Getting to Val d’Isère
03. Train
Let the train, take the strain!
Particularly if you live in London or Southern England, or are perhaps spending a few days in Paris before your ski trip, getting to Val d'Isère by train is a surprisingly painless option. In fact, if you take into account the time you would spend checking in, going through security and waiting for your flight at the airport, then travelling from the airport to the resort at the other end, it can be just about as quick as flying. You can usually take considerably more luggage than most airlines allow without worrying about excess baggage charges.
During the winter, the Eurostar Snow service leaves London on Saturday mornings. There's just one easy change of train, at Lille. After that you can sit back, relax and enjoy the journey through the Alps until the train arrives at Bourg-Saint-Maurice, around 40 minutes from Val d'Isère, in the late afternoon.
For those already in Paris, the easiest way to get to Val is often by train and this is how many Parisians travel for their annual ski trip, so book well in advance during the school holidays.
At weekends there are direct high-speed trains, known as TGVs, from Gare de Lyon to Bourg-Saint-Maurice in around five hours. On some services you'll need to change at Chambéry before continuing on to Bourg.
Our top tip is to check the departure times of buses to Val d'Isère before you book your train, or make sure you'll be able to get a taxi or private transfer when you arrive. The journey from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Val d'Isère takes around 40 minutes by bus, taxi or private transfer, all of which depart from immediately outside the railway station.
Ideally, book your onward transport before you travel, particularly if you're arriving at the weekend.
