Holidays &
   tours by train

Ski holidays by train, not plane. . .

with Eurostar's Ski Train or scheduled trains

The Ski Train

   Home     Site map     Search site     Links     Railpasses     Buy train tickets     Buy ferry tickets    Book a hotel     What's new    About me    E-mail    Guestbook

Africa

Middle East,

Caucasus

   Iran
  Israel
  Jordan
  Syria
  Turkey
  Caucasus

Asia

America

Australasia

Australia
New Zealand

London to China
& Japan by
Trans-
Siberian
Railway


London to Central Asia & China via The Silk Route


London to India overland
by train


London to Australia without flying


London to

the USA by Queen Mary 2 Trans-Atlantic


Eurail & European
Railpass guide


Explore Europe by train with an
InterRail pass


Taking your car by train:
Motorail


Holidays
by train


Ski holidays
by train


Eurostar,
the train from London to Paris


All about the real Orient Express


The luxury Venice Simplon Orient Express


Switzerland's
scenic train:
Glacier
Express


Switzerland's
Bernina
Express


Auckland to
Wellington
by train:
Overlander


NZ's most
scenic train:
TranzAlpine


Across the
USA on
Amtrak's
California
Zephyr


Canada's Rockies by train:
The Rocky Mountaineer


Bridge on the
River Kwai


Singapore to
Bangkok by
luxury train:
The Eastern
& Oriental
Express


Britain's most scenic route:
The West Highland Line


Scotland's own
cruise train:
The Royal Scotsman


Buy train tickets & passes online at the seat61
Rail Shop


Buy ferry tickets online at the seat61
Ferry Shop


Book hotels online at the seat61
Hotel Shop


Resident in France?  Try www.seat61.fr


Comments?  Feedback?  Need help?

Email the Man in Seat Sixty-One! 


Sign the
guestbook


Disclaimer, copyright & privacy policy.

Webhosting by Ultraspeed

Thank you for visiting my site...

 

   
 
 

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...

Skiing in the French Alps by train   

The easiest option, with direct ski trains & package ski holidays with train travel included.

Skiing in Switzerland by train

If you go independently, the Swiss ski resorts can be reached from the UK using scheduled trains.

Skiing in Austria by train

You can reach Austrian ski resorts using scheduled trains.

Skiing in Andorra by train

You can reach Andorra's ski resorts using scheduled trains plus a bus link.

Sponsored links...

 

 
 

French Alps ski train connections...

Map of bus transfers to ski resorts from train stations served by Eurostar ski train

Dark blue line = route served by Eurostar Ski Train

Light blue lines = bus or taxi transfers from rail stations.

 
   A beginner's ski slope at Les Arcs 1800 in the French Alps.  Easy to reach on Rail Europe's Snow Train or the Eurostar Ski Train

A beginner's ski slope, the Chantel at Arc 1800 (Les Arcs), with white snow under blue skies.  No flights required...

 

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

Step 1:  Choose your ski resort...

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...

Chamonix  www.chamonix.com   Les Arcs  www.lesarcs.com   Val Thorens  www.valthorens.com
Courchevel  www.courchevel.com   Les Menuires  www.lesmenuires.com   Val d'Isère  www.valdisere.com
La Plagne  www.la-plagne.com   Méribel  www.meribel.com      
La Tania  www.latania.com   Tignes  www.tignes.net      

Step 2:  Choose how to get there...

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.

Step 3:  Book your train travel & accommodation.

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 direct Ski Trainswww.eurostar.com/ski, from £149 return

  • 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.

The Eurostar Ski Train at Bourg St Maurice...

The Eurostar Ski Train at Bourg St Maurice...

   

Eurostar ski train- first class seats

Eurostar 1st class, meals & drinks included...

    

Eurostar ski train - standard class seats

Eurostar standard class...

 London ► French Alps  (Eurostar Ski Trains) 

 

   

 French Alps ► London (Eurostar Ski Trains) 

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

  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
 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!!

Take the Eurostar Ski train to the ski resorts this winter!

Scebery seen from the Eurostar Ski Train   The funicular up to Les arcs from Bourg St Maurice
Above:  The Eurostar passes lovely snowy scenery in the French Alps as it approaches Bourg St Maurice.  This is Landry.   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.

Step 4:  Transfers from station to ski resort...

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.

Resort: Station: Transfer options:
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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.

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.

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.

Step 5:  Skis, ski poles, ski boot hire, lift passes...

  • 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.

Step 6:  Arrange Winter sports travel insurance...

 

 

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...

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

Back to home page