In short
Most visitors fly into Geneva or Lyon, about 2 hours from Courchevel by road, or Chambéry, the closest at 1 hour 15. By rail, the nearest station is Moûtiers, 30 minutes below the resort, served by TGV from Paris and by Eurostar Snow from London in 2026-2027. Helicopters and small planes land at the Courchevel Altiport.
What is the nearest airport to Courchevel?
For scheduled flights, Chambéry is the closest airport, about 95 km and 1 hour 15 minutes by road according to Courchevel Tourism. Most international visitors land in Geneva or Lyon, both about 2 hours away. Courchevel Tourism publishes these road distances and times to the resort:
| Airport | Distance to Courchevel | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Chambéry | 95 km | 1 h 15 |
| Grenoble | 125 km | 1 h 35 |
| Lyon Saint-Exupéry | 176 km | 2 h 00 |
| Geneva International | 179 km | 2 h 00 |
VINCI Airports, which operates Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc airport, describes it as a gateway to the ski resorts of the French Alps, with regular European routes, chartered ski flights and a terminal dedicated to business aviation. The town hall of Courchevel also lists Annecy among the nearby airports.
The resort also has its own airfield, the Courchevel Altiport, used by small aircraft and helicopters. It is covered in detail in our Courchevel Altiport guide.
How do you get from Geneva to Courchevel?
By road, Geneva to Courchevel takes about 2 hours for 179 km, according to Courchevel Tourism. You have four realistic options:
- Shuttle bus: Altibus runs a winter only service from Geneva airport. Its Eco fare includes one carry-on and one checked bag; the Premium fare includes one carry-on and two checked bags. Children aged 0 to 2 travel free and those aged 3 to 12 receive 30% off.
- Private transfer or taxi: a driver meets you at arrivals and takes you to your chalet or hotel door, which matters with ski bags and children.
- Helicopter: Monacair lists a flight time of 30 minutes from Geneva to Courchevel.
- Plane: Alpine Airlines gives a flight time of 18 minutes from Geneva to the Courchevel Altiport.
Altibus advises leaving 3 hours between a flight and a coach departure, so do not book the tightest connection. Lyon has a similar seasonal coach, the LYS'Express, also winter only, with a fifth ticket free for groups of five or more.
Can you take the train to Courchevel?
Yes, to Moûtiers. The nearest station is Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains, and Courchevel is about 30 minutes further up the road. Courchevel Tourism recommends booking tickets on SNCF Connect.
From Paris
Les 3 Vallées states that direct high-speed TGV connections run from Paris, with a journey of around 4 hours 30 minutes.
From London: Eurostar Snow 2026-2027
Eurostar confirms its ski train for the 2026-2027 season. It leaves London St Pancras International with a connection at Lille Europe, then stops at Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-La-Plagne, Landry and Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
- Outbound: Saturdays from 19 December 2026 to 20 February 2027
- Return: 27 December 2026 to 28 February 2027, on Sunday mornings or selected Saturday afternoons
- Journey: just under 8 hours from London to Bourg-Saint-Maurice; Moûtiers comes earlier on the line
From Moûtiers to Courchevel
The Altibus S65 line links Moûtiers and Courchevel all year, with more departures in winter. A ticket includes one hand luggage, one hold luggage and one pair of skis or a snowboard, and online bookings made at least 48 hours ahead get 10% off. Altibus says bookings for its 2026-2027 station shuttles open in the autumn of 2026, and recommends allowing 1 hour 30 minutes between a train and a coach. Les 3 Vallées suggests booking a taxi in advance to avoid a wait at the station.
How does a private transfer to Courchevel work?
A private transfer is a car with a driver booked in advance, from an airport, from Moûtiers station or from another resort. Les 3 Vallées lists taxis and private transfers among the ways to reach the resorts from Moûtiers, and Courchevel Tourism confirms a taxi service from the station.
Road times are the same as driving yourself: about 2 hours from Geneva or Lyon, 1 hour 15 from Chambéry and 30 minutes from Moûtiers, according to Courchevel Tourism. You avoid fitting chains and finding parking. Prices depend on the operator, the vehicle and the date, so ask for a written quote that includes waiting time if your flight is delayed.
Tell the driver which of the villages you are staying in. Courchevel 1850, Moriond, Village, Le Praz and La Tania are separate places; our Courchevel hotels guide shows where the main addresses are.
Can you fly to Courchevel by helicopter or plane?
Yes. Helicopters and small planes land at the Courchevel Altiport, above Courchevel 1850. Courchevel Tourism states that the altiport accommodates certain private and commercial flights, and that helicopter transfers are available from nearby airports and resorts.
These are the flight times published by two operators:
| From | Helicopter (Monacair) | Plane (Alpine Airlines) |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva | 30 min | 18 min |
| Lyon | 40 min | 25 min |
| Chambéry | 25 min | Not listed |
| Nice | 65 min | 39 min (Nice/Cannes) |
| Paris | Not listed | 1 h 25 |
Monacair publishes starting prices on its Courchevel page, for example from 3,100 € from Geneva and from 2,700 € from Chambéry; confirm the final figure with the operator. Alpine Airlines states that since 2014 it has been the only airline licensed for commercial flights to Courchevel, operating twin engine aircraft under a certificate issued by the French civil aviation authority, the DGAC. Monacair mentions a chauffeur transfer from the altiport to Courchevel 1850 and the slopes.
Keep a road option in reserve in case of bad weather. Riva Photography Courchevel can arrange for a private photographer to be waiting at the altiport to photograph your arrival.
What equipment do you need to drive to Courchevel in winter?
