If it’s your first mountain holiday, knowing how to get to your chosen destination can feel a little overwhelming. Luckily, travelling to the Alps from London is easier than ever thanks to good value and well-connected routes.
In this comprehensive guide, we highlight the different modes of transport you can choose to take when travelling from London to the Alps including:
- By plane
- By car (including details about the Eurostar and Eurotunnel)
- By train
- By bus
We’ll also highlight the pros and cons of each one, as well as their average costs*, when it’s best to use them and what kind of groups should consider which type of method.
Read on to find out which one is best for you.
*prices and indications are relevant at the time of publication. Costs and information may vary depending on location, conditions and time period.
Table of contents
This guide is detailed and includes information on a number of different routes and methods of transport.
To jump to a specific section, click on the links below:
- Travelling to the Alps from London by car
- Travelling to the Alps from London by train
- Travelling to the Alps from London by bus
Travelling to the Alps by plane
Travelling to the Alps from London by plane is fairly straightforward. But before you book a flight, you’ll need to figure out which airport is closest to your resort of choice.
There are many transfer options from airports in the Alps, but if you’re looking to reduce your travel time when you arrive, aim to fly to the one closest to your final destination.
Below, we’ve created a table which shows which London airports fly to which Alpine airports, the major ski regions they are closest to and how long it takes to get there by car.
Geneva Airport (GVA)
Which London airports can you fly to Geneva Airport from?
| Airport | Flight time | Airlines |
| Gatwick (LGW) | 1h30 | British Airways, easyJet, Swiss International Air Lines, Thomas Cook, Tui |
| Heathrow (LHR) | 1h40 | British Airways, Swiss International Air Lines |
| Stansted (STN) | 1h50 | easyJet |
| Luton (LTN) | 1h45 | easyJet |
| London City (LCY) | 1h40 | Swiss International Air Lines, BA CityFlyer |
Average transfer times from Geneva Airport to major ski regions
| Ski-region | Transfer time from Geneva Airport |
| Grand Massif/Aravis | 1h |
| Portes du Soleil | 1h |
| Val d’Arly Mont-Blanc resorts | 1h30 |
Average costs to fly from London to Geneva Airport
The table below shows the starting price for a return ticket from London to Geneva. Do bear in mind that a lot of factors will affect the price, including baggage, how far in advance you book it, where you fly from, etc.
| Month | Starting price for a return flight |
| January | £73 |
| February | £79 |
| March | £68 |
| April | £65 |
| May | £57 |
| June | £56 |
| July | £63 |
| August | £71 |
| September | £63 |
| October | £63 |
| November | £71 |
| December | £71 |
Chambéry Airport (CMF)
Which London airports can you fly to Chambéry Airport from?
| Airport | Flight time | Airlines |
| Gatwick (LGW) | 2h | British Airways, easyJet, Swiss International Air Lines, Thomas Cook, Tui |
| Stansted (STN) | 1h50 | easyJet |
| London City (LCY) | 1h40 | Swiss International Air Lines, BA CityFlyer |
Average transfer times from Chambéry Airport to major ski regions
| Ski-region | Transfer time from Chambéry Airport |
| Portes du Soleil | 1h45-2h |
| Val d’Arly Mont-Blanc resorts | 1h30 |
| Isère resorts | 1h30-2h |
| 3 Vallées/Tarentaise resorts | 1h15 |
Average costs to fly from London to Chambéry
Direct flights from London to Chambéry are available in the peak winter months. The table below shows the starting price for a return ticket from London to Chambéry.
Do bear in mind that a lot of factors will affect the price, including baggage, how far in advance you book it, where you fly from, etc.
| Month | Starting price for a return flight |
| December | £261 |
| January | £124 |
| February | £123 |
| March | £129 |
Grenoble Airport (GNB)
Which London airports can you fly to Grenoble Airport from?
| Airport | Flight time | Airlines |
| Gatwick (LGW) | 1h40 | easyJet, British Airways |
| London Stansted (STN) | 1h45 | Ryanair, Jet2 |
| Luton (LTN) | 1h45 | Wizz Air UK, easyJet and Ryanair |
Average transfer times from Grenoble Airport to major ski regions
| Ski-region | Transfer time from Grenoble Airport |
| Isère resorts | 1h30-2h |
| 3 Vallées/Tarentaise resorts | 2h-2h30 |
Average costs to fly from London to Grenoble
Direct flights from London to Grenoble are available for the peak winter months. The table below shows the starting price for a return ticket from London to Grenoble.
