Round-trip transfers are also available, from Val Thorens back to Lyon Airport.
Start your ski holiday in the French Alps with a private, door-to-door transfer between Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport and Val Thorens, Europe’s highest ski resort. Savoie City Tours guarantees a comfortable, safe and punctual journey, with a professional driver handling your luggage and ski equipment from arrival to drop-off.
Whether you are arriving to enjoy the slopes or returning home after an unforgettable week, our private transfers offer a direct, flexible and fully private ride.
This transfer is available throughout the winter season, from December to April, and outside peak season on request.
Private transfers to Val Thorens Centre, Les Menuires and Orelle, round trip
We provide tailored transfers to all main areas of Val Thorens, both ways:
- Val Thorens Centre: heart of the resort, near shops, restaurants and après-ski.
- Les Menuires: family-friendly, close to the slopes and ski facilities.
- Orelle: quieter area, with direct access to the 3 Valleys ski network.
Return journey: Val Thorens to Lyon Airport
At the end of your stay, we organise your return transfer from Val Thorens to Lyon Airport, with pickup directly at your chalet or hotel. Your departure time is adjusted according to traffic and weather, for a punctual arrival at the airport.
Hotels and residences we regularly serve in Val Thorens
We regularly take our clients to destinations such as:
- Hôtel Koh-I Nor ★★★★★
- Hôtel Pashmina ★★★★★
- Hôtel Altapura ★★★★★
- Hôtel Le Fitz Roy ★★★★★
- Hôtel Le Val Thorens ★★★★
- Hôtel Le Hameau du Kashmir ★★★★
No matter your accommodation, your private transfer ensures a smooth journey to and from Lyon Airport.
Your private driver and premium vehicle for Lyon to Val Thorens transfers
Booking with Savoie City Tours guarantees a private, comfortable and reliable transfer, from pickup at the airport to drop-off at your accommodation. Our private drivers are selected for their experience with alpine roads and their attention to every detail of the journey. They are trained in the codes of Grande Remise and premium private transportation: discretion, impeccable presentation, punctuality, anticipation of needs, and attention to every detail of the service.
You travel in a Mercedes Classe V or a large-capacity van (8 seats), both offering ample space for passengers, luggage, skis and snowboards, while keeping your group together in a single vehicle.
A private transfer, not a shared shuttle or taxi to Val Thorens
Unlike shared shuttles or taxis, our service is fully private and direct: no shared passengers, no unnecessary stops, and no waiting for other travellers to be dropped off first. Your vehicle is reserved exclusively for your group from the moment you land at Lyon Airport until you reach your hotel, chalet or residence in Val Thorens, whether you’re staying in Val Thorens Centre, Les Menuires or Orelle.
Every journey is planned around your schedule and your accommodation, not around a fixed shuttle timetable, which makes this option particularly well suited to families, groups travelling with ski equipment, and anyone looking for more comfort, flexibility and peace of mind on the way to Val Thorens.
Lyon to Val Thorens: anticipating distance and traffic
In good traffic conditions, the journey between Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport and Val Thorens generally takes around 2h30 to 3h. However, travel time can be considerably longer on busy winter Saturdays.
From the moment you leave Lyon, the A43 motorway towards Chambéry can experience significant traffic jams during departure days to the ski resorts. Traffic can then remain difficult all the way to Albertville.
From Albertville, the route continues on the RN90 towards Moûtiers. During periods of heavy traffic, regulation measures may be activated to prevent the valley from becoming saturated, which can also increase the time needed to reach Val Thorens.
After Moûtiers, the final part of the journey follows the Belleville valley to Val Thorens.
Savoie City Tours takes into account the day of travel, flight time, traffic forecasts, real-time traffic and weather conditions to organise each transfer under the best possible conditions. For return journeys from Val Thorens to Lyon Airport, pickup time is also adjusted to allow a sufficient margin and minimise the risk of delay at the airport.
Client testimonials
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Alternative: transfers from Geneva and Chambéry airports to Val Thorens
For flexibility, we also offer private transfers to Val Thorens from Geneva Airport.
We also offer private transfers to Val Thorens from Chambéry Airport, with the same comfort, professionalism and punctuality.
FAQ — Private transfer Lyon Airport → Val Thorens
How long does a transfer from Lyon to Val Thorens take?
In good traffic conditions, the journey between Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport and Val Thorens generally takes around 2h30 to 3h. However, travel time can be considerably longer on busy winter Saturdays. Savoie City Tours takes into account the day of travel, flight time, traffic forecasts, real-time traffic and weather conditions to organise each transfer under the best possible conditions.
