There are loads of ways to get to Les Arcs from the UK – by train, plane or car – and which one suits you best really depends on how you like to travel.
It’s one of the more accessible Alpine resorts for families, with a direct train to nearby Bourg-Saint-Maurice, good road links, and several airports within a few hours’ reach. Whether you want the most relaxing route, the fastest, or the one with the biggest luggage allocation for your skis, boots and piles of thermals, you’ve got options.
One thing worth knowing early on: Les Arcs isn’t a single place. It’s a group of purpose-built villages – Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950, and Arc 2000 – all part of the same ski area but spread along the mountain at different altitudes. There’s also Peisey Vallandry, on one edge of the resort.
Most journeys end in Bourg-Saint-Maurice at the bottom of the valley, where you hop on the funicular to reach Arc 1600, then connect by free shuttle bus to the other resorts. You can also stay in Bourg itself and take the funicular up each day – I do this every year with bigger kids and it works brilliantly.
I’ve tried pretty much every route: taken the Eurostar to Paris and caught the TGV, used the new direct Eurostar snow train, flown into Lyon, Chambery, Geneva and Grenoble, and even driven from the UK with overnight stops.
My favourite? I love the train (and this is the way we’ve travelled to Les Arcs for the last few years).
The train appears pricey and long at first glance, but if you compare it to flying, once you add the transfer or car hire costs, all the faff and the substantial time it takes to get from any airport to the resort, the train wins!
In this post I have covered all your best options though so you can choose what works for your family.
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Why getting to Les Arcs is a bit confusing (but doesn’t have to be)
On paper, Les Arcs is one of the easier big name resorts to reach from the UK. It’s well served by trains, roads and regional airports.
But what makes it feel a bit more complicated is the number of moving parts. Trains that only run on certain days, shared or private transfers from various airports, a handful of resort villages with similar-sounding names – it’s not hard to see why the logistics seem a bit stressful!
Here’s the short version:
- Les Arcs is made up of four purpose-built villages: Arc 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000.
- It’s also part of the wider Paradiski area, which includes Peisey-Vallandry – a quieter and more traditional base with great access to the same slopes.
- Bourg-Saint-Maurice is the main gateway town at the foot of the mountain where the train terminus is. Most travellers heading to the Arc villages come through here.
- If you’re staying in Peisey-Vallandry, the nearest station is Landry, one stop before Bourg on the same train line – most TGVs stop there in ski season.
- You can also stay in Bourg itself and ride the funicular to Arc 1600 to ski each day – we do this and it works brilliantly.
- Travel routes vary a bit between winter and summer seasons – this post focuses on the winter options for skiing.
Once you understand how the valley and resorts are laid out, planning the journey becomes a bit more straightforward. Let’s have a look at the different ways to get there – and which ones work best for families.
Train to Les Arcs: my preferred option
If you’re travelling with kids, ski gear and live in or close to London, the train is hands down the most civilised way to reach Les Arcs.
It avoids airport queues, you have a large baggage allowance which stays nearby (and won’t get lost by an airline!), and there’s plenty of space to move around a bit en route.
And crucially – it gets you right into the valley. No long, sick making coach transfers from Geneva or Lyon, or faffing with multiple trains from one of the airports.
Just step off at Bourg-Saint-Maurice and either jump straight on the funicular to Arc 1600 – or walk 10 minutes to your accommodation in Bourg, which is exactly what we do.
There are two main train options from the UK:
🚅 The Eurostar ski train (snow train via Lille)
This new service (new in early 2025; resurrected from pre-pandemic times), is an almost direct route from London to Bourg-Saint-Maurice with just one easy platform change in Lille.
It runs on Saturdays during the ski season, with return journeys on Saturdays or Sundays – a great fit for week-long trips.
Eurostar Snow Train 2025–26 schedule
| Route | Travel dates | Departure time |
| London St Pancras → Bourg-Saint-Maurice | 20 Dec 2025 – 28 Mar 2026 | Saturdays at 09:01 |
| Bourg-Saint-Maurice → London St Pancras | 27 Dec 2025 – 4 Apr 2026 | Saturdays at 13:45 or Sundays at 10:54 |
You book the whole journey through Rail Europe in one go. In practice it’s two trains, but it’s about 4 steps across the platform in Lille to the connecting train, so don’t worry about the “short connection time” mentioned when you book.
