The ski resort of Les Menuires sits amongst the massive French Alps in the Savoie. It is just one of a number of resorts in the 3 Vallées ski area. However you travel to Les Menuires be prepared for the journey to take much longer than expected. This is the most popular part of the Alps and at times it will feel like the whole world is on the road. Do consider travel by train to minimise time spent on the mountain roads.
Train travel
Rail travel from the UK can be a relaxing way to reach the resort and having changed from the Eurostar in Paris a French SNCF service will get you to Moûtiers, 20km away. The short final leg can be completed by bus or taxi. Altibus operate a transfer service, you can find out more on their website. The journey time from Paris to Moûtiers is approximately three-and-half hours.
Flying
Geneva Airport is 143km from Les Menuires and has the most transport links. Transfer time to from Geneva is about two hours. The next biggest airport is Lyon St Exupéry (188km) which has public buses to the ski stations. The smaller airports of Chambéry and Grenoble (under an hour-and-half by road) are closer but have fewer public transport links. Having a car in resort is no big advantage given the fact that most accommodation is slopeside and the 3 Valleys network is so well connected.
- Chambery to Les Menuires 111km, transfer time just under 1.5hrs
- Geneva to Les Menuires 143km, transfer time around 2hrs
- Lyon to Les Menuires 188km, transfer time around 2hrs
- Grenoble to Les Menuires 177km, transfer time just over 2hrs
Airport transfers
If you’re travelling from Geneva Airport to Les Menuires expect to pay approximately €300 for a private taxi or €70pp for a bus transfer. The buses may require a change at Moûtiers and there are two companies you can try: Mobi Savoie and Altibus. Taxi fares will be a similar price from Lyon although bus / train transfers will be a little cheaper. Expect to pay €22 (Lyon St Exupéry – Chambéry) plus a train ticket to Moûtiers (depending on train ticket price) and then €10 from Moûtiers to resort.
Altibus is the transfer company from Moûtiers to Les Menuires, or a private taxi will cost around €70.
Driving
Driving to Les Menuires will take you about nine hours from Calais on a good day or up to 13 or 14 in heavy traffic. The final leg of the journey from Albertville (N90 to Moûtiers and then RD915 to Les Menuires) can be shocking with heavy traffic and adverse weather conditions.
Brief directions are as follows: from Lyon, take the A43 and follow the direction of Albertville. You should change to the N201 to pass Chambéry City. At the exit of the city rejoin the A43 to Albertville. When you reach Albertville take N90 to Moûtiers then follow the signs Les Menuires / Saint Martin de Belleville and take exit 40.
For traffic and weather conditions, you can always check the Les Menuires tourist office.
