In March 2024, Iain from The Ski Podcast travelled by train from the UK to Verbier in Switzerland.
Because of the seamless integration at the final stop, Le Chable, before going up to Verbier, this is one of the easiest ski resorts to travel to by train.
Brighton-London-Paris
I live in Brighton, so it was an early start, taking a 05:30 train arriving directly to London St Pancras at 06:50. I arrived at Eurostar check in at just after 7am and it look about 25 minutes to get through security and customs.
We left on time and arrived in Paris slightly ahead of schedule. This was useful as I had cut it quite tight for getting from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, with just 41 minutes on the official timings.
As it was, an RER train turned up immediately and at 16 minutes from platform to platform, it was a record fast transfer across Paris.
Paris-Geneva
The SNCF Lyria train to Geneva was such a joy. It had only been EUR10 difference when booking, so I’d upgraded to first class. Essentially, this buys you a little extra space.
It’s just over three hours to Geneva, which flew by. The Wi-Fi is excellent and I managed an effective few hours of work.
Geneva-Martigny-Le Chable
I had 40 minutes in Geneva, so popped into Starbucks (on the same level as the platforms) for a caffeine pick-me-up.
The connection to Verbier is a train to Brig and took an hour and a half to Martigny. The trains are perfectly scheduled, with 7 minutes’ connection time, so you have enough time to amble between platforms straight onto the Le Chable train.
Geneva to Martigny
It’s then 26 minutes on the smallest line of the day to Le Chable, the small village at the bottom of the hill below Verbier.
Martigny to Le Chable
Le Chable-Verbier
This is where train travel to Verbier really comes into its own. On arrival in Le Chable, it’s two- or three-minute walk to the gondola, which takes you directly up to Verbier. There’s a lift to the gondola entrance, which is a bonus if you’re lugging heavy bags.
Less than 10 minutes later, you’ll arrive at Medran, where free buses regularly stop to take you to your final destination. I was staying at No 8 Bed and Bar, which is a five minute walk down to Place Centrale.
The view from No 8 Bed & Bar
Timings
Dep Brighton – 05:30 / Dep London – 08:01
Arr Verbier – 18:30 (17:30 UK time)
The total journey took 12 hours from Brighton, 9½ hours from London
Costs
Eurostar – £98
Paris Metro – £3
SNCF – £130 (1st Class)
Geneva-Verbier – £36
Total – £267