If you think that the only way to travel to the Alps is by air, then think again. Les Gets is particularly well situated for people wishing to try something different (and possibly cheaper), by taking the train through France or driving by car.
Geneva airport rail station (1hr from Les Gets) is a hub for international travel, and now with the channel tunnel the journey from the UK to the Alps a le train has never been easier. What’s more, train companies are beginning to realise they’re in competition with the cheap airlines, so you can pick up some surprisingly cheap deals without ever having to go through the rigmarole that can be so off-putting with short haul flights.
The benefits: Green brownie points, comfort, no 2-hour check , fewer delays and usually you don’t pay extra for ski gear.
But… Although you can zoom down to Geneva from London in as little as 7hrs and 11 mins, flying may still be cheaper and faster, especially if you live far from London.
Travelling by road could be a good option for some, especially for family vehicles where you can squeeze more people in! Sea France do a crossing for as little as £30 one-way (from Dover) and the drive through France remains fast (ie on motorways) until 30 minutes away from the resort. As our transfer day is on Sunday, you could even take your time on the drive down and over-night in one of the super cheap Formule 1 hotels en route. Conveniently they’re always situated on motorways, though if you have an aversion to Ikea, best to avoid these…
The benefits: Could be cheaper for families travelling in one vehicle, and perhaps less stressful than flying with very young children.
But… The drive through France is about 8 hours, and unless you live in the south east of the UK, your journey could be considerably longer.
As for me, gone (thankfully) are the days of mine and James’ inter-continental relationship. Otherwise, I’d definitely be stretching my legs on the train and getting some uninterrupted zzzs on my next visit to the mountains.
More info on:
Planes
No doubt you already know where to look for cheap flights: easyjet and bmi baby are probably the main contenders, but FlyGlobespan offer cheap flights to Geneva from Edinburgh, and Jet2 from Manchester and Newcastle. Air France, BA, SWISS and KLM offer a more comfortable but usually more expensive service.
Trains
Have a look at SBB (Swiss rail network) interactive timetable where you can book tickets from the UK, or call the Swiss Travel Centre on 020 7420 4900 for train times and tickets from your local station to Geneva.
Automobiles
For more detailed information on driving to the chalet, have a look at our getting here pages.
Safe journeying!