Once you’ve decided on Meribel for your ski holiday, the next question – what’s the best way to get there?
The good news is that reaching Meribel from the UK is straightforward, whether you prefer to fly, drive or take the train. The right option depends on your budget, how much flexibility you want, whether you’re bringing your own ski equipment and who you’re travelling with.
With direct flights from airports across the UK, straightforward motorway routes through France and even rail connections into the heart of the Alps, there are plenty of ways to make the journey.
For most people, we’d recommend flying into Geneva and taking a private transfer, but that isn’t the right option for everyone. In this guide, we’ll share how each option compares and what we usually recommend after over 20 years based here in Meribel.
Which option would we choose?
If it’s your first visit to Meribel and you’re joining us on a typical Sunday changeover day, we’d recommend:
- Fly to Geneva if traveling from a main UK airport
- Book a private transfer
It’s the combination that gives the best balance of flight choice, value and convenience for most UK guests.
Flying to Meribel
For most UK skiers, flying is still the easiest and quickest way to reach Meribel. There are four main airports serving the resort, each with its own advantages.
Geneva Airport
Best for: Most visitors
For most of our guests, Geneva is the airport of choice.
Although it isn’t the closest airport, it offers the widest choice of flights from the UK, competitive prices and generally the greatest flexibility if plans change. It is also well set up for handling large numbers of winter travellers and there are two main routes to Meribel, which can help avoid the worst traffic on busy Saturdays.
Transfer time to Meribel: Around 2 hours (allow longer on busy Saturdays and Sundays)
Typical direct flight time from London: Around 1 hour 40 minutes
Chambery Airport
Best for: Convenience if you can find the right flight
Chambery is the closest airport to Meribel, making for the shortest transfer. The downside is that flights are generally more limited and often more expensive, particularly during peak weeks.
Transfer time: Around 1 hour 30 minutes
Grenoble Airport
Best for: Finding alternative flight deals
Grenoble works well if flight prices suit your dates, although services tend to be more seasonal than Geneva. Transfer times are similar to Lyon, but roads can become busy during the school holidays.
Transfer time: Around 2 hours
Lyon Airport
Best for: Extra flexibility
Lyon offers plenty of international connections and can sometimes provide great value flights. It’s a good alternative if Geneva prices are high, although traffic around Lyon can add time to your journey during peak weekends.
Transfer time: Around 2 hours
Flying from the UK
One of the biggest advantages of skiing in Meribel is the number of direct flights available from across the UK.
Depending on the airport and time of year, you can usually find direct services with airlines including:
- easyJet
- British Airways
- Jet2
- Ryanair
- TUI (seasonal)
Direct flights operate from many UK airports including London Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Stansted, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Belfast and more, with Geneva usually offering the greatest choice in terms of options.
If you’re travelling during school holidays or over Christmas and New Year, it’s well worth booking flights as early as possible.
Getting from the airport to Meribel
Once you’ve landed, there are four main ways to reach resort.
- Private transfers
- Shared transfers
- Train
- Hiring a car
Private transfers
Best for: Families, groups and anyone wanting the easiest journey
For most guests, this is the option we’d recommend.
A private transfer meets you at the airport and takes you directly to your chalet. There’s no waiting around for other passengers and no need to navigate unfamiliar mountain roads after travelling.
If you’re travelling as a family or a group, it often works out surprisingly good value once the cost is shared.
Shared transfers
Best for: Solo travellers, couples and those looking to save a little
If you’re happy to trade a little convenience for a lower price, a shared transfer can be an excellent option.
Shared transfer companies run scheduled services from the main airports, prices vary by provider and travel date, see our travel page for current options.
Services such as Ben’s Bus operate from Geneva on most weekends throughout the winter, with some weekday services available too. Alternatively, Altibus runs scheduled coach services from Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble and Chambery, usually via Moutiers before continuing up to Meribel. From Geneva, the journey takes around 2 hours 45 minutes, while Lyon is around 3 hours 15 minutes.
