Travelling To Alpe D’Huez

Travelling To Alpe D'Huez

What should you consider when travelling to Alpe d’Huez? Should you fly or self-drive? What about bringing ski equipment with you, which way would be easiest when doing so? What’s the quickest way to get here? Or the cheapest? All very important questions… well we are here to help and provide you with everything you need to know about getting to your favourite resort!!

Flying

If you are travelling to Alpe d’Huez from outside of France, then flying into Grenoble is likely to be the quickest way to get to there. The resort is then a transfer (taxi or minibus) or a bus ride away from the airport, unless you’re driving yourself.

Grenoble is the closest airport, approximately 1h 36 mins away and has a good choice of airlines operating mostly in winter. 

The next closest airport at Chambery is a little further away at approximately 1 h 51 mins away and is also only used in winter. 

Another option is Geneva just across the border in Switzerland which has great flight options and fab prices, but is slightly further away taking approximately 2h 41 mins.

During the winter months (December to March/April) there are a higher number of flights from the UK to the airports mentioned previously.

If you are thinking of having ski carriage then do not forget to check how much extra the airline you are travelling with might charge you and allow yourself extra time to get all your equipment checked in.

 

Grenoble (GNB)

France
  • Approx. 106km
  • Approx. 1h 36min Travel Time
Nearest

Chambery (CMF)

France
  • Approx. 132km
  • Approx. 1h 51min Travel Time

Geneva (GVA)

Switzerland
  • Approx. 211km
  • Approx. 2h 41min Travel Time

Driving

Travelling to Alpe d’Huez by car is a great idea if you need or want more flexibility getting around once there. Being able to drive yourself where you want to go around the resort is much more convenient and comfortable and also allows you to enjoy day trips or other Local Resorts, such as Vaujany or Oz en Oisans which are part of the Grand Domain ski area with Alpe d’Huez.

 

When driving to Alpe d’Huez from the UK there are many options to consider on how to cross the channel, hop on a Ferry from Dover for a more relaxed crossing and a chance to stretch those legs or use the Eurotunnel for convenience (and avoid that horrible sea sickness for those sufferers out there). Dover to Calais by Ferry is 1hr 30 mins and the Eurotunnel leaving from Folkestone to Calais is 35 minutes.

Once across the channel it is then around 9hours to drive to Alpe d’Huez Resort by shortest route VIA the A26, this route has tolls which are €79.90.  Most people like to stop along the way, especially travelling with children, there are many affordable, nice hotels/apartments along the way. France also has regular picnic stops and service stations.

Train

The nearest train station to use when travelling to Alpe d’Huez is Grenoble Gare. Once in Grenoble, taxi or bus transfers are then available to and from Resort, Approx 1hr 15 minutes.

If you’re travelling to Alpe d’Huez from the UK, the Eurostar leaves from London St Pancras or Ashford and Ebbsfleet in Kent, which then takes you into Paris, where you can pick up a connecting TGV train to Grenoble or Lyon.  

International trains will generally connect via Paris or Lyon to get to Grenoble.

Some trains require a change once in Paris, from Paris Gare Nord to Paris Gare Lyon, to do this you can either use the Paris Metro or jump in a taxi, this change over takes about 30 minutes but we advise leaving at least an hour between transfer to ensure enough time to make your connecting train.

Paris to Grenoble is then around 3 hours by train and Paris to Lyon St Exupery is around 2 hours. Grenoble to Alpe d’huez is then around 1hr 15mins transfer, Lyon St Exupery is around 2hr transfer.

Crossing The Channel

Eurotunnel

Faster than a ferry, crossing between Dover & Calais take only 35min cutting around an hour of journey time when driving to the slopes. 

Ferry

Dover to Calais is 1h 30 mins offering a wide choice of ferry providers, with prices as low as £ 39 each way! Or return journeys from £79!!

Non-ski