The 4 Airports Serving Méribel

If you’re planning a skiing holiday to Méribel, it pays to do your research before you buy your plane ticket. Each of Méribel’s four nearest airports has its pros and cons in terms of accessibility, distance, and facilities.

Chambéry

The nearest airport to Méribel is in Chambéry, a small city with a long history that is nestled in a valley in the Alps. The airport, though small, is served by a number of mainstream and budget airlines, especially during the winter months when skiers flock to the region. Flights are available throughout the season leaving from London City Airport, with total flight time running about an hour and a half.

Once you’ve landed, Méribel is less than 65 miles away, about a 75-minutes drive. You may choose to take advantage of the Chambéry airport shuttle that serves several of the surrounding ski resorts, or you may opt for a taxi, private airport transfer, or rental car from the car hire desks available at arrivals.

Though Chambéry’s proximity to Méribel recommends it to travelling skiers, but its higher elevation exposes it to inclement weather. Skiers hopeful for snow might get more than they bargained for – meaning flights to Chambéry may be diverted to another airport.

Geneva

As a much larger international hub, Geneva Airport is served by many airlines, meaning more options for travellers. There are frequent non-stop flights from London to Geneva all the year round, usually running about 90 minutes. It’s important to remember that because Geneva’s airport sits on the border of Switzerland and France, the airport has distinct Swiss and French sides.

The airport is well-adapted to the influx of skiers it receives every winter, with efficient bus and shuttle links from Geneva to Méribel, as well as to other resorts such as Val Thorens and Courchevel. Though many car hire companies operate within the airport on both the Swiss and French sides, driving yourself from Geneva to Méribel can be a little tricky, especially if you’re trying to avoid toll roads. For this reason, travellers looking to avoid hassle would do well to pre-book an airport transfer from Geneva to Méribel, and let a professional driver handle the roads.

The journey from Geneva to Méribel is a little longer than that from Chambéry: about two hours. However, travellers may be willing to overlook this if it means getting a cheaper or more convenient flight to the international hub of Geneva.

Grenoble

Like Chambéry, Grenoble is a smaller airport that sees increased traffic in the winter. Several budget airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Norwegian Air have nonstop flights from London Gatwick, Stansted, or Luton during the ski season.

The airport is also served by shuttle buses which run to many nearby French resorts every weekend. The shuttle does not go directly to Méribel, but can get you to a nearby town from which you may call a taxi or public transport. If you are travelling with heavy gear or during the week, your best bet is to pre-book a private airport transfer, which can get you from Grenoble airport to Méribel in just under two hours.

Lyon

Though Lyon airport is approximately the same distance from Méribel as Grenoble, it offers much more in terms of flight scheduling, facilities, and transportation. There are several non-stop daily flights to Lyon from London airports to choose from, served by both mainstream and budget airlines. Flights from London normally take just over 90 minutes.

Once you’re on the ground in Lyon, you have several transportation options available to get you to your final destination, Méribel. Like Geneva, Lyon airport has extensive links to area ski resorts in both the Northern and Southern Alps. You can catch the ski shuttle, which runs non-stop from 6:00 to 23:00, at Terminal 1. Alternatively, pre-book a private or shared airport transfer to whisk you away into the mountains. Lyon airport is well-positioned near the motorways that lead to the popular ski resorts, so you can be in Méribel in just under two hours.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you need a transfer from Geneva to Meribel, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you get to and from the airport swiftly and safely with your ski luggage and ski equipment.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.