Your ticket covers both legs, so there’s no faffing with separate bookings – and no extra charges for skis, boots or oversize luggage.
We took this route last season and it worked brilliantly. There was something deeply satisfying about rolling into Bourg relaxed and rested, just a few minutes walk to our apartment.
The generous baggage allowance is a big win for families – no weighing, no extra fees. In standard class you can bring
- 2 pieces of luggage + 1 piece of hand baggage
- Skis and snowboards can be taken as one of your two pieces of luggage allowance.
- Children can bring one piece of luggage and one piece of hand baggage
- Folded pushchairs and prams travel for free
If you’re not London based, the early Eurostar departure might be hard to make (given you have to check in ~75 – 90 minutes before departure). We often stay the night at the Premier Inn Kings Cross or St Pancras, which both offer great value family rooms (especially if you book early), just a few steps from the train station.
📌 Important note for families: If you’re travelling during UK school holidays, book as soon as tickets are released – this train fills up fast.
🔗 Read our full guide to the Eurostar Ski Train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice
🚆Book it via Rail Europe
🗼London to Paris to Bourg-Saint-Maurice (changing stations in Paris)
Before the new snow train came along, this was our route of choice – and it still holds up as a reliable, and usually great value way of getting to Les Arcs by rail.
It’s especially handy if you want to travel midweek to avoid the Saturday ski rush, or build in a stopover in Paris.
Here’s how it works:
- Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord
- Cross Paris on the RER D line (just 2 stops, about 10 minutes; but add time for getting to the RER platform, waiting for the train, and potential delays) to Gare de Lyon
- TGV from Gare de Lyon direct to Bourg-Saint-Maurice
- Book the whole journey through Rail Europe; search London St. Pancras International to Bourg-Saint-Maurice; the system will give you a suitable transfer time between the two stations. If you want to book the Eurostar portion before the TGV schedule has been released to save some money, see Booking tip: Eurostar vs SNCF timing below.
ℹ️ The Paris RER is like a commuter rail or overground train (although it goes underground in the centre of Paris). RER trains run on fewer lines, go faster between stops, and connect major train stations like Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon faster – which is exactly what you need to do if you’re transferring between Eurostar and the TGV.
ℹ️ The Paris Métro is the city’s underground train system – a bit like the London Underground or New York Subway. It has lots of lines, runs very frequently, and serves central Paris with short distances between stops. You can also take the metro between Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon, but it’ll take longer.
💡 Tip for Eurostar travellers: When changing trains in Paris, you’ll usually take the RER D line – it’s faster and more direct than the Métro for getting between mainline stations.
This route is less convenient if you have lots of luggage including skis and boots that you have to lug across Paris – but the RER is not long – you just need to get to the RER platforms from the Eurostar and then back up to the TGV platforms on arrival in the Gare de Lyon.
🎟️ Buying RER tickets on the Eurostar
To transfer between Paris train stations (like Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon), you’ll need an RER ticket. You can now buy a Navigo Easy pass onboard the Eurostar for £7, which includes two single journey tickets (buy more than one if you need it!).
That’s slightly more than the standard price (€7 at Gare du Nord), but well worth it in my view – it saves you a 20-minute queue at the machines when you arrive, especially handy if you’re juggling kids and ski bags – and you’ll have a train to catch! You can grab one from the onboard café-bar and use it straight away when you get to Paris.
This route tends to be much cheaper than the snow train – especially if you book early or are travelling in school holidays, when the ski train is at its most expensive. The flexibility and savings make it a strong choice for families who don’t mind the extra step.
Booking tip: Eurostar vs SNCF timing
One thing that makes the London–Paris–Bourg route a bit fiddly is the difference in when tickets are released. Eurostar tickets usually open around 11 months in advance, but SNCF (for the TGV to Bourg) releases theirs only 3–4 months before travel.
If you wait to book your Eurostar until the TGV opens up, you’ll often pay much more on the London-Paris-London stretch due to dynamic pricing.
What I do: book one of the earliest Eurostar departures as soon as it opens, then snap up the TGV ticket the moment it’s released (this page shows how you can create Rail Europe ticket sales alerts). As long as you pick an early Eurostar, you’ll always find a TGV that connects comfortably.
