| Ranked Posts: 150 |
| Tyne & Wear |
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 #39 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 09/08/2008 @ 12:09:01 |
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| In reply to post #38 ... |
Good points made by Plissken.
Especially the bit about where you store your stuff when you arrive. We were lucky as the apartment had a luggage room, but i don't think it was locked mind. Another time was also lucky as one of our group wasn't snowboarding/skiing, so was happy to spend the morning with all our stuff!!! (Bit of a cheek that was like!!)
Theres also the difference between a snowtrain direct from London to Moutiers/Bourg, and the normal Eurostar to Paris and then another SNCF snowtrain which you get a bed(!)
With the one that used to run from Waterloo you wouldn't expect to get a full solid nights sleep. Like someone already said, the chairs don't fully recline, and that arm rest can be a pain. Although if it isn't packed, and you are very lucky you can usually grab an extra seat.
You arrive early on the Saturday morning in Bourg (think it was about 6am-7am). You can either wait for the funicular (takes you up to 1600, and then theres a free bus after that for the rest of Les Arcs) or you can get a taxi/bus up the mountain. Either way you will still be on the mountain early before the lifts have started and as was mentioned above, before the apartments are usually ready to let you have your room.
I thought the train was a pretty good way to travel. Would I do it again? - Don't know. You can also fly to Geneva (as long as the flight times are ok) and get a transfer to Bourg. I found this better from the point of view that door-to-door it takes less time. With the train it takes longer (although bear in mind a couple of times I had to get a train down from Newcastle as well, so this adds a few hours). So, if you are near to London the train is an easy way to get to Les Arcs/La Plange etc. |
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| #38 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 08/08/2008 @ 23:37:20 |
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| Revision #1 (Last edited: 08/08/2008 @ 23:38:18) |
| In reply to post #1 ... |
Here's some comments I made on the SCUK Snow Train thread . . . . .
I did the overnight Eurostar for New Year's 2006 (Arc1800), and you need to consider a few things.
1) Price. We paid £179 rtn in Aug 2006, but last year the same journey was £219. We flew to Zurich (for Laax) with BA instead for £100 rtn. Free board carriage, and train/bus transfer was around £45 rtn. It's gone up another £50, yes FIFTY POUNDS, this year too.
2) Travel. You get a nice pack, which consists of earplugs, a blanket, magazines (not jazz unfortunately), toothbrush/paste and an eyemask. The bar closed at 1am, and reopened for breakfast at 5am. It's a bit of a nightmare trying to get some sleep, and the seats aren't exactly comfortable. I think the 1st class ones recline a bit, but you're still pretty upright.
3) Transfers. Pretty cheap and easy for Les Arcs, but the buses are busy when you arrive. We missed one while queuing for tickets.
4) Accomodation/"2 extra days". Right, this to me, is really important. Make sure you can get into your chalet/hotel/apt straight away, or at least have somewhere to store your bags. We were lucky as our room was ready, but had to wait for the office to open at 9am for the keys. Most places in France quote a 5pm check-in, and Les Arcs doesn't have any sort of secure storage. You don't want to be sat around with your luggage all day, that's for sure.
This also applies to your return journey. The trains leave around 10pm, so when you have to leave your room at 10am, make sure you have somewhere to store your gear. We didn't, so spent the day in Bourg, which was crap.
Not sure the chalet, etc., will want your bags there, along with the new arrivals' stuff. That'd be a fair old amount of luggage kicking about.
I'd definitely do the train again, but either get the Eurostar day service, which costs a lot more, or do the SNCF with proper sleeping arrangements. |
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| Ranked Posts: 548 |
| New Zealand |
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| #37 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 06/08/2008 @ 09:52:55 |
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| In reply to post #35 ... |
QUOTE (daywalker - 05/08/2008 @ 13:44:27) its like an adventure, and remember the journey is half the fun, building the excitement. (yeah) and when someone mentioned the "Wake up in the mountains with the snow all around" that sold it to me straght away..so in short.. Atrain journey is an adventure............a plane journey is a chore!!!
couldn't have put it better myself! You're right, nothing like waking up on the train (floor) to find yourself already in the mountains. All it takes is out the back of the station, up the funicular and you're in Les Arcs. job done. |
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NZ, April 2006 onwards...
www.gnarlyboarders.co.uk |
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| #36 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 05/08/2008 @ 14:05:25 |
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| find a mate with a company car and fuel card - its the cheapest way to go - tolls will set you back around £50.00 |
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| My other body is a temple |
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| #35 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 05/08/2008 @ 13:44:27 |
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| In reply to post #32 ... |
QUOTE (tuxpoo - 05/08/2008 @ 08:43:58) Eurostar over night in Jan is costing me 150 quid return. You get a discount from your local station if you flash your eurostar tickets (fiver for me). IM going to les arcs so no transfer at the other end. If I fly, door to door it takes about 2 hours longer going to lyon then hiring a car. Tux
hey that's a top price!! im gonna have to look into that one myself
Maybe im just a nutter? but i would much rather take the train trip than fly..
its like an adventure, and remember the journey is half the fun, building the excitement. (yeah) and when someone mentioned the "Wake up in the mountains with the snow all around" that sold it to me straght away..so in short..
