By Air
Chambéry - approx 1 1/4 hour transfer. CMF is the closest but has few flights. As a smaller airport it is susceptible to close in bad weather and your flight could be
diverted elsewhere.
Geneva - approx 2 hour transfer. GVA has excellent
bus/shuttle links with the most flights & hire car options. Most taxis and coaches take the busy local roads instead of
the toll ways and can take 2 1/2 to 3 hours. If you hire a car take the toll roads and you can make it in under 2 hours.
Grenoble - approx 2 1/2 hour transfer. GNB New option as low cost carriers
now flying there from the UK.
For checking cheap flight options we recommend using SkyScanner which checks all budget airlines going into
a particular airport, and gives you the best prices and shows alternative times/dates. When comparing
costs always check on baggage allowance policy for skis and ski boots. Don't
forget about the scheduled carriers, Swiss and Flybaboo have some great deals and BA has loads of flights as well. They also have a more generous
baggage allowance and will often be cheaper if you are bringing ski equipment. You can also check charter flights at Ski-Flights and new this season is Snowjets
who fly out of Manchester, Bristol and Gatwick to Chambery.
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By Rail - There are two options, Eurostar or the Snow Train sleeper
service
Eurostar DIRECT service (click on this link and select "ski" option in book online section)
-Relaxing, fast and convenient direct service to Moutier, rarely delayed.
-Short check in times, Daytime or
overnight services.
-Probably the fastest way "door to door"
to Mottaret at around 7 hours from London.
-Short 30 minute transfer up the
mountain by taxi (book in advance) or bus.
-Travelling overnight on the way
back will allow an extra days skiing.
-If booked early can be very cost effective combined with cheaper transfer costs.
-No charge for bringing skis and extra baggage (check the fine print on budget
airlines)
-Limited availability - is very popular and books
up quickly in the half terms, only runs on Friday nights and saturdays.
We
recommend the day train going out and the overnight return giving you 7 days of skiing and missing the changeover
traffic both saturdays, with clear slopes on your last day.
Eurostar - French Rail
Another option
is to take the Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord and then a taxi / RER to Paris Gare Lyon or Paris Austerlitz for TGV services to Moutier. There are many more options this way and it is generally cheaper than the direct service but does require a change of trains. One
great option is to get an evening Eurostar to Paris and an overnight sleeper to Moutier. Opt for the the First class
sleeper service, it is only a bit more and has 4 berth carriages instead of 6.
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By
Road
-Can be a cheap option if you have three or more in the car.
-Can be the best option if booking late, hire cars and flights will be more expensive
-It
is 600 miles (about 8 hours without stops) by motorway from Calais to Mottaret, can take longer in bad weather.
-From the Southeast not much longer journey "door to door" than flying considering check in times
-You can get 8 days Skiing instead of 6 and miss the queues.
TOP TIP -
A stay en route on Friday night close to Mottaret can enable two extra days skiing. On arrival early saturday change in the
underground ski locker area, leaving luggage in your car, ski during the day checking in late afternoon. Ski
the last Saturday heading down the mountain in the evening, stay overnight in a hotel and make your way home Sunday.
-Motorway tolls are about 68 Euros each way.
-Ample free
parking outside the Apartment.
-No real need for a car in the resort during the ski season.
-A car is handy in the summer for day trips, golfing, etc.
-If driving (even a 4x4) you MUST have snow chains with you. They can be bought in Moutier if you
forget.
-If there is heavy snow the police may stop you and refuse passage if you do not have snow chains on.
Best deals on Ferry Crossing - Check out this site which has
all the deals
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Transfers
to the Apartment - We recommend either taxi or car hire.
Remember that you must collect and drop off your keys from our
local agents offices which are based lower in the valley in Les Allues. They are directly on the main road to Mottaret but
coaches will not typically stop there. You will need to get the local resort bus back down to collect keys making
bus transfers a bit more hassle.
Airport
Transfers by TAXI
We recommend Yann Leray Taxi for a reliable service from any destination. reliable and good English
spoken.
New this year is
SkiHame a firm based in the Three Valleys and who offer both private and shared airport transfers by minibus. The shared option
can be very good value and if you are lucky generally very little waiting time. Mention Scott from SkiMottaret and you may
get a better rate. I have used them and was very impressed.
Others we havent used but have web sites for booking:
Alp Line - English firm all destinations
SkiCab - come highly recommended as good value for larger groups of up to 30 people
Approximate prices
in euros for taxis for 1-4 people to Mottarêt. Additional persons add 10% as a rule of thumb. Prices WILL vary by
firm and type of vehicle, please contact the taxi firm for a quote.
Geneva - 280 euros one way.
Lyon St Exupéry - 330 euros one way.
Chambéry - 200 euros one way.
Grenoble - 300 euros one way.
Airport Transfers by HIRE CAR
Can be arranged from any
of the airports, make sure you have snow chains included.
If there are several people travelling this may be an inexpensive
option.
Direct to your door and you have use of car in resort if needed
Airport Transfers by COACH
Geneva Altibus run 8 buses per day on Saturday and 3 or 4 on other days. The journey
takes around 3 ¼ hours Geneva Airport Coach Timetable. Takes you very near apt. at the Le Chatelet round about. 118 Euro return, 70 Euro one way, children 4-12 half price and
if you have 4 or more adults group rate is 105 return.
Lyon St. Exupéry Satobus run 4 buses on Saturday and 2 or 3 on other days, 3-4 hours.
Chambéry Altibus Once per day. Takes 2 ¼ hours. Chambery AIrport Coach Timetable
Grenoble Agbus Once per day and two on Saturdays
to Moutiers (then take another bus or a taxi to the resort). Takes 2 hours
Transfers from Moutier Train Station
The
journey up the mountain normally takes under 30 minutes depending upon the weather. A taxi is the best option, we dont recommend
the bus as you have to collect keys in Les Allues, on the
way up.
Taxi
- There is a taxi rank at the station - transfers are about 70 Euros per trip.
It is advisable to book as there are not too many cabs on the rank.
Yann Leray Taxi - Our recommended taxis service.
Taxi Jean Loup - Meribel based, clear prices on web site.
Alpes Meribel Taxis - Based in Meribel and good for resort area, bookings by email.
Bus - It is not necessary but advisable to book the bus tickets in advance.
Tickets are approximately 12 Euros one way, get off in Le Chatelet. You MUST confirm your departure with the Tourist office
2 days before you go home.
Moutier to Mottaret Coach Timetable - 08/09 sorry only French version available
Hotels in Moutier - If you drive or take the train you may wish to stay in
Moutier the night before your stay and get up the mountain early Saturday, beating traffic and having a full day skiing. If
searching web sites for deals be aware there are several "Moutiers", the full name is "Moutiers Salins Brides Le Bains".
Terminus Hotel - Near the station, is the cheapest and offers basic rooms.
Auberge de Savoie - Two Minutes from Station
Hotels near Geneva Airport - This site will scan all available hotels near the airport and list by price.
Hotel Ibis Geneva Airport - From £55 weekend/£69 mid week per room this comfortable hotel has a
shuttle bus that runs to and from the hotel between the hours of 05:30 – 23:00.
Directions - Download and Print
these off for your trip
Local Resort Bus Service
- Pick up a copy of the bus schedule at the Tourist Office or download below.
-Apart from really bad weather they
usually run to time but can often be very crowded.
-Skiing in Mottaret you shouldnt
really need the bus unless you get stuck in Meribel after having too much apres ski!