It’s not perfect, but it does save a decent chunk of money!
And if you fancy making a bit of a trip of it, Paris makes a great family stopover. We’ve done this more than once, and having an evening to stretch your legs and see some of Paris before heading to the Alps is a fun addition to the adventure!
🔗 Read: Paris with Kids: Where to Stay, Eat and Sightsee on a One Night Eurostar Stopover
💸 Book trains via Rail Europe
🚞 Getting from Bourg to Les Arcs
If you’re staying in Bourg itself, you can walk from the train station to most hotels in under 10 minutes, then take the funicular up to ski each day – this is what we usually do.
It’s a great option if you want a slightly more budget-friendly base or you’re arriving late and want to avoid a night-time mountain transfer.
If you’re heading up to one of the Arcs resorts, the funicular up the mountain is right there once you arrive in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. This short uphill ride whisks you up to Arc 1600 in about 7 minutes, with beautiful views and zero hassle. To reach it from the train station, head to the very far end of the platform (opposite the main station building), go up a short flight of steps, cross the bridge over the tracks, and then head down into the funicular station.
The funiculars run every 20 minutes (or more often during peak times), until 9 pm, and take 7 minutes, so there’s no rush – just take the next one when you’re ready. The round-trip funicular ride to Les Arcs is free for anyone presenting their train ticket.
From Arc 1600 where the funicular arrives, free shuttle buses connect the other Les Arcs villages – Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 – with regular service during the season.
Staying in Peisey-Vallandry?
You’ll want to get off the train one stop earlier at Landry. Most ski season TGVs stop there. From Landry, it’s a short transfer up to Vallandry or Peisey by taxi or pre-booked shuttle.
Flying to Les Arcs: what’s the closest airport?
If you’re flying, there are four airports that work for Les Arcs – some closer than others, and all with slightly different pros and cons.
None of them drop you right at the slopes, unlike the train, but all get you within a few hours of the resort, with various transfer options available depending on your budget, timing and tolerance for logistics.
Airport Overview
| Airport | Car or private transfer time: (add more time for a shared shuttle) | Notes |
| Chambéry | 2 hours | – Closest airport to Les Arcs, but limited flights outside of weekends. – Only private transfer options (no shared shuttles). – Direct train to Bourg from train station(s) but taxi needed to get there from the airport. |
| Geneva | 3 hours | – Loads of flights. – Lots of road transfer options (shared and private), but a longer journey. – No good train option. |
| Lyon | 2 hrs 30 mins | – Lots of flights and transfer options. – The motorway can get very congested on busy Saturdays. – There’s a good value train option to Bourg if flight timings work – this takes 3.5 hours. – Longer train options exist via Lyon Part-Dieu but this takes 5+ hours. |
| Grenoble | 2 hrs 30 mins | – Fewer flights. – Some shared transfer options, plenty of private transfer options. – There are trains to Bourg from Grenoble train station but you need to take a shuttle bus or taxi to get there from the airport, which takes 40 minutes and adds cost. |
How to transfer from the airport to Les Arcs
Once you’ve landed, the final leg of your journey is getting to either Bourg-Saint-Maurice or Landry – from there, it’s just a short ride up the mountain. Depending on your arrival airport, you’ve got a few ways to make that happen.
🚐 Private transfers
Companies like Alps2Alps, Cool Bus and Alpinbus run private transfers from Geneva, Lyon, Chambéry and Grenoble straight to all the Les Arcs resorts or to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. This is just like a taxi service, and they will meet your flight and drop you off for your return flight.
These are particularly good for groups or families with lots of luggage or awkward flight times. They are very expensive though. On a Saturday to Saturday ski week, you’re looking at around £1000 return for a family of 4.
🚌 Shared transfers / coaches
Shared shuttles or coaches like Altibus (from Lyon and Geneva airports) and Ben’s Bus (from Lyon, Geneva and Grenoble airports) are more budget-friendly but only run a few times a day to a specific timetable, only at the weekends, take longer, and often stop at a central bus station in the resort, while private transfers give you door-to-door convenience.
These transfers tend to only run on Saturdays (and some Sundays from some airports). If you’re doing a mid-week arrival or departure, the only shared option available is the Altibus from Geneva airport.
