Megève, Combloux and Saint-Gervais-les-Bains share the same balcony facing Mont Blanc, just a few kilometres apart. They also share an advantage that is rare for mountain villages: they are easy to reach, whether you arrive from an international airport, a major railway station or by motorway.
You still need to choose the right route for your starting point, the season and the village where you are staying. Here is everything you need to prepare your arrival, from Geneva to the door of your chalet.
By plane: Geneva Airport, the natural gateway
Geneva, about an hour’s drive away
Geneva Airport is the closest and best connected. Allow about 1 hour’s drive to Combloux or Saint-Gervais, and about 1 hour 15 minutes to Megève, excluding the traffic jams on school-holiday Saturdays.
A useful detail: the airport has a French Sector, where you can pick up or return a hire car on the French side. Arriving on an international flight, simply go back up to the Check-in level after Swiss customs and follow the “French Sector” signs.
Without a car from Geneva
There are several ways to reach the villages without driving:
- Train: a CFF train links the airport to Geneva-Cornavin station in about 7 minutes, then the Léman Express runs directly to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet in about 1 hour 45 minutes, stopping at Sallanches-Combloux-Megève.
- Coach: regional line 274 runs from the airport to Sallanches, from where the Y83 bus climbs to Combloux and Megève.
- Taxi or private transfer: the most comfortable door-to-door option with luggage and skis.
Other airports
Annecy is about 1 hour from Combloux and 1 hour 15 minutes from Megève, and Chambéry about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes, with mostly seasonal flights. Lyon-Saint-Exupéry, further away, is about 2 hours from Combloux and Saint-Gervais, and 2 hours 15 minutes from Megève. Finally, Megève altiport welcomes light aircraft and helicopters, a few kilometres from the village.
By train: TGV and TER to the foot of the mountains
The two stations to know
Two stations serve our villages, on the same line:
- Sallanches-Combloux-Megève, about 8 km from Combloux and 12 km from Megève;
- Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet, the end of the line, below Saint-Gervais.
From Paris
During the winter season, direct TGVs link Paris-Gare de Lyon to Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet at weekends, stopping at Sallanches. The rest of the year, or on weekdays, the journey involves a change, usually at Bellegarde or Annecy, for a travel time of about 5 hours.
From Lyon
From Lyon Part-Dieu, allow about 3 hours 40 minutes by train to Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet. Long-distance coaches also link Lyon to Sallanches.
From the station to the village
- To Megève and Combloux from Sallanches: the Y83 bus serves Combloux, Demi-Quartier and Megève.
- From Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet: the Y82 bus links Saint-Gervais, Combloux and Megève. To reach the centre of Saint-Gervais, the Valléen gondola climbs from the station to the village in a few minutes, and the free Ascenseur des Thermes lift links Le Fayet and Saint-Gervais.
The Y82 and Y83 lines may not run on Sundays and public holidays depending on the season: check the timetables before you set off. Taxis and private hire cars also wait at the stations.
By car: the A40 motorway to Mont Blanc
The right exit for your village
The A40 motorway, known as the “autoroute Blanche”, leads to the foot of all three villages:
- Megève and Combloux: exit 20 – Sallanches. Megève is then about 12 km away, and Combloux about 8 km, along the road that runs through the village.
- Saint-Gervais: exit 21, then about 15 minutes’ drive to the village.
From the south, you can also arrive via Albertville and the Val d’Arly.
Indicative travel times
| From | Megève | Combloux | Saint-Gervais |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva Airport | about 1 hr 15 | about 1 hr | about 1 hr |
| Annecy | about 1 hr 15 | about 1 hr | about 1 hr |
| Lyon | about 2 hr 30 | about 2 hr | about 2 hr |
From Paris, allow about 5 hours 30 minutes by road to Combloux. These times assume normal traffic: on changeover Saturdays in February, they can be considerably longer.
Parking on site
Megève has several car parks, above and below ground, some of which can be booked online. If your accommodation has a parking space or garage, the car can often stay put for the whole stay thanks to the shuttles.
Getting around on site: the free shuttles
Once you have arrived, a car becomes almost unnecessary in winter.
