Ski resorts by train

Eurostar Ski Train - on sale 9am Wed 20th July

Wed 13 July, 2016

By

By: 
Daniel Elkan

Both the daytime and the overnight Eurostar Ski Train go on sale at 9am on Wednesday 20th July, for all dates of the 2016-17 winter season.

The generous baggage allowance on the trains remains the same: each passenger can take two suitcases plus hand luggage and skis or snowboards at no extra cost.

Daytime Eurostar Ski Train timetable 2016-17

Outbound daytime journey

  • The first daytime outbound departure from London to the Alps is on Saturday 17th December 2016
  • The last daytime outbound departure from London to the Alps is on Saturday 1st April 2017
Depart Arrive
London St Pancras Ashford Moutiers Aime Bourg St Maurice
09:45 10:28 18:15 18:34 18:58

Return daytime journey

  • The first daytime inbound departure from the Alps to London is on Saturday 24th December 2016
  • The last daytime inbound departure from the Alps to London is on Saturday 8th April 2017
Depart Arrive
Bourg St Maurice Moutiers Ashford London St Pancras
09:34 10:14 15:37 16:13

Overnight Eurostar Ski Train timetable 2016-17

The overnight Eurostar Ski Train departs London on Fridays and returns from the Alps on Saturdays.

Outbound overnight journey

  • The first overnight outbound departure to the Alps is on Friday 23rd Dec 2016
  • The last overnight outbound departure to the Alps is on Friday 31st March 2017
Depart Arrive
London St Pancras Ashford Moutiers Aime Bourg St Maurice
19:45 20:28 05:33 05:57 06:17

Inbound overnight journey

  • The first overnight inbound departure from the Alps is on Saturday 31st December 2016
  • The last overnight inbound departure from the Alps is on Saturday 8th April 2017
  • On Feb 25th the overnight train doesn't call at Ashford in the inbound
Depart Arrive
Bourg St Maurice Moutiers Ashford London St Pancras
22:12 22:54 06:33 07:16

How much does the daytime Eurostar Ski Train cost?

The 'lead in' fare for the Eurostar Ski Train is £149 return per adult - i.e. that's the cheapest it can be. However the reality is that on peak dates, even if you book as soon as the train goes on sale, you won't get that price. Here's a table showing what we estimate the price will be, assuming that you book soonish after the train goes on sale and don't leave it to the last minute.  Please note that at Feb half term independent fares sell out within about four hours, but you can still find Feb half term tour operator rail-ski packages.

Date Adult return price
Non-peak £150 - £230
Christmas £270 - £320
New Year £280 - £375
Feb half-term £320 - £400 (sells out quickly)
Easter £250 - £320

Thoughts on the overnight train

The overnight service doesn't have flat beds, only sit-up seats (as it's just an ordinary Eurostar).  So I can't enthusiastically recommend it as it's difficult to get a comfortable night's sleep on it (although if it was a choice between that or flying/driving, I'd still say train every time). It also arrives into the Alps a little bit early, as the above timetable shows, so you make sure that you have somewhere to hang out at that time so you aren't waiting around for your accommodation to be open (if you are booking a package with a tour operator, they will have made arrangements for you).

Train before resort?

If you are eager to buy train tickets (in order to get lower prices, or before they sell out at half-term), but you haven't decided which resort you want to go to, then you can still buy a ticket for the Ski Train.  Just book to Bourg St Maurice (you'd still be able to alight at Moutiers or Aime la Plagne, or board at Moutiers on the inbound).

Which resorts can you reach with the Ski Train?

Brides les Bains, Courchevel, La Plagne, La Rosiere, La Tania,  Les Arcs, Les Menuires, Meribel, Peisey-Vallandry, Sainte Foy, St Martin de Belleville, Tignes, Val d'Isere, Val Thorens and Valmorel.