subject: How To Travel To The Alps Cheaply [print this page] Getting to the Alps easily and cheaply is more possible now than ever, with a third of British Mountian lovers making their own way to the Alps now. Large tour operators are getting a smaller slice of the pie, and the smaller companies are benefitting. With this comes the need for good information on how best to get to the Alps. Here is that inforamtion.
Your options are fairly simple: Planes, Trains, Auto mobiles... and Buses.
By Plane: flying to the Alps is still the easiest and cheapest way to do things. Though to get the best deals you must know what you're doing. Luckily for you, now you do!
Early! The earlier the better, book it as soon as you can.
Even better, sign up to the airlines newsletters and they will tell you as soon as the new prices are released. This is when you get the 30 flights! - this happens in the summer, normally in July and August for the budget airlines.
If you cant book early, then there is a huge market for last minute deals. These have pros and cons, you can wait and see where the snow is, and grab yourself a real bargain, but it can be a risk of course, and you dont always have the range of accomodation you want. But nothing ventured nothing gained, why not try it?
Common sense- weigh your bags before you leave to save youself the fines and charges. Tie a bit of ribbon or something bright to your suitcases to make them more recognisable. Most importantly, get to the airport with LOADS of time to spare, airports can be stressful enough, theres no need to make it worse. Arrive with loads of time to spare, and things to keep you occupied while you wait.
By Train: Travelling by train to the Alps doesn't always jump out as peoples first choice, but its a comfortable and quick route if you plan it well, and you entirely miss out all the stress of the airport!
France has an excellent high-speed train network called the TGV, these can get from Paris to the mountains in 5 hours, averaging over 170mph!
Combine this with the EuroStar, and you can go from London to the Alps in 7 hours, door to door.
French rail prices are fixed, they dont go up last minute like English ones, and they get released 3 months in advance.
The best route for the Central Alps (Chamonix, St Gervais, Megeve, Verbier, Morzine...) goes direct form Paris to St Gervais train station. There are then connecting trains or buses to the nearby resorts.
By Car: With the excellent French motorway system, you can get from Calais to your resort in under 9 hours.
The French toll roads will add up to about 100 from Calais to Chamonix or St Gervais, and with a couple of tanks of petrol, the price will add up a bit. But considering you can take your whole family for that price, it's not bad at all.
The joy of this route is flexibility. You can stop off on the way, maybe stop off for a day en route.
Ferries are the easiest way to get into france, the most common route is Dover - Calais, but dont overlook Dunkirk (Dunquerque in French) or Boulonge as alternative routes that can give you a great deal.
If you live further West, there are also Crossings from From Poole, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Weymouth, and Newhaven, with many of these crossings having the overnight option which breaks up the journey nicely if you've travelled from too far North.
To book a ferry, the best method is to use a price comparison website first, then have a look at the respective ferry company's website, you may get it cheaper if you book direct.
Or why not take the Euro Tunnel, with current offers (at time of print) of 44return. Its a quick and painless journey, you dont get the chance to wander around and get refreshments like on a ferry, but is a very quick crossing, and works out cheap for big groups, as you only pay for the vehicle, it doesn't matter how many passengers you have.
By Bus: Hours and hours on a bus to the Mountains sounds like many peoples idea of hell, but with new luxury coaches, and some great prices, it's really an option worth looking at.
There are overnight bus routes, again, its not luxury, but you just sleep through the drive and arrive ready to ski the next day.
Prices start from just 94 for a return, or for a little more you can opt for 'Royal Class' for a touch more comfort.
There are also Friday departures, so you can get to resort in time to ski on Saturday!
So there are more options than just the standard airport run, I hope I've helped.
by: Jamie Forrest
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