Getting to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains from Geneva Airport

From Geneva Airport: the quickest gateway

For most international visitors the journey to St Gervais begins at Geneva Airport (GVA), just 86 km / about 1 hour away — the closest and most convenient airport to the Mont Blanc valley. From the terminal you have several easy ways to reach the resort: a private transfer or shuttle door-to-door, the train to Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet via Geneva, a long-distance FlixBus, or a hire car along the A40 "Autoroute Blanche" to exit 21. Below we cover every option — by plane and transfer, by train and by car — so you can pick the one that suits your group and budget. Once here, you are minutes from our holiday apartment in Saint-Gervais.

By train: the easiest and greenest option

St Gervais has something rare for a mountain resort: a genuine TGV station in the valley, served all year round. You arrive at the foot of the village with no worries about snow, chains or traffic jams. It is the most relaxing and the most eco-friendly way to reach the Mont Blanc massif. From Geneva Airport, regular trains run via Geneva-Cornavin to the border and on by TER to Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet — a comfortable, low-cost alternative to a hire car.

The station: Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet

The mainline station is called Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet — not to be confused with the "Gare de Saint-Gervais-les-Bains" tramway stop in the town centre. The train station sits in the Le Fayet district (74190) at 581 m above sea level, with 5 tracks and 3 platforms, and handled over 400,000 passengers in 2024.

It is served by TGV INOUI, Intercités and regional TER trains. It is also the departure point of the Mont Blanc Express (towards Chamonix and Vallorcine) and of the Tramway du Mont-Blanc, the highest cog railway in France, which climbs to the Nid d’Aigle. You can buy your ticket at the station, either at the desk or from the automatic machines, though booking ahead online is always cheaper for the TGV.

The station is fully intermodal: step outside and you find the Valléen and Alpin gondolas, the free Thermes lift, a taxi rank and the free shuttle stops. In other words, you can reach the centre of St Gervais or the foot of the slopes without ever getting back behind the wheel. That makes arriving by train one of the smoothest in the French Alps — you step off the carriage and, a few minutes later, you are in the heart of the village, ready to explore everything there is to do in Saint-Gervais.

From Paris (direct TGV INOUI, about 4 h 45)

From Paris Gare de Lyon, direct TGV INOUI trains reach Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet in roughly 4 h 45, several times a day depending on the season. When there is no direct train, an easy connection at Bellegarde or Annecy works well. This is the most comfortable route from the capital — skis and luggage included. Heading here for the winter? Take a look at our ski apartment in Saint-Gervais, steps from the Évasion Mont-Blanc ski area.

From Lyon and other French cities

From Lyon (Part-Dieu or Perrache), allow under 3 hours, with stops at Chambéry and Annecy. From Marseille, plan on 5 h 30 to 6 h 30 with one or two connections. All of these journeys are easy to book on SNCF Connect or through Rail Europe and Trainline.

From Switzerland, London and Brussels

From Switzerland, the Léman Express line L3 links Coppet and Geneva-Cornavin towards the border, where you continue by TER to Le Fayet — ideal if you fly into Geneva. From London, take the Eurostar (about 2 h 15) and then a TGV INOUI (about 4 h 45). From Brussels, a train to Paris (about 1 h 25) connects with the TGV INOUI.

By plane: airports and airport transfers

Four airports serve the region. By far the nearest and most convenient is Geneva Airport (GVA), about an hour away. Once you land, you choose your transfer: a shuttle, the train, or a hire car.

Geneva Airport (GVA) — 86 km, about 1 hr

Geneva Airport is the gateway to the Mont Blanc valley, 86 km from St Gervais, roughly 1 hour by car or private transfer. Several companies run door-to-door airport transfers and shuttles (AlpyBus, Mountain Drop-offs, FlixBus) — the most comfortable option, especially with luggage, skis or young children, since the driver drops you right at your accommodation. Long-distance buses serve the valley from around €13, a budget-friendly choice, and the train via Geneva takes about 2 hours. There is usually no fully direct bus between Geneva Airport and Le Fayet, so plan on a private shuttle or a bus with one connection.

A useful tip: Geneva Airport is in Switzerland, but it has a French sector that lets you reach France without clearing Swiss customs — follow the "France" signs as you collect your bags. If you hire a car, check that the contract allows crossing the border, and remember the Swiss motorway vignette if you use the Swiss road network. Booking your shuttle in advance means you can match it to your landing time, with the transfer guaranteed even if your flight is slightly delayed.

