Airports for Alpe d'Huez

Geneva has a greater number of flights to and from more destinations so you should consider the best option, based on flight price, availability and transfer ease (more frequent services and pricing). It is worth noting that Geneva airport is split in two - with French and Swiss sides. Bizarrely it can be much easier to find your way onto the French motorway from the Swiss side of the airport, so you should bear this in mind when hiring a car.

Although Geneva has two terminals - Charter and Main - the Charter terminal is only really used during winter and has limited facilities; there is a snack bar and restaurant but no money-changing facilities. The Main terminal is a five minute walk away so not worth chancing if your flight or transfer are about to depart! On your way home, once you go through passport control in Charter, you will be free to roam the tax free shopping and food outlets until your flight is called.

General info:

• Airport code: GVA
• Distance from Geneva city centre: 5km
• Number of terminals: Two - Charter (winter only) and Main
• Accepted currency: Swiss Francs (CHF) and Euros (€) are accepted in shops and car parks. CHF's, €'s and £'s can be used in most of the restaurants. Change is usually given in CHF's.

Travel and transport:

• Parking: Geneva airport has five long-stay car parks, P1 has the most direct access to the terminal and P51 and P26 are the cheapest for staying a day or longer; the other long term car parks are P20, P31, P32 and P33. P2 is the arrivals car park and has a maximum waiting time of 1 hour but the first 10 minutes are free. There is a "Kiss & Fly" area just outside the main terminal building where you can drop off passengers and continue out of the airport. You can check prices and live availability for the various car parks on the airport website.
• Car hire: The main car hire desks are in Arrivals on the Swiss side of the airport. If you need to get to the French car hire desks go upstairs from Arrivals to the check-in level on the French side and go through customs (near to the Air France KML desk), you will need to show your car hire contract to pass through. Further details of car hire companies can be found in our car hire page.
• Key-drop: You can leave a car key at one of two desks, to be collected at a later date for a fee of around CHF10. From 06:00 to 21:00 you should use desk 81 at check-In, from 21:00 to 23:00 you should use the Swissport Desk in Arrivals. You will be given an envelope on which you write the name of who should be collecting the key, as well as details of where you parked the car. Inside the envelope you need to leave the key and the car park ticket.
• Travelling to Alpe d'Huez: The most common methods of getting from Geneva Airport to Alpe d'Huez are by transfer bus or hire car. Find more information in our getting to Alpe d'Huez guide.
• Railway Station: The CFF Airport Railway Station can be accessed from Check-In and Arrivals. From here there are regular trains running to the central station of Geneve-Cornavin, from here you can connect to French and Swiss rail networks; the journey takes around 6 minutes. Find out more about train timetables and services.
• Airlines: A range of international airlines fly in and out of Geneva daily. Use our flight finder.

Services and facilities:

• Restaurants, bars and takeaways: A variety of restaurants and bars, ranging from traditional Swiss cuisine, to Thai, to Italian and more as well as snack bars serving hot and cold food and drinks are situated throughout Arrivals, Departures (Public and Transit Zones) and Railway. They are generally open from 05:30 to 21:00, or until the last flight for those in Transit Zone.
• Shops: The airport shops are split between Arrivals, Departures (Public Side), Departures (Transit Side) and the Railway Station. They include the usual range of duty free and gift shops as well as exclusive clothing and jewellery brands such as Hugo Boss, Cartier and Mont Blanc. They are generally open between 08:00 and 20:00, 365 days a year.
• Showers: There are shower facilities at Geneva airport - near baggage carousel no.6, near the Post Office in Arrivals and near the First Class Lounge in Departures. They all require a token which can paid for at the Swissport Welcome Desk, GVA Information Desk in Arrivals or in the Nursery in Departures. The token includes soap, shampoo and a towel.
• Conference rooms: Unfortunately Geneva Airport no longer offers conference facilities. However, you can book meeting rooms at nearby hotels.
• Internet access: Free WiFi is available throughout the airport. There is also an internet café in Les Jardins de Geneva in Departures.
• Smokers: Smoking is prohibited inside the airport buildings.
• Cash and currency: There are three American Express offices where you can exchange currency and travellers cheques: Departures (Public Zone), Departures (Transit Zone) and Arrivals. You can also exchange currency at Agences de Voyages CFF and Changeur de Monnaie, both in the railway station. There are UBS, Raiffeisen and Banque Cantonale de Geneve cashpoints throughout the airport; please be aware that these will only issue Swiss Francs, so if you are continuing on to France you would not be able to spend them outside of the airport.
• First Aid: Provides physical and psychological first aid for both passengers and staff. They can be contacted on +41 (0) 227 177 170.

