Geneva to Val Thorens, how to get to bus, train, car
Val Thorens is visited by a very large number of snowboarding and skiing enthusiasts from all over the world. Due to the mountain height of 2300m, the snow lies in this resort for a very long time and in huge quantities. This allows the ski season to last a long time.
Most often, tourists choose Geneva airport to get to Val Thorens. There are several modes of transport that travelers can use.
Geneva airport to Val Thorens:
There are more flights arriving at Geneva airport than at other airports close to Val Thorens; there are many more options for choosing the best flight in terms of cost and duration.
1. Traveling by train Geneva to Val Thorens:
1st part of the route Geneva air - Moutiers (by train):
There are different train combinations depending on what time you arrive at Geneva airport. Let's consider one of the options:
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At Geneva airport you need to take train N°1715 to Geneva, it takes approximately 8 minutes (for example 09:18 departure and 09:26 arrival).
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You wait 19 minutes for the next train.
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At 09:45 leave further by train TER N°96634 to Chambery (Chambéry - Challes-les-Eaux). Travel time is 1 hour 32 minutes.
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You wait 36 minutes for the next train.
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At 11:53 train TER N°883115 departs for Moûtiers. This section of the journey will take approximately 1 hour 17 minutes.
The train doesn't go any further!
In total, the first part of the train trip lasts about 4 hours and you need to travel on 3 trains.
2nd class ticket price = 39.10 €; 1st class = 60.90€ (during the day a little more expensive 43.10€ and 64.90€)
2nd part of the route Moutiers - Val Thorens (car or bus):
Moutiers is the last point where you can get there by train, then to Val Thorens you need to get by bus, taxi or book a transfer.
Bus from Moutiers to Val Thorens:
On the altibus website you can buy a bus ticket to Val Thorens. The bus comes every hour (does not run at night). The length of the serpentine road is 37 km, but travel time can vary from 1 hour to 2 hours, depending on traffic jams and snow on the roads. Cost of a bus trip from Moutiers to Val Thorens = 12€ (or 10€ if you buy both ways at once)
Transfer from Moutiers to Val Thorens:
It costs about 160 euros for a sedan for 2-3 people or 200 euros for a van for 6-7 passengers.
Taxi from Moutiers to Val Thorens:
It costs about 200 euros for a passenger car for 2-3 people or 280 euros for a van for 6 passengers. The cost is very approximate, since the price of a taxi depends on the number of suitcases, time of day and waiting in traffic jams.
Total travel cost:
Train + bus = 39.1 + 10 = 49.1€
Train + transfer = 39.1 + 160 = 200€
Train + taxi = 39.1 + 200 = 240€
2. Getting from Geneva airport to Val Thorens by bus:
To travel by bus from Geneva Airport to Val Thorens, it is better to use the altibus website.
The first bus goes from the airport to Moutiers for at least 2.5 hours. Then you change trains and in about 1 hour you get to Val Thorens (the total trip is about 3.5-4.5 hours, depending on traffic jams).
Departure times from Geneva airport:
- During the high season, from 12/16/2023 on Saturdays, the bus makes 4 trips. Departure times from Geneva Airport are 11:00, 12:00, 15:30 and 19:40
- From Monday to Friday the bus leaves from Geneva airport at 13:00 and at 15:45
- On Sunday the bus travels only once, leaving Geneva at 14:40
Bus fare:
Mon - Fri: 94€ (one way); 157€ / 2 = 78.5€ (both ways)
Sat: 77€ (one way); 133€ / 2 = 66.5€ (both ways)
Sun: 94€ (one way); 157€ / 2 = 78.5€ (both ways)
3. Book a transfer Geneva - Val Thorens:
The most convenient way to get from Geneva Airport to Val Thorens is a private transfer. Travel time is from 2.5 to 3.5 hours (depending on the day of the week, traffic and weather conditions in the mountains).
You can choose in advance a car that is suitable for the size of your group, the number of suitcases and skis, as well as your wishes for the level of comfort of the trip.
When you leave the arrivals area at Geneva airport, you will meet a driver with a sign. He will help you with your luggage and take you to your hotel or apartment in Val Thorens. Popoy you can stop by a restaurant or a store.
Transfer price Geneva - Val Thorens:
The price of a transfer from Geneva to Val Thorens depends on the number of passengers and the class of car.
|
4 pax |
8 pax |
20 pax |
|
|
Economy |
300€ |
330€ |
- |
|
Comfort |
350€ |
400€ |
900€ |
|
Business |
450€ |
430€ |
1000€ |
|
Premium |
720€ |
450€ |
- |
4. How to get by taxi from Geneva to Val Thorens:
Taking a taxi to Val Thorens is about as fast as using a transfer, but more expensive and not as convenient.
Many taxi cars are parked outside Geneva Airport. You can find them easily. However, not all taxi drivers understand English well, so it is better to prepare in advance the exact address of your hotel in Val Thorens and make sure using the navigator that you are going there.
The final price of a taxi from Geneva to Val Thorens, unfortunately, is only clear at the end of the trip. The reason for this is a complex calculation of several parameters:
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weekdays or weekends/holidays: 3.2 CHF/km and 3.8 CHF/km
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number of passengers: more than 3 passengers
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number of suitcases and skis: +1.5CHF or +3CHF
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waiting in traffic jams
As a result, the cost of a taxi from Geneva to Val Thorens, for a passenger car is approximately 650CHF and for a van or minibus 1000CHF.
5. Getting by helicopter:
Flying by helicopter is the fastest way to get to Val Thorens from Geneva airport. Travel time is 30-40 minutes.
Helicopter price:
Airbus H125 = 2750€
Airbus H130 = 2950€
Airbus AS355 = 3400€
Important flight details:
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Your flight can be canceled at any time due to bad weather.
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You must arrive 30 minutes before departure
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If you have a lot of luggage, it may not all fit in the helicopter and you will have to order a car for an additional fee (350-450€) to transport it.
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From the helipad to the hotel in Val Thorens you need to drive.
6. Rent a car at Geneva airport:
A completely economical option to get from Geneva airport to Val Thorens can be to rent a car. You rent a car at Geneva airport and return it there at the end of your vacation.
For example, you can rent a car from Sixt or Europcar.
You will spend 2.5 - 3.5 hours on the road, depending on traffic jams and your driving style. You can drive along the toll highways A41 and A43 (200 km), or along the shores of Lake Annecy (155 km).
Car rental cost:
The average price for a passenger car with a large trunk is approximately 75 € per day. Thus, if you go to the mountains for a week, it turns out to be 525 €, plus gasoline, toll roads and parking costs. Costs are approximately equal to transfer. But if you are traveling for 2 weeks, it is cheaper to book a transfer.
If you are traveling in a large group, then a van type will cost you 180 € per day (1260 euros per week) + gasoline, roads and parking. And this is already much more expensive than a transfer, for which you will pay 400+400=800 euros for both trips.
Important details:
If you rent a car only for two trips from the airport to Val Thorens and back to the airport, and the rest of the time it will be parked, renting is not the best option for you.
You must be an experienced driver and be good at driving on snowy, icy, winding mountain roads, and be able to put chains on your wheels - otherwise there is a high probability of problems when driving along serpentine roads (Val Thorens is located very high and sometimes the roads do not have time to be properly cleaned).