‘Which?’ finds rail travel not as expensive for families as flying
According to research from the consumer website ‘Which?’ families can save money travelling by train, when compared to flying. The study looked specifically at the cost of air travel versus the cost of overnight train travel, which is currently enjoying a renaissance in continental Europe. Which? Notes that flights often seem cheaper in the first...
Case Study: Taking the train from the UK to Arinsal, Andorra
Tom Thorp recently contacted us after listening to Iain talking about train travel on The Ski Podcast: “I’ve been enjoying your podcast, thank you for all your work creating interesting episodes and insights.” Tom is a ski instructor, working both in the UK and regularly in the European mountains. He specifically wanted to share his...
Case Study: UK to Méribel (Les 3 Vallées) by train
In January 2023, Iain Martin, presenter of The Ski Podcast and founder of Ski Flight Free, travelled from the UK to Méribel – in the heart of Les 3 Vallées – by train. London to Paris All train trips to the Alps from the UK depart from London St Pancras International. I booked the first Eurostar of the...
Case Study: UK to Orelle (Les 3 Vallées) by train
In December 2022, Iain Martin, presenter of The Ski Podcast and founder of Ski Flight Free, travelled from the UK to Orelle – the secret fourth valley of Les 3 Vallées – by train. London to Paris As with all train journeys to the continent, my day started at London St Pancras. Although on arrival...
Cauterets / Crans Montana / Eurostar / Les Arcs / Orelle / Serre Chevalier / Ski Flight Free / SNCF / Soll / Train Travel / Zermatt
‘The Best Ski Resorts to travel to by train’
Iain – founder of Ski Flight Free – was recently commissioned by ‘The Independent’ to put together a summary of the best ski resorts to travel to by train. The eight resorts that made the short list were: Les Arcs (Find out about the Travelski Express here) Crans Montana Serre Chevalier (Read about their night...
Travelski Express returns for 2022/23 with new destinations
Despite a challenging first season, Travelski Express have confirmed that they will be continuing their direct train service from London to France for the 2022/23 winter season. Due to engineering works, the outbound train will continue to depart on Friday evening, arriving Saturday morning, with the return train leaving on Sunday morning, arriving back into...
![[Case Study] Chamonix by Train from the UK](https://skiflightfree.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/mont-blanc-express-290x290.jpg "[Case Study] Chamonix by Train from the UK")
[Case Study] Chamonix by Train from the UK
In May 2022, Iain from Ski Flight Free travelled to Chamonix in France by train. He left London St Pancras at 08:01 BST and arrived in Chamonix at 19:02 CET (18:02 BST). This is his report of the journey. London-Paris I live in Brighton, so actually my journey started early with a direct train to...
Travelski Express Review 2022 by Charlie Mack
This was the first season of the Travelski Express direct train from London St Pancras to the Tarentaise, but what did travellers think of the service. Review: Charlie Mack Ski Flight Free follower Charlie Mack contacted us with his review of the Travelski Express. Charlie had previously travelled to Arc 1800 seven years in a...
![[Case Study] Switzerland by Train from the UK](https://skiflightfree.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/20220309_170110-290x290.jpg "[Case Study] Switzerland by Train from the UK")
[Case Study] Switzerland by Train from the UK
In March 2022, Iain from Ski Flight Free travelled to Andermatt in Switzerland by train. He left London St Pancras at 08:01 GMT and arrived in Andermatt at 19:06 CET (18:06 GMT). This is his report of the journey. London-Paris Although I started in Brighton, let’s start off this blog post from London, as this...
Travel by Train to the Alps via Lille
The most obvious routes to the Alps are via Paris, but did you know that you can travel to ski resorts via Lille? There are direct TGV trains from Lille Europe on the Tarentaise line to Moutiers, Aime la Plagne and Bourg St Maurice as well as through the Mont Blanc valley to Cluses, Sallanches...
Eurostar At Risk Without Government Support (Update 18 Jan 21)
UPDATE 18 JANUARY 2021 News outlets are reporting today that Eurostar is facing ‘an existential threat’. Eurostar was ‘not asking for special treatment’, but access to the same help as companies in similar positions (e.g. airlines) have received, such as business rates relief and loans. “Without additional funding from government, there is a real risk...
NightJet service to run from Amsterdam to Austria from February 2021
Austrian rail operator ÖBB has confirmed that their NightJet service from Amsterdam to the Austrian Alps will start again in February 2021. Departures from Amsterdam are every evening at 19.30, connecting to Vienna, and via Munich to to Innsbruck. According to their website: Until further notice, single seats can be booked on the ÖBB...