In Megève
The Meg-Bus shuttles are free. In winter, several lines serve Rochebrune, Mont d’Arbois, Côte 2000 and Le Jaillet among others, with departures about every 20 minutes. Real-time timetables are available in the Pysae app.
In Combloux
The resort shuttle is free and open to all. In winter, it runs while the ski area is open and links the village centre to the foot of the pistes.
In Saint-Gervais
Free shuttles and ski buses run within the commune during the season. Timetables are available from the tourist office and on its website.
On-demand transport
The Montenbus service, by booking and membership, covers the ten communes of the Pays du Mont-Blanc, including Megève, Combloux and Saint-Gervais.
Winter driving tips: the loi Montagne
From 1 November to 31 March, in the mountain communes designated by the prefects, our villages among them, every light vehicle must:
- either be fitted with four winter tyres bearing the 3PMSF marking (three-peak mountain with a snowflake);
- or carry snow chains or snow socks in the boot able to equip at least two driving wheels.
Only tyres marked 3PMSF are accepted as equivalent to chains: a tyre marked only “M+S” is no longer enough. A sign plate indicates the winter period at the entrance to the areas concerned. Separately from this obligation, the B26 sign requires chains to be fitted on snow-covered roads, whatever the date.
If you are hiring a car, mention it when you book: not all hire vehicles are equipped by default.
Arriving at your accommodation
A few simple habits make arrival easier:
- Share your arrival time a few days ahead, especially if you are arriving late after a flight or train journey.
- Ask for access instructions: parking, door code, and any steep stretch of road that may call for chains.
- Do your shopping before you drive up or have it delivered: the valley offers more choice than the villages on a Saturday evening.
- Arrive in daylight if you do not know the road: the last few kilometres are easier in the light.
FAQ – Getting to Megève, Combloux and Saint-Gervais
Which is the closest airport to Megève?
Geneva Airport, about 1 hour 15 minutes’ drive from Megève and about 1 hour from Combloux and Saint-Gervais. Annecy and Chambéry are alternatives, with fewer flights.
Which station should I choose for Megève and Combloux?
Sallanches-Combloux-Megève station, about 12 km from Megève and 8 km from Combloux, linked to both villages by the Y83 bus. For Saint-Gervais, get off at Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet.
Is there a direct train from Paris?
Yes, during the winter season, direct TGVs link Paris-Gare de Lyon to Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet at weekends, stopping at Sallanches. The rest of the time, the journey requires a change.
Are winter tyres compulsory?
From 1 November to 31 March, you need either four winter tyres marked 3PMSF or snow chains or snow socks in the boot. On snow-covered roads marked with the B26 sign, chains must be fitted.
A transfer arranged for you
After a flight or several hours on the train, arriving should remain a simple moment. The HOMKA team can help you arrange your transfer from the airport or station, as well as your welcome at the accommodation, through its concierge service.
To choose the ideal base, a short walk from a shuttle stop or a lift, discover our chalets and apartments in Megève, Combloux and Saint-Gervais.
Sources
- Travel times, airports, exit 20 and Y83 bus for Megève: megeve-tourisme.fr (access by car, plane, train and bus)
- Free Meg-Bus shuttles: megeve-tourisme.fr (shuttles)
- Access to Combloux, distance from Sallanches, line 274, Y82 and Y83 buses: combloux.com (getting to Combloux)
- Free Combloux resort shuttle: combloux.com and mairie-combloux.fr
- Exit 21, travel times, Léman Express, Valléen gondola, Ascenseur des Thermes, free shuttles and Montenbus: Saint-Gervais tourist office practical guide, summer 2026 (saintgervais.com)
- Paris and Lyon journeys to Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet, Léman Express from Geneva-Cornavin: SNCF Connect
- Seasonal winter-weekend TGVs: Sallanches-Combloux-Megève and Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet station pages (Wikipedia)
- A40 exit numbering: Wikipedia (A40 autoroute)
- French Sector and car hire: gva.ch (Geneva Airport)
- Compulsory winter equipment: service-public.gouv.fr and securite-routiere.gouv.fr
