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...
New rail map to French ski resorts
This new map is a fantastic way to work out the route by train to your favourite French ski resort. Click on the map to see the largest version. It was created by David Cooper and Daniel Elkan from the excellent Snowcarbon, on behalf of France Montagnes. Travelling by train instead of flying is the...
Case Study: UK to Crans Montana by train
In September 2024, Iain from The Ski Podcast travelled by train from the UK to Crans Montana in Switzerland. This is one of the best ski resorts to travel to by train, as the funicular from Sierre means you can get off the train and be in resort little more than 15 minutes later. London-Paris...
Case Study: UK to Corsica by train and ferry
So this is nothing to do with ‘skiing’ flight free (unless you are thinking about discovering one of Corsica’s ski resorts this winter), but regular readers will recall that I have taken the Flight Free Challenge for 2024…and that means summer family holidays as well. Brighton to Corsica by train and ferry That meant that...
Case Study: UK to Verbier by Train
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...
