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Snowtrain to French Alps

Snowtrain to the French Alps

Update for winter schedule

Sadly, the former direct Eurostar service between London and the Alps no longer exists since the pandemic of 2020-2022. However, there are still some train itineraries available for the winter 2024-25 that work to a lesser or greater degree.

1. Eurostar from London to Paris, cross the city centre from Gare du Nord to Gare Lyon and then take a TGV from Paris to the Alps (Moutiers, Aime La Plagne and Bourg Saint Maurice). The return journey also means crossing Paris city centre from Gare du Lyon back to Gare du Nord. Both outward and return journies are on a Saturday daytime.

2. Eurostar from London to Lille. Once there you simply change platforms and wait 45 minutes before taking a different Eurostar (formerly a Thalys train) to the Alps. The outward journey is on a Saturday (daytime) but the return journey is on a Sunday (daytime). This means spending Saturday night before your return in either Bourg Saint Maurice or Moutiers. Please note that there is a longer change at Lille on the return journey to allow passengers to clear customs at Lille before the return to the UK.

Ideal ski chalets to combine with train travel to the Alps


1. Morning Eurostar to Paris + TGV

The completion of High Speed 1 has brought the British part of Eurostar's route up to the same standards as the French high-speed train lines. Non-stop journey times were reduced by a further 20 minutes to just 2 hours 15 minutes for the London to Paris route. Take an early morning Eurostar from London to Paris Gare du Nord (they operate on every day of the week) and then a taxi to your favourite Parisian restaurant to enjoy a fabulous lunch whilst soaking up the atmosphere. Afterwards arrange for the maitre d' to book a taxi to Gare du Lyon where you can catch a TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse) operated by the SNCF. These trains are even faster than the Eurostar so that the journey from Paris to the Alps (you can choose from many destinations) takes just over 4 hours. A short taxi ride will then bring you to your ski resort with enough time to pick up your ski equipment before sitting down to dinner.

The return journey would work almost as well. A morning TGV from the Alps will get you into Paris for a late lunch or perhaps an early tea, depending on which train you catch. Transfer across Paris to the Gare du Nord and then catch the Eurostar service to London where you will arrive in time for dinner (catching back one hour with the time difference).

Useful fact: In April 2007 a TGV test train set the record for the fastest wheeled train ever, reaching 574.80kph (357mph).

Advantages:

  • Travel on any day of the week. This allows you to stay in one of the many better quality chalets with a Sunday changeover day.
  • Travel to a much wider variety destinations in the French Alps. The TGV service runs to more stations than the Eurostar.
  • Enjoy a lunch in Paris on the way out to resort and tea on the way back.
  • Cheaper than the direct Eurostar service.

Disadvantages:

  • Greater chance of your itinerary going awry if one of the trains is delayed.
  • Crossing Paris is not easy when you have lots of luggage with you (families with young children take note).
  • You need to book tickets with two different suppliers, Eurostar and the SNCF.

2. Morning Eurostar to Lille + onward Eurostar (former Thalys train)

This service will run from 21st December 2024 through to the 02nd March 2025 so there will be only 9 weeks of return travel available. The exact schedule has yet to be released but for winter 2023-24 the departure from London St Pancras was 09.01hrs and the arrival later that same day in Bourg Saint Maurice was 18.20hrs. The return train left Bourg Saint Maurice on Sundays at 08.11hrs and returned to London St Pancras later that same day at 15.57hrs.

Tickets for the Eurostar go on sale from 09th July 2024 and we recommend that you book as early as possible to secure the best prices. It may be that you have to book the trains in France (either the TGV from Paris or the train service from Lille) at a later date.

Travel Period

December 2024 - early January 2025 - ticket sales open early October.
Early January 2025 - Early February 2025 - ticket sales open late October.
Early February 2025 - March 2025 - ticket sales open mid-November.

Advantages:

  • No need to cross Paris between Gare du Nord to Gare du Lyon.

Disadvantages:

  • You will need to find overnight accommodation on Saturday night in a valley town (Bourg Saint Maurice or Moutiers) so you can check-in for the early departure on Sunday morning back to Lille.

Train vs Flying - which is quicker?

You may think that taking a train to the Alps would take a lot longer than taking a flight. After all the cruising speed of a modern Boeing 737 (the short haul workhorse hero) is 580mph and covers the route London (Heathrow or Gatwick) to Geneva Airport in approximately one and a half hours. However, the Eurostar is by no means a slouch, travelling at just a shade under 200mph, and by the time you factor in the extra hours taken at the airports checking in and collecting luggage, plus the extra 2 to 3 hours transfer time to your ski resort the total journey times are in fact very similar.

Luggage allowance for the Eurostar train services

One of the best things about travelling with Eurostar is that there’s no weight limit for your luggage, as long as you’re able to carry your own bags and put them safely in the luggage rack on board. There is also no restriction on liquids, so you can pack a bottle of bubbly for the train, or bring back a large bottle of French scent.

Adult Standard class tickets includes:
- 2 pieces of main luggage (up to 85cm long) plus a set of skis/snowboard.
- 1 small piece of hand luggage eg. handbag, laptop or briefcase.

Adult Business Premier class tickets includes:
- 3 pieces of main luggage (up to 85cm long) plus a set of skis/snowboard.
- 1 small piece of hand luggage eg. handbag, laptop or briefcase.

Child ticket includes:
- 1 piece of luggage (up to 85cm long).
- 1 piece of hand luggage.

The last time we checked children under four years old travel free with Eurostar, so they don’t need a ticket. Since they won’t have a seat or luggage allowance though, they’ll need to sit on a grown-up’s lap and fit all their belongings in with the adult’s too. Given that you need to buy an airline ticket for children once they reach 2 years old there is an opportunity for a family with a two or three year old to save money (so long as you can deal with them being on your lap for the journey).

Note: Pushchairs can be taken free in addition to your individual allowance. However, you will need to fold your pram and store it in the luggage rack above the seats.

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