Les Arcs is in the French Alps just above Bourg Saint Maurice and is easily accessible
AIR
Les Arcs is 2-3 hours drive from Geneva, Lyon, St Etienne airports depending on the traffic. 1-2 hours drive from Grenoble, Chambery. There are a number of airlines that offer flights to these airports.
RAIL
Rail is an ideal way to get to Les Arcs for a long weekend, week or longer. Trains run direct (once a week) from Waterloo to Bourg St Maurice (just below Les Arcs and a short Funicular ride from the slopes) or indirect with a change in Paris.
The indirect Trains run frequently most days and nights including Friday night arriving Saturday morning. Prices are usually lower than the special “Direct Snow train”. Contact Rail Europe at (www.raileurope.co.uk) or (www.trainline.co.uk)
The special Eurostar “Snow train” travels direct from Waterloo to Bourg St Maurice on weekends with no need to change in Paris. (www.eurostar.com).
Rail travel is also convenient and cheap for traveling from Lyon/Geneva/Chambery/Grenoble airports to Bourg St Maurice. (www.sncf.fr).
FUNICULAR
There is a Funicular that runs every 20 minutes from Bourg St Maurice Bus station/Railway station to Les Arcs 1600 from early in the morning 0730 until early evening 2000. There are some later Funiculars on Fridays & Weekends. See the Les Arcs website for the Funicular timetable. There is then free bus that links Les Arcs 1600 to 1800 or 2000. Alternatively you can take a Taxi. Approx 75 Euros.
BUS
There are a number of companies that run regular buses/transfer services (private and shared) to and from Lyon/Geneva airports to Les Arcs. altibus.com, thecoolbus.co.uk, bensbus.co.uk, alsp2alps.com, skiidygonzales.com, 3sixtytransfers.com, alpybus.com
CAR HIRE
It may be more convenient and cost effective to hire a car when you arrive at the airport. Remember to factor in road tolls to and from the airports. Click here for directions.
PARKING
There is parking at the bottom of the apartment block or you can park your car in the Funicular carpark in Bourg St Maurice. I’ve done that a few times if there is a lot of snow & I don’t have chains. There are charges for parking in Bourg & Les Arcs. Checkout the Les Arcs website for details & latest prices.
GETTING TO APARTMENT FROM FUNICULAR
The Funicular runs from Les Arcs 1600 to Bourg St Maurice (End of Railway platform) every 20 minutes and is free with your Ski pass from 0730 to 1920 (Later on Weekends). To get to the bus from the top of the Funicular turn left when you get off and walk down the road to the bus stop/turning area. Take the 1800 bus all the way to Villards, the last stop (The bus will drive down into an underground turning point). Note there are a number of stops on the way including Charvet 1800 where the bus turns around and looks like it is driving back to 1600. Don’t get off here!
Alternatively you can get off the bus at the bottom of the Apartment before the bus loops round into the top of Villards. Get off at the Roignaux bus stop (Ask the driver) & walk down the hill . You will see the Grand Arbois apartment block in front of you (Shaped like 3 steps).
DRIVING TO LES ARCS
Drive through & out of Bourg St Maurice, follow the signs for Les Arcs. Follow the road as it winds up the mountain. Follow the signs for Les Arcs 1800. As you are approaching 1800 take the right fork (Small sign post to Villards). Pass through the barrier & follow the road. Eventually you will see the large horseshoe shape of the Nova Apt block on your left & straight ahead down the hill you will see my Apartment block (3 steps shape). You can park in this car park. There is underground covered parking (its more expensive & it is advisable to reserve in advance) if you follow the road all the way round to Villards. If you use this car park then you can access the apartment from the top door.
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