Trains in Avoriaz

There is no train station in Avoriaz but this doesn't mean that you can't travel to the Portes du Soleil by train, you'll just have to take a bus, a taxi or a transfer for the last part of your journey.

What's the closest train station to Avoriaz?
There are two train stations near Avoriaz: Cluses (42km) and Thonon-les-Bains (45km). High-speed TGV trains from Paris stop here. It takes around an hour to reach both of them. See Getting from the train station to Avoriaz for information on how to get from the train station to the ski area. Some airport transfers may also be able to pick you up in Cluses as it's on the route from Geneva airport – we recommend you ask them directly.

The town of Cluses is located in the Arve Valley, just off the A40 motorway that links Geneva and the Portes du Soleil. Cluses train station is around 42km from the centre of Avoriaz. Thonon-les-Bains, on the other hand, is a spa town on the shores of Lake Leman, part of Greater Geneva. The Thonon-les-Bains train station is just over 45km from the heart of Avoriaz.

Trains to and from Paris stop in Cluses and Thonon-les-Bains, as well as to and from the main towns in the region, including Annecy, Annemasse and Bellegarde.

Coming to Avoriaz by train cannot really compete on time with flying, in fact, it can take twice as much time as the nearest main stations are in the same places as the nearest main airports. However, train travel is more sustainable and environmentally-friendly – studies have shown that carbon footprint can be reduced by as much as 90% when travelling by train as compared to flying. Coming by train also has its charms. As well as more legroom, on a train you can enjoy the everchanging scenery – from urban London to the French countryside and the majestic Alps, it never gets boring.

How long does it take to get to Avoriaz by train?
It depends on where you're travelling from. The London to Avoriaz train travel time is around 10 to 12 hours while the Paris to Avoriaz train travel time is about seven hours, taking into account connections and transfers.

Train ticket prices depend on multiple factors: the time of year (peak weeks like Christmas, New Year, February half-term and Easter can be considerably more expensive), your age (there are discounts for children), the size of your group, your destination and even how far in advance you've booked.

Our top tip is that you try and book as early as possible. Eurostar ski train tickets usually go out for sale in mid-July and that's when they're at their cheapest. TGV train tickets from Paris to other French cities are normally available to buy 120 to 90 days before your travel time and, again, the earlier you book the lower the price will be.

A few accommodation providers and transfer companies offer special discounts for those coming to Avoriaz by train, so it's worth asking when booking!

SNCF (Societé Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français) is France's national railway company, owned by the French state, operating throughout continental France and Monaco. There are over 32,000 kilometres of railway laid all across the country, a good chunk of them sustaining high-speed services, the world-renowned TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) which reaches average speeds of around 320km/h. Trains connect cities and towns all around France and even cross the border into Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Belgium. Many routes will begin in Paris, stopping at convenient stations throughout the country before arriving near Avoriaz.

How do you get from Paris to Avoriaz by train?
There are very few trains running between Paris and Cluses or Thonon-les-Bains. This direct line operates only during the high season (usually from December to mid-April and in July and August) and mostly on weekends, with a couple of direct trains running on Saturdays.

If the direct train times don't suit you, you'll need to take two different trains, connecting in Bellegarde. Hop on a TGV train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Bellegarde. These run a few times per day, taking between 2h40 and 3h to reach their destination. From Bellegarde, change to a TER train which will take you to Cluses in around 1h40, or to Thonon-les-Bains in around 1h20. Regular public buses run from the train stations in Thonon-les-Bains and Cluses to Avoriaz (see 'Getting from the train station to Avoriaz').

There are no direct Eurostar ski trains from London to Avoriaz. This means that, in order to get from the UK capital to Cluses or Thonon-les-Bains train stations, you'll need to take a minimum of two trains plus a local Paris metro, commuter train or taxi.

How do you get from London to Avoriaz by train? – A step by step guide
There's more than one way to get from London to Avoriaz by train depending on the time of year, your dates and the available train connections.

The quickest route: From London to Avoriaz via Paris
Taking at least 10 hours, the fastest route to get to Avoriaz from London by train is via Paris.

1. Hop on a Eurostar train from London St Pancras or Ashford (Kent) to Paris Gare du Nord. This journey takes around 2h15-2h30.
2. You'll need to change train stations in Paris, from Gare du Nord to Gare du Lyon. There are several ways to do it and you should allow at least one hour for this connection. The options are to book a taxi (it takes 20-50 minutes, depending on traffic); get on Line D of the RER (‘Réseau Express Régional’) suburban commuter trains towards Melun/Malesherbes (it takes under 10 minutes); or hop on Metro Line 4 towards Montrouge and change in Chatelet to Metro Line 14 towards Olympiades (it takes 15 minutes).
3. Then take a train direct to Thonon-les-Bains or Cluses. Direct trains from Paris run only a few times per week during the high season (generally December to mid-April and July and August), mostly on weekends. The journey time is around 4h40.
4. Regular public buses run from the train stations in Thonon-les-Bains and Cluses to Avoriaz (see 'Getting from the train station to Avoriaz' below).

No direct train from Paris to Cluses or Thonon: From London to Avoriaz via Bellegarde
Managing to get a direct train from Paris to Cluses or Thonon-les-Bains isn't easy as they're very few and far between. When this happens, you have two options to get to Morzine once you're in Paris: via Bellegarde or via Geneva.

