Trains in Courchevel
Trains in Courchevel
Relaxing on a train with friends or family, scenery gliding by as your ski resort gets ever closer is a great way to travel – a way to make the journey feel like it’s part of the holiday. There’s more legroom than flying or driving and you can get up and walk down to the café bar. As well as buying a meal and drinks on board, you can also bring your own food and drink and create your own picnic. You can chat with friends, play games, read, watch films, work, snooze – the train journey is time to do stuff you enjoy on your way to Courchevel.
Courchevel is very well connected to two of Europe’s largest cities by train: London thanks to the Eurostar ski train and Paris thanks to the high-speed TGV trains. This complete guide has all the information you need to decide whether you should come to Courchevel by train, including a walkthrough with all the steps you need to take to hit the slopes full steam ahead.
- Nearest train station to Courchevel
- Journey time to Courchevel by train
- Train prices to Courchevel
- Travelling by train in France
- London to Courchevel by train
- Getting from the train station to Courchevel
- Booking train tickets to Courchevel
- Luggage & sports equipment on trains to Courchevel
- More inspiration.
Nearest train station to Courchevel
There is no train station in Courchevel but this doesn’t mean that you can’t come here by train. Moûtiers, just down the valley, boasts an international train station (officially called the ‘Gare de Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains’) with connections to London and Paris.
What’s the closest train station to Courchevel?
Located on the valley floor, Moûtiers is the nearest train station to Courchevel, around 24km from the resort centre. Eurostar ski trains from London and high-speed TGV trains from Paris stop here. To get from Moûtiers to the ski area, there are local buses running a few times per day taking a little over an hour.
Read the section about ‘Getting from the train station to Courchevel’ for information on how to reach the ski area.
Journey time to Courchevel by train
You may think that coming to Courchevel by train takes much longer than by plane but that’s not always true. When adding up your transfers to and from the airport, plus all the waiting time, travelling by train can be as fast as flying. Train travel is also more sustainable and environmentally-friendly – studies have shown that carbon footprint can be reduced by as much as 90% when travelling by train as compared to flying. Plus, coming by train has its very own charms. As well as more legroom, on a train you can enjoy the ever changing scenery – from urban London to the French countryside and the majestic Alps, it never gets boring.
How long does it take to get to Courchevel by train?
It depends on where you’re travelling from. The London to Courchevel train travel time is between nine and 11 hours while the Paris to Courchevel train travel time is about five hours, taking into account connections and transfers.
Train prices to Courchevel
Train ticket prices depend on multiple factors: the time of year (peak weeks like Christmas, New Year, February half-term and Easter can be considerably more expensive), your age (there are discounts for children), the size of your group, your destination and even how far in advance you’ve booked.
Our top tip is that you try and book as early as possible. Eurostar ski train tickets usually go out for sale in mid-July and that’s when they’re at their cheapest. TGV train tickets from Paris to other French cities are normally available to buy 120 to 90 days before your travel time and, again, the earlier you book the lower the price will be.
How much does it cost to travel to Courchevel by train?
Once more, it depends. On average, one-way standard prices between London and Moûtiers by train start at around £100 when booked well in advance. If it’s Paris you’re travelling from, then one-way standard prices start at around €50.
A few accommodation providers and transfer companies offer special discounts for those coming to Courchevel by train, so it’s worth asking when booking!
Travelling by train in France
SNCF (Societé Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français) is France’s national railway company, owned by the French state and operating throughout continental France and Monaco. There are over 32,000 kilometres of railway laid all across the country, a good chunk of them sustaining high-speed services, the world-renowned TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) which reaches average speeds of around 320km/h. Trains connect cities and towns all around France and even cross the border into Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Belgium. Many routes will begin in Paris, stopping at convenient stations throughout the country before arriving near Courchevel.
How do you get from Paris to Courchevel by train?
