Cheap Flights to French Alpine Ski Resorts
Fly Low-Cost Airlines to Airports in the Rhône Alps Region, France
Sep 30, 2008
Low-cost airlines have brought the ski slopes of the French Alps within easier reach to budget travelers especially if flying from the United Kingdom or Scandinavia. The major international airports in Lyon (LYS) and Geneva (GVA) are busy year round but during the winter season, smaller regional airports such as Grenoble (GNB), Chambéry (CMF), and Annecy (NCY) are good alternatives closer to the best French ski resorts in the Rhône Alps region.
- Airport transfers to Alpine ski resorts are best booked in advance. Reservations are generally possible from end September with actual transfers services generally running only during the French Alpine ski season from a few days before Christmas to mid-April.
Cheap Flights to Grenoble Airport (GNB) near Ski Resorts in the French Alps
Grenoble Airport (Aéroport de Grenoble-Isère) is just outside the small village Saint-Étienne-de-Saint-Geoirs around 40 km (25 mi) to the west of Grenoble. Year-round, direct flights are available from Grenoble Airport (GNB) only to London-Stansted and Dublin on Ryanair but in winter the number of flights and destinations increase dramatically.
During the winter season, skiers from Great Britain are well served by flights on especially Ryanair and EasyJet to Grenoble Airport. At least daily flights are available from London-Stansted and London-Gatwick with many further destinations served especially on Saturdays. Flights are also available to Rotterdam (Transavia) and Warsaw (Wizzair and Centralwings).
- The availability of cheap tickets on low-cost airlines is the main attraction of Grenoble Airport. Compared to Lyon Airport, Grenoble Airport is by car at most 20 minutes closer to the ski slopes.
Cheap Flights to Chambéry Airport near Ski Resorts in the French Alps
Chambéry Airport (Aéroport de Chambéry-Savoie) is around 10 km (6 mi) to the north of Chambéry near the famous spa town Aix les Bains. The airport has scheduled flights only during the winter ski season.
British low-cost airlines have the most flights to Chambéry Airport (CMF) with Flybe flying from Birmingham, Exeter, Norwich, and Southampton; Jet2 flying from Belfast, Edinburgh, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, and Newcastle; and SnowJet flying from London-Stansted, London-Gatwick, Bristol, and Manchester. Sterling Airways has weekly flights from Stockholm and Copenhagen.
- Most flights to Chambéry Airport arrive on Saturday making early transfer bookings sensible.
Flights to Annecy Airport (NCY) near Ski Resorts in the French Alps
Annecy Airport (Aéroport Annecy Haute-Savoie Mont Blanc) is only 6 km (4 mi) outside the historic old town of Annecy. The beautiful Lake Annecy can be reached by car within ten minutes while Chamonix and the base of Mont Blanc are only an hour away.
Unfortunately, flights to Annecy Airport (NCY) are far and few between. The only scheduled flights are on Air France to Paris-Orly Airport (up to four times per day). These flights are seldom cheap – although specials are sometimes available – and best used when connecting from a longer flight on Air France in Paris anyway.
- Grenoble, Chambéry, and Annecy airports are attractive options for skiers living in the catchment areas served by direct flights to these minor airports. However, the vast majority of skiers flying to French Alpine ski resorts is more likely to use either Lyon (LYS) or Geneva (GVA) airports – both with a vastly larger number of flights, a strong presence of low-cost airlines, and excellent transfer options.
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