How to get to Val Thorens from Geneva and Lyon airport

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:

• 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).

• You wait 19 minutes for the next train.

• At 09:45 leave further by train TER N°96634 to Chambery (Chambéry - Challes-les-Eaux). Travel time is 1 hour 32 minutes.

• You wait 36 minutes for the next train.

• 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€

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)

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.

Helicopter price:

Airbus H125 = 2750€

Airbus H130 = 2950€

Airbus AS355 = 3400€

Important flight details:

• Your flight can be canceled at any time due to bad weather.

• You must arrive 30 minutes before departure

• 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.

• From the helipad to the hotel in Val Thorens you need to drive.

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).

1. Getting by train from Lyon airport:

2. How to get from Lyon airport to Val Thorens by bus:

On the altibus website you can book your trip from Lyon Airport to Val Thorens website.

First you drive from Lyon airport to Moutiers, the journey will take approximately 3 hours. Then from Moutiers to Val Thorens by the second bus (this is another 1 - 1.5 hours, depending on traffic) In total, the entire trip to the ski resort by bus will take 4 - 5.5 hours.

3. Book a transfer from Lyon Airport to Val Thorens:

If you want to get there with maximum comfort, at a low price and at the optimal time, choose a private transfer from Lyon Airport to Val Thorens. Book yourself a car (car or van, depending on the number of people and luggage) in advance.

A day before your trip, you will be sent a contact information for a driver who will meet you at the airport building with a sign. After arrival, you will immediately go to the hotel, without unnecessary waits and additional changes of transport.

4. How to get from Lyon to Val Thorens by taxi:

There are often many taxis waiting outside the Lyon airport. They will be very happy to take you to Val Thorens.

But you must remember that most drivers do not speak English well - prepare your destination in Val Thorens in advance.

If there are more than 4 people, it will not be so easy to find a car and it will cost much more than a transfer.

They will tell you how much you have to pay for the trip at the end; you will not be able to find out the exact price in advance. This is because it consists of many points:

• 1 km = 2.4€ during working hours

• 1 km = 3.2€ outside working hours

• +4.5€ for each suitcase, skis or snowboard

• +38€ per hour waiting, including in traffic jams

• +4.18€ for car delivery

A taxi will cost 500€ for a car (2-3 passengers) and 800€ for a van (5-7 passengers) according to a rough estimate.

5. Helicopter from Lyon Airport to Val Thorens:

The most comfortable, but also the most expensive way to get to Val Thorens is by helicopter. But the price is not the only disadvantage. Flights can be canceled due to bad weather, which happens quite unexpectedly in the mountains.

If you took a lot of things and ski equipment with you, most likely you will have to pay additionally for luggage transportation by car (350-450 euro).

Flight time is 35-40 minutes, plus a trip from the helipad to the hotel.

6. Rent a car at Lyon airport:

You can book a car at Lyon airport with Hertz or Europcar. This is a suitable option if you are traveling for a week and are going to travel in the mountains between ski stations.

However, if you are traveling for 2 weeks and your car will be parked, it is more advisable to order a transfer.

You can get to Val Thorens in about 3-4 hours, depending on your luck with traffic and weather in the mountains. The length of the route is approximately 198 km.

The cost of renting a car is from 80 to 150 euro per day (depending on the make and size of the car).

Be sure to keep in mind that part of the route passes along a serious and dangerous serpentine road. Therefore, if you do not have the proper experience driving in harsh winter conditions, it is better to use another mode of transport.