 Poster: A snowHead
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What's the best way? Happy to drive but not sure about parking in Flaine (staying in P&V La Foret) or if there's any benefit to having a car whilst we're there.
3 adults, 2 with their own boards to fit in, last week of Jan, Saturday transfers (arrive late Friday & booked into airport hotel, late Saturday flight home so plenty of time.
Not been to Flaine before.
Thanks!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You don't need a car unless you want to go further than grand massif, you may also struggle with getting car park closer than your hotel. If for any reason you need cheap taxi hitchhiking works really well (I got stuck on the wrong side of grand massif after closure). The only question is how much is car vs. transfer for 3 people. Cheapest way could be bus to the airport but from the airport I would be worried about flight/bag arriving too late.
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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?
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Car hire vs transfer looks similar cost-wise.
Bus would be OK as we arrive the night before and have a late flight home, any idea how to find out about the bus (I'm assuming they have plenty of luggage space?)
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I would consider Geneva to Cluses + change to Flaine on a local bus or taxi. But if cost is similar I always prefer car. It gives you more flexibility, e.g. when weather is worse.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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It looks like there's parking behind the la foret buildings (up the hill not right behind) is that likely to have space?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sorry I've assumed that you know everything! 
I'll discuss with the others and probably go for a car. Anyone else's experiences greatly appreciated.
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It's a difficult decision, this, if a car is not likely to be much help when you're there and there's not much difference in cost. If it snows during the week digging it out (best done quickly) will be a pain, if there is no underground parking available. And you might need to fit chains if, as you hope, it's chucking it down just before you get there. Generally I'd prefer a car, but the time taken picking up a car can be annoying - and unpredictable. I'd suggest a chat with the tourist office. You haven't said when you're going - that might affect the decision.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| vickitav wrote: |
| Car hire vs transfer looks similar cost-wise. |
With three of you, I had wondered that. In which case it comes down to the hassle factor For me car would have greater hassle unless you would use it during your stay (issues of pick-up, the need to fill tank before return and take shuttle to airport from drop-off point, and finding and possibly paying for parking).
As above, cheapest but slowest would be to take the train to Cluses and then a local service bus up to Flaine. There are trains from Geneva every hour, though some need a change in Annemasse; there is an airport station and you would first need to go the one stop to Geneva central. You would have to check bus times onward to Flaine, likely to be less frequent.
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| vickitav wrote: |
Car hire vs transfer looks similar cost-wise.
Bus would be OK as we arrive the night before and have a late flight home, any idea how to find out about the bus (I'm assuming they have plenty of luggage space?) |
Google is your friend 
Altibus appear to have twice daily services between Geneva Airport and Flaine, working out at €60 return per head. They'll be set up for luggage including skis / boards.
Alternatively there seem to be companies offering shared transfers, including Go Massif, which looks like it would work out at about twice the price.
You could even mix and match between the 2, especially if you're trying to maximise skiing time on departure day.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks all, I know there's Google but it much nicer to ask you knowledgeable types 
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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.
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And we're going the last week of January, so relatively high season but (hopefully) not school hols.
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Altibus sounds good to me!
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You know it makes sense.
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And last week in January is a great choice.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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If you do decide on a hire car you get the huge advantage of being able to stock up on groceries at the SuperU in Magland at the bottom of the hill up to Flaine. In Jan you may need chains which aren’t fun to put on, although a hire car will come with Winter tyres. You can drop off luggage for free in front of La Foret (90 mins) then parking in Flaine is 10€ a day with a large car park about 10 mins walk away (up hill…). Digging the car out in Jan could well happen, Flaine doesn’t have any public underground parking.
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Poster: A snowHead
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A hire car from Swiss GVA will have winter tyres
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Judicious packing can reduce the need for shopping and the marginal cost of shopping in resort is not huge.
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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?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Mmm thanks all, I think maybe the shared transfer is a good in-between the cheaper bus and the expense of a private transfer / car hire.
Problem is I'm supposed to be organising a 'cheap' trip (whatever that is) but I keep getting sidetracked by the expensive options...
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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although a hire car will come with Winter tyres.
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May come with winter tyres. It depends where you hire the car from.
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Problem is I'm supposed to be organising a 'cheap' trip (whatever that is) but I keep getting sidetracked by the expensive options...
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May I suggest the train to Cluses and the local bus from there. Or BlaBlabus
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