Lyon 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 Lyon airport to get to Val Thorens. There are several modes of transport that travelers can use.
Lyon airport to Val Thorens:
Lyon Airport is the second most popular airport for tourists flying to Val Thorens in winter. They are 199 km away from each other.
1. Getting by train from Lyon airport:
1st part of the route Lyon air - Moutiers (by train):
You have the option to take the train at various times and on various trains. One of the options:
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At 14:12 you take the TGV INOUI N°6193 at Lyon Airport Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV station and travel 29 minutes to VALENCE VILLE station
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You wait 31 minutes for the next train.
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At 15:14 change to the second train TER N°17580 and travel 9 stops 1 hour 52 minutes to MONTMELIAN station
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You wait 35 minutes for the next train.
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At 17:40 you continue your journey by train TER N°883237 and after 1 hour you arrive in Moûtiers.
The train doesn't go any further!
In total, the first part of the train journey lasts about 4.5 hours and you will need to change trains twice.
2nd class ticket price = 69.40 €; 1st class = 88.80€ (there are other routes 52.30€ and 81.70€). You can buy tickets on the SNCF website.
2nd part of the route from Moutiers to Val Thorens:
The train does not go further; in Moutiers you must take a bus, taxi or order a transfer. You can read more on this same page above.
Total travel cost from Lyon to Val Thorens:
Train + bus = 52,3 + 10 = 62,3€
Train + transfer = 52,3 + 160 = 212€
Train + taxi = 52,3 + 200 = 252€
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.
Departure times from Lyon airport:
- On Saturdays the bus goes to Val Thorens 3 times. Departure times from Lyon airport are 10:20, 12:10, 15:30
- On Friday the bus leaves from Lyon airport at 15:30
- On Sunday the bus leaves the airport at 12:30
Bus fare:
One way ticket 65€
When purchasing in both directions 115€ / 2 = 57.5€
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.
Transfer price Lyon airport - Val Thorens:
The price of transfer from Lyon to Val Thorens corresponds to the vehicle you choose.
|
4 pax |
8 pax |
20 pax |
|
|
Economy |
320€ |
350€ |
- |
|
Comfort |
380€ |
430€ |
1000€ |
|
Business |
460€ |
440€ |
1100€ |
|
Premium |
750€ |
460€ |
- |
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:
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1 km = 2.4€ during working hours
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1 km = 3.2€ outside working hours
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+4.5€ for each suitcase, skis or snowboard
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+38€ per hour waiting, including in traffic jams
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+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).
Helicopter price:
Airbus H125 = 3600€
Airbus H130 = 4050€
Airbus AS355 = 4200€
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.