Megève has no railway station or motorway on its doorstep, but everything comes into Sallanches, 12km away: exit 20 of the A40, the TGV and TER station, the coaches and the taxis. From there, all that remains is a short climb up through Combloux. The real decision comes earlier: the train to Sallanches, a flight to Geneva, the car, or the small plane that lands right at the altiport, at 1470m. Here is how to go about it, depending on where you are starting from and what you are bringing with you.
Getting to Megève: in practice
- Station: Sallanches-Combloux-Megève, 12km from the resort.
- Airport: Geneva, about 1 hour 15 minutes by road according to the tourist office.
- By car: A40 motorway, exit 20 Sallanches, 12km away.
- Altiport: at 1470m, for light aircraft and helicopters.
- Equipment: winter tyres or chains compulsory throughout Haute-Savoie, from 1 November to 31 March.
- Getting around: free Meg’Bus shuttle buses, three lines in winter.
By train: to Sallanches, then 12km
According to the tourist office, Sallanches-Combloux-Megève station is served by TER regional trains and TGVs from Paris, Lyon, Annecy and Geneva. This winter, the SNCF’s planned timetables show direct TGVs from Paris Gare de Lyon on Saturdays and Sundays from 13 December 2026 to 28 March 2027, plus some Friday evenings, with a journey time of roughly 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours. In early October, tickets were only on sale for travel up to 6 January, so check the timetable when you book.
No night train runs to Haute-Savoie this winter, and the Eurostar ski train stops only in Savoie. From London, Eurostar recommends travelling to Paris and then taking a TGV to the Alps. From Geneva, the Léman Express (line L3, towards Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet) stops at Sallanches; coming from the airport, you will need to change trains at Geneva station.
From the station to Megève, the Y83 coach runs via Combloux and Demi-Quartier. Depending on the season, it does not run on Sundays or public holidays, so check its winter timetable before you set off. The tourist office also points to taxis and private-hire cars (VTC) available locally, and lists around fifteen companies.
AEC tip. If there are several of you arriving with skis and suitcases, book your taxi or transfer from Sallanches before you leave. It is simpler than the coach, which, depending on the season, does not run on Sundays.
By air: Geneva first
The tourist office is quite clear about it: Geneva, about 1 hour 15 minutes away by road, is “the most convenient airport”. Lyon-Saint-Exupéry is further, more than two hours away. From these airports, the office mentions shuttle buses, taxis and private transfers; coaches also run from Geneva city and airport to Sallanches station, where the Y83 coach starts. For a private flight, Annecy airport handles business aviation and is open every day in winter from 8am to 7pm.
The altiport: landing above the village
Opened in December 1964, the Megève altiport grew, according to the tourist office, out of an initiative by Michel Ziegler of Air Alpes and Jacques Henri Bujard, on land at Cote 2000 made available by Edmond de Rothschild. It sits at 1470m. Its 548m paved runway has gradients of 7% and then 9.3%: you land in one direction and take off in the other. The office describes it as a way to arrive “by light aircraft or helicopter, as close as possible to the village and the ski area”. For a private flight, from business airport to helicopter transfer, see our guide to private jets and helicopters. Its history, runway and scenic flights are covered in our guide to the Megève altiport.
Access is governed by aviation regulations. Aeroplane pilots must hold a mountain rating or the altiport’s own authorisation, night flights are not permitted, and neither are flights from outside the Schengen area. Helicopters have two parking areas. The altiport is home to the Megève aero club and to companies offering scenic flights over the Mont Blanc massif. In France, helicopters are used for transfers only, never to drop skiers on the mountain.
By car: the A40 to Sallanches
The route is straightforward: the A40 motorway to exit 20, Sallanches, then 12km to Megève. The tourist office allows about 1 hour 15 minutes from Geneva, 1 hour 15 minutes from Annecy via the Arve valley and 45 minutes from Chamonix. From the Savoie side, you can also come in on the A43 and A430, leaving at the Albertville exit.
