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Grenoble is the closest airport to Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes, two big resorts that face each other across the Oisans valley. The two transfers share most of the route, through Le Bourg-d’Oisans, before splitting for the final climb. This guide compares your options, with distances, approximate times and indicative costs.
The short version
- Alpe d’Huez: about 105 km from Grenoble airport, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes by road in normal traffic.
- Les Deux Alpes: about 120 km from Grenoble airport.
- Direct buses run from Grenoble airport to Alpe d’Huez through the winter, and from Grenoble bus station to both resorts.
- Saturdays in the school holidays: allow a lot longer.
Distances from the main airports
| Airport | To Alpe d’Huez | To Les Deux Alpes |
|---|---|---|
| Grenoble (GNB) | 105 km, about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours | 120 km |
| Chambéry (CMF) | 130 km, about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes | Not listed |
| Lyon (LYS) | 152 km, about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes | 160 km |
| Geneva (GVA) | 206 km, about 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 40 minutes | 220 km |
Alpe d’Huez figures are from the Alps2Alps 2026/27 transfer guide (times are clear road estimates). Les Deux Alpes distances are from the official Les 2 Alpes access page, which does not give times.
Transfer options compared
| Option | Indicative cost | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | Alps2Alps quotes from about £314 one way for a minivan to Alpe d’Huez | Families and groups of five or more | Check tolls, ski bags and child seats are included |
| Shared transfer | Varies by operator | Couples and small groups | Waiting for other passengers and several drop offs |
| Direct bus | Varies by operator | Budget travellers | Fixed times; book ahead in winter |
| Hire car | Varies | Flexibility, supermarket trips | Mountain driving, winter equipment, parking |
The private transfer figure is a live quote published by Alps2Alps for winter 2026/27, not a fixed price. Split between six people, they put it at about £52 each. Always get a current quote.
Book your transfer
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SunTransfers: Grenoble airport to Alpe d’Huez
Get a price for your flight times and group size. Book early for February half term.
SunTransfers: Grenoble airport to Les Deux Alpes
Get a price for your flight times and group size. Book early for February half term.
Prices and availability change often, so always check the latest details before you book.
Ben’s Bus: shared coaches from Grenoble and Lyon
Ben’s Bus is a UK run shared coach service to and from the airport for both resorts. From Grenoble it connects with scheduled flights any day of the week, and from Lyon it runs on Saturdays only. These details are from Ben’s Bus’s own Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes pages, checked October 2026.
| Alpe d’Huez | Les Deux Alpes | |
|---|---|---|
| From Grenoble | Any day with a scheduled flight, 5 Dec 2026 to 17 Apr 2027; about 2 hours | Any day with a scheduled flight, 5 Dec 2026 to 17 Apr 2027; about 2 hours |
| From Lyon | Saturdays, 5 Dec 2026 to 27 Mar 2027; about 2 hours 30 minutes | Saturdays, 5 Dec 2026 to 27 Mar 2027; about 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Stops in resort | Palais des Sports, Place Jean Moulin, Bergers, and Huez en Bas lower down | Point Info by the entrance, Place 2 Alpes by the tourist office, and the Diable lift |
| Saturday fares quoted | From Grenoble £36 single or £63 return; from Lyon £43.50 single or £79 return | From Grenoble £36 single or £63 return per person; from Lyon £43.50 single or £79 return |
- Children under 12 get 10% off, and groups can get lower fares.
- In Alpe d’Huez, Ben’s Bus says the Palais des Sports and Place Jean Moulin stops may be cancelled in bad weather or heavy traffic, and journeys can take up to twice as long at busy times.
- Read the luggage allowance and flight delay policy before you book, and confirm the price for your dates.
Buses to Alpe d’Huez
According to SeeAlpeDHuez:
- From Grenoble airport: Ben’s Bus runs direct to Alpe d’Huez every day of the winter season, several times a day.
- From Lyon airport: Ben’s Bus runs three times on Saturdays and once on Sundays in winter, with one bus a day on weekdays except Wednesdays from Christmas week to the end of March.
- From Geneva airport: Altibus runs twice a day, on Saturdays only.
- From Grenoble bus station: Transaltitude runs a direct winter service. It gets busy, so book online in advance; bookings usually open from mid November.
- From Le Bourg-d’Oisans: the local T76 line runs up to Alpe d’Huez all year, and you can pay the driver.
Buses to Les Deux Alpes
The official Les 2 Alpes site says buses leave regularly from Grenoble bus station, bookable through Transisère online, or through Transaltitude in winter. From the airports, you will need to combine a bus with a taxi or another transfer to reach Grenoble bus station.
Driving
From Grenoble, follow the motorway to the Vizille exit, then the RD1091 towards Briançon through Le Bourg-d’Oisans.
- Alpe d’Huez: from Le Bourg-d’Oisans at 720 metres, the D211 climbs 1,140 metres over 14 km to the resort, with the 21 hairpin bends made famous by the Tour de France. Alps2Alps estimates 20 to 25 minutes in clear conditions and 35 to 45 minutes in heavy snow or on busy weekends. If anyone in your group gets car sick, take something before Le Bourg-d’Oisans.
- Les Deux Alpes: continue on the RD1091, then turn right onto the D213 at the Chambon dam for the climb to the resort.
Winter tyres or snow chains are required in French mountain areas in winter, and you can check road conditions at itinisere.fr. Our guide to getting to the French Alps covers the rules.
Hire a car at Grenoble airport
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Expedia: car hire at Grenoble airport
Opens with February half term 2027 dates as an example, so change them to your own. Grenoble is a small airport, so book early, and check winter tyres or snow chains are included.
Prices and availability change often, so always check the latest details before you book.
Flights to Grenoble
Grenoble is a small airport with mostly winter ski flights, so choice is more limited than at Geneva or Lyon. Jet2’s winter 2026/27 ski programme includes Grenoble flights from Newcastle, among other bases. Check Jet2 and the other airlines for flights from your nearest airport. If there is nothing suitable, Lyon is the next closest option.
Saturday tips
- Book your transfer as soon as your flights are confirmed, especially for February half term.
- Allow extra time on the way home: Saturday mornings in the valley are often slow.
- Pack snacks and water for the climb, and keep motion sickness tablets handy.
Where to book
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The searches below open with February half term 2027 dates as an example. Change the dates and group size to match your own trip.
Alpe d’Huez
Holiday apartments on Vrbo, or hotels and residences on Expedia.
Les Deux Alpes
Holiday apartments on Vrbo, or hotels and residences on Expedia.
Prices and availability change often, so always check the latest details before you book.
Planning your resort? See our guides to Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Grenoble airport from Alpe d’Huez?
About 105 km, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours by road in normal traffic, according to Alps2Alps.
Is there a bus from Grenoble airport to Alpe d’Huez?
Yes. Ben’s Bus runs direct services every day of the winter season, several times a day, according to SeeAlpeDHuez.
How do I get to Les Deux Alpes by bus?
Buses leave regularly from Grenoble bus station, bookable through Transisère, or Transaltitude in winter. From the airport, you will first need to reach Grenoble.
Is Lyon a good alternative to Grenoble?
Yes, if there are no Grenoble flights from your airport. Lyon is further away, about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes from Alpe d’Huez in clear conditions.