We're currently in Brussels for the weekend having used the Eurostar for the very first time. I casually mentioned to Mr O that lots of people travel to Les Arcs by train and he was immediately very open to the idea, mostly because he liked the idea of not driving for 15 hours.
So, oracles of Snowheads, talk me through it please. Getting into London and onto the Eurostar is no problem. Where is best in your experience to go from from there. We'd like as few changes as possible, because of lugging cases (no skis though, we hire those). I know that we can get the funicular to 1600 and then the bus to 1800.
Accommodation is booked for a week from the 30th of March. Staying in the Chantel area of Les Arcs.
We are two adults and two children aged 12 and 10. Would love to know how Macker got the children on the train for free on the way out! Any hints and tips about discounts are always appreciated, as we love a discount.
Thank you!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@Owlette, in to Paris then direct to Bourg St Maurice? You'll need to transfer between Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon
Looking at a Saturday in January (your date of 30th March won't be available yet) the following trains are available direct with no connections:
Paris Gare de Lyon ----> Bourg St Maurice
Dep 0638 Arr 1149
Dep 0746 Arr 1253
Dep 0849 Arr 1358
Dep 0950 Arr 1500
Dep 1028 Arr 1600
Dep 1132 Arr 1626
Dep 1448 Arr 1952
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Sun 12-11-23 11:20; edited 1 time in total
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Depending on when you're going (and where you start from) an Interrail pass sometimes works out cheaper than buying the tickets direct. The Interrail pass is free for children up to 11, so you only pay the seat reservation fees (~€80 euro for London to Bourg St Maurice return). It also has the advantage of covering the UK legs to and from St Pancras so long as they're on the days you enter and leave the UK.
It’s super easy. Do check about buying an SNCF advantage card as you can save 30% off the French side and also I think 60% off the kids.
The transfer from Eurostar gare du nord to Gare de Lyon, is not that hard it is 2 stops on the RER. We leave over an hour in case of delays etc personally I prefer a bit more (get to gare de Lyon and buy sandwiches etc for the journey)
As long as the kids can wheel their bags you’ll be fine and if you still get the metro ticket from the buffet on Eurostar it saves faffing for tickets.
Or you could taxi it more £ but easy.
I would also consider a taxi transfer from bourg. Yes you save £ but the walk from the train to the funicular feels forever. And then another bus. But that’s my personal preference
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I've often fancied the idea of train over car. However, we're 2 adults and 2 teens and it ends up working out more expensive. Especially the Eurostar.....which seems as expensive as Paris to Bourg SM!
It's a shame as driving is quite long....and I do all of it not to be bored. But if the travel costs were comparable or close it would be a serious consideration. However it seems hundreds more expensive and I'm all about keeping costs down rather than increase them.
We're bound to half terms. 2024 will be Easter (and driving after doing cost research) but 2025 will be back to Feb due to GCSEs.
Just wondered (in Feb half term) how much the French travel by train vs car. Not sure if anyone has this experience?
I personally found the change over at Paris a bit stressful.
I haven't yet tried Lille, but I imagine it's a lot easier than Paris and as close as it gets to the old direct train, which was our absolute favourite way to get to the Alps.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Oleski, that route via Lille is only running 16th Dec - 3rd Feb, and the OP is going end of March.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@Owlette from Bourg st Maurice station to the funicular there is a shuttle bus rather than walk. The navette around to 1800 leaves from the funicular station and you will need another navette to Chantel.
So ignoring all the changes needed getting to St Pancras, you will change at Gare du Nord to the metro and onto Gare de Lyon, then again at Chambery (an easyone you get off one train then wait until the next one arrives at the same platform) then onto the funicular, then two navettes to Chantel. Oddly it is the journey to St Pancras that really puts me off.
Compared to going by car: load stuff into car, drive for 15 hours, unload car.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@johnE, I thought for the funicular you just walk to the opposite end of the platform to the station entrance?
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@johnE, you don't have to change at Chambery if you get a direct train from Paris.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
sugarmoma666 wrote:
@johnE, I thought for the funicular you just walk to the opposite end of the platform to the station entrance?
