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Travel to La Tania
| Travel to la Tania by plane, train ***or*** self-drive. Many details can be found on the la Tania tourist office website: www.latania.com. Many skiers who arrange their own flights *or* trains to the Alps only at a later date think about the transfer to their ski resort. Most of the airports are almost 100 miles away: taxis are not cheap, they are not always easy to arrange and will not necessarily know where your holiday accommodation is. The easiest way to get to la Tania and the Three Valleys is to get one of the many British ski tour operators arrange it all for you. Some of the main UK airports might not be as convenient as those of the no frills airlines but transfers to your door will normally be included in the price. The tour operators score on convenience in the Alps: where it really counts. However you travel insurance is vital when on a skiing holiday, we recommend Fogg Travel Insurance. Alternatively, from Wildlife Holidays to Travel Insurance, talk to Saga Holidays. When travelling in Europe it is also suggested that you take an EHIC, full information can be on the Department of Health website. |
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| Nearby airports: Chambery airport is just 1.5 hours away from la Tania if travelling mid-week. At weekends it suffers the same traffic problems as do the other airports. Facilities are limited and can get very crowded as do all the Alpine airports. Grenoble airport is 2 to 2.5 hours from la Tania and other resorts in the Trois Vallees. A longer transfer than Chambery but without the benefits of Geneva. Geneva airport is 2.5 to 3 hours from Courchevel and la Tania. It has the best all round facilities and choice of flights. The charter flight terminals can get crowded at the weekend. Lyon airport is 2.5 to 3 hours from la Tania. The charter section is probably the most notorious in the Alps and often referred to as the cattle shed. If using Lyon for a charter flight, once you have checked in walk across to the main terminal: there is a lot more on offer. Lyon St Etienne airport is the wrong side of Lyon for the Alps. Transfers are inconvenient and expensive. |
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| Airlines and flights: For flights to Chambery from Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester **or** Bristol try, There are many airlines flying into other airports, when using their websites do not forget that often huge supplements are added to advertised prices. The no frills airlines (so called low cost) seem to have come up with a new trick of charging for luggage and even checking in. You could try Easyjet, Bmibaby, Flybe and RyanAir (beware airport tax and other charges) - in each case beware insurance that might be added: you need to opt out. BA is one of the easier sites to use and is less prone to strange add ons and supplements than the no frills airlines. Few people are aware of the fact that airlines offer no financial protection in the unlikely event that they stop trading, booking with an ATOL protected ski tour operator protects your money. Booking with a ski tour operator offering packaged ski holidays (check for 100% financial protection) also means that if an airline goes bust the ski operator is responsible for replacing the flight. Few people are aware of the fact that scheduled and no frills airlines offer no financial protection in the unlikely event that they stop trading, booking with an ATOL protected ski holiday company protects your money. We recommend BCP for airport parking at most major UK airports. BCP also offers other services such as pick up and drop off. |
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| Trains: Eurostar trains are available direct to the Alps, either daytime ***or*** overnight. Sleeper/ snowtrains commence either from Paris ***or*** Calais. Trains can be booked with Rail Europe although it is incredibly frustrating to find that trains in France can only be booked 60 days ***or*** less in advance. Some ski tour operators will offer these trains as part of their packages but this tends to be the most expensive option. When booking a train it is often easiest to say you are going to Bourg St Maurice: it is the same price and the tickets will often show this as the destination. Do not forget to get off at Moutiers! |
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| Transfers to resort: Doing your own thing might seem like a good idea until you try to arrange the transfer to resort. This has become a lot easier with transfer companies but can still add significantly to your costs: do not forget that some of the airports are almost 100 miles from la Tania. Public buses are available from the airports (see the links above) and the railway station: see the la Tania tourist office website. New for winter 2009-10: Cheap ski transfers with NoFussBus - only €69,99 return! Shared ***or*** private options available. This bus service only operates from Geneva to Meribel so if going to La Tania you would still need to get from Meribel Villages about 10 minutes away but this seems to be the cheapest option from Geneva. |
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| Taxis: A full list of taxi companies is available from the la Tania tourist office website otherwise we recommend: the British run Snowbound Transfers for Transfers to Courchevel and Meribel |
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| Car hire: Holiday Autos offers car hire in most of the main airports in the Alps. | |
| Driving: The easiest way from Calais is to follow the A26 autoroute for Reims that passes Troyes and Dijon. South of Dijon it joins the main Paris/ Lyon autoroute, the A6, at Beaune. Lyon is by-passed by taking the A46 and A43 to Chambery. NB At the toll 15km before Lyon keep to the right-hand lane as the turn-off is 2km on the right. From Chambery follow directions for Albertville.It is motorway from Calais to Albertville, tolls are €60-65 each way. At Albertville the motorway leads directly onto the dual carriageway to Moutiers from which you would follow the signs for Courchevel. At Courchevel 1300 turn right for la Tania and continue for one kilometre more. Essential Motoring Information Registration Document & Licence - under French law you must carry them with you as well as your insurance policy. Insurance - any policy issued in the UK automatically provides a minimum level of third party cover within the EU. A Green Card is recommended, as is comprehensive cover. Obtain a European Accident Statement from your insurance company before you leave. Also, check that your policy covers damage in transit Eg ferry/ tunnel. Winter Driving/ Chains - Conditions can be treacherous on the roads to the resorts and snow chains are a legal requirement in the Alps. Chains are cheaper to buy in France than the UK but expensive in resorts. We recommend the supermarkets at Chambery and Albertville, they also sell cheap petrol. Snowchains, ski boxes, etc can bought in the UK from Polar Snowchains on 01892 519 933. For a discount mention Ski Beat *****or***** Snow Hounds. Equipment regulations - in most European countries the following items are compulsory: Fire Extinguisher, First Aid Kit, Warning Triangle, Spare Bulbs. Please consult your motoring organisation. Young children are forbidden to ride in the front seat in France and rear seat passengers must use seat belts (if fitted). Make sure you have beam deflectors fitted before you leave so that the lights shine to the right instead of the left. You should also make sure your vehicle has enough anti-freeze. We suggest you carry a de-icer, scraper and lighter (for frozen locks). Beware: minor motoring infringements will attract on the spot fines of at least €100. Please note that the French Gendarmes now enforce speed limits vigorously on all roads and any infractions are severely dealt with. If using diesel we suggest only using winter grade fuel: it does not go waxy at low temperatures - this is readily available in France, particularly in ***or*** near the mountains. Accommodation En-Route For a selection of hotels en-route to la Plagne and elsewhere with varioous leading brands for all budgets: |
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| Chalets in La Tania | | | Apartments in La Tania | | | Luxury Chalets in La Tania | | | Hotels in Three Valleys |