Transfer Information
Get to resort via mini-bus, taxi, coach, train, hire car or even helicopter!
Transfer Information On...
The Airports
Usually you're going to arrive in either Geneva, Lyon, Chambéry or Grenoble airports (and/or
Moûtiers railway station). Turin Airport is
also possible but at 4 hours and through the expensive Fréjus tunnel it's not really
an option. People have also been picked up at Lyon railway station with strange rail/air packages in to Paris and also Annecy Airport where you can fly from Paris Orly Ouest. There is of course the option of flying in to the Altiports at Courchevel 1850 or Méribel if you're loaded! St.
Etienne airport is no longer user by Ryan Air but maybe used again in the future and there are occasional flights to Paris.
Quickest road journeys with no hold-ups are around 20 minutes from Moûtiers railway station, 1 hour from Chambéry (102km), 1hr 45mins from Geneva (177km), 1hr 45mins for Lyon (178km), 1hr 35mins for Grenoble (121km) and 2hrs 30mins for St Etienne (252km). Note that these are the absolute fastest driving times without any delays - journey times can easily double or treble on a Saturday, during bad weather or at other peak times. Add in times for flight delays, passport queues, baggage hold-ups, car park congestion, speed cameras, border checks plus any snow delays, the need for putting chains on etc.
Please remember that time tables and prices are always subject to change so check before you travel and any other words about avoiding speed cameras and not buying a Swiss Vignette are just words - NOT advice. Take responsibility and ownership for your own actions just like you always should on the mountain.
Private Transfer
By far the easiest way of getting to resort. There are four private transfer companies with their base in La Tania all offering comfortable mini bus journeys to The Three Valley resorts from all the nearby airports and Moûtiers railway station for the Eurostar and other train services.
Jonboy's well established Three
Valleys Transfers fleet of 4x4 Volkswagen Caravelle and Tiguan mini-buses also have their Geneva Shuttle Service at weekends and Thursday evenings.
Long time La Tania resident Phil has Snowbound Transfers who use new Renault Traffic minibuses for private or shared transfers and also have a Mercedes Viano or BMW X5 for luxury transfers with DVDs, Magazines and complimentary refreshments. Transfers from all the local airports and Moûtiers railway station to La Tania, Courchevel and Méribel Valleys.
Dazzle Transfers is part of Ski-Dazzle Chalet Holidays in La Tania and offer transfers to Three Valleys in their 3 minibuses and a Nissan X-Trail for smaller groups.
Ski Magic Transfers offer shared or private transfers from Chambéry, Geneva, Lyon or Grenoble or Moûtiers station to all resorts in the Three Valleys.
Finally Ski Hame Transfers provide reliable minibus transfers to resorts in the Courchevel and Méribel Valleys of the Three Valleys. They use new and properly maintained Renault Traffic minibuses to ensure both your comfort and safety.
All these operators are fully insured, registered and licensed with the French authorities using
professional,
reliable, British drivers who will meet you at the airport and drive you directly to your
chalet, hotel or apartment and on return will get you back in plenty of time for your flight or train
connection.
Click on their links / logos for prices and contact details, all offer shared or private transfers and it's always worth checking even if you're on your own - they may have an empty vehicle traveling to collect people or vice-versa and be able to offer you a competitive option to the scheduled bus or train services.
Airport Car Hire
Using Car Hire For Your Airport Transfer
Car Hire is a very reasonable option especially if you're in a group even if you do leave it parked up for a week (free parking in La Tania).
Book early and beware all the add-in costs and decide if you need ski racks and snow chains. During heavy
snowfall you will need chains and/or snow tyres (and it is the law to have them, though rarely enforced except when you need them!) - it can be cheaper to buy chains than hire if you purchase before
you get near the mountains and are hiring longer than 10 days or so.
Petrol is quite a bit cheaper in Switzerland so fill up in Geneva on your return if you're hiring from there - diesel is still quite a bit cheaper that petrol in France too. Take care when speeding, especially villages where the limit drops to 50km/h without warning, check the La Tania Speed Camera page note that most fixed French cameras are always preceded by a warning sign.
Geneva Airport - There are Swiss and French Sides
The Car Hire area on the Swiss side moved in November 2008 - it is now to the right of arrivals as you exit baggage collection on the Swiss side. You complete paperwork here and then use a free shuttle bus or walk to the new car hire car park (it's no longer underneath arrivals and make sure you don't pay for the bus).
