buses run by
www.transavoie.com link
Chambéry with surrounding resorts. |
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You'll need
to hire skis, ski poles & ski boots, or a snowboard & snowboard
boots, unless you have your own. You hire these when you arrive, but it's best
to pre-book.
-
Try
www.skiset.co.uk or
www.skiholidayextras.com.
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There are many beautiful
ski resorts in Switzerland, including favourites Gstaad, Zermatt, Grindelwald, St
Moritz, Davos. All of these have rail stations at the resort. Package operators
generally don't offer skiing holidays to
Switzerland with train travel, only flights, so you'll need to buy train
tickets and arrange accommodation separately.
Swiss ski resorts & how to
get to them by train...
-
Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn:
Train times, fares & how to buy
tickets London-Zermatt
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St Moritz, Klosters, Davos in the Engadin skiing area:
Train times, fares & how to buy
tickets London-St Moritz, Davos, Klosters
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Gstaad: Train times,
fares & how to buy tickets London-Gstaad
-
Grindelwald, at the foot of the Jungfrau:
Train times, fares & how to buy
tickets London-Grindelwald
Accommodation & ski hire...
Tailor-made ski holidays by train to
Switzerland
-
Railbookers (www.railbookers.com/themes/ski-holidays-by-rail)
offer tailor-made ski holidays to Zermatt, St Moritz, Grindelwald or
Wengen, including train travel from London or any other UK station
to Switzerland by Eurostar and TGV, and hotel or chalet
accommodation.
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There are many
popular ski resorts in the Austrian Tyrol. Package operators
generally don't offer skiing holidays to Austria with train travel, only
flights, so you'll need to buy train tickets and arrange
accommodation separately.
Tailor-made
ski holidays by train to Austria
-
One company
which can arrange a package ski trip to Austria by train
is Railbookers (www.railbookers.com/themes/ski-holidays-by-rail).
they offer tailor-made ski holidays to St Anton,
including train travel from London or any other UK
station to St Anton by Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Zurich
and onward connection through the fabulous Arlberg Pass
route into Austria.
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Andorra has plenty of good
ski resorts, and it's easy to get to by Eurostar to Paris, overnight
couchette train from Paris to l'Hospitalet près l'Andorre then a scenic
bus ride over the mountains. No package operators offer skiing
holidays to Andorra with train travel, so you'll need to go
independently, booking train tickets and ski resort accommodation
separately.
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