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Travelling to Verbier
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If you're not taking a package holiday, where travel to your resort is already catered for, then you might want to consider how you're going to get from the UK to the Alps. Verbier is not so far way from the UK, and can be reached by car, train or aeroplane. With the advent of DIY travel and travel websites, it's easy to check public transport timetables in France, and there are plenty of companies offering transfer services from the airport to Verbier. Our guide gives you an idea of the options available, plus some tips on how to get your sporting equipment safely to Verbier.
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Planes, Trains or Automobiles : Which is the easiest way to the Alps? |
This really depends on personal choice, budget, phobias, hobbies (spotters!), and days of travel.
If you are travelling on Saturdays the Eurostar whilst potentially being more expensive than charter or low-cost flying, gets you to within a tiny distance of the 3 Valleys and Tarentaise resorts with the minimum of fuss in around 7hrs.
Outside the weekends and without direct train links things are trickier and require the jury this end to investigate further before give you a definitive decision....
Flying, whilst seemingly less time moving between countries, involves much longer check-ins and greater potential for delays. This all counts towards stress, tiredness and length of time to get to your destination.
With flying you are much more likely to get a 'bargain' price, and if you want to arrive/depart on days other than the weekend is probably less hassle than negotiating the train.
Driving out from the UK by car is relatively inexpensive if you can share the journey with several friends. Bear in mind that the normal nine hour journey across France may take much longer if you chose to travel on a busy Saturday or encounter heavy snowfalls. |
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last updated 4-Jun-2008 |
Travelling between the Airport and Verbier |
Geneva (CH) airport is the best and closest airport to use for Verbier at just over two hours away by motorway. Alternatives include Sion (CH) and Turin (IT), 40 minutes and 2½ hours away respectively.
To travel from these airports you have the choice of scheduled bus, shared shuttle, hire car, taxi, tour operators, private helicopter transfer or train. However, make sure you check with whomever you booked your accommodation in Verbier with to see if they make arrangements for you anyway or as an 'optional extra'.
 | Train:
The trains are a great way to travel around the place and are notorious for their punctuality and reliability.
There is a station at Geneva airport (far left as you come out of Arrivals) from which you can catch roughly two direct trains per hour or one non-direct (via Geneva centre or Lausanne) to Martigny. At Martigny change on to the Grand St. Bernard Express to Le Chable (bottom of the Verbier mountain) from where you can catch the Post bus to resort, see the 2004/05 Geneva/Verbier Timetable. Cost is around 55CHF one way and takes around 2½hours.
The seemingly the simplest option for ticketing for an airport transfer is the Swiss Transfer Service, consisting of a return ticket from the Swiss border or one of Switzerland’s airports to your destination. The Transfer Ticket cannot be purchased in Switzerland and so must be purchased on-line and is slightly more expenive than booking the train directly for as short a journey as from Geneva. |
Shared Shuttle:
ATS (Airport Transfer Service) provide means to reserve shared minibuses which take you door-to-door to and from most ski resort destinations. Booking on-line is recommended.
From Geneva Alpine Express provides a means for booking coaches on-line to and from Verbier. Costs around 75CHF one-way running ~every 3 hours on a Saturday.
Buses:
From Geneva Gare Routiere provides a means for booking coaches on-line to Verbier.
From Sion the airport bus operates a route to Verbier.
Car hire:
Car hire can be arranged from each of the airports above and if there are several people travelling is not always an expensive option. Pre-booking is highly recommended if not obligatory. Try using Holiday Autos for the best searches and prices.
Taxi:
A taxi for up to 4 people will cost approximately 650CHF if you get a taxi at the door from Geneva. For more than 4 people the cost will be higher for the vehicle and probably cheaper per person.
Tour Operators:
Here there are two possibilities:
1. you can book a Flight & Transfer with an operator which they sell through their agents/web-sites/call-centres - therefore is paid for in advance and you will appear on the transfer manifests
2. you can make your own flight arrangements and upon arrival at the airport catch up with a rep from one of the companies and book onto their coaches.
In both cases as the reps are unlikely to know where you are staying (they have no details as you made your own accommodation arrangements), make sure you establish the return journey procedures: give them the flight you are on, get the resort office's contact details and call on Thurday evening for transfer details/confirmation.
Method 2. is not guaranteed but is ususally fine. Expect to pay €50 one-way for Geneva-Verbier and you will have to pay the two journeys seperately (as the return cannot be guaranteed till the end of the week).
See Tour Operators listings for contact details
Helicopter:
A helicopter transfer with (turn your volume down before clicking!) Air Glaciers for up to 5 people (without much luggage) can be arranged to Verbier. In bad weather conditions the helicopter cannot fly and it must arrive during daylight hours. Expect to pay around 1500CHF. |
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last updated 4-Jun-2008 |
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