Follow signs to P51 parking on your return - there's a fuel station immediately before the turn in to the rental car park. The walking route is marked and only around 5 or 6 minutes - easy with hand baggage or wheely cases.
This makes hiring on the French side more attractive as no shuttle bus is required (however the included chains or snow tyres and Swiss Motorway Vignette for direct access to the new A41 extension to Annecy when hiring from the Swiss side needs to be taken in to account).
Hiring cars on
the French exit to Geneva airport is usually cheaper (you still have to exit
the airport at the arrivals level on the Swiss side then cross back through the "border" gate
to France on the check-in desk level). You will basically drive from the French side back
in to Switzerland and then again in to France.
The down side is that French-side cars won't have a Vignette (a tax disc to allow you on Swiss motorways - so you have to avoid the motorway border crossing on the way back in (where you've a good chance of being caught but very little chance on the way out) and that Swiss cars in Winter (from 1 Nov to 15 Apr) are supposed to have snow tyres or chains included and you may get away not having to pay extra for them although even on inclusive deals you can get charged locally.
French side arguably has better food and an extra driver is usually free. Also you can pick up or drop off at different French airports without excessive charges - dropping off in another "country" from pickup is not usually allowed.
Be careful finding the French side on the way back, take notice on your way out - Follow the signs to Ferney Voltaire and you should make it ok. Full airport directions to both sides of Geneva Airport here
Lyon Airport
Now also needs a shuttle bus to the car hire area (and the bus stop is the opposite end of the terminal to the usual Charter and easyJet arrivals).
Chambéry and Grenoble Airports
Portacabins right outside arrivals and next to the vehicles. Very handy but make sure you get off the plane first - leave a friend to collect your bags as queues can develop very quickly!
Tolls (each way) from the airports to La Tania
Geneva Airport via Annecy Nord J17 (132km) €5.90
Geneva Airport via Annecy Sud J16 (134km) €6.40
Geneva Airport via Chambéry / Albertville Autoroutes (183km) €15.30
Lyon Airport (181km) €15.50
Grenoble Airport via Grenoble (170km) €10.60
Grenoble Airport avoiding Grenoble (185km) €11.70
Chambéry Airport (102km) €5.00
Car Hire Companies
We recommend Carrentals.co.uk (they check 50 hire sites and are owned by Holiday Autos / LastMinute group). They strike the best deal from the major hire car companies of Hertz, Budget, Alamo, Thrifty, National, Europcar etc so you can be sure of the best price. You can hire from the French or
Swiss sides of Geneva airport and nearly all towns, airports and railway stations are covered too.
Also worth checking
are
and Autoeurope who both offer very competitive prices too.
When in Geneva at the airport the most competitive deals on arrival may be with Hertz. We've seen people negotiate with all the car hire companies going from one desk to another
and play one company off against another - Hertz won (although getting a laptop out and using Carrentals.co.uk may be cheaper).
It's also worth remembering that all these companies love their loyalty or corporate
discount schemes/codes/vouchers. Worth checking if you're entitled to any of these and searching
on the internet for them - we've lots of reports that they don't actually check if you're
entitled to them or not!
Bus Services - 2011 Timetables
See desk at the Airport for tickets, book on-line or call
+41 22 798 2000.
There is a limited service at the start/end of season and there may be more departures at peak times. All routes change
at Moûtiers where you may be taxied to resort depending on numbers. Reconfirm
your return 2 days in advance at the Tourist Office in La Tania. Journey time
is around 3 hours including the change at Moûtiers.
Winter 2011 Prices
Adult €77 one-way, €130 return
Child €38.50 one-way, €65 return (child is from 4 to 12 years old)
Groups of 4 or more traveling return €68 and €116.
Booking now available on-line. There is a limited service at the start/end
of season. All
routes usually change at Moûtiers where you may be taxied to resort depending on numbers. Reconfirm your return
2 days in advance at the Tourist Office in La Tania. Journey time is around 3 hours including the change
at Moûtiers. Lyon Airport is now know as St Exupery Airport.
A typical week in 2010 is shown - always check.
Depart Lyon St Exupery:
Mon, Fri: 12:15 15:15 19:15
Tue, Wed, Thu: 12:15 15:15
Sundays: 12:15 15:45 19:15
Saturdays: 10:00 11:45 14:00 16:30 19:15
Returning from La Tania (You must confirm your booking 2 days in advance and check with the La Tania Tourist Office for the exact La Tania departure time).
