Getting to the Alps by Train: Eurostar, TGV and the Sleeper

The short answer: you can get from London to the French Alps by train in a single day, and for many groups it's the most relaxing way to arrive. The Eurostar ski train runs on winter Saturdays to the Tarentaise valley, with one easy change in Lille. On other days, or for resorts like Morzine, you take Eurostar to Paris, cross the city and catch a TGV into the mountains. There's also an overnight sleeper from Paris that has you on the slopes by Saturday lunchtime.

This is the companion to our guide to driving to the French Alps from the UK. It covers the main rail routes for the coming season, how to reach Morzine and La Plagne from the station, what to do with your skis, and how to book.

Why take the train to the Alps?

The train turns the journey into part of the holiday. There's no airport security, no baggage reclaim queue and no long coach transfer at the end. You can walk around, eat properly, read, work or watch the scenery change from the flat north of France to the first snowy peaks.

• More luggage, less hassle. Rail allowances are far more generous than budget airlines, and skis travel with you rather than in the hold.
• You arrive in the valley, not at an airport. The main ski stations sit at the foot of the resorts, so the final leg is short.
• It's the lower-carbon option. For many travellers that matters as much as the convenience.
• It's good with children. Space to move around and a table for games beats a cramped seat-back tray.

It isn't always the cheapest or the fastest option, and peak weeks sell out early. But booked well, it's one of the nicest ways to start a week in the mountains.

Option one: the Eurostar ski train

The simplest route to the Tarentaise is the Eurostar ski train. It runs on Saturdays from mid-December to late February, with the return leaving the Alps on Sundays. You leave St Pancras in the morning, change at Lille Europe and arrive in the mountains in the late afternoon, in time to check in to your chalet and head out for dinner.

The change at Lille is cross-platform on the way out, so you stay with your bags and simply step onto the connecting train. On the way back you go through Eurostar check-in at Lille before the final leg to London, so allow for a wait there.

The train calls at three stations in the Tarentaise valley:

• Moûtiers, for Méribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens and the rest of the Three Valleys.
• Aime-la-Plagne, for La Plagne.
• Bourg-Saint-Maurice, for Les Arcs, Tignes and Val d'Isère. A funicular runs from the station up to Arc 1600.

Tickets usually go on sale in the summer, and the best fares go first. Christmas, New Year and the February half-term weekends are the ones to book earliest. Check the Eurostar website for this season's dates and fares.

Option two: Eurostar to Paris, then the TGV

If the ski train dates don't suit you, or you're heading somewhere it doesn't go, the classic route is Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, then a TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon. TGVs run to the Alps throughout the season, with extra trains on winter weekends.

This route reaches more of the Alps, including the Tarentaise stations above and the stations for Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz. Most journeys from London take a full day with the change in Paris, so leave early.

Crossing Paris

Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon are on opposite sides of the city centre. The easiest way between them is the RER D, which runs directly between the two stations in a few minutes. A taxi is a good alternative if you have children or a lot of luggage, though traffic can be slow.

Give yourself a generous gap between trains, ideally at least an hour and a half. If you book the whole journey on one ticket, check what happens if your Eurostar is delayed and you miss the TGV.

Option three: the overnight sleeper from Paris

The Travelski Night Express runs overnight from Paris to the Tarentaise on winter weekends. You leave on Friday evening, sleep in a couchette and arrive at Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne or Bourg-Saint-Maurice on Saturday morning. Transfers from the station to your resort are included, so you can be skiing on your first day.

From the UK, you'd take an afternoon Eurostar to Paris on Friday and connect to the sleeper that evening. For the coming season there's also a new line from Amsterdam and Brussels, which suits travellers from the Benelux or anyone combining a ski trip with a city break. Check Travelski for dates and how to book.

A night train is part of the adventure, especially with children. Couchettes are simple shared compartments, so bring earplugs, a warm layer and anything you need for the morning in a small bag.

How to get to Morzine by train

Morzine doesn't have its own station, and the Eurostar ski train doesn't serve this part of the Alps. The nearest stations are Cluses and Thonon-les-Bains, and both have TGV services from Paris Gare de Lyon in winter.

• From Cluses, the Altibus Y92 runs to Morzine, with some winter weekend services continuing to Avoriaz.
• From Thonon-les-Bains, the Y91 runs to Morzine all year, again with weekend winter services to Avoriaz.
• Taxis and private transfers are quicker and take you to the chalet door, which is worth it for groups or anyone arriving late.

Book buses ahead on the Altibus website, especially on Saturdays. A ski bag and a suitcase are included in the fare.

Another option is to take the train to Geneva. TGV Lyria trains run from Paris Gare de Lyon to Geneva, and from there it's a straightforward transfer to Morzine. This can be the best choice if your group is mixing train and air travel and wants to meet at Geneva airport.

How to get to La Plagne by train

La Plagne is one of the easiest big resorts to reach by train. Aime-la-Plagne station is a stop on the Eurostar ski train, the TGV and the overnight sleeper, so you have a choice of routes.

From the station, Altibus runs buses up to the resort:

• S71 from Aime to the main La Plagne villages.
• S70 from Aime to Montalbert.
• S72 from Landry station to Montchavin and Les Coches.
• S66 from Moûtiers to Champagny-en-Vanoise.

Check which village your chalet is in before you book, because it decides which station and bus you need. Taxis wait at Aime station too, and your host can usually recommend a local transfer company.

Taking skis and luggage on the train

On the direct Eurostar trains to the Alps, you can take a pair of skis or a snowboard in addition to your normal luggage allowance. On other Eurostar services they count as one of your bags. Either way, they need to be in a padded case that covers them completely, with straps.

French TGV and regional trains don't weigh bags, but you need to be able to lift everything onto the train and into the racks yourself. A few tips:

• Pack light. One suitcase and one ski bag per person is plenty. Your chalet will have a washing machine or laundry service for longer stays.
• Consider hiring skis in resort. It saves carrying them across Paris and means you can choose skis to suit the conditions.
• Use a ski bag with wheels. It makes the change in Paris much easier.
• Keep valuables and medicines in a day bag. Luggage racks are at the ends of the carriages, out of sight.

For a full kit list, see our guide to what to pack for a week in the Alps.

Train or car: which is right for you?

The train suits couples, families with younger children and anyone heading to a resort close to a station, like La Plagne or Les Arcs. It's relaxing, and you arrive in the mountains without a long drive behind you.

Driving makes more sense if you're a large group sharing the cost, want to bring lots of kit (bikes, a roof box, food from home), or want a car in resort to explore other ski areas. Our driving guide covers routes, tolls and winter tyre rules.

Booking tips for the train

• Book as early as you can. Eurostar releases tickets many months ahead, while French TGV tickets open later. Christmas, New Year, February half-term and Easter sell out first.
• Travel on a Saturday if you can. That's when the ski train runs, most chalets change over and most transfers are timed.
• Check for strikes before you travel. French rail strikes are usually announced in advance. Read the operator's updates and keep a backup plan.
• Tell your host your arrival time. They can advise on the best transfer, and some will arrange one for you.

Every chalet on Peak & Chalet is booked directly with its host, so you can ask about the nearest station, transfers and check-in times before you book. Browse chalets in La Plagne or chalets in Morzine and message hosts directly.

Ready to plan your trip? Find your chalet, book directly with the host, and let the train do the hard work.