Some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. How we make money
Geneva is one of the main airports for Les Arcs, with plenty of flights from around the UK. It is a longer transfer than for the Geneva side resorts such as Avoriaz, so how you do the last leg matters, especially on a February half term Saturday. This guide compares private and shared transfers, buses, the train and a hire car, with indicative times and costs and where each one drops you.
The short version
- Distance: around 210 km. Allow about 2 hours 25 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes by road midweek, and 3 hours 20 minutes or more on a busy Saturday.
- Easiest for families: a private transfer to your door in Arc 1600, 1800, 1950 or 2000.
- Cheapest: a scheduled bus, either to Bourg-Saint-Maurice for the funicular, or to Arc 1600.
- Saturdays in the school holidays: leave plenty of time, especially for the return to the airport.
Your options compared
| Option | Where it drops you | Time | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | Your accommodation | About 2h 25m to 2h 40m midweek; 3h 20m to 3h 50m on peak Saturdays | From about £235 per vehicle midweek, £369 on a peak Saturday (one way, up to 5 people) |
| Shared transfer | A drop off in your village | Longer, with waiting and other drop offs | About £55 to £90 per seat, one way, when running |
| Altibus winter bus | Bourg-Saint-Maurice bus station, near the funicular | Check the timetable | Check when you book |
| FlixBus | Arc 1600 (UCPA centre) | About 3h 20m | Check when you book |
| Train | Bourg-Saint-Maurice, then the funicular | About 4 to 5 hours in total (estimate) | Varies |
Private and shared figures are Alps2Alps’s own 2026/27 quotes in its Geneva to Les Arcs price guide (published August 2026), so treat them as indicative, not live prices. Bus details are from Altibus and FlixBus, checked October 2026.
Private transfers
A private transfer meets you in arrivals and takes you to your building, which is the simplest option with children and ski bags. Split between four or five people it can work out close to a shared seat per person. Check that the vehicle has room for your ski bags, ask for child seats when you book, and give your flight number so the driver can track delays.
Shared transfers
Shared transfers run on busy days, timed around flights, and drop off in each Les Arcs village. Expect to wait at the airport for other passengers and to stop at several drop offs. Read the company’s terms on delayed flights and luggage before you book.
Book your transfer
These are affiliate links: if you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
SunTransfers: Geneva airport transfers
Search transfers from Geneva airport to your Les Arcs village, for your flight times and group size.
Prices and availability change often, so always check the latest details before you book.
Buses
- Altibus runs a winter service from Geneva airport to the Bourg-Saint-Maurice bus station, near the funicular up to Arc 1600 (Altibus).
- FlixBus lists Geneva airport to Arc 1600, arriving at the UCPA centre, in about 3 hours 20 minutes (FlixBus).
Buses run to fixed timetables that change through the season, so check times for your dates and book ahead for school holiday weekends.
By train and funicular
From Geneva you can take a train towards Bourg-Saint-Maurice, usually changing at least once, then ride the funicular up to Arc 1600 in about 7 minutes. The official Les Arcs website says the funicular round trip is free when you show your train ticket. Shuttles link Arc 1600 with Arc 1800. Alps2Alps estimates 4 to 5 hours overall. If you are thinking about the train, our guide to Les Arcs by train from the UK explains the funicular and the shuttles in more detail.
Hiring a car
A car gives you freedom, but you will mostly leave it parked all week, and parking in the Arcs villages can cost extra. Winter tyres or snow chains are required in French mountain areas in winter. Geneva airport has French and Swiss sides, so check where you collect the car and whether winter equipment is included.
Hire a car at Geneva airport
These are affiliate links: if you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Expedia: car hire at Geneva airport
Opens with February half term 2027 dates as an example, so change them to your own. Check winter tyres or snow chains are included.
Prices and availability change often, so always check the latest details before you book.
Saturdays and school holidays
Alps2Alps says the slowest stretches on changeover Saturdays are between Albertville and Moûtiers and on the final road up to the resort, and it advises leaving the resort 4.5 to 5.5 hours before a Saturday flight home. Book transfers as soon as your flights are confirmed, and pack snacks and something to do for the children.
Where to stay
Your village decides how long the last climb takes. Our guide to where to stay in Arc 1800 compares the quarters, and our Les Arcs ski guide covers the resort as a whole.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the transfer from Geneva to Les Arcs?
About 2 hours 25 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes by road on a clear weekday, and often 3 hours 20 minutes or more on a peak Saturday, according to Alps2Alps.
Is there a bus from Geneva airport to Les Arcs?
Yes. Altibus runs a winter bus to Bourg-Saint-Maurice for the funicular, and FlixBus lists a route to Arc 1600. Check timetables for your dates.
Is Geneva or Lyon better for Les Arcs?
Both work, and the drive is a similar length. Choose the airport with the best flights from your local UK airport, then compare transfer prices for your exact dates.
Can I get the train from Geneva to Les Arcs?
Yes, to Bourg-Saint-Maurice with at least one change, then the funicular to Arc 1600. It takes longer than a transfer.