Mon, Fri: 07:55 09:45 13:40
Tue, Wed, Thu: 07:55 09:45
Sundays: 08:10 11:55 14:10
Saturdays: 07:30 08:55 12:00 14:10
Adult €65 one-way, €90 return (2011 prices, actually slightly cheaper than last year)
Child €49 one-way, €68 return
Infant €33 one-way, €45 return
Groups €49 one-way, €86 return
All plus Baggage Charge of €3
Booking now available on-line. There is a limited service at the start/end
of season. All
routes usually change at Moûtiers where you may be taxied to resort depending on numbers. Reconfirm your return
2 days in advance at the Tourist Office in La Tania. Journey time is between 2:45 and 1:45 depending on change
at Moûtiers.
A typical weekend in 2011 is shown - always check. Weekdays on request.
Depart Chambéry Airport:
Sat 10:35 15:00 17:00
Sun 13:15 17:30
Depart La Tania: (check with the La Tania Tourist Office for the exact departure time).
Sat 05:40 08:10 10:40
Sun 08:10 10:55
Fare is 30€ one-way, 50€ return (2011 prices) - Call for weekday prices.
Scheduled service to Moûtiers - enquire about onward transfers at La Tania Tourist Office. Journey time is around 2 hours.
A typical week in 2010 is shown - always check.
Depart Grenoble Airport:
Sun: 14:00
Mon, Wed: 10:15
Thu: 14:30
Tue, Fri: 13:50
Saturdays: 14:40 17:50
Depart Moûtiers: - confirm booking and enquire about transfers at La Tania Tourist Office.
Sun, Tue, Thu, Fri: 09:15
Mon, Wed: 06:15
Saturdays: 09:25 10:45
Fare is €62 one-way, €95 return (2010 prices) - Check for weekday prices.
Children under 4 free with adult.
Bus from Moûtiers to La Tania - www.transavoie.com or call +33 479 242158
2011 Timetable - there are exceptions & additions at beginning and end of season - also extra buses at peak times & weekend only services.
Check for any changes and weekend return journeys must be booked 48 hours in advance at the Tourist Office
in resort. Journey time is around 40 minutes, generally stops at Brides Les Bains and St Bon.
Saturday services
to/from Le Praz (approximately every hour from 06:30 to 19:30) and/or by arrangement with Tourist Office.
On peak half term Saturdays in February a bus usually runs every 45 mins from 5:45am to 8:00pm
without regard to normal timetables. Also extra buses for some late TGV train arrivals.
Adult €10 one-way, €15 return. Double fare after 22:00 (2011 prices)
Child, groups and seasonal discounts: €5 one-way, €10 return
Holiday Charter Transfer Buses
Sometimes available as a surcharge when flying on a flight only deal with them. The days
of bribing reps at the airport for a lift seem to have gone...
Train and Other Transfer Options
Train
Most often from Geneva to
Moûtiers (then a bus or taxi to resort - around 20 minutes with no traffic and good weather). Train station is at the
airport then change at Geneva Central. At least one more change required to get to Moûtiers
- and please note that there is another town called Moûtiers in the west of France, the one
you want is Moûtiers les Salins. Trains from Lyon (and fed by a bus from St
Etienne) and Chambéry are
also possible. From Lyon Airport you
can get a TGV (or take the shuttle bus every 20 mins to the station in Lyon centre for a
normal train) to Chambéry where you change for a local train to Moûtiers - this only costs
around €26
one way. Check out www.sncf.fr for
details.
Taxi
Jumping in a standard taxi at Geneva airport could cost well over £200 one-way! A standard taxi from the railway
station in Moûtiers to La Tania should cost around €50 (around £35). There are now plenty of shared transfer / taxi companies advertising on the internet, a lot just acting as agents for other companies and not all are reputable - you've been warned!
Hitching
Very difficult and where to start? Can be possible from Moûtiers if you walk along to the junction with
the main road from Albertville but if you've got a load of ski gear forget it.
Helicopter or Plane transfer!
From Geneva or Lyon direct
to the Altiport at Courchevel 1850 or Méribel.
Possible from SAF on +33 479 080091 but is always dependent on weather conditions.
Driving Directions and Maps to La Tania
Directions from Geneva - The French Side (see maps at bottom of page)
French motorway signs are blue and A-roads green.