Can the Lyon - Val Thorens journey be much longer on Saturdays?
Yes. Winter Saturdays correspond to the main arrival and departure days in the ski resorts. Traffic can be heavily disrupted from the A43 motorway between Lyon and Chambéry, and then towards Albertville. Significant slowdowns can then occur on the RN90 up to Moûtiers. Under these conditions, travel time can be considerably longer than the 2h30 to 3h usually needed when traffic flows smoothly.
Why might Google Maps or Waze underestimate travel time?
Navigation apps mainly provide an estimate based on conditions known at the time of consultation. When a route is checked several days or weeks before departure, they cannot always accurately anticipate traffic jams linked to departures towards the resorts, traffic regulation measures, or weather conditions. The time shown in advance should therefore not always be considered representative of a busy winter Saturday.
What time should I leave Val Thorens to catch a flight from Lyon?
The pickup time depends on your flight schedule, the day of travel, traffic forecasts and weather conditions. On busy Saturdays, a significant additional margin may be needed to account for possible slowdowns between Val Thorens, Moûtiers, Albertville, Chambéry and Lyon. Savoie City Tours recommends a departure time tailored to each booking to minimise the risk of delay at the airport.
Lyon, Geneva or Chambéry: which airport should I choose to reach Val Thorens?
Val Thorens is accessible from several airports, including Lyon-Saint Exupéry, Geneva and Chambéry. The best choice mainly depends on the day of arrival, the flight time and expected traffic conditions. Chambéry is geographically the closest, but this advantage can be greatly reduced on busy winter Saturdays. Flights there are mainly concentrated during the ski season, when roads to the resorts can also be at their busiest. Lyon offers a wide choice of flights, but on Saturdays, the A43 motorway between Lyon and Chambéry can experience heavy disruption even before reaching Albertville and the Tarentaise valley. Geneva is further away, but depending on the day, the time and traffic conditions, it can be a particularly interesting alternative. There is therefore no single airport that is systematically the best choice for reaching Val Thorens.
What happens if my flight to Lyon is delayed?
Savoie City Tours monitors your flight in real time. In the event of a delay, your chauffeur adjusts the pickup time where possible to be there when you arrive. In the event of a major flight change or a change of airport, our organisation is adapted according to the situation and operational availability.
Where does my driver wait for me at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport?
Your chauffeur waits for you directly at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport after your flight lands. The flight details provided at the time of booking allow Savoie City Tours to track your arrival and adjust the pickup in the event of a delay.
Is the transfer direct to my hotel or chalet in Val Thorens?
Yes. All Savoie City Tours transfers are fully private. Your vehicle is reserved exclusively for you and your group, and drives you directly to your hotel, residence or chalet when road access allows. No other passengers are added to your journey and no intermediate stops are scheduled.
Can you transport skis, snowboards and luggage for the whole group?
Yes. Our vehicles are suited to ski resort transfers and allow passengers, luggage and ski equipment to be transported together in the same vehicle, within the capacity of the vehicle booked. We recommend specifying the number of passengers, suitcases, skis and snowboards when making your request, so we can plan the most suitable vehicle.
Are the vehicles suited to mountain roads and winter conditions?
Yes. Our vehicles are equipped to drive on Alpine roads in winter, and our chauffeurs are experienced in mountain driving conditions. Weather conditions and road conditions are also taken into account when organising each transfer.
Can we take a break during the journey between Lyon and Val Thorens?
Yes. As your transfer is fully private, a break can be arranged during the journey if needed, particularly for families travelling with children or when traffic significantly extends the length of the transfer.
Is a private transfer better than a shared shuttle between Lyon and Val Thorens?
It depends on the kind of trip you’re looking for. With a Savoie City Tours private transfer, the vehicle is reserved exclusively for your group, the pickup time is adapted to your flight, and the journey is made directly to your accommodation. You don’t have to wait for other passengers, follow a fixed shuttle schedule, or make several stops at different resorts or accommodations. This option is particularly well suited to families, groups travelling with ski equipment, and travellers looking for greater comfort, flexibility and peace of mind.
Is travel insurance required to book a transfer?
No. Travel insurance is not required to book a transfer with Savoie City Tours. However, we strongly recommend that our clients have travel insurance suited to their trip, particularly in case of cancellation, changes to travel plans, medical issues, flight delays or cancellations, or luggage problems. Refund or coverage conditions depend on the policy taken out with your insurance provider.