Luggage and animals:

• Large and unusual luggage: Items such as bikes, skis or other large objects should be checked in as usual and then taken to desk 81 (you can buy cardboard boxes for packing bikes here).
• Left luggage: There are two left luggage facilities, both in the railway station. The office beside the CFF/SBB counter takes luggage of all dimensions for a maximum of one month for a fee per day per item. It is open seven days a week from 07:30 to 20:00. The automatic lockers are in front of the CFF/SBB counter and come in three sizes; the maximum usage period is three days and they are accessible from 05:00 to 23:50.
• Lost luggage: If you have arrived at your destination but your luggage has not fared quite so well, you should find out which handling company is used by the airline that you travelled with. If you need to report it to Dnata (previously known as Jet Aviation) you should email them on gvalost@dnata.ch. If you lost your luggage on the train or in any Swiss railway station you can report it missing on CFF/SBB.
• Animals: Animals weighing less than 5kg and carried in a bag (à la Paris Hilton's chihuahua) can be brought into the cabin, providing you have prior authorisation from the airline. Any animals weighing over 5kg must transported in the hold, in a secure cage that can be bought from the airline. This must be arranged in advance of the flight and will be charged at the same rate as excess baggage.

Geneva airport lies at the western end of lake Geneva (Lac Leman), just 15 minutes drive from the city centre or you can take a train or local bus. Getting to France from Geneva is easy, it's well signposted as you leave the airport.

Resorts in the Southern Alps (Les 2 Alpes and Alpe d'Huez) are around a two hour drive from Lyon, the Haute Savoie (Chamonix, Morzine and Avoriaz) and Three Valleys resorts (Courchevel, Meribel and Val Thorens) take about 2h30, and resorts in the Espace Killy (Tignes and Val d'Isère) or Paradiski (Les Arcs and La Plagne) can be reached in about three hours. The timings are just a guide though, as lots of traffic and snow can often delay driving in winter.

Lyon Saint Exupéry has two main terminals and one smaller one; although there are facilities throughout the airport most of the shops and services are based in the centre between terminals 1 and 2. The airport is named after Antoine de Saint Exupéry, Lyon-born pilot and author of novella The Little Prince.

General info:

• Airport code: LYS
• Distance from Lyon city centre: 37km
• Number of terminals: Three
• Accepted currency: Euros (€)
• Information desk: There are three Information Desks throughout the airport; the main one is located in the centre, the others are in Terminal 1 Arrivals B and Terminal 2 Departures 3.

Travel and transport:

• Parking: Lyon airport has five long-stay car parks, all of which are open 24/7 and offer different access and rates according to what you need. Car parks P5 and P6 are linked to the terminals by free shuttle buses that run every 15 to 20 minutes. You pay for your parking on exit by credit card, or you can book your space in advance online. Check tariffs and availability.
• Car hire: Avis, Europcar, Hertz, National Citer and Sixt all have car rental desks at Lyon airport. There are free shuttles buses to take you from the terminal to the rental company car parks. They run every few minutes (15 minutes on weekends and bank holidays); the first stop is for Avis, Hertz and Europcar, the second stop is for National Citer and the third stop is for Sixt. Car hire.
• Travelling to Alpe d'Huez: The most common methods of getting from Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport to Alpe d'Huez are by transfer bus or hire car. Read our article on transfers guide to find out more.
• Ski buses: A number of regular bus shuttles operate from Lyon Saint Exupéry to many of the French ski resorts. Find information on the destinations they travel to and timetables.
• Shuttle buses also operate between the airport and bus stations at Chambery, Bordeaux, Bourg en Bresse, Grenoble, Perigeux and Voiron. Find information and timetables.
• Taxis: The taxi ranks are situated by the entrance to the Centre (next to P2 car park) and behind the train station (next to P6 car park). They provide transport to the city centre, the local area and many of the French ski resorts. You can pay in cash, by credit card (see which logos are displayed on the vehicle) or by cheque (unless otherwise indicated). Extra charges may be incurred for baggage, animals, more than four passengers, road tolls, having to drive in icy and snowy conditions – the cost of the trip should always be displayed on a meter inside the taxi. You can see the price list here.
• Railway station: There is a TGV (high speed) train station just five minutes from the airport terminal buildings, access is via a connecting bridge with a moving walkway. You can book train tickets online through SNCF. To find out how to get to Alpe d'Huez by train take a look at our transfers guide.
• Airlines: A range of international airlines such as fly in and out of Lyon Saint Exupéry daily. Find a full list of all airlines operating out of Lyon. Note that the cheapest airport to fly into may not always be the most economical overall; it is a always worth researching how much your airport transfer will cost before you book your bargain flight!