Swiss motorway signs are green and A-roads blue.
If you don't have a Swiss Vignette (like a motorway toll tax disc) with a French hire car you
should be able to get away with it by heading for France via the motorway and coming off to cross the
border at St Julian - the chances of getting caught traveling up a couple of junctions of the motorway are very small. Remember to turn off after the third tunnel or you could get caught on the Motorway border point. There's only a small chance when exiting Switzerland though and probably worth taking the risk (you'll almost certainly get caught on your return using the Motorway border point on the way back in to Switzerland). It may of course be better to go exactly the same way on the way back if you're not familiar with the St Julian route however - also can be worth using this way at peak times to cross the border as there's a lot less traffic.
Exit the French Side car hire car park - there is only one road out with barbwire fence on either side for about 2km and then you pass through a tunnel underneath the runway. At the end of this road you turn right and within 50m you cross the border in to Switzerland (usually just a brief glance from the customs officers) and go back through the same tunnel.
At the end of the tunnel bare right and then left at the lights following the green (Swiss motorway) signs to FRANCE. Keep left and join the slip road on to the motorway following signs to FRANCE and pass under the Galexpo centre. At the next major intersection keep left following signs to FRANCE, you'll see a sign saying Toll 10km (you turn off before then).
Note that on your return to the French side exit the motorway at the Airport turning (well signposted) and then follow the signs to FERNEY - this will get you back to the tunnel under the runway.
You then pass through 3 more tunnels - beware of speed cameras both inside and between the tunnels, the speed limit is 100km/h but variable:
Vernier Tunnel 1900m
Bernex Tunnel 400m
Confignon Tunnel 1400m
At the exit of the 3rd tunnel you must exit to the right - the PERLY Sortie. Keep right at the lights following signs to PERLY / St JULIAN then straight over next lights through to St Julian passing all the fuel stations and crossing the border in to France (again usually just a brief glance from the customs officers if they are there).
Follow the road over 2 mini islands, then the road bares left (follow AUTRES DIRECTIONS down a small hill to the right and then right at the lights signposted ANNECY.
Follow the road over a large island following AUTRES DIRECTIONS and ANNECY signs and then over the first Autoroute following signs to the new A41 extension direct to Annecy - you go back on yourself at the next roundabout and then right on the A41 to Annecy.
See from A41 extension towards Annecy directions below
(Alternatively stay on the road and follow green signs towards JUSSY, CRUSEILLES and ANNECY if you want to avoid the toll charge - easiest to head for the centre of Annecy following signs to Le Lac (the huge lake) - or follow Albertville signs around the ring road. Once you've hit the lake it's then easy to leave this on your left and drive anti-clockwise around the lake on the N508 towards UGINE and ALBERTVILLE. The alternative side of the lake via Talloires is usually just as quick on a Saturday too).
Directions from Geneva - The Swiss Side (see maps at bottom of page)
As you exit the Airport you'll see green (Swiss Motorway) signs to France overhead.
Follow this straight road for about 1km, turn left at the T junction at the end then first
right (all sign posted FRANCE ) and you're on the motorway.
You then pass through 3 tunnels - beware of speed cameras both inside and between the tunnels, the speed limit is generally 100km/h but is variable:
Vernier Tunnel 1900m, Bernex Tunnel 400m, Confignon Tunnel 1400m
Cross the border in to France (a quick glance is usually all that happens) and you come to the new A41 extension direct to Annecy (see below).
New A41 extension towards Annecy directions
watch your speed on this new road - it's generally 110km/h not 130km/h and there are some mobile speed traps about as well as tunnel cameras with variable limits. About 2km North of the long 3km tunnel is a popular place for mobile cameras. There a Péage to collect a ticket about half way and then keep heading towards Annecy.
Exit at Annecy Nord (J17 with Toll of €5.90 UK credit cards are accepted in the automated barriers) to head around the far side of the lake via Talloires (clockwise around the lake). Head for Pringy and then battle through the streets to Le Lac and TALLOIRES.
Exit at Annecy Sud (J16 €6.30) and follow sign to ALBERTVILLE to head around the usual West side of the lake (anti-clockwise).
You could stay on the Autoroute and travel via Chambéry - it's an extra 50km and an extra €9 in tolls each way with a possibility of toll queues at Chambéry on a Winter Saturday. In the Summer months this can be a good option though with Annecy and the lake very, very busy on Summer Sunday afternoons.