Do bear in mind that a lot of factors will affect the price, including baggage, how far in advance you book it, where you fly from, etc.
| Month | Starting price for a return flight |
| December | £87 |
| January | £44 |
| February | £40 |
| March | £36 |
Lyon Airport (LYS)
Which London airports can you fly to Lyon Airport from?
| Airport | Flight time | Airlines |
| Gatwick (LGW) | 1h40 | easyJet, British Airways, Wizz Air UK |
| Heathrow (LHR) | 1h40 | British Airways, American Airlines, LATAM Airlines |
| Luton (LTN) | 1h45 | easyJet |
Average transfer times from Lyon Airport to major ski regions
| Ski-region | Transfer time from Lyon Airport |
| Isère resorts | 2h-2h30 |
| 3 Vallées/Tarentaise resorts | 2h-2h30 |
Average costs to fly from London to Grenoble
| Month | Starting price for a return flight |
| January | £73 |
| February | £57 |
| March | £73 |
| April | £67 |
| May | £56 |
| June | £54 |
| July | £68 |
| August | £67 |
| September | £55 |
| October | £67 |
| November | £68 |
| December | £71 |
Airport transfers
The next thing you will need to think about is the transfer to your chosen resort. There are many different services you can book including private and shared transfers.
If you’re travelling with young children or there’s enough of you to book a minibus, for example, then a private transfer may be a better option. You may even want to hire a car from the airport for your trip.
However, if there are just a couple of you, a shared transfer can work just fine. They tend to take a little longer as you’ll have to make stops along the way, but they’re often much cheaper.
Make sure to plan ahead and reserve your transfers at the same time you book your flights to avoid disappointment.
Here are some recommendations for transfer companies:
Pros of travelling to the Alps by plane
- It’s the fastest way to get to the Alps from London, so you don’t have to sacrifice ski time or factor in extra leave from work.
- If you’re flying alone, it can be the cheapest option, depending on when you book.
- There are a lot of regular flights departing from London Airports to choose from.
- It’s more relaxing than driving and navigating the journey yourself.
Cons of travelling to the Alps by plane
- It can be expensive if you’re flying as a family.
- Extra luggage can be costly, and it’s usually necessary on a ski trip, between the ski clothes, the equipment and the skis themselves!
- It’s less eco-friendly.
- Delays can happen easily due to extreme weather in the Alps.
For which groups does air travel work best?
Air travel is pretty well-suited to all groups, those who many benefits from it the most are:
- Individuals travelling alone.
- People who are travelling light.
- Families who find it difficult to manage long journeys.
When does air travel work best?
Generally speaking, flying from London to the Alps is relatively straightforward throughout the year. Although do remember that some airlines won’t offer as many flights to certain airports in the French Alps outside of the winter season.
However, if you’re heading to a major airport such as Geneva, flying in the off-season can be a great idea, as flights will be cheaper than at peak times.
Book a chalet near Geneva airport
Travelling to the Alps from London by car
Getting to the Alps by car is another feasible option. There are many advantages to this approach, which we will touch on later in this section. But first, you need to understand the different ways you can get there and how you can cross the channel.
1. Eutrotunnel
The Eurotunnel is a 50 km underwater railway tunnel that runs beneath the English Channel connecting Folkestone and Coquelles (near Calais).
A crossing takes only 35 minutes (not including check-in time, etc). You remain in your vehicle for the duration of the journey and drive out directly on the other end. Prices start from £106 per vehicle, each way.
From central London, the journey to the Folkestone Eurotunnel Terminal takes around 1h35 by car via the M20, proving there is no traffic. It can take up to 2h30 in some cases, so make sure to check Google Maps and enter your planned departure time for more details.
Pros of the Eurotunnel
- It’s faster than a ferry crossing.