From November to March, how your car is equipped matters as much as the route. According to the Département de la Haute-Savoie, the local authority, the rules across the whole département from 1 November to 31 March require four winter tyres, or chains or other snow traction devices carried on board. Only tyres bearing the 3PMSF symbol count as winter tyres: tyres simply marked M+S have no longer been accepted since 1 November 2024. Without the right equipment, you risk a fine and having your vehicle immobilised. As for traffic, Bison Futé, the French traffic forecasting service, expects a very difficult day in the region on Saturday 2 January 2027, both outbound and on the return.
Once you arrive, Megève has six covered car parks, one enclosed outdoor car park and plenty of blue zones with time-limited parking. Several underground car parks can be booked online, and the town hall sells 7-day and 14-day stay passes; its winter season tickets go on sale from 22 October 2026. Mind your roof box: maximum heights range from 1.90m at the Casino car park to 2.10m at Mont d’Arbois. At Rochebrune, only 18 spaces on the ground floor allow more than 2.10m, and the other levels are limited to 1.90m. If you are renting a chalet, check its listing to see whether it has a garage or parking.
Getting around: Meg’Bus, gondola and bikes
Once you are in Megève, the car can stay in the garage. The Meg’Bus shuttle buses are free and open to everyone, with three lines in winter: to the Rochebrune cable car and the Jaillet gondola, to Mont d’Arbois and Côte 2000, and, in winter only, out to the hamlets. The Pysae app shows their arrival times live. The Chamois gondola leaves from the centre, and the Montenbus service offers on-demand transport, for members and by booking, from Monday to Saturday. For skiing, our guide to the Megève ski area covers its sectors and lifts; off the slopes, the Megève ice rink and the Palais aquatic centre can also be reached by shuttle bus.
To decide which part of the resort to stay in with these journeys in mind, our guide Megève: centre, Mont d’Arbois or Rochebrune compares the different areas.
Where to stay
You will find all our chalets and apartments in the resort in our Megève rentals. If you are still choosing a resort, our comparisons Megève or Courchevel and Megève or Chamonix set out the differences, and our guide to renting a luxury chalet answers the practical questions. For a family or a group of friends, take a look at our chalets for 10 in Megève, and at our guide to what to do in Megève in winter to fill the week. Our guides to getting to Courchevel, getting to Chamonix and getting to Val d’Isère follow the same approach.
The simplest way is to write to us: send us your dates and how you plan to travel, and our agents will suggest a chalet that suits your arrival.
Then, beyond Combloux, Megève comes into view, its church spire rising among the snow-covered roofs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Megève by train?
Take a TGV or TER to Sallanches-Combloux-Megève station, 12km from the resort, then a coach, taxi or private-hire car (VTC). This winter, the SNCF’s planned timetables show direct TGVs from Paris at weekends, from 13 December 2026 to 28 March 2027.
Which airport is best for Megève?
Geneva, about 1 hour 15 minutes by road according to the tourist office, which calls it “the most convenient airport”. Lyon-Saint-Exupéry is more than two hours away. For a private flight, Annecy airport handles business aviation.
Can you fly a plane into Megève?
Yes, into the altiport, at 1470m, by light aircraft or helicopter. Its 548m runway is reserved for aeroplane pilots holding a mountain rating or a site-specific authorisation, and night flights are not permitted.
Do you need snow tyres to drive to Megève?
Yes, from 1 November to 31 March, throughout Haute-Savoie: four winter tyres marked 3PMSF, or chains or other snow traction devices carried on board. Tyres marked only M+S are no longer enough.
Is there a bus from Sallanches station to Megève?
Yes, the Y83 line links Sallanches and Megève via Combloux and Demi-Quartier; depending on the season, it does not run on Sundays or public holidays. Taxis and private-hire cars (VTC) are also available at the station.
Are the shuttle buses in Megève free?
Yes, the Meg’Bus shuttles are free and open to everyone, with three lines in winter: to Rochebrune, the Jaillet, Mont d’Arbois and Côte 2000, and out to the hamlets.
Can you get to Megève by night train or Eurostar?
Not directly this winter: no night train runs to Haute-Savoie, and the Eurostar ski train stops only in Savoie. From London, Eurostar recommends travelling to Paris and then taking a TGV to the Alps.
