<p>Advice on how to reach Courchevel by plane, train or car</p>
Photo: Alpine Airlines

How to Get to Courchevel

Advice on how to reach Courchevel by plane, train or car

Advice
Published at: 16 Mar 2021
Last updated at: 17 Oct 2023

From driving to heli-transfers, discover the best ways to reach one of the most renowned resorts in the Three Valleys ski area.

Serena Norton
Serena Norton

Where is Courchevel?

Part of the Rhone-Alpes region in southeast France, Courchevel is located within the province of Savoie in the Tarentaise Valley. It is the largest of the resorts in the renowned 3 Vallees, the world’s largest linked ski area giving access to over 600 km of pistes. Courchevel comprises four satellite villages named after their altitudes in metres. These are Courchevel 1850, Courchevel 1650, Courchevel 1550 and Courchevel Le Praz. Just two hours from Courchevel are four international airports making the resort easily accessible from all over the world.

Courchevel ski areaPhoto: Courchevel Tourisme
View of Courchevel luxury chaletsPhoto: Chalet Grande Roche
Ski lift in CourchevelPhoto: Courchevel Tourisme

Flying to Courchevel

With frequent flight times from a range of destinations as well as reasonable prices, Geneva International Airport is the most convenient airport to fly to for Courchevel. Once at Geneva, the transfer time by road is around 2 hours 25 minutes.

Chambery, Grenoble and Lyon airports are closer to Courchevel in distance and have a shorter transfer time of around 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours 10 minutes respectively. However, the flights are less frequent and likely to be more expensive.

Airport transfers to CourchevelPhoto: Chalet Pearl

Airport Transfers to Courchevel

Once at the airport of your choice, there are several different ways to make your onward journey to your Courchevel ski chalet. Options include car hire and there are regular buses from most airports to the resort. However, most people opt for a private or shared transfer. Prices depend on the date of travel (i.e whether it is a peak week such as Christmas or Half Term), availability, vehicle type and group size. Private transfers will be more expensive than shared, but will also take less time as you won’t have to stop to drop passengers off en-route.

There are many transfer companies to choose from but for private transfers we would recommend Chabé. Their chauffeurs operate from Chambery, Moutiers and Bourg-Saint-Maurice train stations and Geneva, Chambery, Lyon, Grenoble and Annecy airports. Another option is Alp Savoie Transfers which offers a high-end transport service in the Three Valleys aboard a Mercedes Class V Vehicle.

Courchevel Heli-Transfers

Courchevel has its own altiport making it possible for visitors to fly straight into Courchevel. At an altitude of 2,007 metres, the airfield has a very short runway of 547 metres and there are heavy restrictions on what can fly in and out of the airport. Due to its uphill gradient and steep approach, heavy and large size jets can't land here.

For commercial charters, there are stringent safety regulations limiting access to the runway. In fact, since 2014 Alpine Airlines is the only airline in the world licensed for commercial flights in Courchevel. They provide transfers throughout Europe to the Courchevel altiport and during the winter three aircraft are permanently based in Courchevel with two in Chambery (a 15 minute flight away).

For heli-transfers we recommend Heli Securite, the most prestigious helicopter company operating in France. They have a fleet of helicopters to choose from with prices starting at EUR 2,200 from Geneva with a flight time of approximately 30 minutes.

Alpine Airlines in CourchevelPhoto: Alpine Airlines
Altiport in CourchevelPhoto: Courchevel Tourisme
Heli Securite heli transfers in CourchevelPhoto: Heli Securite

Getting to Courchevel by Train

Trains are another convenient way to reach Courchevel. Just 24 km from the ski resort, Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains is the closest train station to Courchevel with connections to London and Paris. Trains from Paris normally take between four and six hours and from the UK Eurostar operates services to Moûtiers from London St Pancras.

Train ticket prices depend on multiple factors including the time of year, your age and even how far in advance you book (the earlier you book the lower the price). To reach Courchevel from Moûtiers there are several buses throughout the day or you can arrange a private transfer with the journey to Courchevel taking around 35 minutes.

Driving to Courcheve,Photo: Courchevel Tourisme

Driving to Courchevel

Whilst driving to Courchevel might seem a good idea in terms of flexibility and freedom, there are various things you should consider before setting off.

Driving on snow can often be challenging; although snow clearers operate every day in winter, conditions can change suddenly so it is important to have fitted snow tyres and carry snow chains. The driving rules in France may also be slightly different from your country of origin so it is important to check what documents you may need, breakdown procedures and other rules of the road before you set off.

Once arriving in the resort, if parking is not available at your accommodation then you will need to find a parking space. There are large car parks in the resort but we recommend you pre-book a spot in advance to save time driving around looking for a space.

For other tips or assistance on getting to Courchevel, do not hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be more than happy to help you plan your journey.