Why is grenoble cheaper to fly to than geneva?

A snowHead

Hello,

Just noticed that the grenoble flights are much cheaper than the geneva flights, despite being much closer to the three valleys. Is there a downside to flying to grenoble that I'm missing?

Cheers,

mnbv

A snowHead

Grenoble is small but if the flight times and transfers work for you then go for it -- you don't get the same ground transport options, intercontinental connections, high-end watch shops or anything to do the other side of security and the place is either empty or full, but on the plus side the baggage delivery isn't far from the runway at all and the car hire and buses are a very short walk from customs.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Grenoble is much smaller, presume landing fees lower, I always go for it if I can. Cack all to do if you get delayed coming home, but they have food and drink plus McD down the road for emergency airport boredom.

Only possible downside is less ability to clear huge amounts of snow, but exceptionally rare they will close for long.

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Might be worth looking into Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport too. They were at the London ski show and said they give skiers a special welcome snowHead

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Do they still have the tent at Lyon for the charter flights?

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mnbv, one occasional problem is that it's French, and more prone to strike disruption than Geneva. We once took a couple of people there to find it pretty well deserted. All flights cancelled - the email from easyJet had reached us shortly after we left the apartment to drive there. rolling eyes

For us, Geneva is closer, but if Grenoble (which is quite a way from Grenoble) suit you, then go for it.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

flights to Grenoble aren't always a lot cheaper - it depends!

After all it is free

@blahblahblah, why does Holland have a poo festival?

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@blahblahblah, So High taxation France charges less tax than Switzerland. Who would of thought it. Meanwhile I have never managed to find a flight to Grenoble less than those to Geneva and my friend (who lives in Grenoble) always flies from Geneva or occasionally Lyon as he can never find a cheaper flight from Grenoble.

As @pam w, says Grenoble airport is no where near Grenoble and at least one web site describes it as Lyon.

Slightly off topic. Does Ryanair still fly to St. Etienne and call it Lyon?

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Also far less readily available transfers from Grenoble to the resorts as they have far less flights so a bit of a chicken and egg so the transfer co's don't prioritise it as it were.

When it works though can be a very good way to get to certain resorts if hiring a car, being met etc though if like us and you're coming to from Serre and the Col is shut as happened last year can be a real PITA

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There's not that much difference in transfer time compared to Geneva, unless you're going to Les Deux Alpes, Alpe d'Huez, etc. The airport is on the "wrong" side of the city for the 3 Valleys, Espace Killy, Paradiski, etc. so by the time you drive all the way around the city, it's not much better than Geneva. Traffic is usally better though.

You know it makes sense.

Bensbus transfers from Grenoble to Alpe D'Huez and Les Deux Alpes are superb IMO. Very reasonably priced and timed for all the flights during the winter. Used them on several occasions since 2007, no complaints at all.

Flying into Grenoble on a Saturday in high season isn't great though. From queuing outside for passports to waiting for luggage to the security queues on the way out it can be pretty painful.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@dogwatch, no, I've never been tempted by the watches either. But Geneva also has a big and well stocked supermarket which is open long hours.

A snowHead

@pam w, and a pizza place that does thai green curry pizza.

A snowHead

@Claude B, but not so good to the Three Valleys etc and even to our neck of the woods, Serre Ch as well as La Grave.

I know there are a few transfers up to Moutiers / Bourg as my daughters have taken them, but very few and far between.

In fact we've often said if the Serre Tourist Authority got their act together and laid on a coach to meet all the Easy Jet flights etc that would be great for the valley, especially as they have so many coaches going up and down the valley all day long and many empty, but probably different coaches etc needed and licenses to get over the Col.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

@Weathercam, Why not suggest it to Ben. Yes he is a real person Ben Keown I think. They could perhaps run a minibus from the dam dropping off from their L2A bus if there aren't the numbers for a full coach.

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@Claude B, Ben quite rightly looks at his bottom line and has worked out (maybe) there's not the necessary return, where as the Serre Domain may well have the resources that could handle it and could view it as a long term investment, but there again you're dealing with a body that although numbers of visiting skiers are consistently down year on year still put prices up and seem to ignore any logical marketing practices??

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Also, at Grenoble, you don't get the first 5 notes of "How much is that doggy in the window" repeated ad infin.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

@zammo,

I have sometimes, when waiting round for arrivals in Geneva, actually found myself singing that outloud.

After all it is free

@blahblahblah, it is a slightly unfortunate TLD Shocked

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@under a new name, for sure, not as bad as Pen Island.

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Help!!

Why is grenoble cheaper to fly to than geneva?

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