Station-to-ski-resort transfers

Transfers from train stations are much shorter than airport transfers.  Journeys in French resorts, for example, whether by bus or taxi, typically take between 20 minutes and 50 minutes. Airport transfers take much longer, as you may have experienced. Typical airport transfer times are two to five hours. I've heard stories of far longer airport transfers (nine hours, several times), because on popular transfer days the roads from airports to some resorts get clogged up with traffic. So shorter transfer are a clear win for train travel.

If you would want to go by taxi from the train station to you accommodation, it's cheaper to book with a local taxi company than an airport transfer company.  In most cases, airport transfer companies just aren't set up logistically to serve train stations, and so they have to charge more (we'd love to hear of exceptions to this rule, of course).

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Bus transfers

Taking a local bus from the train station to your resort is a way to reduce transport costs - not to mention traffic and emissions. It takes a little bit longer than a taxi, but not much  By bus there normally won't be many - if any - stops between the train station and the resort, so it's a fairly direct service.

Transfer buses are essentially coaches, and are big, warm and can take skis and snowboard bags for free as well as other luggage. The buses always depart from right outside the train stations, so you don’t have to walk any distance to the bus stop.

Depending on where your accommodation is in relation to where the bus stops, you will either be moments away from your accommodation or a short walk. Check this with your accommmodation. And if it would be some walk away, ask if they can come and pick you up from the bus stop.

Transferring by bus from station to resort is one of the most cost-effective method travel.  Prices to many French resorts are €12 one-way for adults, and €8 one-way for those under 26 (including children and infants).

Most buses can be booked in advance, and although you can in some cases buy tickets on the bus, or at the station, it makes sense to book tickets in advance. For each resort on Snowcarbon, we have a 'Transfer guide' section with specific advice and details on how to book the bus transfer.

As a general rule, when arriving in the Alps by train, allow at least 15 minutes between your train arriving and the bus departing, so that you can comfortably reach the bus in good time.  And when departing at the end of the holiday, allow ideally at least 30 minutes between the time of your bus arriving at the station, and the train departing, in case of any delays on the road. 

For French resorts, most bus services are booked though Altibus, a kind of umbrella bus-booking service. You can book buses on the website, www.altibus.com, as well as checking bus timetables. You can email Altibus at info@altibus.com or phone Altibus on +33 4 79 68 32 96

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List of bus timetables

This is a list of bus timetable PDFs that we have gathered for the 2023-24 season

Alpe d'Huez, France
Here's the Grenoble to Alpe d'Huez winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

Auris en Oisans, France
Here's the Grenoble to Auris en Oisans winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

Chamrousse, France
Here's the Grenoble to Chamrousse winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

La Clusaz, France
Here's the Annecy to La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

La Plagne, France
Here's the Aime la Plagne to La Plagne winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

La Rosiere, France
Here's the Bourg St Maurice to La Rosiere winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

Le Grand Bornand, France
Here's the Annecy to La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

Les Gets, France
Here's the Cluses to Les Gets and Morzine winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

Les Menuires, France
Here's the Moutiers to Les Menuires winter 2023-24 bus timetable - in French

Les 2 Alpes, France
Here's the Grenoble to Les 2 Alpes winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

Les 7 Laux, France
Here's the Grenoble to Les 7 Laux winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

Meribel, France
Here's the Moutiers to Meribel winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

Morzine, France
Here's the Cluses to Les Gets and Morzine winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

Sainte Foy
Here's the Bourg St Maurice to Sainte-Foy Tarentaise winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

St Martin de Belleville, France
Here's the Moutiers to St Martin de Belleville winter 2023-24 bus timetable - in French

Tignes, France
Here's the Bourg St Maurice to Tignes winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

Val d'Isere, France
Here's the Bourg St Maurice to Val d'Isère winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

Val Thorens, France
Here's the Moutiers to Val Thorens winter 2023-24 bus timetable - in French

Valmorel, France
Here's the Moutiers to Valmorel winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French (coming soon)

Vaujany, France
Here's the Here's the Grenoble to Vaujany winter 2023-24 bus timetable in French

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Taxi transfers

Taxi transfers from Moutiers stationDaniel Elkan

How much do taxi tranfers cost?
Local taxi prices will typically vary from €45 - €115 one way per taxi, depending on the destination.  Taxis can take up to eight skiers in one go,  and can carry skis and snowboard bags, as well as luggage (Some taxis prefer a maximum of seven people if you have skis). It's normally a sliding scale in price depending on how many people you are. For example, if you are only two people, you may pay less than the price for a 4-seater, and if you are five people you won't pay as much as the 8-seater.

How to book taxi transfer
Taxis can be booked in advance by phone, email or online (depending on the company).  At popular destinations such as Bourg St Maurice, Moutiers or Grenoble, you can also just turn up and find taxis waiting at the taxi rank of each station - but you would certainly be advised to reserve a taxi in advance. The exception to the reserve-in-advance rule would be if there are just one or two of you, and you wanted to see if you could chip in and share a taxi with other people, thereby reducing the cost (and saving the world some petrol too).

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Table of taxi duration and prices

Here is a list of taxi transfer durations and prices for popular French ski resorts, to help you plan your journey. 

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Chalet transfers/pick-ups

If you are staying in a catered chalet, the chances are they they will offer a pick up service from the local station - either for free or for a very reasonable charge. Whether or not it is free, might depend on the time of your arrival.

Generally chalet's prefer their guests to come by train, because its a more reliable method of transport, a shorter transfer, created less pollution and guests arrive having had a enjoyable journey.  So many many chalet's offer free pick ups from the station to encourage and reward this.

Most chalet's will write something on their 'Getting here/Travel' pages about this, but if in any doubt, ask.

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