Getting to Tignes
Part of the appeal of Tignes is that it’s high up in the mountains and far from any city. But Geneva, Lyon, Chambery and Grenoble airports are all within two to three hours’ drive, and the railway station at Bourg-St-Maurice has TGV and Eurostar services and is less than an hour away. You won’t need a car in the resort so using a transfer service to get from the airport is a good option.
Nearest Airports to Tignes
Chambéry and Grenoble are closest but are not served by many airlines. Geneva is the main gateway airport and has the most choice of flights and transfer services. Lyon is further away than Geneva but the drive takes about the same time.
Approximate distances and drive-times in good conditions:
Geneva Airport – 177 km / 110 miles – about 2 hours, 45 mins drive
Lyon St Exupery – 220 km /136 miles – about 2 hours, 45 mins drive
Chambéry Airport – 142 km / 88 miles – about 2 hours drive
Grenoble (Alpes-Isere) Airport – 215 km / 133 miles – about 2 hours, 30 mins drive
Airport Transfers to Tignes
Ski-Lifts Airport Transfers
Each year Ski-Lifts helps thousands of skiers and boarders get to their accommodation in ski resorts, with a range of hassle-free, door-to-door transfer options from all major airports and train stations, and 24/7 English language assistance if needed. Get an immediate quote and book online >
Mountain Rescue Airport Transfers
Mountain Rescue Airport Transfers operate a reliable private transfer service from Geneva, Grenoble, Lyon and Chambery airports and take you the direct route to the door of your ski holiday accommodation in Tignes. Last minute bookings available and secure online booking and payment system. Tel: +33 (0) 6 03 05 22 17. Request a ski transfer quote >
Airport Bus Services to Tignes
There are public bus services, with daily services to Tignes from Geneva and Lyon airports, and a weekend only service from Chambéry. Some services require you to change buses at Bourg St Maurice.
Getting to Tignes by Rail
Nearest Train Station to Tignes
The train station at Bourg St Maurice (“Bourg”) is 30 kms (19 miles) away from Tignes. The easiest way to get from the train station to the resort is via a taxi or private transfer service – you can book one online with Ski-Lifts. Or you can take a bus because the bus station is close to the train station – although you may have to wait a while, and when you do board a bus the journey times are longer than by private transfer – about 45 minutes to Tignes les Brevieres, 50 mins to Tignes 1800, 60 mins to Tignes Le Lac and 65 mins to Val Claret. Check Altibus for bus timetables and to book a ticket in advance (strongly recommended).
Eurostar and TGV Rail Services from UK via Paris
From the UK, Eurostar (www.eurostar.com) operates services to Bourg St Maurice from London St Pancras, which takes between eight and and ten hours. There are some direct trains with no changes, but these can take longer than services with one change in Paris, which necessitates getting from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon. If you take the Metro this is just two stops on RER line D (Direction Melun). Even allowing time to buy tickets and walk to and from platforms, this should not take more than 30 to 40 minutes. But if you have a lot of baggage, a taxi ride might be a better option.
Trains from Paris for Bourg St Maurice depart from the Gare de Lyon. The fastest take just over four and a half hours but most direct ones take between five and six hours, and most indirect ones between six and seven, and involve changing once or twice at Chambery, Aix Les Bains and/or Lyon. Check www.voyages-sncf.com for details.
There are also international Thalys train services direct from Belgium and the Netherlands to Bourg. From Southern and Eastern Europe, services from Geneva and Milan go via Chambery.
Driving to Tignes
Finally France has a good road infrastructure and to drive to Tignes is a realistic and popular option. The motorways in France are well maintained and, as long as your trip does not coincide with holiday periods, are usually clear. Calais to Tignes is about 1000 km (620 miles) and should take around 9 hours and 30 minutes. A toll system operates so allow for toll costs. And mind your speed as French traffic police are proactive and cunning.