Many of the options terminate at Bourg-Saint-Maurice, so from there you’d need to take the funicular up to Les Arcs, and then a resort shuttle bus to get you from the top of the funicular at Arc 1600 to your resort.
These are usually reliable and cost-effective options, if longer and less convenient.
🚆 Train
From Lyon Airport:
From Chambéry Airport:
From Grenoble Airport:
🚗 Hire car
All four airports have car hire desks. We’ve hired from Lyon and Chambéry before – both are straightforward drives to Bourg or directly up to the resort.
Geneva is popular but has a slightly confusing split between the French and Swiss sides, so you need to know which side you’re renting from, and will potentially need to drive over the border to get to France; this is generally not complicated though.
If you’re hiring a car, it’s worth knowing a couple of things:
- Traffic on the roads leading to resorts can be horrendous on French school holiday Saturdays; your journey can easily end up being over 2 hours longer than it should be on peak Saturdays. We have been stuck in these jams before, and after an early flight and all the faff at the car hire desk, it’s really not that fun.
- Parking in the resorts is limited. Most Les Arcs villages have a mix of outdoor and covered public car parks, but they fill up during peak season – so if your accommodation doesn’t include parking, book a spot in advance and pay online (usually in the region of €100 for a week).
- In Bourg-Saint-Maurice, parking in town is restricted (time-limited and ticketed); there’s a paid covered car park near the train station and cheaper long-stay parking near the funicular station. Free street parking is available further out, about a 15-minute walk from the centre.
- Don’t forget to consider the cost of petrol, tolls, parking in resorts and the insurance excess when you’re looking at car hire costs.
✅ If you’re looking to hire a car, book well in advance. DiscoverCars is a good choice for car rentals due to its transparent pricing, which includes all mandatory fees and taxes upfront, and its user-friendly platform for comparing deals from many suppliers.
📌 Winter driving tip: From November to March, you’ll need either approved winter tyres (3PMSF) or chains/snow socks to drive in the Alps – especially in Savoie and Haute-Savoie. Your car rental company should provide these, but it’s worth double checking as it’s a legal requirement.
Transfer tips by airport
Each airport has its quirks when it comes to reaching Les Arcs. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you choose the right one for your trip:
✈️ Chambéry
- Closest airport (about 2 hrs from Bourg).
- Limited flight options, mostly weekend charter flights.
- No shared shuttle options.
- Hire a car, book a private transfer, or taxi 15 minutes to Chambéry – Challes-les-Eaux train station or Aix-les-Bains-Le Revard station for trains direct to Bourg in just over 2 hours.
- Great if you find a well-timed direct flight, especially during peak ski weekends.
- Note that Chambéry airport is situated in a narrow valley which can attract bad weather resulting in flight delays or diversions on a fairly regular basis.
✈️ Geneva
- Most flight options from UK airports.
- Transfer time around 3 hrs (longer in traffic).
- Choose from private transfers or shared shuttles (weekend and weekdays)
- Car hire is fine – just be aware of the French / Swiss side split when booking. You can rent from either side and drive to France, just know what you plan to do.
- No train option.
✈️ Lyon
- Many flight options from UK airports.
- Transfer time about 2 hrs 30 mins (longer in traffic).
- Public transport links: direct once-a-day Ouigo train from the airport to Bourg-Saint-Maurice (~3.5 hours), or tram to Part-Dieu station (30 mins), then train to Bourg (~4 hours).
- Shared shuttles run on weekends in ski season.
- Car hire and private transfers are straightforward.
- The route from Lyon Airport is almost entirely on motorway making the journey fast, however the motorway can get very busy during French holidays with delays of 2 hours.
✈️ Grenoble
- Transfer time around 2 hrs 30 mins (longer in traffic).
- Shared shuttles at the weekends.
- Private transfers and car hire are both straightforward.
- Fewer flight options and less convenient for onward travel as airport is 40 minutes from the train station.
- Take a taxi or shuttle bus (40 mins) to Grenoble station, then a 2.5 hour train to Bourg (with a change at Montmélian).
- Can be a cheaper flying option, especially early or late season.
