Delayed, Not Derailed: Why SNCF Got It Right
If you’ve travelled much, you’ll know that not everything goes to plan. Sometimes flights are delayed or cancelled; sometimes traffic accidents can clog up the roads and, very occasionally, trains also have their issues! In my experience, you are much less likely to experience delays than if you travel by plane or car. However, on...
Case Study: UK to Isola 2000 via Nice by train & bus
In February 2026, Iain travelled from the UK to the ski resort of Isola 2000 in the Alpes Maritimes. He travelled on the overnight ‘train de nuit’ from Paris to Nice, stayed one day in Nice and then went on to Isola the following day. As Iain went on to Les 3 Vallees after his...
Case Study: London to Courchevel by train
Iain from The Ski Podcast travelled out to Courchevel by train in January 2026. Brighton to London My journey started in Brighton on the 06:00, arriving into London St Pancras at 07:20. This is significantly later than the recommended arrival time from Eurostar, but in my experience there is no need to arrive so early...
Case Study: UK to St Anton, Austria by train
In December 2025, Iain travelled from the UK to St Anton in the Arlberg region of Tirol, Austria. London St Pancras-Gare du Nord (11:31 GMT – 14:49 CET) I started my journey in Brighton, arriving at Eurostar check in at St Pancras at 10:50 for the 11:31 departure. This is later than the recommended arrival...
Case Study: London to Serre Chevalier Briancon by ferry and train
Neil Guthrie – creator of ‘The Alps – Skiing by Train’ map – recently sent us this update on his flight free journey from London to Briancon (to ski Serre Chevalier): Every year thousands of winter sports holidays begin with a train ride from London Victoria or Clapham Junction heading south towards Sussex. For most,...
Case Study: UK to St Gervais Le Fayet by train and bus
In August 2025, Iain travelled from the UK to Saint Gervais Le Fayet in France. Iain was in the region to take part in the OCC Ultra Marathon in Chamonix, but preferred to stay in the much better value Le Fayet. London St Pancras-Gare du Nord I started my journey in Brighton, arriving at Eurostar...
Case Study: Les Arcs to London by train
In August 2025, Iain travelled by train from Les Arcs to London in the UK. Arc 1800-Arc 1600, 09:15 The different ‘stations’ of Les Arcs are connected by an efficient bus service, that runs on a reliable timetable. I took the 0915 navette from Arc 1800, which is scheduled to link perfectly with the funicular...
The Future of French Rail: Inside the New TGV INOUI 2025 Trains
At a recent meeting organised by A Tout France, I had the opportunity to find out more about the revolutionary new generation of TGV trains – a €3.5 billion investment by SNCF. The new ‘TGV INOUI 2025’ trains by SNCF have been designed around three priorities: comfort, sustainability, and inclusivity. In their words, “This isn’t...
More direct TGVs from Paris to Tarentaise
SNCF Voyageurs is strengthening its TGV INOUI service to the Tarentaise Valley by adding 5,000 seats this summer. The TGV service is being launched as a test to meet the growing demand for mountain travel in the summer. From 12 July to 10 August 2025, there will be an extra rotation connecting Paris to Bourg-Saint-Maurice...
Most Europeans want governments to ban short-haul flights…if high speed rail is an alternative
A majority of Europeans want governments to ban short-haul flights where high-speed rail is an alternative. Support for short-haul flight bans…if high speed is an alternative The survey by SavantaComres found that 67% of Europeans support such bans if there is a high-speed option, with the highest level of support in France and Spain. More...
‘The Alps – Skiing by Train’ new 2025 map out now
Alpine mapping specialists, 2theAlps, have released their updated ‘Skiing by Train’ map for 2025. The map features over 200 winter sports resorts, which can be reached by train for a high-comfort low-carbon journey to the mountains. As well as the classic Eurostar routes, new additions for 2025 are ferry routes across the Channel and the...
New online guides on rail travel to the Alps from Montagne Verte
I’ve covered Montagne Verte on Ski Flight Free before. This Morzine-based organisation has been doing some great work in the community on sustainability. In 2022 they launched the ‘AlpinExpress Pass’, giving holidaymakers travelling by train discounts on ski passes, accommodation, transfers, ski hire, ski and snowboard lessons, restaurants and more across Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets...
