Whichever way you choose to arrive in resort you should 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, so give serious thought to minimising the road journey with use of the train. 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 Moutiers, 37km away, and the short final leg can be completed by bus or taxi.
Geneva Airport is 204km from Val Thorens and has the most transport links to transfer you to the resort in around two and a half hours. The next biggest airport is Lyon St Exupery which has public buses to the ski stations. The smaller airports of Chambery and Grenoble (less than 2 hours away 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 network is so well connected. Driving to Val Thorens will take you about 9 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 Moutiers and then RD915 to Val Thorens) can be shocking with heavy traffic and adverse weather conditions.
- Chambery to Val Thorens 122km, transfer time just over 1.5hrs
- Grenoble to Val Thorens 188km, transfer time around 2.25hrs
- Lyon to Val Thorens 200km, transfer time around 2.5hrs
- Geneva to Val Thorens 204km, transfer time around 2.5hrs
