With stunning views and plenty to do for snowsports and hiking enthusiasts from all over, it’s no wonder Megève is such a popular holiday destination in both winter and summer alike. If this Alpine resort is next on your list of mountain getaways, then take a look at this article on how to get to Megève from the UK by plane, train or car…
Where is Megève?
Megève is part of the Evasion Mont Blanc ski area in France, close to the Italian and Swiss borders. It’s about one hour’s drive from Geneva.
How to get to Megève from the UK…
By plane
The best and most efficient way to get to Megève from the UK is to fly directly to Geneva airport. You will find direct flights to Geneva from most UK airports, and visitors from Ireland can depart from Dublin. Conveniently, Megève is just over one hour’s drive (traffic dependant) from Geneva airport – so if you’re not keen on spending too much time on the road, this resort could be a great option for you.
What do I need for the journey?
To get from Geneva airport to Megève, you will need to cross the Swiss border into France. Usually, this can be done without making stops, however we’d advise having your documentation and passport on you ready, just in case they’re required at the border.
Geneva airport > Megève route
Above is the driving route from Geneva to Megève.
However, Geneva airport isn’t the only option, the drive from Chambery airport to Megève takes around one hour and twenty minutes. You’ll find flights to Chambery airport from most major UK airports. See the route below…
Chambery airport > Megève route
Lyon airport > Megève route
A slightly longer onward journey of just over two hours can be expected if you choose to fly in to Lyon airport or Grenoble airport (route below) for your holiday in Megève.
Grenoble airport > Megève
Browse properties near Megève for your next holiday
Transfers
If you’re travelling with younger children, then taking a private transfer from the airport to Megève may be easier for you. The vehicle will be exclusively yours, so it means you don’t have to wait at the airport for as long and you won’t have to make numerous stops along the way for other passengers.
If you’re a group of friends, or travelling alone, then a shared transfer may be a better option. Shared transfers are more cost effective, but you may be limited to more restrictive timings and longer waits, as well as having to make more stops on the way.
Here are some transfer companies who can get you from your arrival airport to Megève:
Pros of getting to Megève from the UK by plane:
- it’s faster than driving
- there are plenty of direct flights to nearby airports
Cons of getting to Megève from the UK by plane:
- it’s more expensive, especially if you’re taking skis and snowboards, or you’re a family with young kids
- you won’t have your own car in resort
Discover child-friendly properties near Megève
Car hire
Hiring a car is another option, especially if you’re keen drive whilst in resort. However there is a ski bus system which ooperates in Megève, so a car isn’t totally necessary. When flying into Geneva Airport, be sure to check with your car hire provider whether or not there are different requirements or pick up points for your vehicle because you’re travelling on to France.
However, if you’re visiting Megève in winter and you’re not confident driving in snow and using snow chains, we probably wouldn’t recommend hiring a vehicle.
By car
Families sometimes prefer driving to their chosen ski resort, because it tends to be a cheaper option, particularly for families of experienced skiers who want to take their own equipment with them on holiday. Also, many of us are now opting to take our pets with us on holiday, so knowing how to get to Megève with your dog is important too! Have a look here at pet-friendly properties in Megève.
Driving from the UK to France will involve you either boarding a ferry crossing or taking the Eurotunnel.
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. None of you have to leave the comfort of your car and the journey to France conveniently takes just under 40 minutes.
Calais to Megève route
Both the Ferry and the Eurotunnel arrive in Calais. The onward journey from Calais to Megève takes around eight and a half hours. However, this isn’t factoring in break stops – so you may want to consider planning a stop-off somewhere over night, especially if you’re driving alone.
Compared with flying, driving saves costs when it comes to individual tickets and luggage costs for the whole family. However, don’t forget to factor in the cost of the tolls, which can be frequent and add up quickly. For this journey we’d recommend budgeting just under 200€ for the round trip.
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 in the article, driving conditions can be challenging in the mountains. When you’re in the French Alps, you will legally have to carry snow chains in your vehicle and know how to use them safely. 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 Megève from the UK by car:
- it can be cheaper than flying, especially if you’re travelling as a family
- you aren’t as restricted with luggage, so you can bring your own ski equipment and allow for extra clothing
- you can be slightly more flexible with timings
- you’ll get to have your car with you in resort
Cons of getting to Megève from the UK by car:
- it takes a much longer time compared with flying
- you need to be confident at driving in more challenging conditions
- at peak times, traffic can make the journey more difficult and cause delays, meaning you can risk losing out on ski time
By train
Taking the train from the UK to France is still a popular choice for some travellers. The journey from London to Paris is fairly straight forward, however from Paris to Megève you’ll have to make a lot more stops and changes. Check out the route below to see how you’d get to Megève from the UK by train:
- 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 > Sallanches-Combloux-Megève (train)
- Sallanches > Megève (bus transfer)
The trip will take you around ten hours.
Pros of getting to Megève from the UK by train:
- it can be cheaper than flying if you’re travelling by yourself
- there’s the opportunity to easily have a stop over in Paris
- it’s far more eco-friendly than flying
Cons of getting to Megève 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 large baggage and ski equipment
We’ve covered how to get there, but if you haven’t yet booked a property in Megève, then why not browse ones that we work with in the area below:
