Ski Holidays by Train from the UK: Routes, Resorts and Costs for 2026/27

Did you know you can leave London in the morning and be in the French Alps the same evening, without going near an airport? Skiing by train is one of the easiest ways to make your ski holiday more sustainable. You skip the airport queues and the long coach transfers, and your skis travel with you.

We love skiing, and over the years we've skied in LAAX, Kitzsteinhorn, Andorra and Val Lumnezia. So far we have always flown or driven. Next time, I'd really love to take the train. So I've researched every route, timetable and fare for winter 2026/27, and here is everything I found.

Quick answer

• Easiest option: Eurostar Snow runs on Saturdays from London St Pancras to the French Alps, with one change at Lille. It takes just under 8 hours to Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
• Most flexible option: Eurostar to Paris, then a TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon. Moûtiers is about 4 hours 19 minutes from Paris.
• Extra day on the slopes: the Travelski Night Express sleeper leaves Paris on Friday nights and arrives in the Tarentaise valley on Saturday morning.
• Switzerland and Austria: TGV to Switzerland, then Swiss trains to resorts like Zermatt. For Austria, go via Brussels and Cologne. The Paris night trains to Austria ended in December 2025.
• Carbon: Snowcarbon's comparison for Tignes is about 18 kg of CO2 per person by train, against about 103 kg by plane and taxi.

Why take the train to the Alps?

Snowcarbon is a UK website all about skiing by train, and it is the best resource I found. Its comparison for a trip to Tignes gives 103.43 kg of CO2 per person for flying to Geneva and taking a shared taxi. By train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice and a taxi, it gives 18.47 kg. That is a huge difference!

It also quotes a 2010 study by the French agency ADEME and the charity Mountain Riders. It found that 57% of a typical ski resort's carbon emissions come from transporting people to and around the resort. So how you get there really matters.

There are practical reasons too:

• Less waiting: no airport security queues, no baggage reclaim, and often a much shorter transfer.
• Space: you can walk around, have a coffee and let the kids play cards.
• Luggage: on Eurostar there is no weight limit, and skis or a snowboard can travel with you.
• Scenery: the last hour up the valley into the mountains is gorgeous.

Eurostar Snow to the French Alps

The old direct Eurostar ski train has been replaced by Eurostar Snow. You change trains once, at Lille Europe, onto a connecting Eurostar that takes you straight to the Alps.

• Dates (winter 2026/27): outbound on Saturdays from 19 December 2026 to 20 February 2027. Returns run from 27 December 2026 to 28 February 2027, on Sunday mornings or selected Saturday afternoons.
• Stations: Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-La-Plagne, Landry and Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
• Journey time: just under 8 hours to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, and 9 hours on the way back.
• Luggage: adults can take two pieces of luggage (up to 85 cm long), one piece of hand luggage, and skis or a snowboard.
• Return tip: on the way home, arrive at Lille at least 20 minutes before departure for border control and security.
• Fares: Snowcarbon says winter 2025/26 fares started at £99 for an adult single, but many dates cost more. Check the Eurostar website for current prices.

Which resorts can you reach? Moûtiers is the station for the Three Valleys: Méribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens. Aime-La-Plagne serves La Plagne, and Landry is the stop for Peisey-Vallandry. From Bourg-Saint-Maurice you can reach Les Arcs, Tignes, Val d'Isère, La Rosière and Sainte Foy.

Eurostar and TGV via Paris

This option works on any day of the week. You take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Nord, cross Paris to Gare de Lyon by taxi or RER, and then take a TGV to the Alps. A transfer to most resorts then takes 20 to 45 minutes.

Snowcarbon lists these TGV journey times from Paris on winter Saturdays:

When to book: Eurostar tickets usually go on sale about 330 days ahead, but TGV tickets only 60 to 120 days ahead. Snowcarbon predicts that TGVs for 7 January to 29 March 2027 go on sale on 11 November 2026, so it is worth setting a reminder.

Prices: Snowcarbon's best estimate for a standard-class adult return from London is £240–£420 off-peak and £410–£620 in February half term. Children aged 4 to 11 pay about 30% less, and under-4s travel free without a reserved seat.

Travelski Night Express sleeper train

Do you want to gain a whole day on the slopes? The Travelski Night Express is a sleeper train to the Tarentaise valley, and 2026/27 is its second winter.

