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Ski trains to the French Alps

For those who prefer to leave the car at home and enjoy some stunning scenery, the train is a great alternative. We can book the Eurostar Snow train from London to the French Alps with a simple change in Lille. Or take the Eurostar to Paris or Lille and then change to a French high-speed TGV and speed down to the Alps.

With shorter transfers than from most airports, travelling by train means you can get closer to resort.

Head to Bourg St Maurice to access resorts in the Paradiski and Tarentaise areas: Paradiski – Peisey-Vallandry, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Les Coches (La Plagne), Tarentaise – Tignes and Val d'Isère, Sainte-Foy and La Rosiere).

Travel to Moutiers for the 3 Valleys ski area, including St Martin de Belleville, Méribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, La Tania and Courchevel, and Champagny (Paradiski).

On each resort page in the access section we let you know the closest train station.

Eurostar Snow Train

Paris + TGV - Destination Stations

Eurostar to Paris + TGV - Pricing

Eurostar Snow train via Lille

This service will operate for holiday weeks from 21/12/24 to 02/03/25. Leaving London on a Saturday in the daytime and returning to London the following Sunday in the daytime.

You'll take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille then make a simple platform change before speeding down to the Alps.

The train will serve more stations than the original ski train, choose from:

Chambéry
Albertville
Moutiers
Aime-la-Plagne
Landry
Bourg St Maurice

A sample journey would look like this:

OUTBOUND Saturday leave London 09.01, arrive Lille at 11.22, depart Lille 11.50, arrive in Bourg St Maurice (as an example) 17.45.

RETURN Sunday leave Bourg St Maurice (as an example) 08.09, arrive Lille 14.22, depart Lille 15.35, arrive London 15.34

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Either choose to spend 7 nights in one of our resorts then add an additional night in our hotel in Bourg St Maurice or choose one of our selection of hotels that can offer 8 night durations including hotels in Méribel, Tignes le Lac, Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 . You could also spend a week at Les Balcons de Belle Plagne, then a final night at the sister hotel to this property, prices start from £587pp for 7nts in an apartment and 1nt in their sister hotel, including standard travel on the Eurostar Snow train.

Call our team on 023 9283 9310 to find out more and talk through possibilities.

Eurostar + French high-speed TGV

Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris or Lille and then change and pick up a TGV to either:

Lyon
Chamonix (Chamonix Valley resorts)
Annecy (Le Grand Bornand, La Clusaz)
Cluses (Samoens)
Chambery (3 Valleys, Paradiski)
Aime le Plagne
Moutiers (St Martin de Belleville, 3 Valleys)
Bourg St Maurice (La Rosière, Peisey Vallandry, Tignes, Sainte Foy)
Grenoble (2 Alpes, Vaujany, Oz-en-Oisans, Chamrousse)
Briancon or Oulx (Serre Chevalier, Montgenevre)

Plenty of other resorts can be easily accessed by train, if you'd like advice on which TGV to take to your resort or if you need to take a local train, please call us on 023 9283 9310.

See the TGV route map here

French sections of the itineraries via Paris can only be booked 3 months ahead of actual travel dates. Transfers from the station to resort can be pre-booked and we can even arrange your transfer across Paris if required (although getting the Metro is another option).

Travelling Times

London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord: 3 hours
Transfer by underground to Gare de Lyon: allow 70-90 mins
Call us for taxi transfers across Paris from Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon.

Eurostar to Paris + TGV - Pricing

Please contact us for quotes and to register your interest.

Please note that transfers from the train station to the resort are not included in the above prices.

See the TGV route map here

Transfer times by private taxi transfer (traffic/weather dependent)

La Tania to Moutiers: 25 minutes each way (approx 20kms)
La Plagne to Aime la Plagne: 20 minutes each way (approx 15km)
Les Arcs to Bourg St Maurice: 45 minutes each way (approx 19km)
Sainte Foy to Bourg St Maurice: 15 minutes each way (approx 12km)
Val d'lsère to Bourg St Maurice: 45 minutes each way (approx 32kms)
Tignes to Bourg St Maurice: 45 minutes each way (approx 31km)

Contact our team on 023 9283 9310 to get a quote for a private taxi transfer from your station to resort.

You can also get to resorts on shared bus transfers, although the transfer times are much longer than by taxi. Various services are available, including through providers such as Altibus www.altibus.com

Why take the ski train vs flying?

Many people assume flying down to the Alps is the easiest and quickest option but actually taking the train can sometimes take less time and has far more perks. Although it might not suit everyone, it's definitely worth considering. Read more about what it can offer your party - you may be surprised!

1. Excellent value compared to flying on peak dates

Eurostar + TGV ticket prices are generally cheaper on peak dates than flying. When checked against a major airline for the same date and similar times it was almost twice the price for adults and almost three times the price for children.

2. Free ski carriage

Pay absolutely nothing for your ski carriage while on board Eurostar. Airlines can charge in excess of £70 per item. On Eurostar you can take up to 2 bags, 85cm long each, 1 piece of hand luggage and 1 pair of skis and snowboard per person. There is no weight restriction on luggage either (or restrictions on liquids, apart from alcohol), so you don't have to worry about sticking to your 20kg; just keep an eye on the size of bag (as above).

3. Enjoy the stunning French scenery

Looking out at the French countryside flying by from a train window certainly beats the view from a plane window on a cloudy day - you could even play a game of eye spy with the kids!

4. It's quicker than flying

Okay, so maybe not every route is quicker, but a lot depends on where you stay. The train is super convenient for Les Arcs for example. If you taken into account the time you take to get to the airport, check in, queue for security, wait in departures, take the flight, go back through security the other side, collect your luggage, get your transfer...you get the picture, with the train you can miss out a few of these steps and enjoy your journey.

5. Great for kids

Taking the train definitely gives children a bit more freedom. There is plenty of space, more leg room and wider aisles. On some of the newer trains, there is also on board WiFi - that will keep the whole family happy.

6. On-board cafes

The on-board buffet serves snacks, hot meals and hot and cold drinks, perfect for grabbing a bite to eat and stretching your legs!

"We found the train a revelation and would definitely book again" - Mrs G (Peak Retreats Client)