Winter tyres or snow chains. French rules require, from 1 November to 31 March, that vehicles in listed mountain areas either carry removable anti-skid devices, such as metal chains or textile snow socks, for at least two driving wheels, or are fitted with four winter tyres, according to Service-Public.fr. Only tyres marked 3PMSF (three peak mountain snowflake) count as winter tyres. The rule covers every vehicle with four or more wheels, including cars, vans, motorhomes and coaches.
The town hall of Courchevel is explicit: in winter, snow tyres or chains are mandatory, and during heavy snowfall access to the resort is forbidden to vehicles without special equipment. If you rent a car in Geneva, ask for winter tyres or chains when you book.
The route itself is straightforward. From Chambéry, take the A43 motorway to Albertville, then the RN90 dual carriageway to Moûtiers, then the D90, D915 and D91A up to the resort, as described by the town hall. Courchevel Tourism calls the final 30 minutes a wide, clear and secure road. Les 3 Vallées publishes live road conditions before you set off.
Where can you park in Courchevel?
In the town's public car parks. The town hall's parking service lists these:
| Village | Car parks (spaces) |
|---|---|
| Courchevel 1850 | La Croisette (320), Bellecôte (220), La Porte de Courchevel (225), Les Lugeurs (126), Les Chenus (96), Loze (62), La Sarettà (40) |
| Courchevel Moriond | Les Cimes Blanches (460), Moriond (98) |
| Courchevel Village | Le Dou du Midi (220), Les Grangettes (166), Alpamayor (40) |
| Courchevel Le Praz | L'Alpinium (500), L'Or Blanc (46) |
| Courchevel La Tania | Moretta (99) |
Height limits are mostly between 2 m and 2.40 m. Several car parks, including La Croisette, Bellecôte and Les Cimes Blanches, offer the first 45 minutes free, and L'Alpinium offers 1 hour 30 free. Electric charging points are available at La Croisette, Bellecôte, Les Cimes Blanches, Le Dou du Midi and L'Alpinium. Once parked, a free ski bus links the different levels of the resort, according to the town hall.
Which way to get to Courchevel is best?
It depends on where you start and how much luggage you carry. This summary uses the times quoted above:
| Option | Typical time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Car from Geneva or Lyon | About 2 h | Flexibility, trips to other resorts |
| Private transfer from Geneva or Lyon | About 2 h | Families, heavy luggage, door to door |
| Altibus coach from Geneva or Lyon | Longer, with fixed departures | Travellers on a budget |
| TGV from Paris to Moûtiers, then bus or taxi | About 4 h 30, plus about 30 min | Travellers from Paris and France |
| Eurostar Snow from London to Moûtiers | Under 8 h to the end of the line, Saturdays only | Travellers from the UK who prefer rail |
| Helicopter to the altiport | 25 to 40 min from Chambéry, Geneva or Lyon | Saving time, arriving straight at the slopes |
| Plane to the altiport | 18 min from Geneva, 1 h 25 from Paris | Private travel on clear days |
Once you have arrived, our season dates and lift pass guide covers the next step. If you would like photographs of your stay, from an arrival at the altiport to a day on the slopes, Riva Photography Courchevel connects you with a private photographer who skis. Sessions start at 590 € for 1 hour and 30 photos, all taxes included; see our pricing and our ski photoshoot page. To check a date, write to us on WhatsApp via the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest airport to Courchevel?
For scheduled flights, Chambéry is the closest, about 95 km and 1 hour 15 minutes by road according to Courchevel Tourism. Geneva and Lyon are each about 2 hours away. Small planes and helicopters can also land at the Courchevel Altiport.
How long is the transfer from Geneva to Courchevel?
About 2 hours by road for 179 km, according to Courchevel Tourism. Monacair lists a 30 minute helicopter flight, and Alpine Airlines an 18 minute flight to the Courchevel Altiport.
Which train station is nearest to Courchevel?
Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains, about 30 minutes from the resort. The Altibus S65 bus links it with Courchevel all year, and taxis are available at the station.
Does the Eurostar go to Courchevel?
Not directly. For the 2026-2027 season, Eurostar Snow runs from London with a change at Lille Europe and stops at Moûtiers, with outbound trains on Saturdays from 19 December 2026 to 20 February 2027. From Moûtiers, continue by bus or taxi.
Do I need snow chains to drive to Courchevel?
From 1 November to 31 March you need either four 3PMSF winter tyres or chains or snow socks on board. The town hall of Courchevel states that during heavy snowfall, vehicles without this equipment cannot access the resort.
Planning a session in Courchevel?
Send us your dates and where you are staying. We reply on WhatsApp within the hour with an available photographer and a quote.
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Sources
Facts, times and rules in this guide come from these sources, checked in October 2026.
- Courchevel Tourism, getting to Courchevel, checked October 2026.
- Courchevel Tourism booking, access and transport, checked October 2026.
- Mairie de Courchevel, location and access, checked October 2026.
- Mairie de Courchevel, list of car parks, checked October 2026.
- Les 3 Vallées, car access, checked October 2026.
- Les 3 Vallées, train to Moûtiers, checked October 2026.
- Les 3 Vallées press, getting to Les 3 Vallées, checked October 2026.
- Altibus, shuttles to Courchevel, checked October 2026.
- Eurostar, ski train 2026/27, checked October 2026.
- Planet Ski, Eurostar Snow tickets on sale (July 2026), checked October 2026.
- Monacair, helicopter transfers to Courchevel, checked October 2026.
- Alpine Airlines, Courchevel Altiport flights, checked October 2026.
- VINCI Concessions, Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc airport, checked October 2026.
- Service-Public.fr, winter tyres and chains obligations, checked October 2026.