Direct high-speed TGV trains connect Paris Gare de Lyon and Moûtiers every weekend during the winter season (from Friday to Monday). They take around 4h30 to reach their destination. When travelling during the week or the rest of the year, the shortest route from Paris to Moûtiers is to get a TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Chambery and then change to a regional TER train to Moûtiers. Travel time is around 5h. From Moûtiers, there are buses, transfers and taxis going to Courchevel (see ‘Getting from the train station to Courchevel’ below).
London to Courchevel by train
It couldn’t be easier to get from London to Courchevel by train thanks to the direct Eurostar ski trains running from the UK’s capital to Moûtiers in the winter.
How do you get from London to Courchevel by train?
Taking around 9-11 hours, the fastest and easiest route to get to Courchevel from London by train is on a direct Eurostar ski train. Eurostar ski trains runs from London St Pancras (and Ashford in Kent) to Moûtiers from December to April. There are two options available:
- Daytime Eurostar ski trains leave London St Pancras on Saturdays at 09:45 from mid-December to early April, reaching Moûtiers at around 18:30. This means that the travel time is around 8h45.
- Overnight Eurostar ski trains leave London St Pancras on Fridays at 19:45 from mid-December to early April, reaching Moûtiers at around 05:30 for a travel time of 9h45. There is an extra Saturday overnight service from London to Moûtiers during the February half-term holidays. The best thing about choosing to travel overnight is that you’ll add a whole day to your ski holiday as you’ll be on the slopes on Saturday morning. However, bear in mind that sleeping on the Eurostar may not be a five-star experience as there are no beds, only reclining seats.
From Moûtiers, there are buses, transfers and taxis going to Courchevel (see ‘Getting from the train station to Courchevel’ below).
To return from Moûtiers to London, Eurostar ski trains leave on Saturdays at around 10:15 and 22:55, with a Sunday morning service added during the peak holiday times of Christmas, New Year and February half-term.
When travelling outside winter weekends, hop on a Eurostar train from London St Pancras to Paris and then make your way to Courchevel from the French capital.
Getting from the train station to Courchevel
There are a few different options when trying to make your way from Moûtiers train station to Courchevel. In our experience, the cheapest and easiest option is to hop on one of the local buses that drive up to the Three Valleys.
How do you get from Moûtiers train station to Courchevel?
Local buses run from the bus stop right next to Moûtiers train station to Courchevel several times per day throughout the year. They take 1h10 to reach Courchevel 1850. Find the current bus timetables on our Bus Services page.
Booking train tickets to Courchevel
For more information and timetables, or to purchase train tickets online, visit the Eurostar website (train travel from London to Moûtiers and Paris) and the SNCF (National French Railway Services) website (train travel within France). If you have questions, you can also book by phone but bear in mind that there may be a booking fee involved.
Luggage & sports equipment on trains to Courchevel
Being able to carry more luggage with you is one of the main advantages of travelling to Courchevel by train, especially if you want to bring your fat powder skis, heavy split board or your bulky downhill mountain bike with you.
How much luggage can you carry on Eurostar trains?
Eurostar’s standard luggage allowance includes two large bags (85cm max) and one small piece of hand luggage. On Eurostar trains to Lyon, you can carry one pair of skis or one snowboard with you in addition to your two bags. However, on trains to Paris, skis and snowboards are included as one of your two large pieces of luggage. They must be kept in a protective case that covers them.
Bikes can only be taken on Eurostar trains between London, Paris and Brussels. All non-folding bikes or those over 85cm long need to travel with EuroDespatch, Eurostar’s luggage service. Boxed bicycles and fully assembled bikes will be transported for an additional fee. Limited spaces available. If you’re travelling with any dangerous sports equipment, such as mountaineering gear: ice axes or crampons, you’ll need to contact EuroDespatch in advance.
How much luggage can you carry on French trains?
French TGV and TER trains let you carry luggage and bikes (boxed or in a bag measuring max. 120 x 90cm). There is no maximum number of pieces or weight limit but you must be able to carry all your luggage by yourself. Skis are also allowed on TGV trains (max. 2m).
More inspiration.
In our experience, the most convenient way to get to Courchevel is to fly to Geneva and get an airport transfer. Learn all about the best ways to get here on our Getting Here Guide.