Trains

Travelling to the slopes by train is the perfect solution for those who want to leave the car at home. It allows you to enjoy the best of France’s stunning scenery, sit back, relax and arrive in the mountains feeling refreshed.

There are three different options to travel to the French Alps. These include the overnight service by Eurostar to Paris where you then board the Couchette train for the Alps so as to arrive early Saturday morning for extra days on the slope. However our calculation meant that you could be spending approximately £1500 for a family of four return fares (we calculated on two adults and two children aged 9 and 15, although the 15 year old is counted as an adult fare.)

The second option is Eurostar offer the cheapest option by far with their service from Waterloo or Asford to the Alps. Adults fare costs from £179.00 and childrens from £130 for week returns. Offering you a total travel cost in the region of £620 to £716. Not bad at all. The journey only takes 9 hours! With swift check-in at Waterloo or Ashford and shorter transfers from Bourg St Maurice, Aime La Plagne or Moutiers, Eurostar helps you to start your ski holiday in the right frame of mind.

You can try the third option which is the Eurostar overnight direct route which will cost more.

Self-Drive

Every year, more and more skiers discover that taking their own car is the best way to get to the slopes. Why not enjoy the freedom and flexibility of travelling at your own pace. The drive from Calais is an easy one, with motorway virtually all the way, and a distance of as little as 500 miles to some of the best resorts in the Alps. Self-drive ski holidays offer great for value, flexibility and independence.

A standards ferry package based on a return Dover/Calais crossing for one car and up to 8 passengers with Seafrance or P&O costs about £142.00. The crossing takes 80 minutes.

To give you an idea, we were recently quoted £125 for three adults and one child travelling out on Thursday 5th January and arriving back on Saturday 14th January

A Folkestone/Calais crossing with Eurotunnel costs £172.00 and the crossing takes 35 minutes.

Useful Guidance for Drivers

If you are driving to the slopes, make sure you have the following documents and equipment with you.

A full UK driving licence (remember photocard and counterpart).

Original vehicle registration document.

Motor insurance certificate (check for adequate cover. All drivers must be named.).

Headlamp beam adapter & advance warning triangle.

Displayed GB Sticker.

A set of replacement bulbs.

Motoring in France in Winter is normally problem free. Roads should be clear of snow until you reach resort. The AA and RAC provide information on road conditions and mountain passes. Good tyres are nevertheless essential. Seatbelts must be worn and children under 10 should travel in the back seat.

On some mountain roads, snowchains must be carried and may be required to be fitted under certain conditions.

Roadsigns in France generally indicate towns instead of road numbers. Check out www.viamichelin.co.uk for an excellent routeplanner.

To help you along the way, we have listed approximate mileage from Calais to the resorts. Remember that tolls are payable on French motorways. Motorway costs to the Alps are in the region of €45-65. These are payable by cash or credit card. (calculate a little more for the Pyranees).

En Route Stop-overs

Why not break up the journey with an overnight stop, the ideal opportunity to explore somewhere new, or stay near the slopes and take advantage of an extra days skiing before checking into your accommodation on Saturday afternoon!

Interhotel offers a number of privately owned, traditional and affordable 2/3 star hotels conveniently situated for overnight stops en route to the slopes.

NOTE: Prices are approximate and are to be used as a guide only. Travel distances are approximate and travel times are subject to road conditions.