Atrain journey is an adventure............a plane journey is a chore!!! |
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| I do NOT fear Death - I fear not living..........er.........and small people with very large hands! |
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| Ranked Posts: 175 |
| Northamptonshire |
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| #34 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 05/08/2008 @ 13:27:42 |
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| In reply to post #33 ... |
QUOTE (sublimedub - 05/08/2008 @ 13:17:48) done the bus to les arcs b4. 26 hours from leicester! its horrific! 
Amen - It's a killer!
I've never taken the train yet but always seemed a good option...
Mostly I drive, drove to the alps and back 4 times last season, switzerland once, les arcs twice and austria at the end of the season... With an economical car and a couple of passengers it's a great way to get down there, gives you loads more independance too if you're in an out of the way resort. In Les Arcs you can get down to the Super U in bourg and save a whole bunch of money compared to the resort supermarkets. |
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| Ranked Posts: 14 |
| Leicestershire |
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| #33 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 05/08/2008 @ 13:17:48 |
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| done the bus to les arcs b4. 26 hours from leicester! its horrific! |
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| BETTER RUN WHEN U HEAR THEM SIRENS COMMIN! |
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| #32 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 05/08/2008 @ 08:43:58 |
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Eurostar over night in Jan is costing me 150 quid return.
You get a discount from your local station if you flash your eurostar tickets (fiver for me).
IM going to les arcs so no transfer at the other end.
If I fly, door to door it takes about 2 hours longer going to lyon then hiring a car.
After you add all the charges, like getting to airport, easyjet ripoff snowboard charges and transfers at the other end... you cannot get to bourg for the same money as the train.
The only 2 cheaper ways are the coach and driving with 3-4 other drooling and snoring friends.
Tux |
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| Ranked Posts: 14 |
| Leicestershire |
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| #31 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 04/08/2008 @ 22:25:46 |
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| In reply to post #27 ... |
QUOTE (fatbob - 03/08/2008 @ 10:31:12) Add in parking at airport of £40-50 and transfer to resort of £50 then the price evens it's self out with that £100 flight.
If only one person was going then yes, flying would probably work out at about the same cost. but if, say four of you, were going you'd split transfer costs and airport parking etc. I still think flights are significantly cheaper, from what i've seen. |
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| BETTER RUN WHEN U HEAR THEM SIRENS COMMIN! |
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| #30 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 04/08/2008 @ 12:01:01 |
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| In reply to post #14 ... |
Mosh, I used to work for them too.
what department are you with? |
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| #29 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 03/08/2008 @ 13:59:28 |
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| Revision #1 (Last edited: 03/08/2008 @ 14:21:33) |
| In reply to post #25 ... |
QUOTE (Tyler Chorlton - 02/08/2008 @ 23:59:21) well it is true though, things cost what they cost, you either buy them...or you dont.........
Exactly my point. Probably put more subtly...
Yes, it is my age. I lost my bus pass and got pushed past by some whippersnappers yesterday which is probably why I was a grumpy sod. |
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I don't need to shout about what qualifications I have got and haven't got, I know I'm good! |
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| #28 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 03/08/2008 @ 11:46:14 |
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| In reply to post #27 ... |
| Yes but youre missing the point, train is mostly more expensive yes .....but.....the reason people are encouraged to take it because its more environmentally friendly.........plus it isnt exactly true that it takes longer, depending on where you live door to door can be quicker to get to the resort by train. And if you book late then flying will cost just as much, its not always possible to get cheap flights. PLus add in the cost of getting to and from the airport, plus up to 60 quid for transfer from the airport....and lets not forget 30 quid board carriage and it can be way more expensive to fly! People often see an easjey flight for pennies and forget to factor in everything else that goes with it |
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| Ranked Posts: 5683 |
| Forum Mod |
| Nottinghamshire |
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| #27 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 03/08/2008 @ 10:31:12 |
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| Revision #1 (Last edited: 03/08/2008 @ 10:31:29) |
| In reply to post #26 ... |
| Add in parking at airport of £40-50 and transfer to resort of £50 then the price evens it's self out with that £100 flight. |
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Mountain Surf Bandit
Fatbobfilms
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| Ranked Posts: 14 |
| Leicestershire |
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| #26 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 03/08/2008 @ 00:55:27 |
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| In reply to post #23 ... |
QUOTE (*wildebeest - 02/08/2008 @ 18:59:55) If you don't like it don't bother going, but for pity's sake STOP MOANING!
the idea behind forums is to ask questions and get advice not to go off on one about "how things cost what they cost" so yer mate i think ur being a bit harsh! all im saying is that u can get flights WAAAAY cheaper than that so how can ne1 justify spending that amount of money on a train which takes longer???? i didn't know if i was going to the right websites that's all. |
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| BETTER RUN WHEN U HEAR THEM SIRENS COMMIN! |
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| #25 Re: Eurostar Snow Train 02/08/2008 @ 23:59:21 |
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| In reply to post #24 ... |
| well it is true though, things cost what they cost, you either buy them...or you dont......... |
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