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How to get to Alpe d'Huez

Discover the top ways to get to Alpe d'Huez

Updated

Close to Grenoble airport and with plenty of transfer options, Alpe d'Huez is an easy resort to get to. 

Alpe d'Huez is only a 90 minute drive or bus ride from Grenoble airport. There’s a fair bit of weaving for the last 25 minutes, but that’s all part of Alpe d’Huez’s charm.

If you’ve come for the cycling, those 21 switchbacks between Bourg-d’Oisans and the resort are likely to be high on your to-do list.

Alpe d'Huez isn’t on a train line, but Grenoble SNCF is only 1h15 away and TGV (high speed) trains from Paris and Lyon stop there. 

So given the options, what’s the best way to get here? 

About Getting to Tignes

Flying to Grenoble

Flying to Grenoble Alpes Isère Airport is the easiest way to get to Alpe d'Huez for most international visitors.

Because of its proximity to the resort, it's easy to get a transfer. You can also hire a car and be on your way in no time.

The only trouble with flying to Grenoble is the environmental cost. Driving, coming by coach or catching a train are usually better options if you want to reduce CO2 emissions.

Flying to other airports

If you can’t get a flight to Grenoble, Geneva is your next best option. It’s further away from the resort, but many more international carriers fly there. And there are plenty of transfers from Geneva to Alpe d'Huez.

You could also consider flying to Chambery and Lyon.

We wouldn't recommend flying to Turin or Milan - even if they look close on the map. The journey times are usually longer and you'll often have to rely on pricey private transfers.

About Transfers to Les 2 Alpes

Getting from the airport to Alpe d'Huez

There are several ways to get from the airport to Alpe d'Huez.

Airport transfer options for Alpe d'Huez
Flying to Best option Journey time
Grenoble Airport transfer 1h30+
Geneva Private transfers (any time) or ski shuttle buses every Saturday in winter  3 to 4 hours
Lyon Private transfers 2h30
Chambery Train to Grenoble, then transfer from there 3 hours
About Trains to Morzine

Train to Alpe d'Huez

Getting here by train involves a few changes, often in large cities like Paris or Lyon, which can be tricky with baggage or kids. But:

  • it's the most environmentally-friendly option
  • it's arguably more comfortable - you get more leg room than on a plane or in a car
  • you normally won't have to pay extra for luggage
  • journey times can be similar to driving or flying if you're doing a trip like London to Alpe d'Huez

Which railway station is closest to Alpe d'Huez

Grenoble is the closest train station to Alpe d'Huez. It's about 65km or 1h15 from the centre of resort by car or airport transfer.

If you're coming from the UK, London to Alpe d'Huez by train is about 11 hours. Nine hours on the train, followed by transfer time.

About Transfers to Val Thorens

Driving to Alpe d'Huez

Alpe d'Huez is relatively easy to get to by car.

If you're using the French autoroute, the journey as far as Grenoble (the nearest big city) is straightforward. Things get a little trickier the closer you get to Alpe d'Huez.

The 15km stretch between Bourg d'Oisans and the resort has 21 switchbacks (hairpin bends). These are cleared every day during winter, but it's not a trip for nervous drivers - especially in bad weather. 

Remember too that if you're coming here for a ski holiday, you'll need to fit winter tyres or keep snow chains in the boot of your car.   

Driving to Alpe d'Huez from the UK

It takes just over nine hours to drive from Calais to Alpe d'Huez - a distance of around 930km.

Unless you're driving an electric car to the Alps however, driving isn't very environmentally friendly. And parking can be difficult once you get here - especially in peak seasons.

About Transfers to Val Thorens

Coach to Alpe d'Huez

Getting to Alpe d'Huez by coach takes longer than flying. It's usually cheaper though, which makes it a good option if you're on a budget.

It's also a relatively environmentally-friendly way to travel.

International coach companies like FlixBus, Eurolines, BlaBlaBus and RegioJet run services to Lyon, Grenoble and Geneva. From there, you can pick up a bus transfer to Alpe d'Huez.

About Getting to Val Thorens

Reducing your environmental impact

We know flying is often the most convenient way to get to Alpe d'Huez, but we'd encourage you to look at alternatives.

One option is to take the train as far as Grenoble and do the last leg by transfer from the airport or city centre. This allows you to minimise your carbon footprint while still getting to the resort in good time.

Carbon footprint | Comparing ways to get to Alpe d'Huez
Mode of transport CO2 per km per person
Train 6 grams
Electric car with 4 passengers 13 grams
Coach 28 grams
Diesel car with 4 passengers 43 grams
Petrol car with 4 passengers 48 grams
Flying 156 grams

Source: Carbon footprint of travel per kilometre (ourworldindata.org)