How to get to Avoriaz

Flying to Geneva is the easiest way to get to Avoriaz for most international visitors.

Because of its proximity to the resort, it's easy to get a transfer. You can also hire a car and be on your way in no time.

The only trouble with flying to Geneva is the environmental cost. Driving, coming by coach or catching a train are usually better options if you want to reduce CO2 emissions.

Flying to other airports

Geneva really is your best option. But if you can’t get a flight to Geneva, Chambery is your next closest airport.  

You could also consider flying to Lyon or Grenoble. Journey times from either are around 3 hours.

We wouldn't recommend flying to Turin or Milan - even if they look close on the map. The journey times are usually longer and you'll often have to rely on pricey private transfers.

Flying is undoubtedly the more convenient way to travel to Avoriaz – it’s faster, easier and sometimes cheaper than other means of transport. However, there's no denying the environmental cost is huge.

The easiest and fastest way to get to Avoriaz is to book an airport transfer.

The transfer from Geneva to Avoriaz takes around 1h45, but can be longer on snowy days and in peak weeks.

Getting to Avoriaz by train may involve a few changes, which can be tricky with baggage or kids. But:

• it's the most environmentally-friendly option
• you get more leg room than on a plane or in a car
• you normally won't have to pay extra for luggage
• journey times can be similar to driving or flying if you're doing a trip like London to Avoriaz

Avoriaz is a car-free resort, so you won't be able to use your car once you get here. Coming by train and getting a bus for the last bit of the journey actually makes a lot of sense.

Which train station is closest to Avoriaz

The two train stations closest to Avoriaz are: 

• Cluses (42km)
• Thonon-Les-Bains (45km)

High speed (TGV) trains from Paris stop at both. 

You can catch a bus to the resort from either station. Prices start from as little as €10 and journey time is 60 to 90 minutes. 

If you're coming to Avoriaz from the UK

London to Avoriaz by train is 10 to 12 hours. 

Avoriaz is relatively easy to get to by car, but it's worth bearing in mind that this is a car-free resort.

You won't be able to use your car while you're here. You'll either need to park in Morzine and get the Prodains Express cable car to Avoriaz, or pay to park in one of the car parks at the entrance to Avoriaz.

Read more about parking in Avoriaz

If you're using the French autoroute, the journey as far as Cluses is straightforward. The final hour is a little more arduous with no less than 21 switchbacks (hairpin bends). These are cleared every day during winter, but it's not a trip for nervous drivers - especially in bad weather. 

Remember too that if you're coming here for a ski holiday, you'll need to fit winter tyres or keep snow chains in the boot of your car.   

Driving to Avoriaz from the UK

It takes just over nine hours to drive from Calais to Avoriaz - a distance of around 830km.

Unless you're driving an electric car to the Alps however, driving isn't very environmentally friendly.

Getting to Avoriaz by coach takes longer than flying. It's usually cheaper though, which makes it a good option if you're on a budget.

It's also a relatively environmentally-friendly way to travel.

International coach companies like FlixBus, Eurolines, BlaBlaBus and RegioJet run services to Lyon, Grenoble and Geneva. From there, you can pick up a bus transfer to Avoriaz.

Coaches from London to Avoriaz

There's a direct overnight coach from London to Cluses that runs once a week during the winter. It takes about 18 hours.

From Cluses, you’ll have to take a bus to Avoriaz.

We know flying is often the most convenient way to get to Avoriaz, but we'd encourage you to look at alternatives.

One option is to take the train as far as Geneva and do the last leg by transfer from the airport or city centre. This allows you to minimise your carbon footprint while still getting to the resort in good time.

Source: Carbon footprint of travel per kilometre (ourworldindata.org)