A 3 Vallées family ski holiday: planning the journey
A 3 Vallées family ski holiday starts with organising a long journey with children, suitcases and skis. Here is how to choose the vehicle, the time and the mode of transport from Geneva Airport, with the prices for winter 2026-2027 to back it up.
From Geneva Airport, allow about 2 hr by road to Moûtiers, then 30 to 60 minutes for the climb. For four, the regional coach costs from €159.80 one way with two children aged 3 to 12; a 7- or 8-seat van is available on quotation, with a fixed price for the vehicle.
Which vehicle for a family with skis and suitcases?
It all depends on the number of passengers and, above all, on the volume of luggage. A family of four with its suitcases, ski bags and boot bags quickly fills a boot: it is best to count everything before booking. Here are our guidelines, to be confirmed according to your luggage list.
| Your group | Recommended vehicle | To specify when booking |
|---|---|---|
| 2 or 3 people, light luggage | Sedan, 1 to 3 passengers, no skis | Number of suitcases; with skis, choose a van |
| Family of 4 to 6 people with skis | 7-seat van | Suitcases, ski bags, snowboards, pushchair |
| Family of 7 or 8 people | 7- or 8-seat van depending on the volume of luggage, or two vehicles | Full list of luggage and equipment |
| Several families together | Minibus or coach, on quotation | Number of passengers and pieces of luggage per family |
Our 7- or 8-seat vans carry up to 5 or 6 pairs of skis or snowboards in bags, along with the passengers' luggage; sedans and the SUV are not suited to skis. When booking, tell us the number of suitcases, ski bags, snowboards and pushchairs: we will confirm it, and suggest two vehicles or a minibus if the volume requires it. To travel lighter, you can also rent your ski equipment in the resort. Our vehicles are presented on the fleet page.
Coach, train or private van: how much does the journey cost for four?
Let us take two adults and two children aged 3 to 12, leaving from Geneva Airport, with the prices published for winter 2026-2027:
| Option | Cost for 2 adults and 2 children | Journey time | With children |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional coach (Altibus) | From €159.80 one way (2 × €47 + 2 × €32.90, Eco fare) | Not published for this winter | From 18 December 2026 to 27 March 2027; one or two items of hold luggage depending on the fare |
| Train to Moûtiers, then bus | Train: variable prices; bus about €12 per adult, reduced fare for under-26s | 3 hr 13 at the fastest to Moûtiers, then the bus (about 1 hr to Val Thorens) | Changes with the luggage |
| Train, then taxi from Moûtiers | Taxi about €65 to €110 for 1 to 4 people, depending on the resort | 3 hr 13 at the fastest, then the climb | A single vehicle from the station |
| Private transfer by van | On quotation, fixed price for the vehicle, not per person | About 2 hr to Moûtiers, then 30 to 60 min | Door to door, breaks on request |
| Hire car | Depending on the rental company, plus parking | About 2 hr to Moûtiers, then the climb, at the wheel yourself | Compulsory winter equipment; parking to be booked in Val Thorens |
The child fare on the coach applies from 3 to 12 years, with a 30% discount, and travel is free up to 2 years. Private operators' shared shuttles usually charge per person: for a family, the total climbs quickly. The bus and taxi amounts from Moûtiers are those of the official 3 Vallées website, with no season specified; the other prices are those published in November 2026 and may change. The price of a private transfer is set for the vehicle: request a quote to compare with your situation.
How long does it take from Geneva to the 3 Vallées with children?
By road, allow about 2 hr from Geneva Airport to Moûtiers, then 30 to 60 minutes for the climb depending on the resort: Courchevel, Méribel, Les Menuires or Val Thorens. With children, add time for breaks. Plan them when booking, or ask your chauffeur along the way. The train takes longer: 3 hr 13 at the fastest to Moûtiers, with at least one change, then the bus, which takes about 1 hr to Val Thorens.
Which day and what time should you arrive?
The 2027 French school winter holidays begin on Saturday 6 February for zone C, which includes Paris, on Saturday 13 February for zone A and on Saturday 20 February for zone B; the Christmas holidays run from 19 December 2026 to 4 January 2027. These Saturdays concentrate arrivals in the resorts: on Saturday 8 February 2025, for example, Bison Futé advised avoiding the RN 90 between Albertville and Moûtiers from 9:00 to 19:00. If your dates allow, arrive on another day; otherwise, your chauffeur will suggest a suitable departure time.
Weekend traffic: in season, from Thursday to Sunday, traffic is heavy towards the resorts, particularly between Albertville and the Tarentaise (Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens, Val d'Isère or Tignes): the journey takes longer than the time shown without traffic. Your chauffeur allows extra time and suggests a suitable departure time. Bison Futé publishes its forecasts a few days before each busy period: check them before you set off.
A late flight is not a problem: your chauffeur tracks your flight, 60 minutes of waiting time are included at the airport, and there is no night or weekend surcharge. Water and chargers await you on board.