The main downside is flexibility. You’ll need to travel to a timetable, there may be multiple stops along the way, and you won’t be dropped directly at your chalet. However, if you’re travelling as a couple or solo and keeping costs down is the priority, they’re worth considering.
Train via Moutiers
Best for: Couples and adults who aren’t in a rush
If you’d rather avoid hiring a car or paying for a private transfer, travelling by train to Moutiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bainsis is another great option.
From Geneva, Lyon and Chambery, it’s possible to travel by train to Moutiers, although you’ll usually need to make at least one change along the way. The journey from Geneva Airport takes around 3½ to 4 hours, while from Lyon it’s typically around 3 hours, depending on connections. From Moutiers, it’s then around 25 to 30 minutes by bus or taxi up to Meribel.
It’s not the fastest option, but if you’re travelling without children, packing relatively light and aren’t in a rush to get into resort, it can be a great and scenic way to reduce your travel costs. Compared with a private transfer or hiring a car, taking the train can work out noticeably cheaper, particularly for couples or solo travellers.
The main trade-off is convenience. You’ll need to work around train timetables, make connections and organise the final journey up to Meribel, but for some travellers that’s a worthwhile saving.
Hiring a car
Best for: Exploring beyond Meribel and maximum flexibility
Hiring a car gives you complete flexibility, particularly if you’re planning to explore beyond Meribel, visit neighbouring resorts or arrive outside the main changeover days.
Winter driving in the Alps isn’t quite the same as driving in the UK, so it’s important to make sure your rental car is properly equipped. Depending on where you’re travelling, French regulations may require winter tyres or all-season tyres carrying the correct certification, and snow chains too, even if you don’t end up needing them. Always check exactly what’s included with your hire car before you travel.
Whichever airport you choose, the final part of the journey follows mountain roads from the valley up to Meribel. They’re well maintained, but conditions can change quickly after snowfall, so it’s worth taking your time and keeping an eye on the forecast.
As a guide, expect to pay around £300 to £600 for a week’s car hire during the ski season, although prices can increase significantly during school holidays and other peak weeks. It’s always worth comparing prices across a few providers before booking.
Motorway tolls will also need to be factored into your budget. For example, if you’re driving from Geneva, tolls to Moutiers are typically around €15 to €20 each way, before the final climb to Meribel on non-toll mountain roads. Journey times from the main airports are generally between 1½ and 2½ hours, depending on which airport you fly into and traffic conditions.
Car hire or transfer?
People often ask which offers the best value between rental cars or a private transfer. There’s no single answer, but here’s how we’d generally think about it.
Choose a private transfer if:
- you’re staying in Meribel all week
- you don’t want to drive after flying
- you’re travelling with family and friends
- convenience is your priority
Choose a hire car if:
- you’re planning to explore the surrounding area
- you’re arriving outside the busiest weekends
- you want complete flexibility throughout your holiday
- you will have somewhere convenient to park it once you arrive
For many groups of four or more, the overall cost can be fairly similar once transfer costs or car hire, fuel, tolls and parking are all taken into account. Often, the decision comes down to convenience rather than price.
Driving from the UK to Meribel
Best for: Families, longer stays and anyone bringing lots of kit
Driving from the UK gives you complete flexibility and is often a popular option, particularly for families or groups travelling together.
The journey from Calais to Meribel is around 570 miles (920km) and takes approximately 8 to 10 hours of driving, excluding the Channel crossing, fuel stops and comfort breaks.
Most guests choose either the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle or a Dover to Calais ferry before continuing through France on the motorway network towards Albertville, Moutiers and finally Meribel.
While it’s a longer journey, there are some real advantages. You don’t need to worry about airline baggage allowances, you can pack all of your ski equipment, and having your own car in resort gives you the freedom to explore the wider Three Valleys if you wish.
Do bear in mind that motorway tolls add to the cost. From Calais to Meribel, you can expect to pay around €75 to €90 each way in French tolls, plus fuel and your Channel crossing. During the winter months, you’ll also need to make sure your vehicle complies with the latest French mountain driving regulations. We cover everything you need to know in our guide to driving in the Alps.
