If you’re looking for a cheap and convenient alternative to airport transfer buses, travelling to Aime by train and then taking the valley bus up to La Plagne can work brilliantly. The total journey time is often similar to flying and transferring – and in many cases, it’s quicker and far more relaxing. You simply step off the train and jump onto the scheduled valley bus service for the final ride up to the altitude villages.

This route also works well if you’re already in resort and fancy saving money by doing a big shop in the La Plagne valley supermarkets. If you still need train tickets, you can book them here: Train to La Plagne – SNCF Connect.

Below is the winter Aime ➜ La Plagne bus timetable for travelling from the train station in the valley up to the altitude resorts (and back again). Services normally run throughout the winter season and connect with incoming trains as best they can.

Important: Check the additional information below if you are staying in Montchavin, Les Coches or Montalbert as it differs slightly. Also, if you’re heading to Champagny-en-Vanoise, you should get off the train at Moûtiers rather than Aime (instructions below).

Download: Aime to La Plagne main stations bus timetables – PDF

If you’re staying in Champagny-en-Vanoise, you need to get off before Aime and instead alight at Moûtiers then take the local bus along the Bozel valley. Services run throughout the winter, although times vary between weekdays, weekends and school holiday periods.

You can buy tickets and check current schedules on the Cars Région website. The journey to Champagny from Moûtiers normally takes around 40 minutes depending on weather and road conditions.

Below is the winter Aime ➜ Plagne Montalbert bus timetable for travelling to this lower-level resort. Buses run regularly through the winter (weather permitting) for the short trip along the valley.

Download: Aime to Plagne Montalbert bus timetable – PDF

Below is the Landry ➜ Plagne Montchavin / Les Coches bus schedule. For those staying in Plagne Montchavin or Les Coches, you should stay on the train to Landry (the next stop after Aime). This small station sits very close to the ski area.

. For those staying in Plagne Montchavin or Les Coches, you should stay on the train to Landry (the next stop after Aime). This small station sits very close to the ski area.

However it’s worth noting, if you arrive outside the times of the buses, taxis can be harder to find here than at the main Aime train station.

Download: Landry to Plagne Montchavin bus timetable – PDF

For most travellers, a combined train + bus journey works really well. From Geneva Airport, the railway station is directly beneath the terminal. Trains run to Cornavin station, then onward through Chambéry and into Aime. The line also serves Moûtiers and finally Bourg-Saint-Maurice, giving access to the wider Tarentaise ski region. You can find more details in our guide to taking the train to La Plagne.

If you’re travelling as a larger group however, it’s sometimes cheaper and simpler to arrange a direct La Plagne airport transfer. You can also check average transfer times and keep an eye on La Plagne traffic webcams to see how busy the roads are likely to be.

Depending on your flight arrival time, taking the train to La Plagne can mean skipping long waits at the airport for shared transfer buses. Instead, you travel on your own schedule and arrive directly into Aime in the valley below La Plagne.

If you’re planning ahead, it can be useful to decide which village best suits you. Our guide Which is the best La Plagne village? is a great place to start, and the 3D village map video will help you get your bearings before you arrive.

Whichever route you choose, the final piece of the journey puzzle is the bus from Aime to resort – so it’s worth checking the times in advance.

This 3D video will give you a better idea of how the La Plagne resorts tie in with each other – and, in particular, the spread out locations of the valley resorts. For more guides like this, head over to the iRide YouTube channel. You’ll find piste rides, village tours, flythroughs and travel guides filmed across both resorts and other ski areas.