BackIMPORTANT UPDATE: For winter 2021-22, the Eurostar Ski Train has been chartered exclusively by a French ski-tour operator, Travelski, and rebranded as the Travelski Express. The big difference is that tickets are only available as part of an all-inclusive Travelski package of ski train, transfer, accommodation and a seven-day ski pass. Whereas Eurostar ran two direct ski trains each week, the Travelski Express is just one: overnight on Fridays from London to the Alps, looping back to the UK by day on Saturdays, every week from late December till mid April. You can find out more in our Guide to the Travelski Express.
Introduction
The Eurostar Ski Train to the Alps is the most direct way of getting from London to Moutiers, Aime and Bourg St. Maurice stations, which service resorts in the Tarentaise region of the French Alps.
It departs London every Saturday morning (and stops at Ashford International too) and returns the following Saturday morning from the Alps.
Travelling this way is a lot of fun. The train could probably do with a few more table seats in Standard Class, while in Standard Premier every seat has a table seat. There is a cafe bar, a happy atmosphere and compared to flying or driving it is easier, more enjoyable and frequently quicker too - door to door.
This is a new film that Snowcarbon founder Daniel Elkan made about it, commissioned by Eurostar.
Introduction
The direct overnight Eurostar Ski Train is a very simple way to get two extra days on the slopes of the Tarentaise region of the French Alps.
It leaves London at 8pm and arrives the next morning very early, giving you plenty of time - indeed a little too much time, depending on your destination - before the ski lifts open and you make first tracks.
The fact that it goes direct is an obvious advantage, but unlike the sleeper trains from Paris, the Eurostar ski train has no actual couchette beds. It only has reclining seats. This means that not everyone gets a great night's sleep on it. It's a bit like Marmite - some love it, some not so much.
Travel blogger Stu Jarvis has written a very entertaining and informative account of what the overnight Eurostar Ski Train is like.
Step 1: Take the overnight Eurostar Ski Train to the Alps
Eurostar Ski Train cafe barThere's always a frission of excitement when you board an overnight train headed for the Alps, knowing that next morning you'll arrive minutes from the slopes.
Years ago, the Snow Train with it's legendary Disco Carriage meant that, if you wanted to, you could party — however unwisely — from the moment you boarded until you arrived the next morning. Things are different on the Eurostar. The atmosphere has been some what muted by Eurostar's banning of alcohol on board. You can bring your own food on board, but you can't bring alchohol, nor can you buy it at the bar.
You may also want to see our more in-depth guide to the experience onboard the overnight Eurostar Ski Train.
Step 2: Transfer to your resort
Once you arrive, it's a relatively short transfer the train station to the ski resort. These transfers are typically between 25 minutes and 45 minutes, and are far shorter than airport transfers - which can take anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours - or even longer.
It's a good idea pre-book a taxi transfer (although at popular stations like Bourg St Maurice and Moutiers you can find a taxi driver on the spot too) because the Ski Train arrives so early in the morning- at 05:17 in Moutiers, 05:45 in Aime and 06:07 in Bourg St Maurice. We've launched a service to match people up to share taxis, saving you money and carbon emissions - find out more here.
If you have booked a rail-ski package with a tour operator, the transfer should be included (but check that with your provider, of course). Some chalets will also offer to pick you up for free.
Make sure that your chalet, hotel or apartment will be open for you when you arrive, so you are not hanging about in resort when nothing is open.
Overnight Eurostar Ski Train timetable 2020-21
Eurostar have announced the cancellation of the Ski Train for 2020-21 and have not committed to reinstating it in future.
We need more low-carbon routes to Europe, not fewer. Please sign our petition to reinstate this fantastic service and follow the updates of the Save The Ski Train campaign.
The overnight Eurostar Ski Train would depart London on Fridays and return from the Alps on Saturdays.
Sunday to Sunday holidays and the Eurostar Ski Train at Feb half term 2021
Eurostar have announced the cancellation of the Ski Train for 2020-21 and have not committed to reinstating it in future.
We need more low-carbon routes to Europe, not fewer. Please sign our petition to reinstate this fantastic service and follow the updates of the Save The Ski Train campaign.
Usually in February half-term, Eurostar would run an extra Ski Train, serving Sunday-Sunday holidays.
