The Alpine village of Les Carroz is a popular family ski destination. The resort’s quiet charm is part of it’s appeal to many, but some may not be familiar with how to get there. That’s why we’ve researched and outlined how to get to Les Carroz by plane, train or car.
Read on to find out more…
Where is Les Carroz?
Les Carroz is located in the Grand Massif ski region in France and is under one hour’s drive from Geneva airport.
How to get to Les Carroz from the UK…
By plane
The best and most efficient way to get to Les Carroz from the UK is to fly to Geneva airport. There are direct flights from most UK airports to Geneva and visitors from Ireland can leave from Dublin. Les Carroz is only one hour’s drive (traffic dependant) from Geneva airport, which is perfect for those who don’t like long car journeys.
What do I need for the journey?
When you travel from Geneva airport to Les Carroz, you’ll have to cross the border from Switzerland to France. Usually, you can cross without showing passports or documentation, but it’s a good idea to have these at the ready either way.
Geneva airport > Les Carroz route
The route from Geneva airport to Les Carroz is fairly straight forward and quick. However, if you want to explore other airports, there are more routes from other surrounding airports below:
Chambery airport > Les Carroz route
The drive from Chambery airport to Les Carroz takes about one hour and twenty minutes. It’s not too far, but Geneva is still a quicker option.
Lyon airport > Les Carroz route
Lyon airport to Les Carroz will take just under two hours by car, so it’s not necessarily the ideal airport choice for your holiday.
Grenoble airport > Les Carroz route
With a similar transfer time as Lyon airport, flying into Grenoble will take a lot longer than Geneva or Chambery.
Browse properties near Les Carroz
Transfers
If you’re travelling with younger children, then a private transfer may be easier for you. The vehicle is completely yours, so there’s less waiting time and fewer stops.
If you’re a group of friends, or travelling alone, then a shared transfer may be a better option. Shared transfers can be cheaper, but they’re less direct.
Here are some transfer companies who can get you from your arrival airport to Les Carroz:
Pros of getting to Les Carroz from the UK by plane:
- it’s quicker than driving
- there are plenty of direct flights available
- it’s located close by to Geneva airport and Chambery airport
Cons of getting to Les Carroz from the UK by plane:
- it’s more expensive, especially if you’re taking skis and snowboards
- you won’t have your own car in resort
Browse properties with hot tubs near Les Carroz
Car hire
Hiring a car is another option if you’d like to drive around resort – but Les Carroz does have a ski bus system, so a car isn’t completely necessary. If you’re arriving at Geneva Airport, ask your car hire provider if there are different requirements or pick up points for your vehicle because you’re travelling to France.
However, if you’re visiting in winter and are not confident driving in snow and using snow chains, we wouldn’t recommend hiring a vehicle.
Read on to find out more about driving in the French Alps…
By car
Families often choose to drive to their ski resort of choice. It tends to be cheaper, especially for families of experienced skiers with their own kit. Also, many of us are now travelling with pets, so driving will allow you to bring them on holiday with you!
Driving from the UK to France will require taking a ferry or the Eurotunnel, which both arrive in Calais.
Ferry
Getting a ferry from the UK to France will take you from Dover to Calais. The DFDS service runs up to around 15 times per day and takes around an hour and a half.
Eurotunnel
The Eurotunnel is a great option if you’re travelling with children and pets. No one has to leave the comfort of the car and the journey to France takes under 40 minutes.
Calais > Les Carroz route
The journey from Calais to Les Carroz takes just over eight hours without breaks, so you may want to make an overnight stop halfway, especially if you’re the only driver, or you’re travelling with young kids.
Although driving is cheaper than flying, don’t forget that French tolls can add up quickly. We’d recommend budgeting just under 200€ for the tolls for your round trip, plus fuel money.
What will you need?
There are a few things to consider when driving from the UK to France. For example, you will need headlight converters, as well as other documentation. To get all the details, take a look at the advice on this website.
As mentioned above, driving conditions can be challenging in the mountains. When you’re in the French Alps, by law you have to carry snow chains in your vehicle and know how to use them. Check out this article to learn more about using snow chains.
Please note that the old-style GB stickers are no longer permitted for use outside of the UK. Take a look at this article by the BBC to find out what you need to do.
Pros of getting to Les Carroz from the UK by car:
- it can be cheaper than flying if you’re travelling as a family
- you aren’t as restricted with luggage
- you can be more flexible with timings
- you’ll have your own car with you in resort
Cons of getting to Les Carroz from the UK by car:
- it takes much longer than flying
- you need to be confident driving in challenging conditions
- at peak times, traffic can make the journey more difficult
By train
Taking the train from the UK to Les Carroz is possible, but it requires careful planning and you need to be a confident traveller.
- London St. Pancras > Paris Gare du Nord Station (Eurostar)
- Paris Gare du Nord Station > Paris Gare de Lyon Station (Metro)
- Paris Gare de Lyon Station > Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (train)
- Bellegarde-sur-Valserine > Annemasse (train)
- Annemasse > Cluses (train)
- Cluses > Les Carroz (transfer)
The journey via train will take you approximately ten hours.
Pros of getting to Les Carroz from the UK by train:
- it can be cheaper than flying in some cases
- there’s the opportunity to easily have a stop over in Paris
- it’s more eco-friendly
Cons of getting to Les Carroz from the UK by train:
- it takes much longer than flying
- you have to make a lot of changes, including the metro, which can be difficult to navigate with ski equipment
If you’re looking for accommodation in Les Carroz, be sure to check out our full range of partner properties in the area:
