Eurostar Snow Train: London to the French Alps

The Eurostar Snow Train is a seasonal ski train service connecting London with stations in the French Alps via a change at Lille Europe. Also commonly referred to as the Eurostar Ski Train, it serves Alpine gateway stations for several major French ski resorts. This guide explains how the service works, which station to use for your Skiworld resort and how to complete the onward journey.

• What is the Eurostar snow train?
• Eurostar snow train 2026/27 dates and timetable
• Eurostar snow train route and stops
• Which Eurostar snow station should you use for your ski resort?
• How does the Eurostar snow train journey from London work?
• How long does the Eurostar snow train take?
• How much does the Eurostar snow train cost?
• When do Eurostar snow train tickets go on sale?
• Can you take skis and snowboards on the Eurostar snow train?
• How do you get from the Alpine station to your ski resort?
• Is travelling to the Alps by Eurostar snow train worth it?
• Booking a ski holiday via the Eurostar snow train

What is the Eurostar snow train?

The Eurostar Snow Train is Eurostar’s seasonal service for skiers travelling from London to the French Alps. From London St Pancras International, passengers travel by Eurostar to Lille Europe, change trains at the same station and continue to Alpine stations including Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne, Landry and Bourg-Saint-Maurice. The train does not normally take you directly to the ski resort itself. Instead, you get off at the most appropriate Alpine gateway station and complete the journey by bus, transfer, taxi or, in the case of Les Arcs, funicular.

Is the Eurostar snow train the same as the Eurostar ski train?

Yes. Eurostar uses the Snow Train name for its seasonal ski service, while “Eurostar Ski Train” is also commonly used to describe and search for the service. Both terms refer to the same journey concept for UK skiers travelling from London towards the French Alps.

How does the Eurostar snow train work?

For passengers travelling from the UK, the journey starts at London St Pancras International. You take a Eurostar to Lille Europe, change trains there and continue south into the French Alps. The Alpine service stops at several railway stations serving different ski valleys and resorts. You therefore need to know which station is most appropriate for your accommodation before travelling. Once you arrive at your Alpine station, the final part of the journey is normally completed by bus, shared or private transfer, taxi or another local connection.

Eurostar snow train 2026/27 dates and timetable

For the 2026/27 ski season, Eurostar Snow services from London operate outbound on Saturdays from 19 December 2026 to 20 February 2027. Return services to London operate from 27 December 2026 to 28 February 2027, primarily on Sunday mornings with selected Saturday afternoon departures. 

The London service therefore operates on specified winter dates rather than throughout the entire ski season.

Timetables and operating dates can change. Check the current Eurostar timetable for your specific travel date before booking your ski holiday.

Eurostar snow train route and stops

From London, the Eurostar Snow journey travels via Lille Europe before continuing to six Alpine stations: Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne, Landry and Bourg-Saint-Maurice.

The route can be understood as:

London St Pancras > Lille Europe > Chambéry > Albertville > Moûtiers > Aime-la-Plagne > Landry > Bourg-Saint-Maurice

For Skiworld guests, the most important stations are generally Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-Saint-Maurice because they provide onward access to several of Skiworld’s principal French resorts.

• Moûtiers: the principal rail gateway for the Three Valleys, including Méribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens.
• Aime-la-Plagne: the main station for many of La Plagne’s altitude villages and resort bases.
• Landry: useful for destinations including Montchavin-Les Coches and parts of the wider Paradiski area.
• Bourg-Saint-Maurice: the gateway for Les Arcs, Tignes, Val d’Isère and La Rosière.

Chambéry and Albertville also provide access to numerous Alpine destinations, but for the Skiworld resorts covered in this guide, a later stop is usually the more practical gateway.

Which Eurostar snow station should you use for your ski resort?

The best Eurostar Snow station depends on your ski resort. The train takes you into the Alpine transport network rather than directly to most resorts, so choosing the right station can significantly simplify the final stage of your journey.

Moûtiers

Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains is the key Eurostar Snow station for Skiworld guests travelling to the Three Valleys.

For Méribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens, Moûtiers provides a much more practical arrival point than continuing further along the railway line.

From the station, onward options include scheduled buses, shared or private transfers and taxis. The precise journey time depends on the resort, road and weather conditions. Méribel is around 18km from Moûtiers, while Les Menuires is approximately 27km away. Courchevel is normally around a 30-minute road journey from Moûtiers in good conditions. Val Thorens is further up the Belleville Valley and is connected to Moûtiers by seasonal bus services as well as private transfers and taxis.

Aime-la-Plagne

Aime-la-Plagne is the principal Eurostar Snow station for most Skiworld guests staying in La Plagne.

The important detail is that La Plagne is not a single compact resort village. It consists of multiple bases at different altitudes, including Plagne 1800, Plagne Centre, Plagne Villages, Belle Plagne and other areas. From Aime-la-Plagne, buses and taxis serve the various La Plagne villages. This means you should check the exact location of your accommodation before booking your onward journey rather than simply booking a generic transfer to “La Plagne”. There are exceptions within the wider La Plagne destination. For example, Landry is the appropriate rail station for Montchavin-Les Coches, while Champagny-en-Vanoise is normally approached from Moûtiers.

Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Bourg-Saint-Maurice is the principal Eurostar Snow gateway for Les Arcs, Tignes, Val d’Isère and La Rosière.

For Les Arcs, the onward journey is particularly straightforward. The funicular is located next to Bourg-Saint-Maurice railway station and takes around seven minutes to reach Arc 1600. From there, resort transport provides onward connections to the other Les Arcs villages. For Tignes and Val d’Isère, the final stage is by road, using scheduled buses, shared or private transfers or taxis. La Rosière is also reached by road from Bourg-Saint-Maurice, with regular bus services operating between the station and resort during winter.

How does the Eurostar snow train journey from London work?

The journey involves four main stages:

1. London St Pancras to Lille

Your journey begins at London St Pancras International, where you board a Eurostar service to Lille Europe.

Allow sufficient time for Eurostar’s pre-departure checks and follow the recommended arrival time for your ticket and travel class. Your luggage and ski equipment travel with you rather than being checked into an aircraft-style hold.

2. Changing trains at Lille

The Eurostar Snow journey from London is not a single direct train to the Alps. Passengers change trains at Lille Europe.

On arrival at Lille, head to the main station level and check the departure boards for the platform of your connecting Alpine service. You then return to platform level and board the train towards Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Because the connection takes place within Lille Europe station, there is no need to transfer across Lille to another railway station. On the return journey, the process is reversed. When travelling from Lille to London, passengers go through border control and security before boarding the London service.

3. Lille to the French Alps

From Lille, the Alpine train continues south and serves Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne, Landry and Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Make sure you know which station you need before boarding. Stops at the intermediate Alpine stations can be relatively brief, so have your luggage and ski equipment ready when your stop approaches.

4. Alpine station to ski resort

For most Skiworld resorts, getting off the train is not the end of the journey. You will need an onward bus, transfer, taxi or local transport connection. Les Arcs is a notable exception because the funicular from Bourg-Saint-Maurice provides a direct rail-to-mountain connection to Arc 1600. The Alpine station to resort section below explains the main onward options.

How long does the Eurostar snow train take?

There is no single Eurostar Snow Train journey time because it depends on which Alpine station you use and how long your onward transfer to the resort takes.

For the 2026/27 service, Eurostar states that the London to Bourg-Saint-Maurice rail journey takes just under eight hours. The return journey from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to London takes around nine hours. If you get off earlier at Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne or another Alpine stop, your time on the train will be shorter.

When planning the complete journey, distinguish between:

• Train journey time: London St Pancras to your Alpine railway station, including the Lille connection.
• Total journey time: London to the Alpine station plus the final bus, transfer, taxi or funicular journey to your resort and accommodation.

For example, arriving at Bourg-Saint-Maurice does not mean you have arrived in Tignes or Val d’Isère. The road transfer into the resort still needs to be included in your travel planning.

How much does the Eurostar snow train cost?

Eurostar Snow Train fares are dynamic, so there is no single fixed price for a ski journey from London to the French Alps. The amount you pay can vary according to your travel dates, demand, ticket availability and travel class. You should also budget for the final journey between the Alpine station and your resort. Depending on the destination, this could involve a bus ticket, shared transfer, private transfer, taxi or funicular.

When comparing the cost of travelling by Eurostar Snow, consider the complete journey:

• London to Alpine station rail fare
• Any additional luggage or equipment costs that apply to your booking
• Alpine station to resort transfer
• Return journey

Check the live Eurostar fare for your specific travel dates rather than relying on an example price from a previous ski season.

When do Eurostar snow train tickets go on sale?

Eurostar Snow tickets for the 2026/27 London service are now on sale. Eurostar has published the current season’s operating dates and is accepting bookings for eligible journeys. Because the London Snow service operates on a restricted number of Saturdays and return dates, it is sensible to check rail availability once you know your ski-holiday dates and resort. Ticket release arrangements can change from one winter to the next, so this section should be updated when Eurostar releases each new season’s Snow timetable.

Can you take skis and snowboards on the Eurostar snow train?

Yes. For the current Eurostar Snow service from London, adults can take skis or a snowboard alongside their permitted luggage.

Eurostar currently states that adults travelling on the snow service can take:

• Up to two pieces of luggage, each up to 85cm long
• One piece of hand luggage
• Skis or a snowboard

Eurostar’s wider luggage guidance also states that skis and snowboards can count as one of your two pieces of luggage on applicable services, so check the conditions attached to your specific Snow booking before packing. Equipment should be packed appropriately for travel, and you should check Eurostar’s current sports-equipment and luggage rules before departure because allowances and requirements can change.

How do you get from the Alpine station to your ski resort?

The Eurostar snow service gets you into the French Alpine rail network, but most passengers still need an onward connection to reach their ski resort. The best option depends on the station, resort, group size, arrival time and accommodation location.

Shared transfers

Shared transfers can provide a practical connection between major Alpine railway stations and ski resorts. They are particularly useful on peak changeover days when large numbers of skiers arrive at stations such as Moûtiers and Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Check that the transfer departure time works with your train arrival and confirm where in the resort you will be dropped off.

Private transfers

A private transfer takes your group directly from the railway station towards your accommodation or agreed resort drop-off point. This can be particularly useful for families, larger groups, passengers carrying substantial equipment or accommodation that is not conveniently located for scheduled bus services.

Buses and public transport

Scheduled buses connect several Snow Train stations with nearby resorts. Examples include Moûtiers to Méribel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens; Aime-la-Plagne to La Plagne; and Bourg-Saint-Maurice to resorts including Tignes and La Rosière. Services and timetables can vary by season and day of the week, so check the current timetable and book where required before travelling.

Funicular connections

Les Arcs has one of the simplest rail-to-resort connections in the French Alps. The Bourg-Saint-Maurice funicular station is beside the railway station and the journey to Arc 1600 takes approximately seven minutes. Once at Arc 1600, local connections provide access to the other Les Arcs villages where required.

Taxi

Taxis are available at or can be booked from major Alpine stations and can be useful when scheduled transport does not match your arrival time or when you want a direct journey to your accommodation. For longer mountain transfers, particularly at peak periods, booking in advance is advisable.

The key is to plan the whole journey before departure: London > Lille > Alpine station > resort > accommodation.

Is travelling to the Alps by Eurostar snow train worth it?

The Eurostar Snow Train can be a practical option if its limited operating dates match your ski holiday and one of its Alpine stations provides a straightforward connection to your chosen resort.

Advantages

• London city-centre departure: The journey starts from London St Pancras International.
• Useful Alpine stations: Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-Saint-Maurice provide access to several major Skiworld resorts.
• Ski equipment: Skis and snowboards can be carried under the current Snow service arrangements.
• No airport-to-Alps transfer: You arrive directly within the Alpine rail network rather than at an airport outside the mountains.
• Lower-carbon travel: Rail can provide a lower-emission alternative to flying for the international part of the journey.

Limitations

• Seasonal operation: The London Snow service only operates during part of the winter.
• Restricted travel days: Outbound services operate on Saturdays, with return options concentrated around the weekend.
• Lille connection: The London journey requires a change of train at Lille Europe.
• Onward transfer: Most ski resorts still require a bus, transfer or taxi after the rail journey.
• Total journey time: The final mountain transfer needs to be added to the rail journey when comparing travel options.
• Dynamic fares: The cost depends on dates, demand, availability and travel class.
• Geographical limitations: The service is most useful for resorts that can be reached practically from the Tarentaise railway corridor.

For Skiworld guests, the Snow Train makes most sense when the timetable matches your holiday dates and Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne or Bourg-Saint-Maurice provides a practical gateway to your chosen resort.

Booking a ski holiday via the Eurostar snow train

The Eurostar Snow Train provides rail access to several of Skiworld’s leading French ski destinations, including Méribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, La Plagne, Les Arcs, Tignes, Val d’Isère and La Rosière. Once you know which Alpine station works for your journey, the next step is choosing the resort that suits your skiing, group and accommodation requirements. 

Explore our ski holidays in France or read our guide to skiing in the French Alps to compare destinations. 

You can then explore the relevant resort page and Skiworld’s available ski chalets before booking your holiday