• Dates: outbound on Friday nights from 18 December 2026 to 26 March 2027. The return trains leave on Saturday evenings and arrive on Sunday morning.
• From Paris: it leaves Paris Gare de Lyon at 22:52 and arrives at Moûtiers-Salins at 07:36, Aime-la-Plagne at 07:55 and Bourg-Saint-Maurice at 08:09.
• Connection from London: the Eurostar leaving St Pancras at 17:31 arrives at Paris Nord at 20:50, which gives you about 2 hours to cross Paris.
• From Brussels (new for 2026/27): it leaves Brussels-Midi at 21:00. The 15:04 Eurostar from London connects with it.
• Prices: Snowcarbon found one-way adult fares in a six-berth couchette from €99 to €125, and €68 to €87 for children aged 3 to 12. Under-3s travel free without a berth.
• Booking: you can book the train only, or a package with accommodation. The Eurostar is always booked separately, and the Travelski Night Express website is in French only.

Skiing in Switzerland by train

Switzerland is perfect for skiing by train, as most resorts have a station in or near the village. The usual route is Eurostar to Paris, then a TGV to Switzerland, and then a Swiss regional train.

• Zermatt: TGV to Visp, then the regional train up to Zermatt.
• Verbier: TGV to Martigny, a regional train to Le Châble, then about 20 minutes by bus or taxi.
• St Moritz: TGV to Zurich, then trains via Chur. Snowcarbon's example takes about 11 hours from London.
• LAAX: trains run to Chur, and from there the PostBus towards Flims takes you to LAAX. Another option is the Rhaetian Railway to Ilanz and then the PostBus. LAAX is also one of the most eco-friendly resorts I've visited. It uses 100% renewable energy and wants to become the world's first self-sufficient alpine resort.
• Val Lumnezia: the nearest station is Ilanz/Glion. From 18 December 2026 to 4 April 2027, the PostAuto buses from Ilanz to Vrin and other lines in the valley are free to use.

Many journeys to Switzerland work best with an overnight stop in Paris on the way. That also makes a lovely little city break!

Skiing in Austria by train

Austria is a bit further, but it is doable. The ÖBB Nightjet night trains between Paris and Vienna, and between Paris and Berlin, stopped on 14 December 2025. So these days most people go via Brussels.

• Via Cologne: Snowcarbon lists a daily route with Eurostar to Brussels, an ICE to Cologne, and then a Nightjet sleeper that reaches Innsbruck at 09:14 the next morning. It also stops at Kufstein, Wörgl and Jenbach.
• Onward trains: local trains run from Innsbruck to St Anton, where the station is in the village. Kitzbühel is a short train ride from Wörgl.
• Zell am See and Kaprun: trains run from Salzburg to Zell am See, the gateway to Kitzsteinhorn. Since our visit, a gondola link now runs from Kaprun up to the glacier.
• Prices: Snowcarbon quotes London to Austria from £215 return per adult with a standard Eurostar seat and a six-berth couchette, and £320 to £510 on peak dates.

Always check the latest timetable on the Nightjet or ÖBB website before you book, as night train routes change often. After a day on the slopes, don't miss the hearty Austrian food!

Tips for a ski holiday by train

• Book early: Eurostar sales open months ahead, and the cheapest fares go first. Put the TGV sale dates in your calendar.
• Travel light: hire skis and boots in the resort. Then you only need to carry your clothes, helmet and goggles.
• Choose a resort near a station: Moûtiers, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Zermatt and St Anton all have short transfers.
• Return on Sunday: the Sunday Eurostar Snow gives you an extra night. Hotels are often more flexible about this than self-catering apartments.
• Get help with booking: some journeys can't be booked in one go online. Snowcarbon and agents like the Switzerland Travel Centre can help.
• Go off-peak: skiing outside the school holidays is cheaper and the slopes are quieter. When we skied in LAAX during UK half term, we found almost empty slopes and no lift queues, while French resorts were busy with British families.

FAQ

Is there a direct ski train from London?

Not any more. The direct Eurostar ski train was replaced by Eurostar Snow, which needs one change at Lille Europe. It runs on Saturdays from 19 December 2026 to 20 February 2027.

How long does it take to get to the Alps by train?

Eurostar Snow takes just under 8 hours from London to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Via Paris, the TGV takes about 4 hours 19 minutes to Moûtiers, plus the Eurostar and the transfer across Paris.

Can I take skis on the Eurostar?

Yes. On Eurostar Snow, adults can take two pieces of luggage, one piece of hand luggage, and skis or a snowboard. On other Eurostar services, skis and snowboards can count as one of your two pieces of luggage.

Is skiing by train more expensive than flying?

It can be, especially in February half term. But you save on airport transfers and baggage fees, and the sleeper train saves you a night's accommodation. Booking as soon as tickets go on sale helps a lot.

Can I take a night train to the Alps?

Yes. The Travelski Night Express runs from Paris and Brussels to Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-Saint-Maurice on Friday nights. For Austria, a Nightjet runs from Cologne to Innsbruck.

Have you ever travelled to a ski resort by train? Would you try it? Let me know in the comments!