The outbound journey would be overnight, departing St Pancras on the Saturday evening, arriving in the Alps early on the Sunday morning.
The return journey would be daytime, departing the Alps on the Sunday morning and arriving at St Pancras the same afternoon.
Outbound schedule:
| CANCELLED - Saturday 14th Feb - overnight travel | ||
| London St Pancras | dep | 19:45 |
| Ashford | dep | 20:28 |
| Moutiers | arr | 05:32 |
| Aime la Plagne | arr | 05:57 |
| Bourg St Maurice | arr | 06:16 |
Inbound schedule:
| CANCELLED - Sunday 22nd Feb - daytime travel | ||
| Bourg St Maurice | dep | 09:34 |
| Moutiers | dep | 10:14 |
| Ashford | arr | Not stopping |
| London St Pancras | arr | 16:02 |
It would be great if Eurostar ran a daytime Sunday - Sunday service every week. To help encourage Eurostar to build on this, please sign and share our petition for a Sunday - Sunday Ski Train
How much does the overnight Eurostar Ski Train cost?
Eurostar have announced the cancellation of the Ski Train for 2020-21 and have not committed to reinstating it in future.
We need more low-carbon routes to Europe, not fewer. Please sign our petition to reinstate this fantastic service and follow the updates of the Save The Ski Train campaign.
Usually, the lead-in fare for the Eurostar Ski Train is £160 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, trains are priced at about £300 - £500 return.
Fares for children aged 4 - 11 are 30% cheaper than adult fares. Children under four years old can travel for free, but without a reserved seat.
Our Live Ski and Snow Trains Price Check page shows live prices for the whole season for recommended train routes.
If the Ski Train runs, these are our predicted prices based on previous data:
| Date | Adult return price |
| Non-peak | £160 - £340 |
| Christmas | £270 - £380 |
| New Year | £280 - £380 |
| Feb half-term | £320 - £450 |
| Easter | £250 - £380 |
When can you book the Eurostar Ski Train 2020-21?
Eurostar have announced the cancellation of the Ski Train for 2020-21 and have not committed to reinstating it in future.
We need more low-carbon routes to Europe, not fewer. Please sign our petition to reinstate this fantastic service and follow the updates of the Save The Ski Train campaign.
Usually, tickets for independent travel on the daytime and the overnight Eurostar Ski Trains would go on sale mid July (exact date TBC), for all dates of the winter season.
On our unique Live Ski and Snow Trains Price Check page you can view prices (updated everyday) for all our recommended train routes to the Alps.
Despite the 2020/2021 cancellation of the Ski Train, ski holidays with rail travel included, from ski tour operators, are already available to book. Click here to view them, or if you would like some advice on destinations and tour operators, ask Snowcarbon founder Daniel.
How to book the overnight Eurostar Ski Train
Eurostar have announced the cancellation of the Ski Train for 2020/2021 and have not committed to reinstating it in future.
We need more low-carbon routes to Europe, not fewer. Please sign our petition to reinstate this fantastic service and follow the updates of the Save The Ski Train campaign.
Usually, the Eurostar Direct Ski Train is simple to book online. If you already know where you want to go and are travelling independently, you can book the Eurostar Ski Train on Eurostar's website.
However, please note that if you are going to La Plagne, there is an error on Eurostar's website. So please read this article about the problems of booking to Aime La Plagne with Eurostar's website. (Don't worry, the solution is simple - just book to Bourg St Maurice instead)
If you are a group of 10 people or more, then you can register in advance for group tickets for the Eurostar Ski Train - see our guide to how to book group train travel to ski resorts in the Alps.
If you would like to view possible resorts and see exact journey times and transfer information, visit the Resorts and Journey Planner page.
One of the best ways to book the Eurostar Ski Train is with a rail-inclusive package from ski tour operators. The train travel costs about the same price as flights - and has transfers from station to resort included.You can visit the ski train holidays page to view ski holidays by train from a number of tour operators.
You can find out more about how to book the Eurostar Ski Train in our guide to booking ski holidays by train.
Ski holidays by train — Ask Snowcarbon
At Snowcarbon we are always happy to help you with suggestions for great resorts, fantastic accommodation and how to get there.
Looking forward to helping you.