- It’s pretty flexible – you can often board 2 hours before/after your booked slot.
- It’s ideal if you have pets: you can stay with them for the journey and there are great pet-friendly facilities.
- You pay per car, not per person as you would on a flight.
- There are regular services up to every hour.
- It’s more eco-friendly than the ferry.
Cons of the Eurotunnel
- It tends to be more expensive than the ferry.
- There can be delays at peak times such as school holidays.
2. Ferry
Your other option is to take the ferry from Dover to Calais which takes approximately 1h30. You do not remain in your vehicle when travelling on the ferry. It costs between £60 and £252 depending on the operator and season.
To get from London to Dover via the M2 and A2 or via the M20, it takes between 1h40-2h40 depending on traffic and your departure point.
Pros of the ferry
- It’s fairly flexible.
- It’s perfect for allowing kids to stretch their legs and have some time away from the car.
- It’s ideal if you want a longer break from driving.
- It’s often a little cheaper than the Eurotunnel.
Cons of the ferry
- It takes longer than the Eurotunnel.
- It’s weather dependent – however, this is the case with flying too.
How long does it take to drive to the French Alps?
The length of your entire journey depends on where in London you leave from and your specific chosen resort within the destination.
On the whole, you can expect your journey from London to the French Alps to take between 10-14 hours, give or take. You may want to make an overnight stop along the way as well, which will of course add extra time to your journey.
How much are tolls and fuel?
Expect to pay between 200 – 300€ for fuel, depending on your vehicle and around 180€ for tolls, unless you’re driving a van or high vehicle, in which case costs will be higher.
For a detailed breakdown, the ViaMichelin tool allows you to enter your route, vehicle and fuel type to estimate the cost of your trip.
Extra considerations
In France, you must be 18 or over to drive. In addition, you’ll also need the following:
- A full, valid UK driving licence (the paper counterpart is no longer required).
- A UK sticker displayed on the rear of the vehicle.
- Your motor insurance certificate.
- A warning triangle and reflective jacket for breakdowns (you could risk being fined around 90€ without them).
- Headlight converters (for driving on the right-hand side of the road).
- Snow tyres and snow chains.
Pros of driving from London to the French Alps
- It’s cheaper and more sustainable for groups of friends/families of 4 or more.
- It can offer greater flexibility in terms of your schedule and how much luggage you can take.
- You get to enjoy the scenery en-route.
- You can enjoy having your car in the resort, which will give you more freedom throughout your stay.
Cons of driving from London to the French Alps
- It takes a long time and can cut into your skiing time.
- It can be very tiring – ideally, you need a minimum of two people to share the drive.
- It can be uncomfortable to spend that long sitting.
- Tolls and fuel can be expensive, plus the long journey can cause wear and tear on your car.
- Some people find the prospect of navigating/driving in another country daunting, especially on snow and ice in-resort.
For which groups does driving work best?
- Families travelling with pets.
- Groups of 4-5 (ie those who can fill a car and share the travel costs).
- Those taking their own ski equipment.
- People with a fear of flying.
When is the best time to drive to the French Alps?
Thanks to the regular ferry and Eurotunnel crossings, driving to the French Alps is possible any time of the year.
With the flexibility of extra baggage, for some, it can be an ideal option for winter ski trips which require a lot of gear.
However, others may not feel so confident driving in icy conditions. Therefore, they may find that the best time to drive to the Alps is summer.
Pet-friendly chalets in the Alps
Travelling to the Alps from London by train
Another option is to take a train from the UK to the Alps.
This is ideal for residents of London, as you can pick up the Eurostar from St Pancras International, all the way to Paris (Gare du Nord). From there, you can take the train to multiple ski areas, where you can catch a shuttle, taxi or cable car to the resort.
Discover more ski resorts accessible by train here as well as information about getting to Chamonix via train by clicking here.
In winter, you can take the Eurostar Ski Train direct to Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, which is ideal if you’re holidaying in the Tarentaise Valley. (Note there is no return service from Aime-la-Plagne).
How long does it take to get to the French Alps from London by train?
