Travel | Trains
Train can be a great way to travel to the Alps and it is the most environmentally friendly way to travel. Hop on the Eurostar ski train at St Pancras International or Ashford International and be whisked out to France at 186mph.
Take the day train for stunning views from your seat as you travel across France and into the Alps or opt for the night train and arrive bright and early in your destination, rested and ready to take on the slopes the on first day of your holiday and benefit from extra days skiing. Some resorts in Austria and Switzerland actually have a station in the resort itself!
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Snow Carbon
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In the resorts and journey planner section, you can view hand-researched journey schedules for travel from the UK to 32 great ski resorts in the Alps, using our unique journey database. For each ski resort you can see in independent, multi section resort review written by our leading ski writers. And for each resort we'll show you available options for booking independent travel and rail-inclusive ski packages where available too.
You can use the train guides for an an overview of your travel options to ski resorts and see exactly what trains are like on board. We'll also show you insider tips, such as on how to book the lowest fares, the best options for travelling overnight, tips and discounts for travelling with children and an indepth guide on how to change station in Paris easily, and more.
The rail-inclusive ski packages section is a unique resource for finding ski holidays from a variety of ski tour operators with rail travel (and transfers) included at preferential rates.
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The Snow Train, the Eurostar Ski Train 2013 and other great options
You might have heard of the Snow Train, with its legendary disco carriage, cause of many a hangover. Sadly, it stopped running in 2009. Rail Europe, which had operated the train for the past 20 years, has blamed the decision on “economic uncertainty”. We hope it will be back one day. In the meantime, the good news is that there are many alternative trains to European ski resorts.
If you are heading for the same Tarantaise resorts previously served by the Snow Train, including Les Arcs, La Rosiere, Tignes, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Brides les Bains and Meribel, you can take the Eurostar Ski Train. It runs non-stop from London and Ashford, with both daytime and overnight services. The overnight train has a cafe bar, but only reclining seats rather than couchette accommodation. You can book independently or view ski holidays by train that include travel on the Eurostar Ski Train at preferential rates.
If you'd rather travel overnight in comfort, you can take the Corail Lunea sleeper train, which has comfortable couchettes - and no disco carriage. The lack of partying at least allows you to get a decent night's sleep and arrive refreshed in time to hit the slopes next morning. Or you can take the excellent City Night Line to resorts in Austria such as Alpbach, Hopfgarten, Soll and Zell am See - Kaprun.
Without the Snow Train, many overnight journeys involve a change of stations in Paris. However, this is easy by RER, taxi or even on foot (from Nord - Est is a very short walk). For full details on how to do it, see our guide to changing trains in Paris.
While the Snowtrain served only the Tarantaise area, overnight Corail Lunea trains from Paris can be taken to resorts in other parts of the French Alps such as Serre Chevalier Vallee, Chamonix, Megeve, St Gervais and Montgenevre. You can also reach Italian resorts such as Claviere and even Grandvalira (Pas de la Casa, Soldeu, etc) in Andorra.
Categories: Trains