Services and facilities:

• Restaurants, bars and takeaways: Restaurants serving a range of hot and cold food, as well as bars/coffee shops. Most are open daily, the earliest opening at 05:00 and the latest closing at 23:00.
• Shops: There is a range of shops throughout the airport, with the main concentration being in the centre between terminals 1 and 2. Here you will find clothes, jewellery, regional products and beauty shops, along with a pharmacy. Duty free stores are situated in terminals 1 and 2. Generally speaking most of the shops are open between 08:00 and 20:00 365 days a year. Read on for more details.
• Showers: Shower facilities can be accessed on production of a flight ticket at the Information Desk.
• Conference rooms: Lyon Saint Exupéry has a 80-seat conference room in the Centre d’Affaires in the Centre of the airport, with restaurants, shops and amenities nearby. The Centre d’Affaires also offers individual offices and meeting rooms. It is air-conditioned and WiFi enabled; audiovisual facilities, secretarial services and catering can be provided on request. Meeting rooms can be reserved from Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 19:00.
• Internet access: Visitors can access the Hub Télécom hotspots in all public areas of the airport and train station. You can purchase pre-paid cards or pay online with a credit card.
• Smokers: Lyon Saint Exupéry airport is entirely non-smoking, so if you need one last cigarette before boarding you will have to step outside the terminal building before going through to Departures.
• Cash and currency: You can buy or sell foreign currency at Le Square or in Terminal 1 at the Travelex currency exchange. There are two cash dispensers, one in each terminal building.
• First Aid: The Medical Centre ‘Infirmerie’ on the ground floor of the Arc building in the centre offers medical assistance from 06:30 to 22:00, seven days a week. If you need emergency treatment outside of these hours please alert airport staff, who will contact the 24 hour service. There is also a pharmacy to collect essential supplies which is open continuously from 08:00 to 20:00.

Luggage or animals:

• Lost luggage: If you have arrived at your destination but your luggage has not arrived with you, you should report it to your airline and the baggage handlers. Please report property that has been lost within the airport at the information desk. There is also a left luggage service.
• Animals: The general policy is that animals weighing less than 5kg and carried in a bag can be brought into the cabin, providing you have prior authorisation from the airline. Any animals weighing over 5kg must be transported in the hold, in a secure cage that can be bought from the airline. This must be arranged in advance of the flight and will be charged at the same rate as excess baggage. Guide dogs are allowed to travel in the cabin free of charge as long as they are muzzled and kept on a lead. All animals should have the correct vaccinations and medical records.

Lyon airport is around 30 minutes drive from the centre of Lyon. Take the east ring road and then the A42 or A43 for the most direct routes.

Chambéry is a small, winter only airport, servicing a good number of the French ski resorts the Southern and Northern Alps. The Three Valleys ski resorts are just an hour and twenty minutes away, Les Arcs and La Plagne can be reached in an hour and a half and the Espace Killy resorts of Val d'Isère and Tignes are around two hours from the airport.

General info:

• Airport code: CMF
• Distance from Chambéry city centre: 8km
• Number of terminals: 1
• Number of runways: 2
• Accepted currency: Euros (€)
• Information desk: Situated opposite the terminal entrance and is open from 08:00 to 20:00, Monday to Friday, and 09:00 to 21:00 at weekends.
• Ski boots and helmets are not permitted as hand luggage

Travel and transport:

• Parking: You will find free car parking spaces just opposite the terminal, there is also space for coaches.
• Car hire: Cars can be hired from Avis, Europcar, National Citer and Hertz at the porta-cabin in the car park. The cabin opens on arrival of all regular flights and by prior arrangement.
• Coaches: Coach tickets can be bought at the desk near Baggage Claim, the coach stop is outside the terminal to the right. Scheduled coach shuttle services operated by Trans’Neige offer quick and easy access from the airport to the surrounding ski resorts.
• Travelling to Alpe d'Huez: The most common methods of getting from Chambéry Airport to Alpe d'Huez are by transfer bus or hire car. Read our transfers guide for more information.
• Railway station: There is no direct railway link from Chambéry Airport. The quickest way is to take a taxi to Chambéry Challes les Eaux Gare SNCF, which is roughly a 10 minute journey. There is also a regular shuttle bus that runs between the airport and the railway station, which takes 20-30 minutes. Read more about train services.
• Airlines: Plenty of airlines fly in and out of Chambéry during the winter, and only in the winter. Find all the destinations you can fly from in from and out to at Chambery. Note that the cheapest airline to fly into may not always be the most economical overall; it is always worth researching how much your airport transfer will cost before you book your bargain flight! Find a flight here.