🛑 Peak season warning:
If you’re flying or driving on a Saturday during French school holidays, expect serious traffic between Grenoble, Albertville and Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
We’ve been caught in long jams here before, and it’s one of the main reasons we often choose the train over flying and driving.
The road up to Les Arcs can also back up as everyone arrives for check-in windows around 4–6pm.
Driving to Les Arcs from the UK
We’ve driven to Les Arcs in the past – pre-kids – and while it definitely has its advantages, it’s not how we travel now. For us, the long drive, high fuel and toll costs, and the backseat grumbling outweigh the benefits.
But if your family travels well by car, or you’re in a camper van which you can sleep in overnight on the way, it can be a flexible and cost-effective way to get to the Alps – especially if you want to bring a boot-load of food, gear and creature comforts.
Key route details:
- Take the Eurotunnel or ferry to northern France.
- Head down via Reims, Dijon and Albertville – about 10 to 11 hours of driving time, not including breaks, or any delays for traffic.
- Expect around €80 – 90 in tolls each way, plus fuel.
- Many people break up the journey with an overnight stop – we’ve done this before in Arras and Mâcon (depending on the timing of the drive).
- I recommend using Via Michelin, which suggests a variety of routes and also calculates tolls and fuel costs (based on your car model) for each route, as well as suggesting places to stop overnight.
Winter driving essentials:
- From 1 November to 31 March, you’re legally required to have either 3PMSF winter tyres or carry chains/snow socks in the mountain regions.
- Mountain roads can be snowy, steep and slow – especially in the final climb to the resort.
- Check road conditions and weather forecasts before you set off.
Where to park:
- If your accommodation doesn’t include parking, you’ll need to book a space in advance – especially during school holidays. This costs in the region of €100 for a week.
- Les Arcs villages have multiple public car parks (indoor and outdoor), but they do fill up.
- In Bourg, you’ll find paid covered parking near the station and long-stay options near the funicular.
- There’s some free street parking about 15 minutes’ walk from the centre if you’re staying in Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
🛑 Traffic warning:
Peak Saturdays (especially in French school holidays) can mean gridlock on the Grenoble–Albertville–Bourg stretch. We’ve been stuck in some proper traffic jams here – a major reason we now lean towards the train where possible.
Which option is best for you?
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to getting to Les Arcs – it depends on your priorities, your budget, and how well your crew handles travel days. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:
| Option | Good for… | Watch out for… |
| Snow train via Lille | Low-stress travel with kids, ski gear, no airport faff, no road transfers to organise. | Best if you’re London-based; books out fast for school holidays |
| Train via Paris | Flexible timings, midweek trips, Paris stopover, no road transfers | RER transfer across Paris, especially if you have lots of luggage |
| Flying + transfer | Quick if you live near a UK airport, easy for packages which include transfers | Expensive or lengthy transfers / car hire, baggage limits, alpine traffic |
| Driving | Bringing loads of stuff, camper vans, total flexibility | Long drive, fuel, tolls, alpine traffic |
My take
If you’re travelling with kids, the ski train via Lille wins – but the Eurostar + Paris TGV route comes a close second.
You get space to move around, have a generous baggage allowance, and arrive right at the foot of the mountain with minimal drama.
Having said that, it works best if you live in or near London, as you need to take an early Eurostar to France.
We’re about an hour from London by train, so it’s manageable – and actually, we usually stay the night before at the Premier Inn near King’s Cross (great value for a family room if you book far in advance) for an easy start. But if you’re coming from further afield, that extra leg does add cost and time.
Flying works well if you find a great deal, but don’t forget to factor in the cost of car hire or private transfers, or the stress and time needed for public transport / train options, which usually take hours longer than a private transfer, although they are cheaper. Door to door, the train is no longer than flying in my experience.
And driving… it has its fans, but I’m not one of them!
Planning your journey to Les Arcs
There are loads of ways to get to Les Arcs – and none of them are wrong. We’ve tried nearly all of them over the years, from flights and hire cars to sleeper trains and shuttle buses.
These days I lean heavily towards the train, but one way or another, there’s a route that’ll suit you!
The key is to think through your priorities: cost, convenience and time. Hopefully this guide helps you figure out the best fit for your family – and if you’re eyeing up the ski train, book early (by that I mean the morning of release day). If you’re travelling in February half term, it’s like getting tickets to Glastonbury!
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