Martyn Crawshaw recently sent us this update on his train journey from Inverness to Champéry in Switzerland.
“I had the chance to spend a couple of weeks skiing in Europe and having spent most of my ski days in Scotland or Norway, I was at a bit of a loss as to where to start with the many alpine ski areas.
“One thing I did NOT want to do was fly, having been subjected to the zoo of Geneva airport on a Saturday or long bus rides up to the high alps.
“After some research, I found that it was possible to arrive at Champéry purely by rail thanks to the funicular AOMC railway that climbs up impressively steep gradients from the Rhone valley floor up the Val-d’Illiez.
“Buying an Interrail pass in the December sale reduces the cost by 25%, meaning I was able to travel from Inverness to Champéry for just over £375, including reservations and overnight accommodation in Paris. There was no supplement for taking skis, and I carried my ski boots in my main luggage.
“It was more expensive than “cheap flights”, but I was able to travel at short notice and the whole journey was more relaxed than queuing for various security checks and sorting out transfers.
“I’d never been to Switzerland skiing, and while there are other resorts accessible by train, Champéry is affordable and friendly.
“My accommodation was at Backpacker Le Petit Baroudeur – absurdly close to the rail station, telepherique and the Coop supermarket.”
Martyn’s 4-Day Interrail
Day 1 – Inverness 0755 to London, then Eurostar to Paris, arriving ~2200, overnight in Paris
Day 2 – Paris to Champéry on TGV Lyria via Lausanne, arriving ~1400
Day 3 – Champéry ~0800 to Paris via TGV Lyria, overnight in Paris
Day 4 – Eurostar to London, then LNER fromLondon direct to Inverness, arriving 2008
Martyn’s Tips
- ’The Man in Seat 61’ is excellent for all rail-related advice and common sense
- Ensure your luggage is labelled on TGV trains and you buy a reservation before the train sets off
- Take a bungee to tie in your skis near luggage racks if it is busy
- Paris Gare du Lyon has two halls so make sure you know which your train is leaving from
Reducing your carbon footprint
Travelling by train is not only more enjoyable, it’s also a much lower carbon footprint than flying.