Services and facilities:

• Restaurants, bars and takeaways: Chambéry Airport has just one restaurant on the mezzanine of the airport which features a terrace with view overlooking the runway. There is also a small snack bar that serves much the same sort of food as in the restaurant, but has more limited choice - it is handy if you just want to grab a quick sandwich or coffee. The restaurant and snack bar normally stay open until the last flight has left.
• Shops: The airport shops are only open during the winter and consist of a duty-free shop in the departure lounge and a regional products shop near the entrance to the terminal.
• Conference rooms: Chambéry Airport has a business centre which offers meeting rooms and lounges for hire. There is also a private VIP arrivals and departures lounge.
• Internet access: You can get free WiFi connection by creating an account on line whilst you're here.
• Smokers: Chambéry is a non-smoking airport, so if you need one last cigarette before getting on the plane you will have to go outside before you go through to departures!
• Cash and currency: You can withdraw cash (euros) from the cash dispenser at the terminal entrance. There is no currency exchange at the airport.
• First aid: If a medical emergency should arise there are gendarmes (police officers) patrolling the airport at all times and additional pompiers (fire brigade) at the weekend. If you need assistance you should make your way to the main Information Desk.

Luggage or animals

• Hand luggage: SKI BOOTS AND HELMETS ARE NOT PERMITTED AS HAND LUGGAGE on flights out of Chambery. You will have to check these items in which may incur an excess baggage charge. 
• Left luggage: There are no left luggage facilities.
• Lost luggage: Report any lost luggage at the Information Desk on arrival.
• Animals: The general policy on transporting animals is that those weighing under 5kg and carried in a bag (à la Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua) can travel in the cabin. Any animals heavier than 5kg must travel in a cage in the hold. Arrangements for animals must be made in advance and you should clarify with your airline what their individual policy is.

Chambéry airport is located 20 minutes drive north from the town of Chambery. Take the N102 or the D991 to get there.

Grenoble airport is centrally located in the Rhône-Alpes and provides access to many of the major French ski resorts; it's most handy for the Southern Alps resorts of Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes, which can be reached by car in around 1h45. The airport only operates in winter.

Although the airport itself is quite a long way outside Grenoble, there are good connections to other airports, train stations and on into the ski resorts.

General info:

• Airport code: GNB
• Distance from Grenoble city centre: 65km
• Number of terminals: 1
• Number of runways: 3
• Accepted currency: Euros (€)
• Information desk: There is an information desk inside the terminal; they can help with calling taxis, looking for lost property and general assistance.

Travel and transport:

• Parking: The car park is easily located just opposite the terminal. With space for 500 cars, stays of less than an hour are free of charge. Long-term parking is reasonably priced and annual parking passes are also available.
• Car hire: Cars can be hired from Avis, Europcar, National Citer and Hertz at the offices in the car park.
• Coaches: Coach tickets can be bought at the desk opposite Baggage Claim, look out for the ‘Transfers’ sign. Find coach services here.
• Travelling to Alpe d'Huez: The most common methods of getting from Grenoble Airport to Alpe d'Huez are by transfer bus or hire car. Read our transfers guide for more information.
• Railway Station: There is no direct railway link from Grenoble Airport. There is a regular shuttle bus that runs between the airport and the city centre railway station; the company is Transisère. Tickets can be bought on the bus itself or at the coach station in Grenoble. The latest timetables can be found on the Transisère website, or on our buses page.
• Airlines: There are regular flights in and out of Grenoble in winter only. Please note that the cheapest airline to fly into may not always be the most economical overall; it is always worth researching how much your airport transfer will cost before you book your bargain flight! Find a flight here.

Services and facilities:

• Restaurants, bars and takeaways: Grenoble Airport has a restaurant and this is on the public side of the terminal, please note that there are no food or drink facilities, other than a drinks vending machine, in the departure lounge.
• Shops: The airport shops consist of a duty-free shop, a newsagents and a souvenir shop.
• Conference rooms: Grenoble Airport has a business centre, which offers meeting rooms and lounges for hire. There is also a private VIP arrivals and departures lounge.
• Cash and currency: You can withdraw cash (Euros) from ATMs throughout the airport; unfortunately there is no currency exchange desk.

Luggage or animals:

• Left luggage: There is no left luggage facility at Grenoble airport. 
• Lost luggage: There is a lost and found service at the Information Desk. Luggage that has been lost in transit should be reported to your airline and to the baggage handlers.
• Animals: The general policy for animals is that those weighing under 5kg and carried in a bag (à la Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua) can travel in the cabin. Animals weighing more than 5kg should travel in a cage in the hold. All arrangements should be made in advance and you should contact your airline to clarify what their individual policy is.

The airport lies on the north west outskirts of Grenoble centre, about 35 minutes drive away. Head along the A48 from Grenoble centre and take a left onto the D119.