How are you going to get there?

Options from the UK to the Alps: fly, drive (Eurotunnel or ferry) or train (Eurostar).

Fly

Without focusing to much on specific routes (because you will no doubt be able to find multiple options) most UK airports offer services to the key Alps airports (Geneva, Grenoble , Chambery and Lyon) and transfer times to resorts range from 1 hour to 3 hours.

 

The specific nugget of advice here is the resort transfer options…Specialist transfer companies can charge you an arm and a leg for a shuttle (prices seem to range from £300 for a couple).

 

The most economical and best service I found was with Ben Bus company https://www.bensbus.co.uk prices start at £24pp and the service runs from all the major Alps airports to all the major ski resorts.

 

For groups of 4 or more people – have a look at hiring a car! Prices start from £170 from Avis or similar as you might be able to save some bucks and have additional flexibility in resort.

 

Drive

 

From the UK to main land Europe you can travel by the Eurotunnel or the ferries.

 

Big tip here on the Eurotunnel is to save your Tesco shopping vouchers which can then be exchanged for a crossing see here for more information: https://secure.tesco.com/clubcard/boost/eurotunnel-le-shuttle/UK-003223.prd

 

Our preferred method is by overnight Ferry from Portsmouth with Brittany ferries. They offer an “economy” option which is basic but great and gets you into France early in the morning on the next day. A comfy bed and white noise from the boat engine beats the M25 to get to the Eurotunnel when traveling from the North any day! 

 

You can save some extra pennies if you choose not to buy a cabin for the crossing and just purchase a compulsory chair – we have done this and its not to bad! We took sleeping bags and rolls mats and found a cosy bit of floor space in the Cinema to bed down for the night!

 

Booking far in advance and joining the Brittany “club voyage” can also result in a better deal and some significant savings. See here for the details: http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/club-voyage-travel-club.

 

Train

The Eurostar offers a fab service from London St Pancras to Bourg St Maurice – affectionately known as the ski train!

 

It takes about 7 hours and can be very economical on cost so long as you book well in advance.

 

Point to note here though – there are NO beds for the journey so sitting in a chair for that long might not be everyone’s cup of tea!

Read on for our tips on Accommodation – where are you going to rest your weary body for the evening (link to follow)