Annecy, Chambéry and Lyon-Saint-Exupéry

Annecy Mont-Blanc airport is 84 km away, Chambéry Savoie-Mont-Blanc is 126 km, and Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (LYS), the region’s largest airport, is 206 km (about 2 hours via the A40). Lyon offers the widest choice of flights and car-hire desks, and connects to the TGV network from its own station.

By car

A car is handy for making the most of the apartment’s private parking and for day trips to Chamonix, Megève and Annecy. Access is direct and clearly signposted.

Route and the A40 (exit 21)

From France or Paris: take the A6 motorway to Mâcon, then the A40 "Autoroute Blanche" towards Chamonix. Leave at exit 21 (Le Fayet / Saint-Gervais) and follow the road up to the village. A scenic alternative runs through the Gorges de l’Arly via Megève. Coming from Geneva or from Italy (Mont Blanc Tunnel), the A40 also brings you to exit 21.

Driving times and distances

St Gervais sits at the foot of Mont Blanc, a short hop from the main valley hubs and nearby towns.

From	Distance	Approx. time	Best mode
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc	23.4 km	~26 min	Car (A40, no toll on this stretch)
Megève	12 km	~20 min	Car
Geneva Airport (GVA)	86 km	~1 hr	Shuttle / car
Annecy	~60 km	~1 hr	Car / train
Geneva (city)	~70 km	~1 hr	Car / Léman Express
Lyon	~210 km	~2 hr	Car / train (under 3 hr)
Paris	~600 km	~6 hr	TGV (4 h 45) or car

Traffic and winter driving tips

At peak times (holiday Saturdays, busy periods), the climb up to St Gervais and Les Contamines may be regulated or briefly closed to ease traffic, so allow extra time and check live A40/RN205 traffic information. In winter, fit your vehicle with snow tyres or chains (compulsory in the mountains from 1 November to 31 March) and watch the weather.

From the station to the resort, and getting around without a car

No car? No problem: St Gervais is designed for car-free travel, from the station all the way to the foot of the slopes.

Getting up from the station to the village

• The Valléen gondola: this urban cable car links Le Fayet station to the village of St Gervais in 5 minutes, all year round — the fastest option.
• The Thermes lift (Ascenseur des Thermes): about a 10-minute walk from the station, this free lift serves the thermal park.
• The Alpin gondola: the second cable car connects the station/village area to the Évasion Mont-Blanc ski area in about 15 minutes.
• Taxis: available right outside the station to take you straight to your accommodation.

The Mont Blanc Express and Tramway du Mont-Blanc

From Le Fayet station, the Mont Blanc Express runs up the Chamonix valley to Vallorcine along spectacular scenery, so you can spend a day in Chamonix (Aiguille du Midi, Mer de Glace) without taking the car. The same station district is also where the legendary Tramway du Mont-Blanc sets off, climbing to the Nid d’Aigle, the gateway to the Mont Blanc ascent. For longer hops, the regional SAT Mont-Blanc bus network connects the valley’s towns and resorts year-round.

Getting around: the free Facilibus shuttles

The Facilibus shuttles are 100% eco-friendly and free all year round. They serve the main parts of the commune — Le Bettex, Le Gollet, Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce, plus the station and the Valléen gondola. Route maps and seasonal timetables are published on saintgervais.com. They are the perfect way to get around without a car throughout your stay: reach the foot of the slopes in the morning, head down for dinner in the village in the evening, or simply skip the hassle of parking in peak season. Many of our guests leave their car parked all week and rely solely on the train, the gondolas and the shuttles.

Getting to Le Refuge

The Le Refuge apartment is at 46 chemin du Creux, in the hamlet of Les Granges in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, 1.5 km from the gondola and the start of the slopes, with its own private parking. Here is how to reach it depending on how you arrive:

• From Le Fayet station: take the Valléen gondola up to the village (5 min) or grab a taxi; chemin du Creux is just minutes from the centre.
• From Geneva Airport: follow the A40 to exit 21, then up to St Gervais (about 1 hour in total); or book a door-to-door airport transfer that drops you right at the apartment.
• By car: a private parking space is waiting on site to unload your luggage and gear with ease.

Questions about the route or a late arrival? Christine and Stéphane are happy to send precise directions and the access code. Discover the Le Refuge apartment and book direct, with no commission.

Frequently asked questions