What if going on a ski trip without a car became the simplest solution? Most of the journey is by rail: take the train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, then the funicular to Arc 1600, and finally shuttles to the various villages. It’s a practical, comfortable, and more sustainable way to reach the mountains.
The train at the foot of the station
In the heart of the Haute Tarentaise, Bourg-Saint-Maurice is the gateway to Les Arcs and other nearby resorts. Its international train station, located in the city center, welcomes tourists from Paris and major European cities throughout the winter. For travelers heading to Les Arcs, getting there is easy: once at the station, there’s no need to look for a shuttle, taxi, or car rental company—the funicular station is just a few minutes’ walk away, taking you directly to the resort.
The Funicular: The Elevator to Les Arcs
The biggest obstacle to traveling by train? That last kilometer you have to cover with your luggage and your family between the arrival station and your accommodations. In Les Arcs, the solution is simple: the funicular, a uniquely French mode of transportation that connects the valley to the summit in 7 minutes. Covering a distance of 2.8 kilometers with an elevation gain of over 800 meters and powered 100% by electricity, it’s a symbol of sustainable transportation and connects Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Les Arcs 1600. Depending on where they’re staying, travelers can then reach various destinations using the network of free shuttle buses.
A Night on the Tracks, Les Arcs at Dawn
From Paris, the “Travelski Night Express” train departs the capital on Friday evening and arrives at the foot of the slopes on Saturday morning.
New for the 2026–2027 winter season, this overnight train is taking on a European dimension. A new direct route now connects Amsterdam to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, with stops in Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Brussels. Travelers board on Friday evening in the Netherlands or Belgium and arrive on Saturday morning in the Tarentaise region, without having to change trains. This provides an additional gateway to Les Arcs, making the resort even more accessible from the Benelux countries.
Our Commitment in Numbers
Les Arcs - Bourg Saint Maurice places sustainable transportation at the heart of its environmental commitment.
980,000 trips in one year
; 25% of Les Arcs’ vacationers arrive by train, compared to the national
average of 10%; approximately 2.4 kg of CO₂ per train trip from Paris to Bourg-Saint-Maurice per passenger—meaning 18 times fewer emissions by train than by car
; 7 minutes to travel from the valley to the mountains