Overall4.9/10Harder to reach than about 55% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Geneva is the main gateway with most flight options and transfer services, despite not being the closest airport. Chambéry is closest but offers fewer flights and seasonal service.
- High-speed TGV trains reach Bourg Saint-Maurice directly from Paris (5 hours). Eurostar connections are available from London and other EU cities.
- Once in Tignes resort, you won't need a car—free electric shuttle buses connect villages, and all amenities are within walking distance of central areas.
- Winter driving requires snow tyres or chains; many mountain passes (Petit Saint Bernard, Iseran) close seasonally—avoid if using GPS without regional knowledge.
- Book airport transfers and buses in advance, especially on weekends and peak ski season (Christmas, Easter, French school holidays) to secure seats and discounts.
- The S83 bus line offers 10% discount for online booking made 48+ hours in advance; ticket includes generous luggage allowance for skis.
- Coach travel from London (FlixBus, BlaBlaBus) is the cheapest option but takes 18-20 hours; train is faster and more comfortable if budget allows.
- Mountain roads can be slow on holiday weekends and during heavy snowfall—plan extra travel time accordingly.
Airports
Chambéry Airport (CMF)
- Distance Km
- 142
- Drive Time Minutes
- 120
- Notes
- Closest airport but smaller with limited flight options; seasonal (winter) operations only
Geneva Airport (GVA)
- Distance Km
- 177
- Drive Time Minutes
- 165
- Notes
- Most popular gateway with frequent international flights and most transfer options
Grenoble Airport (Alpes-Isere)
- Distance Km
- 215
- Drive Time Minutes
- 150
- Notes
- Low-cost carriers available (Ryanair, Easyjet)
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS)
- Distance Km
- 220
- Drive Time Minutes
- 165
- Notes
- Multiple airlines, reasonable transfer time
European
FlixBus, Eurolines, BlaBlaBus, RegioJet
- Hubs
- Services to Lyon, Grenoble, Geneva
- Notes
- Budget option for reaching regional hubs; second leg by bus to Tignes required
International
Snow Express, Eurostar (Indirect)
- Route
- London to Bourg Saint-Maurice
- Frequency
- Once weekly overnight (winters); some services now replaced by Eurostar Snow
- Travel time
- 20 hours
- Notes
- Overnight coach option; limited availability
Day Trip Destinations
Nearby
Val d'Isère
- Distance Km
- Adjacent/connected by lift
- Description
- Lift and piste-connected; part of Espace Killy ski area
Annecy
- Distance Km
- Approximately 2.5-3 hours drive
- Description
- Medieval lakeside town; popular day trip for scenic lake and old town attractions
Aosta, Italy
- Distance Km
- 2-3 hours drive
- Description
- Cross border to Italy via Little Saint Bernard Pass; medieval city with restaurants and shopping
Bourg Saint-Maurice
- Distance Km
- 30
- Description
- Main transport hub town; restaurants, shops, rail station amenities
Rail Connections
- Distance Km
- 30
- Nearest Station
- Bourg Saint-Maurice SNCF
- Notes
- Bourg Saint-Maurice is a major rail terminus on the TGV network with Eurostar and regional train services
Connections
- From Paris
- TGV direct service; approximately 5 hours
- From London
- Direct Eurostar Snow train (Saturdays) or via Paris with Eurostar + TGV connections; approximately 8-11 hours total
- From Other EU Cities
- Available via Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam (Eurostar and Thalys services)
Ground Transport Options
Car Rental
- Notes
- Available at all major airports; note that snow tyres/chains mandatory in winter; parking in resort limited and paid (€99/week typical)
- Long Distance Note
- Calais to Tignes approximately 1000 km, ~9.5-10 hours; toll roads apply; winter driving conditions challenging
Private Transfers
- Availability
- From major airports (Geneva, Grenoble, Lyon, Chambéry)
- Notes
- Multiple operators available; shared and private options; pre-booking recommended especially weekends/holidays
Bus From Bourg St Maurice
- Price
- €12
- Operator
- Altibus S83 line
- Frequency
- Regular service, increased in winter/summer; all year round
- Distance Km
- 30
- Journey Time Minutes
- 60
- Notes
- Serves all Tignes villages (Les Brévières, 1800, Le Lac, Val Claret); 10% discount if booked online 48 hours in advance. Luggage allowance includes 1 hand luggage + 1 hold luggage + 1 pair of skis/snowboard
Taxi From Bourg St Maurice
- Price Estimate
- €40-€55 per person (shared); €120+ for private transfer
- Journey Time Minutes
- 40
- Notes
- Substantially more expensive than bus but door-to-door service
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Tignes
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.