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BackShorter transfers from train stations to ski resorts, by bus or taxi, are one of benefits of travelling by train to the Alps.
Local taxi transfers from train stations to ski resorts
Transfers from train stations are much shorter than airport transfers, because the local train station is always much closer to the resort. If you would like to be picked up by a taxi and taken to your accommodation, it's far cheaper to book with a local taxi. In most cases, it's a mistake to ask an airport transfer company to quote a price from a train station to a resort because they 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).
How much?
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
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).
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.
| Taxi transfers from train stations to French ski resorts | ||||
| Ski resort / village | Train station | Journey time | 4-seater taxi | 8-seater taxi |
| Alpe d'Huez | Grenoble | 75 mins | 130 € | 165 € |
| Avoriaz | Cluses | 60 mins | 88 € | 138 € |
| Avoriaz via Prodains | Cluses | 45 mins | 60 € | 100 € |
| Brides les Bains | Moutiers | 10 mins | 30 € | 45 € |
| Courchevel | Moutiers | 40 - 50 mins | 65 - 85 € | 100 - 120 € |
| Flaine | Cluses | 50 mins | 75 € | 120 € |
| La Clusaz | Annecy | 30 mins | 70 € | 100 € |
| La Plagne Centre | Aime la Plagne | 25 mins | 60 € | 80 € |
| La Plagne Belle Plagne | Aime la Plagne | 30 mins | 65 € | 90 € |
| La Plagne Bellecote | Aime la Plagne | 25 mins | 60 € | 80 € |
| La Plagne Village | Aime la Plagne | 30 mins | 60 € | 80 € |
| La Plagne Soleil | Aime la Plagne | 30 mins | 60 € | 80 € |
| La Plagne 1800 | Aime la Plagne | 20 mins | 55 € | 75 € |
| La Rosiere | Bourg St Maurice | 40 mins | 60 € | 100 € |
| La Tania | Moutiers | 45 mins | 63 € | 105 € |
| Le Grand Bornand | Annecy | 30 mins | 70 € | 100 € |
| Les Arcs 1600 | Bourg St Maurice | 25 mins | 50 € | 75 € |
| Les Arcs 1800 | Bourg St Maurice | 30 mins | 60 € | 80 € |
| Les Arcs 1950 | Bourg St Maurice | 30 mins | 75 € | 110 € |
| Les Arcs 2000 | Bourg St Maurice | 40 mins | 75 € | 110 € |
| Les Carroz | Cluses | 25 mins | 40 € | 80 € |
| Les Contamines | St Gervais le Fayet | 20 mins | 35 € | 55 € |
| Les Gets | Cluses | 25 mins | 50 € | 90 € |
| Les Menuires | Moutiers | 40 mins | 80 € | 120 € |
| Megeve | Sallanches | 20 mins | 50 € | 70 € |
| Meribel Les Allues | Moutiers | 20 mins | 53 € | 78 € |
| Meribel Centre | Moutiers | 25 mins | 58 € | 88 € |
| Meribel Altiport | Moutiers | 30 mins | 58 € | 88 € |
| Meribel Mottaret | Moutiers | 30 mins | 68 € | 98 € |
| Meribel Village | Moutiers | 25 mins | 58 € | 88 € |
| Montgenevre | Briancon | 25 mins | 40€ | 55 € |
| Montgenevre | Oulx | 35 mins | 60 € | 80 € |
| Morilion | Cluses | 15 mins | 45 € | 65 € |
| Morzine | Cluses | 45 mins | 65 € | 105 € |
| Peisey-Vallandry | Landry | 35 mins | 45 € | 65 € |
| Sainte Foy | Bourg St Maurice | 20 mins | 50 € | 70 € |
| Samoëns | Cluses | 25 mins | 50 € | 90 € |
| St Gervais | St Gervais le Fayet | 7 mins | 18 € | 25 € |
| St Martin de Belleville | Moutiers | 25 mins | 55 € | 90 € |
| Serre Chevalier | Briancon | 15 mins | 30 € | 40 € |
| Serre Chevalier | Oulx | 50 mins | 120 € | 140 € |
| Tignes | Bourg St Maurice | 50 mins | 80 € | 120 € |
| Val Cenis | Modane | 30 mins | 45 € | 65 € |
| Val d'Isere | Bourg St Maurice | 50 mins | 80 € | 120 € |
| Val Thorens | Moutiers | 55 mins | 90 € | 140 € |
| Valmorel | Moutiers | 40 mins | 50 € | 70 € |
Public bus transfers
Taking a local bus from the train station to your resort is a way to reduce transport costs. It takes a little bit longer than a taxi, of course. But once it leaves, there won't be many - if any - stops between the train station and the resort, so it's normally a fairly direct service.
Transfer buses are essentially coaches, and are big, warm and can take skis and snowboard bags 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 €9 one-way for those under 26 (including children and infants).
Most buses can be booked in advance, and althought 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 that shows you which company to book though.
As a general rule, when arriving in the Alps by train, allow 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 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
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.
Bus transfers from the daytime Eurostar Ski Train 2017-18 (predicted)
Here is a list of transfers from the daytime Eurostar Ski Train. If you are headed to resorts served by Moutiers station there are good bus connections.
However, from Aime la Plagne and Bourg St Maurice the bus leaves just before the Eurostar Ski Train arrives!
This is because (in their wisdom) the bus companies decided to have the last bus depart a few minutes before the Eurostar Ski Train arrives (at 18:50). Crazy but true. We are actively talking with Eurostar and the bus companies to try to help move them towards a sensible solution.
| Daytime Eurostar Ski Train arrives at Moutiers at 18:11 | |||
| Next bus departure to | Departs | Arrives resort | Booking link |
| Brides les Bains | 18:30 | 18:40 | Book bus |
| Couchevel le Praz 1300 | 18:30 | 19:15 | Book bus |
| Courchevel Village 1550 | 18:30 | 19:25 | Book bus |
| Couchevel Moriond 1650 | 18:30 | 19:30 | Book bus |
| Courchevel 1850 | 18:30 | 19:40 | Book bus |
| Doucy | 18:45 | 19:15 | Book bus |
| La Tania | 18:30 | 19:10 | Book bus |
| Les Menuires | 18:30 | 19:15 | Book bus |
| Meribel Les Allues | 18:30 | 18:55 | Book bus |
| Meribel Village | 18:30 | 19:00 | Book bus |
| Meribel Mussillon | 18:30 | 19:05 | Book bus |
| Meribel La Chaudanne | 18:30 | 19:10 | Book bus |
| Meribel Centre | 18:30 | 19:15 | Book bus |
| Meribel Mottaret (Le Chatelet) | 18:30 | 19:25 | Book bus |
| Meribel Mottaret (Le Hameau) | 18:30 | 19:40 | Book bus |
| St Martin de Belleville | 18:30 | 19:00 | Book bus |
| Val Thorens | 18:30 | 19:45 | Book bus |
| Valmorel | 19:00 | 19:45 | Book bus |