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Portes du Soleil / Travel Tips

How to Get to Les Gets from the UK: Everything You Need to Know

A popular destination located in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, Les Gets is an excellent spot for families of snow sports enthusiasts from all over the world. In this article, we’ll cover how to get to Les Gets from the UK by plane, train or by car. Read on to find which option is best for you…


Where is Les Gets?

Les Gets is located in the Portes du Soleil ski region, which falls in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

How high is Les Gets?

Les Gets is at an altitude of 900–2466m.

How to get to Les Gets from the UK…

By plane

The best and most efficient way to get to Les Gets is to fly directly to Geneva airport. You will find direct flights to Geneva from most UK airports and visitors from Ireland can depart from Dublin. Conveniently, Les Gets is just over one hour’s drive (traffic dependant) from Geneva airport – so for those who don’t like spending too much time on the road, it’s a great option.

Have a look below to see the transfer routes and times from the nearby airports to Les Gets…

How far is Les Gets from Geneva airport?

What do I need for the journey?

Travelling from Geneva airport to Les Gets requires crossing the border from Switzerland to France. Usually, you will be able to cross without showing passports or documentation, but it’s a good idea to have these at the ready just in case.

How far is Les Gets from Chambery airport?

A little longer, but still a pretty short transfer time in total, Chambery airport could also be a viable arrival destination for your holiday in Les Gets.

How far is Les Gets from Lyon airport?

This route will take a little longer, so for most people, especially those with young children, it isn’t as convenient.

How far is Les Gets from Grenoble airport?

Again, a little longer than Geneva or Chambery, so be sure to consider this especially if your flight is arriving in the evening.

Browse our range of properties in Les Gets

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Transfers

If you’re travelling with younger children, then taking a private transfer from the airport to Les Gets may allow for a more stress-free journey. As the vehicle is exclusively yours, it means you don’t have to wait at the airport for as long and you won’t have to travel to different stop off journeys.

If you’re a group of friends, or travelling alone, then a shared transfer may be a better option. The benefit of sharing the transfer is that you can keep costs down, but you may be limited to more restrictive timings and longer waits, as well as having more stops on the way.

Here are some transfer companies who can get you from your arrival airport to Les gets:

Pros of getting to Les Gets from the UK by plane:

  • it’s quicker
  • there are plenty of direct flights to airports with short transfer times

Cons of getting to Les Gets from the UK by plane:

  • it’s more expensive, especially if you’re taking skis and snowboards
  • you don’t have your own car in resort

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Car hire

Hiring a car is another option, especially if you’d like to have the option to drive whilst in resort, however Les Gets has a ski bus system in resort, so a car isn’t totally necessary. If you’re flying into Geneva Airport, then it’s worth checking with your car hire provider whether there are any different requirements or pick up points for your vehicle if you’re travelling to France.

However, if you’re visiting in winter and are not confident driving in snow and using snow chains, we probably wouldn’t recommend hiring a vehicle. Les Gets has plenty to do in the town, which is very pedestrian friendly and there are ski-in ski-out properties in the area, which are ideal for families with young kids.

By car

Families often prefer driving to their chosen ski destination, and this is totally possible for Les Gets too. Driving tends to be a cheaper option, particularly for families of experienced skiers who want to take their own equipment with them on holiday, or groups sharing the cost. Also, many of us are now opting to take our pets with us on holiday, so knowing how to comfortably get to Les Gets with your four-legged friend is key! Have a look at our partner properties in Les Gets that welcome pets here.

Driving from the UK to France for your holiday in Les Gets will involve you either boarding a ferry crossing or taking the Eurotunnel.

Ferry

Getting a ferry from the UK to France will take you from Dover to Calais. The DFDS service runs up to around 15 times per day and takes around an hour and a half.

Eurotunnel

The Eurotunnel is a great option if you’re travelling with children and pets. None of you have to leave the comfort of your car and the journey to France conveniently takes just under 40 minutes.

Calais to Les Gets route

Both the Eurotunnel and the ferry will arrive in Calais. From there, you will have an onward journey of around 8 hours to Les Gets (break times not included), therefore it may be an idea to plan in an overnight rest stop along the way, especially if you’re the only driver, or you’re travelling with young kids.

Although driving saves costs when it comes to expensive plane tickets and luggage, do bear in mind that French tolls are frequent and add up quickly. We’d recommend budgeting just under 200 euros for the tolls for your round trip.

What will you need?

There are a few things to consider when driving from the UK to France. For example, you will need headlight converters, as well as other documentation. To get all the details, take a look at the advice on this website.

As mentioned above in the article, driving conditions can be challenging in the mountains. When you’re in the French Alps, you will legally have to carry snow chains in your vehicle and know how to use them safely. Check out this article to learn more about using snow chains.

Please note that the old-style GB stickers are no longer permitted for use outside of the UK. Take a look at this article by the BBC to find out what you need to do.

Chalet Behansa in Les Gets is a great option for families travelling by car, with two parking spaces available, as well as a hot tub and sauna!

Pros of getting to Les Gets from the UK by car:

  • it can be cheaper than flying if you’re travelling as a family
  • you aren’t as restricted with luggage
  • you can be more flexible with timings
  • you have your car with you in resort

Cons of getting to Les Gets from the UK by car:

  • it takes much longer than flying
  • you need to be a confident driver in trickier conditions
  • at peak times, traffic can make the journey more difficult

By train

Getting to Les Gets by train is another option, however it’s a lengthy trip with numerous stops and changes along the way. If you choose to take the train, here’s the route:

  1. London St. Pancras > Paris Gare du Nord Station (Eurostar)
  2. Paris Gare du Nord Station > Paris Gare de Lyon Station (Metro)
  3. Paris Gare de Lyon Station > Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (train)
  4. Bellegarde-sur-Valserine > Cluses (train)
  5. Cluses > Les Gets (transfer)

The journey will take around ten hours.

Pros of getting to Les Gets from the UK by train:

  • it can be cheaper than flying in some cases
  • there’s the opportunity to easily have a stop over in Paris
  • it’s more eco-friendly

Cons of getting to Les Gets from the UK by train:

  • it takes much longer than flying
  • you have to make a lot of changes, including the metro, which can be difficult to navigate with ski equipment

That’s how to get to Les Gets – but to find accommodation, browse our range of properties to find one that suits you:

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