Again, your final destination will impact your journey time. But, here are the journey times to the key stops:
| Destination | Journey time (day train) | Journey time (night train) |
|---|---|---|
| Moûtiers | 7h 42m | 8h 47m |
| Aime-la-Plagne | 8h 01m | 9h 12m |
| Bourg-St-Maurice | 8h 18m | 9h 31m |
Visit the SNCF website to book your onward train journey from Paris or book a shuttle from a train station to your resort with Snowcarbon.
Pros of travelling to the Alps by train
- It’s more eco-friendly than flying.
- St Pancras is well connected with the underground, so once you’ve got to the station and boarded the train, there’s very little else for you to do (especially when taking the Ski Train).
- You’ll have a generous baggage allowance. Each standard passenger can take 2 x pieces of luggage up to 85cm long and 1 x hand luggage e.g. handbag, laptop bag or briefcase.
- The check-in time is quicker than flying, as it requires you to arrive at the station only one hour before your departure time.
- The train journey is comfortable, scenic and relaxing.
- Depending on your resort, there may be fewer changes required compared to other modes of transport.
Cons of travelling to the Alps by train
- The journey time is quite long compared with flying. However, when you factor in wait times at the airport, possible delays, passport control and transfer time, it may be roughly the same.
- It can be more expensive than some low-cost flights. Although, by way of comparison, if you compare the price of adding extra luggage to your flight or organising airport transfers, it could work out similarly.
- The Eurostar Ski Train doesn’t run outside of the winter season.
- If you’re changing at Gare du Nord, it can be difficult to navigate the metro system with a lot of baggage.
For which groups does rail travel work best?
- Couples who are deciding between the train and driving might want to choose the train, as splitting fuel and toll costs between two people can be more costly.
- Remote workers who can use the journey to catch up on some work before their holiday.
- People with a fear of flying.
When is the best time to take the train to the French Alps?
Winter is the better time to take the train to the French Alps, as the Eurostar Ski Train runs direct services throughout this period.
Discover beautiful chalets in the French Alps
Travelling to the Alps from London by bus
Although not the most popular choice of travel, travelling to the Alps from London by bus is completely possible. The trip can take up to 22 hours depending on your destination and will include a ferry crossing where you can stretch your legs.
Various coach companies offer this service including:
- Eurolines: Destinations include Grenoble, Chamonix, Tignes and Les Deux Alpes.
- Snow Express: Departing from London Victoria, this coach service travels to over 40 ski resorts across the French Alps. A return bus ticket to the Alps starts from £99. You can read more about the journey here.
- SkiBusUK: A coach service running from London Victoria to Val-d’Isère, with prices starting at £100 for a return ticket.
Pros of travelling to the Alps by bus
- It can be cheaper than other modes of transport.
- It’s more eco-friendly than flying.
- You often have greater flexibility with luggage.
Cons of travelling to the Alps by bus
- It’s a very long journey which requires you to leave the day before your arrival date to avoid cutting into your ski time.
- It can be uncomfortable and it’s not well suited for children.
- Not all coaches offer services outside the winter season.
When is the best time to travel by bus to the French Alps?
Winter is better suited to coach travel to the Alps. That’s because there are more services running and hot weather in summer can make long coach journeys uncomfortable.
Summary
There are a number of ways to travel to the Alps from London. Possibly the most straightforward method is flying, however, there are advantages to travelling by car, train and coach such as cost and environmental impact.
The key is to research your travel options well in advance and make sure to consider the cost of transfers, fuel and tolls, too.
Another thing to think about is time – will your chosen method cut into your holiday time or require you to take additional leave from work? Are you travelling with young children who will struggle with a change of routine or a long car journey?
Ultimately, you’ll understand your group’s preferences the best, but we hope you found this guide helpful as a first step to planning your trip to the Alps.
Are you also searching for the right accommodation for your holiday? If so, OVO Network have you got covered. With over 140 properties across the Alps for families, pet owners, couples, cyclists, remote workers and wellness travellers, you’re sure to find the perfect chalet for your next trip.
If you enjoyed reading this article, we think you’d also like:
- The best places to ski in the Alps
- How far in advance should you book your ski holidays?
- Ski trip preparation: the ultimate checklist
- Our “Plan Your Trip” archives