I remember doing this and it felt like such a trek after an overnight train journey - but perhaps we went the wrong way. We went out of the station and round ti the funicular.
I love the train we do it each year. We do stay overnight in the premier inn in London on the Friday, but it’s still value for us. This year we are combining with a theatre trip the Friday night!
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@Lucywuk, there's definitely signs saying to walk the other way along the platform to get to the funicular. It was very disconcerting when we got there and people were exiting the train and going in both directions.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
sugarmoma666, getting to the Funicular was just as you suggest when i last did the trip some 10 years ago.
But you need to go over a bridge: many stairs up and many stairs down. No fun if you've got lots of heavy cumbersome luggage.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Quote:
I thought for the funicular you just walk to the opposite end of the platform to the station entrance?
Yes, it's only about 5 or 600m and the steps feel rather long as well. I remember coming down the funicular one morning and walked to the station. The people who watited for the navette got there before me.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Fab, thank you all. I'm taking all this in.
We currently have 4 cabin cases, but for a trip by train I'd buy two large cases to reduce volume of luggage. My two are fab at getting their cases up and down stairs, but if we're not flying and trying to avoid hold charges, then big cases feel like a win from a streamlined pov.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Owlette wrote:
We're currently in Brussels for the weekend having used the Eurostar for the very first time. I casually mentioned to Mr O that lots of people travel to Les Arcs by train and he was immediately very open to the idea, mostly because he liked the idea of not driving for 15 hours.
So, oracles of Snowheads, talk me through it please. Getting into London and onto the Eurostar is no problem. Where is best in your experience to go from from there. We'd like as few changes as possible, because of lugging cases (no skis though, we hire those). I know that we can get the funicular to 1600 and then the bus to 1800.
Accommodation is booked for a week from the 30th of March. Staying in the Chantel area of Les Arcs.
We are two adults and two children aged 12 and 10. Would love to know how Macker got the children on the train for free on the way out! Any hints and tips about discounts are always appreciated, as we love a discount.
Thank you!
shame we will miss you by a day! we are going 23-30th with our 4 kids aged 8,9,10,11. Kids u12 were free on the ouigo cheap train booked in advance and 29euro for adults or over 12s.
did you make use of the Les Arcs Happy Day discounts on lift pass? managed to save us £700 as the week we are going it was 40% off!
regarding baggage - I use large camping rucksacks for adults and the kids have a easyjet style cabin wheelie bag each. I then have my ski bag which can fit 4 pairs and boots but we only have adult skis and boots so plenty of space for towels, ski clothes and bedding to pad it out.
we are staying friday night in premier inn opposite Kings Cross. Up early 6.30am train to paris. metro Line D RER train 2 stops to Gare de Lyon, then train to Bourg. Use funicular to get to 1600 and free navette to get to 1800. We are staying in Charvet for the first time (usually stay in Villards)
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@Macker13, That is a shame that we will miss you. We will likely pass each other along the railway at some point.
We've taken the plunge and have bought an Interrail ticket as this was the best value, though we plumped for the 1st class ticket for some more leg room and quieter carriages. When we worked it out, it was similar to what we paid in April to drive, but this way we do it in one day and no-one has to drive or worry about icy roads and traffic jams.
We're thinking a taxi from Bourg to our accommodation will be simpler, as recommended upthread, especially as we won't be arriving until the evening. So now I'm wondering what he taxi situation is like please? Is there a rank, or are we best pre-booking? Any recommendations please.
Thanks.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@Owlette, good idea about getting a taxi from Bourg to Arc 1800. That’s what I’ve done when I’ve travelled with ski luggage as that part of the journey (train station to funicular; funicular to Arc 1600; Arc 1600 to Arc 1800; Arc 1800 bus station to Chantel) is a bit frustrating.
I personally found the change over at Paris a bit stressful.
I haven't yet tried Lille, but I imagine it's a lot easier than Paris and as close as it gets to the old direct train, which was our absolute favourite way to get to the Alps.
There's a very useful video on YouTube detailing the change from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon
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