Both resorts sit at the very top of the Tarentaise valley, so the last part is always by road. Here's how to plan it.
Chambéry is the closest airport, about 140 km and roughly 2 hours from Tignes, a little more to Val d'Isère. It's mostly served by seasonal ski flights, including from many UK airports.
Geneva has the most flights and usually the best prices, but it's 2.5 to 3 hours away. Lyon is about 3 hours. Both resorts are on the same road, with Tignes about 15 minutes before Val d'Isère.
Trains run to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, at the foot of the valley, 30 to 45 minutes from both resorts by bus or taxi, with regular direct buses up. From London, take the Eurostar to Paris and continue by train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. It's a relaxed way to travel and avoids the airport transfer altogether.
From the airport, a private transfer costs about €350 to €600 per vehicle each way, and a shared transfer about €60 to €120 per person. Coaches are the cheapest option but the slowest, with stops at other resorts on the way. Private transfers are much faster, and good value for a full group.
If budget isn't the point, a helicopter from Geneva or Chambéry takes 30 to 40 minutes and costs about €2,500 to €4,000 per helicopter.
Many resorts share the one road up the Tarentaise valley, and Saturday is the main changeover day, so it can get very slow. Travel early in the day if you can, or pick flights and transfers on a Sunday or midweek.
Book your lift pass in advance too. Some hotels discount early bookings, and you skip the first-morning queue at the ticket office.
Free buses run in Val d'Isère between La Daille, the centre and the other parts of the village, and you'll use them at the end of the day, for example from La Daille after La Folie Douce. Between Tignes and Val d'Isère, the lifts are quicker than the road: the link is 1 or 2 lifts.
Not sure where to base yourself? Our Val d'Isère or Tignes guide compares the villages.
Our opinions come from our own trips. Local tips come from the Ski Muse team and our community. Lift and piste names follow the official piste map; conditions change, so check on the day.
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