What happens on arrival at Geneva Airport?
Your chauffeur waits for you in the arrivals hall, with a sign bearing your name, then walks you to the vehicle, parked in an airport car park: picking up passengers is prohibited in the quick drop-off area. If your flight lands at Terminal 2, a seasonal terminal open at weekends in winter for ski-related flights, mention it when booking: the meeting point will be confirmed to you before your arrival.
As for documents, Genève Aéroport points out that a valid identity document is required to leave the French sector for France, and that a child, whatever their age, must present a valid identity card or passport. Minors travelling alone on the Altibus coach must have an authorisation to leave the country. The airport's two sectors are explained in our guide Geneva airport to ski resorts.
Once in the resort, do you still need a vehicle?
Rarely. In Courchevel, free shuttles link all the villages, in winter as in summer. In Méribel, the tourist office states that free shuttles serve the whole resort area. Val Thorens can be explored on foot, with free shuttles between its districts, and street parking is prohibited there from 15 November to 15 May. The timetables for winter 2026-2027 should be checked on each resort's website.
To choose your village or prepare access to your resort, read our articles where to stay in Courchevel, how to get from Geneva to Méribel and how to get from Geneva to Val Thorens.
How do you book the family journey?
- Gather the informationFlight number, number of adults and children, number of suitcases, ski bags, snowboards and pushchairs, exact address of the accommodation.
- Request a quoteWe suggest a suitable vehicle and a fixed price, with no night or weekend surcharge.
- Pay onlinePayment is made before the journey, by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay; no payment on board.
- On the day of departureYour chauffeur tracks your flight and waits for you with a name sign; 60 minutes of waiting time are included.
Our Geneva – Moûtiers transfer takes you to Moûtiers or directly to your 3 Vallées resort, on quotation, in a recent vehicle equipped for winter.
We choose the vehicle based on the actual volume: one piece of luggage per person plus the skis means a van. With or without a ski bag, your skis travel in the boot: tell us the number of suitcases and pairs, and we will confirm.
On quotation: you receive a fixed price before you book, with a bilingual chauffeur (French and English) and no night or weekend surcharge.
Frequently asked questions
Does a child need an identity document at Geneva Airport?
To pass from the French sector into France, Genève Aéroport requires a valid identity document, and a child, at any age, must present a valid identity card or passport. Also check your airline's rules.
Does the Altibus coach offer a child fare?
Yes: a 30% discount from 3 to 12 years, i.e. from €32.90 on the Eco fare, and free travel up to 2 years, for winter 2026-2027.
Is an 8-seat van enough for eight people with skis?
Not always: a van carries up to 5 or 6 pairs of skis or snowboards in bags, along with the passengers' luggage. Tell us how many when you book and we will confirm; if everything does not fit, we suggest two vehicles or a minibus, on quotation.
Can we take a break during the journey?
Yes. Mention it when booking or ask your chauffeur along the way: they will stop as soon as the road allows.
What happens if we have to cancel?
More than 24 hours before the journey, you are refunded 100%; between 24 and 6 hours before, 50%; less than 6 hours before or in the event of a no-show, there is no refund. Cancellations are made by e-mail or WhatsApp.
Our flight arrives late in the evening: is that a problem?
No. Your chauffeur tracks your flight and waits for you, with 60 minutes of waiting time included and no night or weekend surcharge.
Related articles
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Sources
- Genève Aéroport: adult and child fares, family offer, luggage, minors, winter 2026-2027 (Altibus)
- Frequently Asked Questions: identity documents in the French sector (Genève Aéroport)
- Kiss & Fly – Quick drop-off area (Genève Aéroport)
- Terminal 2, seasonal terminal (Genève Aéroport)
- Order of 22 October 2025 setting the school calendar for the 2026-2027 year (Légifrance)
- Dates of the 2026-2027 school holidays (Service-Public.fr)
- Forecasts for 7 to 9 February 2025: RN 90 between Albertville and Moûtiers (Bison Futé)
- From Moûtiers: bus, taxi, rent a car (Les 3 Vallées, official website)
- By bus to Moûtiers: journey times to the resorts (Les 3 Vallées, official website)
- Geneva – Moûtiers train (SNCF Connect)
- Getting around Courchevel: free shuttles (Courchevel Tourisme)
- A stay in Méribel: our best practical tips, 6 January 2026 (Méribel Tourisme)
- Parking: no parking in the streets from 15 November to 15 May (Val Thorens, official booking centre)
- Frequently asked questions: a human-scale resort, free shuttles (Val Thorens, official booking centre)
- Bison Futé calendar and detailed forecasts (Bison Futé, French Ministry of Transport)
Prices and timetables of other means of transport may change: check the official websites before you travel.
Prices and information checked in November 2026 · Updated 8 November 2026.
Written by the Aura Chauffeur team, private chauffeurs in Paris.