Then follow signs for the N508 towards UGINE and ALBERTVILLE. Currently two fixed speed cameras before Ugine - all well marked with signposts before you get to them - but mobile cameras are popular too. At Ugine follow the N212 to ALBERTVILLE.
See from Albertville directions below
La Tania Just Got Nearer To Geneva Airport
23 Dec 2008 saw the opening of the new A41 motorway extension from just north of Annecy direct to the Swiss Border.
Three Valleys Transfers had one of the first journeys on the new road complete with a new viaduct across the gorge near Le Noiret and the new 3.1km long Tunnel du Mont-Sion. The time taken from the North Annecy junction to the Swiss border was only 11 minutes.
The new 19km road cost 871 million Euros to build and the toll charge for cars was set at €4.50 each way initially. The speed limit is currently set to 110km. Statistics include 900 people, 180 earth moving machines moving 7 million cubic metres of earth, the largest tunnel boring machine in France (named Adelaide) and all completed in 29 months.
With no more Cruseilles hold-ups it could slash a good half an hour off peak time Geneva Airport to La Tania transfers... Click and zoom on the map below.
Directions from Lyon (see maps at bottom of page)
From St Exupery airport, (Lyon Airport formerly named Satolas) follow the Autoroute A43 and signs to CHAMBERY and then A43 and A430 to ALBERTVILLE. See from Albertville directions below.
Four toll stops in all - 2 to collect tickets and 2 to
pay the tolls. Tolls costs are on the essential costs page. Autoroute's all take plastic (and as of 2008 all take UK cards now). Click and zoom on the map below.
Directions from Chambéry (see maps at bottom of page)
Follow signs to the Autoroute A43 (or E70 European classification) and then signs to ALBERTVILLE. Pick up the A430 to ALBERTVILLE. See from Albertville directions below.
Click and zoom on the map below.
Directions from St. Etienne (see maps at bottom of page)
From St. Etienne Airport at the junction near McDonalds take the A72 and A47 Autoroutes towards LYON and then the A46 (follow signs to Lyon Exupery Airport) to the A43 (or E70 European classification) following signs to CHAMBERY. Then pick up the A430 to ALBERTVILLE. See from Albertville directions below.
Click and zoom on the map below.
Directions from Grenoble (see maps at bottom of page)
The airport is way past Grenoble town and it's almost as quick to head back up the A48 Autoroute towards LYON and pick up the A43 to CHAMBERY and on to ALBERTVILLE on the A430 (as opposed to driving through Grenoble on the A48 and then picking up the A41 towards CHAMBERY and then the A43 / A430 to ALBERTVILLE). See from Albertville directions below.
Click and zoom on the map below.
Directions from Albertville
From Annecy follow the main dual carriageway to Albertville from Ugine.
At Albertville a new roundabout from Autumn 2008 directs you left of the town and by-passes the traffic light heavy main street with a new road next to the river bringing you out near the McDonalds drive thru'.
Turn left again here until the big roundabout (underneath the N90 dual carriageway) and then go LEFT towards MOÛTIERS
on the N90.
From Lyon (or Chambéry or Grenoble) the A43 becomes the A430 to Albertville and then the N90 - simply keep going along the dual carriageway towards MOÛTIERS on the N90.
Follow the N90 dual carriageway for about 20km and as you come in to Moûtiers look for signs
to COURCHEVEL / MÉRIBEL on the D117, follow these and filter right. From here LA TANIA is signposted.
You're now on the windy roads! Take
care. Stay on this road for about 10km past the turn off for Méribel and Brides
Les Bains, through La Perrière until you come to a small roundabout and go right (almost
back on yourself) - signposted Courchevel / Le Praz / La Tania.
Now you're on
the really windy roads. Take more care. Follow this road for maybe 7km - quite a few
hairpins! Drive straight through Saint Bon and keep going until you reach Le Praz (also called
Courchevel 1300). At the mini roundabout turn right - signposted La Tania - past the Olympic Ski Jump on your left and keep left at the next mini roundabout. Follow for about
2km and you'll arrive in La Tania. Click and zoom on the map below.
More Maps from the Airports
Area Location Map - showing routes from all the nearby airports.
Check The Speed Camera Page to see where you may get caught. New mobile trap on the A41 extension around 2km North of the new tunnel spotted a couple of times in August 2009.
Check the resort maps to find your accommodation etc.
Page last updated 25/10/11