Bellegarde-sur-Valserine is a town near Geneva that serves as a gateway to the Alps. The total travel time from London to Avoriaz via Bellegarde is around 12 hours.

1. From Paris Gare de Lyon, hop on a TGV train to Bellegarde. These run a few times per day, taking between 2h40 and 3h to reach their destination.
2. From Bellegarde, change to a TER regional train which will take you to Cluses in around 1h40 or to Thonon-les-Bains in around 1h20.
3. Regular public buses run from the train stations in Thonon-les-Bains and Cluses to Avoriaz (see 'Getting from the train station to Avoriaz' below).

A different approach: From London to Avoriaz via Geneva
Geneva is another great choice when direct trains from Paris to Thonon or Cluses aren't an option. Travel time, in this case, starts at around 10 hours.

1. Take a TGV train to Geneva from Paris Gare de Lyon. The journey takes around 3h15.
2. From Geneva, you can either book an airport transfer to Avoriaz or continue your journey by train. Some transfer companies may pick you up at the train station, otherwise, there are local trains (five per hour) from Geneva train station to the airport (seven minutes), from where all transfers leave.
3. To continue your journey via train you simply take the Léman Express L3 route from Geneva Cornavin train station to Cluses, which has a journey time of around 1h30. Once in Cluses, there are regular public buses to Avoriaz.

Summer only: From London to Avoriaz via Lyon
In the summer, from June to September, Eurostar runs direct trains from London Saint Pancras to Lyon via Lille. This trip involves two train connections and the total journey time starts at around 10 hours.

1. Hop on a direct train from London St Pancras to Lyon Part-Dieu. These trains operate on Friday and Saturday morning, returning from Lyon on Friday, Saturday and Monday evening. The journey time is around six hours and one-way fares start at £50.
2. In Lyon, change to a regional TER train headed for Bellegarde (around 1h30)
3. From Bellegarde, another regional TER train will take you to Cluses (around 1h35) or Thonon (around 1h15).
4. Regular public buses run from the train stations in Thonon-les-Bains and Cluses to Avoriaz (see 'Getting from the train station to Avoriaz').

Avoriaz is around one hour by taxi from Cluses and Thonon-les-Bains train stations. Some airport transfers may also be able to pick you up in Cluses as it's on the route from Geneva airport – we recommend you ask them directly.

There are also regular public bus services running from Cluses and Thonon-les-Bains to Avoriaz every day throughout the year, with increased frequencies during the high seasons.

How do you get from Cluses or Thonon-les-Bains train station to Avoriaz?
The bus station in Cluses, known as the 'gare routière', is located right beside the train station. SAT bus number 91 will drop you off in Avoriaz in around 1h30 via Morzine and Les Gets. This bus only stops in Avoriaz once per day on Saturdays in the winter. For any other times and dates, you can be dropped off at the departure of the Prodains lift, which will whizz you up to Avoriaz in under five minutes.

In Thonon-les-Bains, the 'gare routière' is also near the train station, about a two minute walk. Again, SAT bus 91 (same number but different bus line) will take around 45 minutes (33km) to reach the bus station in Morzine. From Morzine, you'll need to get a free shuttle bus (Line A) to the Prodains cable car (around 10 minutes) and then the lift up to Avoriaz.

Find the current bus timetables on our Bus Services page.

For more information and timetables or to purchase train tickets online, visit the Eurostar website to buy your trip from London to Paris and the SNCF (National French Railway Services) website for your train travel within France. If you have questions, you can also book by phone but bear in mind that there's usually a booking fee that you need to pay.

Being able to carry more luggage with you is one of the main bonuses of travelling to Morzine by train when you compare it with flying, especially if you want to bring your fat powder skis, heavy split board or your bulky downhill mountain bike.

How much luggage can you carry on Eurostar trains?
Eurostar's standard luggage allowance includes two large bags (85cm max) and one small piece of hand luggage. On Eurostar trains to Lyon, you can carry one pair of skis or one snowboard with you in addition to your two bags. However, on trains to Paris, skis and snowboards are included as one of your two large pieces of luggage. They must be kept in a protective case that covers them.

Bikes can only be taken on Eurostar trains between London, Paris and Brussels. All non-folding bikes or those over 85cm long need to travel with EuroDespatch, Eurostar's luggage service. Boxed bicycles and fully assembled bikes will be transported for an additional fee. Limited spaces available. If you're travelling with any dangerous sports equipment, such as mountaineering gear: ice axes or crampons, you'll need to contact EuroDespatch in advance.

How much luggage can you carry on French trains?
French TGV and TER trains let you carry luggage and bikes (boxed or in a bag measuring max. 120 x 90cm). There is no maximum number of pieces or weight limit but you must be able to carry all your luggage by yourself. Skis are also allowed on TGV trains (max. 2m).

Snowcarbon was launched in 2009 as the one-stop source for train travel to the Alps after its founder, Daniel, realised how hard it was to figure out which ski resorts could be reached by train and how. They offer a very helpful tool, the Snowcarbon Journey Planner which you can use to design your train trip, from viewing the recommended journey times for any date during the season to journey and transfer information to and from the train station.