Méribel is a popular ski resort for families and young groups in the heart of the 3 Valleys. If you’re heading there for your next holiday, you may need to know how to get there from the UK. Read on to find out how to get there by plane, train or car…
Where is Méribel?
Méribel is a ski resort based in the Tarentaise Valley in the French Alps, within the ski region of the 3 Valleys.
How high is Méribel resort?
Méribel is at 1450m, the highest peak reaches around 3000m.
How to get to Méribel, France…
By plane
The quickest and most straightforward way to get to Méribel from the UK is to fly. Below is the route from each local airport to help you decide where to fly into.
How far is Méribel from Chambery airport?
At 1 hour 19 minutes away, Chambery airport is the closest and best option when considering your onwards journey to Méribel.
How far is Méribel from Lyon airport?
The journey from Lyon airport to Méribel will take you just under 2 hours.
How far is Méribel from Geneva airport?
Ordinarily, Geneva airport is the first choice when travelling to a ski resort, however, Méribel is situated around two hours from Geneva airport, so you’ll want to consider this when planning your transfer. However, given Geneva’s popularity, direct transfers are sometimes more readily available from here.
To get from Geneva airport to Méribel, 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.
How far is Méribel from Grenoble airport?
The transfer from Grenoble airport to Méribel will take around two hours, so a similar journey time to the previous three.
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Transfers
If you’re travelling with younger children, then taking a private transfer from the airport to Méribel 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 to Méribel:
Pros of getting to Méribel from the UK by plane:
- it’s faster than driving
- there are a number of direct flights to fairly closeby airports
Cons of getting to Méribel 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
Car hire
Hiring a car is another option if you’d like to drive around the resort – but Méribel’s ski bus system runs frequently, so a car isn’t necessary, especially when staying in central Méribel.
If you’re arriving at Geneva Airport, make sure to ask your car hire provider if there are different requirements or pick up points for your vehicle because you’re travelling on 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 may prefer to drive to their ski resort of choice. Often it can be cheaper, especially for families of around four who are experienced skiers with their own kit. Also, many of us are now travelling with our pets, so driving is the easiest way to be able to bring them 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 > Méribel route
If you’re driving to Méribel from the UK, you’re looking at around a nine-hour onward journey when you arrive in France. If you’re driving as a family with young kids or you’re travelling alone, you’ll probably want to consider an overnight stop-off somewhere along the way.
Although driving can be cheaper than flying, remember 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?
You will need headlight converters, as well as other documentation when driving from the UK to France. Take a look at the advice on this website to find out what you’ll need to have ready for the journey.
As previously mentioned, driving conditions can be challenging in the mountains. When you’re in the French Alps, you 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 on your vehicle.
Please note that the old-style GB stickers are no longer permitted for use outside of the UK. This article by the BBC will explain what you need to do before setting off.
Pros of driving from the UK to Méribel:
- families can keep costs down
- there’s less luggage restrictions
- you can be more flexible with timings
- you’ll get to drive your own car in resort which is convenient
Cons of driving from the UK to Méribel:
- it’s a much longer trip compared with flying
- the driving conditions can be challenging at times
- at peak times, the traffic is heavy
- for UK residents, there are extra checks to be made to your vehicle as mentioned above
By train
Taking the train from the UK to Meribel is possible, with a bit of careful planning! Eurostar’s ‘Snow Train’ service will be back up and running from mid-December 2021. The route is below:
- 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 > Moutiers Salins Brides Les Bains (Snow train)
- Moutiers Salins Brides Les Bains > Méribel (transfer)
The journey will take you around ten hours, but consider that the journey will be longer if you live outside of London.
Pros of getting to Méribel 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
- it’s a scenic route
Cons of getting to Méribel 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 Méribel, be sure to check out the properties we work with below…
