Getting to the ski resorts from Lyon without a car

By train to the valley

For the Tarentaise, trains follow the Lyon – Chambéry – Bourg-Saint-Maurice line, which serves Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-La Plagne, Landry and Bourg-Saint-Maurice. The Les Arcs resort website lists trains from Lyon all year round, taking about 3 h to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Depending on the time, the TER regional train runs direct from Lyon Part-Dieu or needs a change at Chambéry.

For the Oisans, Alpe d'Huez and Les 2 Alpes, the train goes as far as Grenoble: about 1 h 25 by direct TER from Lyon Part-Dieu, with up to one train every 30 minutes according to the TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes website.

Timetables change with the season and engineering works: check your train on SNCF Connect when you book.

Then the bus or the funicular

The train stops in the valley. The rest of the way is by bus, from the bus stations right next to the train stations, or by funicular for Les Arcs.

Buses in Savoie are booked through Altibus, those in Isère through Transaltitude. Check that the bus leaves enough time after your train arrives.

• Moûtiers: buses to Val Thorens and Les Menuires (about 1 h to Val Thorens depending on traffic), Méribel, Courchevel and Valmorel
• Aime-La Plagne: bus to the La Plagne villages, about 30 minutes depending on the stop
• Bourg-Saint-Maurice: funicular to Arc 1600 in 7 minutes, free in winter with a train ticket according to the Les Arcs website, then free shuttles to Arc 1800, 1950 and 2000; buses to Tignes, Val d'Isère, Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise and La Rosière
• Grenoble: Transaltitude buses to Alpe d'Huez and Les 2 Alpes, from the bus station next to the train station

By coach from Saint-Exupéry Airport

The LYS'Express line, sold by Altibus, links the Saint-Exupéry Airport bus station (Terminal 1, level 0) with the Tarentaise stations and resorts. For winter 2026-2027 it runs from 11 December to 3 April, only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays depending on the destination, from €55 per adult (fare as listed in November 2026).

On sale in early November 2026: Tignes, Val d'Isère, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Moûtiers, Aime and Bourg-Saint-Maurice; La Plagne, Courchevel, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains and Les Saisies are announced for later. The airport website also lists other operators, some of which go to Alpe d'Huez and Les 2 Alpes.

From central Lyon, you first need to get to the airport, for example by Rhônexpress from Part-Dieu.

With a private driver

Yanis picks you up at home in Lyon, off your train at Part-Dieu or at Saint-Exupéry Airport, and drops you at your accommodation in the resort. No connections and no bus timetable to fit around.

Suitcases, skis, pushchair, child seat: list them in the request. The family or small group travels in one car; with a lot of gear, Yanis tells you before confirming what fits in the Kia Sportage boot.

The price is fixed in advance by quote, all-inclusive, and paid on board by card or cash. The return can be requested for another date in the same request.

The three options compared

Information checked in November 2026, to be confirmed for your dates.

Saturdays

Many resort rentals run Saturday to Saturday. On that day trains, coaches and roads are busy: trains from Lyon to Bourg-Saint-Maurice fill up quickly in winter, so book them as soon as sales open. During the winter holidays, Bison Futé, the French traffic forecast service, often rates Saturday orange or red in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, notably on the A43 between Lyon and Chambéry.

With a private driver, an early-morning start avoids part of the valley traffic. For the return, the time is set around your check-out.

Which option for which stay

The choice depends on how many of you are travelling, your gear and the day you arrive.

• On your own or as a couple, renting gear in the resort: train then bus works well, as long as you check the connection and book early for a Saturday.
• Flying into Saint-Exupéry on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday: LYS'Express saves going through Lyon, if your resort is served that day.
• As a family, with skis, a pushchair or a child seat: a private driver saves changing with your luggage and drops everyone at the door.
• As a group, for a resort where the connections fit badly: one car, at the time you choose, with the price known before you leave.

Booking with Yanis

Rides are booked in advance, through the website form, by phone or by WhatsApp. Give the resort and the address of your accommodation, the date, and the number of passengers, suitcases and pairs of skis.

If you arrive by train or plane, give the train or flight number: Yanis tracks delays and waits for you with a sign bearing your name. The quote, valid for 48 hours, comes by email; cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the departure of each leg. For an urgent request, call Yanis directly.

Questions

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