For families or groups of four or more, driving can often work out surprisingly cost-effective once the costs are shared, especially if you’re travelling with plenty of luggage.
Travelling by train from the UK
Best for: Couples, environmentally conscious travellers and anyone who enjoys making the journey as much of the trip as the destination
Travelling to Meribel entirely by rail takes a little longer than flying, but it’s a comfortable and surprisingly straightforward option.
During the winter, from December to Febraury, Eurostar Snow runs from London St Pancras to Bourg-Saint-Maurice every Saturday and back on Saturday mornings and selected Sunday afternoons. Outside of these services, you can travel via Paris and connect onto the French TGV network where you can travel to Moutiers from Bourg-Saint-Maurice. The journey all the way to Moutiers typically takes around 8 hours, depending on connecting train times, after which it’s a 25 to 30-minute bus or taxi up to Meribel.
One of the biggest advantages is luggage. Unlike flying, you can bring generous luggage allowances, including skis or a snowboard, without many of the additional baggage charges that airlines apply.
The train won’t suit everyone. If you’re travelling with young children or trying to maximise your time on the slopes, flying is usually the more practical choice. However, if you’re not in a rush and prefer a more relaxed journey with some fantastic scenery along the way, it’s a brilliant alternative.
Bringing your own skis or snowboard
Whether you’re flying, driving or travelling by train, it’s worth thinking about whether bringing your own equipment is the right choice.
If you’re flying, most airlines allow ski equipment as an optional extra, but policies and prices vary considerably. Booking sports baggage at the same time as your flights is usually the most cost-effective option, and it’s worth checking whether your ski boots can be packed within your standard luggage allowance. Previously many airlines allowed ski boots to be carried in their boot bags as under-seat hand luggage, however, now this size often exceeds the underseat baggage allowance so it’s always worth double checking before you fly.
If you’re travelling by transfer, remember to let your provider know you’ll be bringing skis or a snowboard so they can arrange a suitable vehicle. If you’re driving, make sure your equipment is packed securely and that your vehicle has enough space for passengers and luggage.
A few simple tips can make travelling with your equipment easier:
- Book ski/sports baggage when you book your flights, if flying.
- Label ski bags clearly with your contact details.
- Let your transfer provider know you’ll be travelling with ski equipment.
- Double-check your luggage allowances before you travel.
If you’re deciding whether to bring your own equipment at all, it’s worth comparing the cost of ski carriage and transport against hiring in Meribel. For many guests visiting for a week, ski hire is the simpler option.
For any guest staying with us at Ski Basics, you will receive up to 30% off ski hire with our recommended local hire shops. It saves travelling with bulky luggage and means your equipment is ready and waiting when you arrive in resort.
What Ski Basics can help with
Although you book your own flights, trains and hire cars when staying with us at Ski Basics, we’re always happy to help point you in the right direction if you’re weighing up the different options.
Once you’ve booked your travel, we can help arrange a private transfer with our trusted local partner, from Geneva, Chambery, Grenoble, Lyon or Moutiers, so everything is ready before you arrive.
If you’re unsure which airport to choose, have questions about arrival times or want advice based on your group, just get in touch. We are always happy to help.
Ready to start planning your trip?
Whichever way you choose to travel, getting to Meribel is much simpler than many first-time visitors expect. For most guests, we’d recommend flying into Geneva and taking a private transfer to resort, as it offers the best balance of flight choice, value and convenience. However, if you’re travelling as a family, looking to keep costs down or planning to explore more of the Alps, driving or taking the train could be the better option.
If you’re still weighing up the different routes or have questions about travelling to Meribel, our team is always happy to help. Having welcomed guests to the resort for over 20 years, we’re on hand to share practical advice and help you choose the option that best suits your trip.
Once you’ve sorted your travel plans, why not explore our handpicked collection of catered chalets, all located exclusively in Meribel, or take a look at our holiday planning guide for everything from lift passes and ski hire to what to pack and where to eat in resort.