 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all, considering a week long stay next season but travelling mid-week, potentially to Les arcs/la plagne but definitely open to other suggestions.
Some cursory glancing at the SNCF timetables to mid week looks like some of the journey to Bourg st Maurice would be by bus to Chambery rather than train - is that usual in the mid week and that the train all the way only happens at the weekends?
Also if flying, how difficult is it to get transfers? Guessing group transfers would be thin on the ground but are private transfers significantly cheaper due to lower demand or still pretty pricy?
If anyone could share their experiences would be very grateful, thank you!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi, we travelled by train in December '25 on a Wednesday and the Chambery to Bourg leg was indeed by bus. I think at some times of the day it is still train on that leg, but not direct from Paris, so you have to swap trains at Chambery anyway.
To be honest, the bus was OK, only about 5 mins longer than the equivalent train if changing at Chambery, but the faff was the bus station was a good 5-10 mins walk from the train station, and not well signed at all, so we had to run in the end as the change over was quite tight, a faff with gear. A shame, because the time of the train out of Paris, 9:45am was perfect, but we would either have had to wait in Chambery longer for the next train, or leave quite a bit earlier from Paris to get the previous one. We came back on the Sunday and that was direct from Bourg. If we were doing it again, we'd accept the need to change trains in Chambery, but make sure we weren't on the one that was a bus I think on reflection, but then again now we know where the bus leaves from, it might be better next time. The bus still stops at all the stations the train would (the train is a stopping service)
Still take it over flying though! Generally some transfer companies do seem to do a discount for midweek.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thank you @dunc999, that’s useful to know… will factor it into my planning but looks like it would be bus from chambery mid-week for the most convenient times
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Traveled out to la plagne yesterday from Edinburgh, game changer compared to the Saturday chaos at Geneva and way cheaper flights. Off the plain and in the transfer in 1hr.
Used Alps2Alps shared transfer( 1/2 price deal for mid week so around £300) but had it to ourselves, very enthusiastic driver made my wife travel sick but other than that ontime, toilet stop and a nice guy. Usual issue of being dropped not near accommodation and have fun trying to find it.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks @jas915, was that £300 return for you and your wife? Enjoy your week skiing!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Yep £300ish for 2 adults and child. Think it's double that and more for a weekend transfer with them.
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Thanks that’s definitely more reasonable than usual - although my only comparison is a private transfer from Geneva to Les menuires in Christmas week Saturday to Saturday for EUR 600 for four of us - but I was getting quotes as high as EUR 800
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That sounds extremely reasonable, thanks for the tip jas915.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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There are busses from geneva to bourg st maurice most days of the week during the ski season but most frequent on the weekends. See https://www.flixbus.fr/voyages-car/aeroport-de-geneve-bourg-saint-maurice . There are 9 day at 65€ each way. There are trains, which also run through the summer. There may be only 3 a day and they may involve some legs by "replacement bus". They cost IIRC about 35€ each way. My wife and son used midweek busses from Geneva to Bourg st Maurice in the last couple of weeks
There are trains from Paris which require a change of trains at Chambéry. Chambéry is on the principal line from Paris to Milan, one of the main routes from North to South Europe.
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@mishmash83, if your holiday is at busy (school holiday) times, be aware that your accommodation options will be severely curtailed. If you fly, depending on where you're going and the parking options, for a mid week family visit I'd rent a car, traffic will be light.
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