Vanoise Express
A swift, scenic funicular connecting Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Les Arcs, offering free access and stunning Alpine views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Beat the weekend rush
Vanoise Express
Best Time
Beat the weekend rush
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A swift, scenic funicular connecting Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Les Arcs, offering free access and stunning Alpine views.
"The funicular is great! Staff friendly and super efficient. BUT... the queue for the buses is huge and chaotic."
🎯 Funicular is Free for Skiers
Pedestrians and skiers heading up to Les Arcs can ride the funicular for free! :ticket:
⏰ Expect Bus Queues
The bus transfer at Les Arcs 1600 can be chaotic with long waits. Plan accordingly! :bus:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Panoramic Funicular Ride
Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Les Arcs 1600
A swift 7-minute journey with breathtaking mountain and valley vistas through wide panoramic windows.
Access to Les Arcs Resorts
Les Arcs 1600, 1800, 1950, 2000
The funicular is the gateway to exploring the various Les Arcs villages, offering access to skiing, hiking, and stunning alpine scenery.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Funicular Access to Les Arcs
Bus Connections at Les Arcs
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Funicular is Free for Skiers
Pedestrians and skiers heading up to Les Arcs can ride the funicular for free! :ticket:
⏰ Expect Bus Queues
The bus transfer at Les Arcs 1600 can be chaotic with long waits. Plan accordingly! :bus:
⛰️ Stunning Mountain Views
Enjoy incredible panoramic views of the valley and mountains during the short funicular ride. :camera:
🚶♀️ Easy Access to Resorts
The funicular provides a quick and efficient way to reach Les Arcs from Bourg-Saint-Maurice. :arrow_up:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Funicular is Free for Skiers
Pedestrians and skiers heading up to Les Arcs can ride the funicular for free! :ticket:
⏰ Expect Bus Queues
The bus transfer at Les Arcs 1600 can be chaotic with long waits. Plan accordingly! :bus:
⛰️ Stunning Mountain Views
Enjoy incredible panoramic views of the valley and mountains during the short funicular ride. :camera:
🚶♀️ Easy Access to Resorts
The funicular provides a quick and efficient way to reach Les Arcs from Bourg-Saint-Maurice. :arrow_up:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The funicular itself is praised for its efficiency, friendly staff, and spectacular views, offering a free and fast ascent to Les Arcs. However, the experience is significantly marred by chaotic and lengthy queues for the connecting shuttle buses at Les Arcs 1600, with many visitors suggesting improvements are needed in bus management and infrastructure.
"The funicular is great! Staff friendly and super efficient.
BUT…
When you get to the top the queue for the buses is huge and chaotic. Took over an hour to get onto a bus. Buses couldn’t leave because they had to wait for the bus in front to use the tiny turning circle.
They need more buses. They need to re-engineer the turning point. They need barriers back to the funicular splitting the 1800 and 1950/2000 bus queues. Maybe a bubble lift straight to 1800?
The people in charge with money spending roles need to spend a Saturday there watching it. I bet they have no idea."
Martin Dore
"Very efficient and Fels safe"
Ran Shitirit
"Loved the views excellent service free use from arc 1600. Regular service good links to Bus service"
Tracy Palmer
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The primary way is via the funicular, which departs from Bourg-Saint-Maurice station and takes you directly to Les Arcs 1600 in about 7 minutes. From Les Arcs 1600, free shuttle buses (navettes) connect you to the higher resorts. +1
Yes, the funicular is free for pedestrians and skiers traveling to Les Arcs.
The funicular journey from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Les Arcs 1600 is very quick, taking approximately 7 minutes.
The funicular runs frequently, typically on the hour and every 20 minutes thereafter, though specific hours can vary by season. It's advisable to check the latest schedule.
Yes, Bourg-Saint-Maurice has a train station that is well-connected, including TGV InOui services from Paris Gare de Lyon, located conveniently near the funicular.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, the funicular is generally free for pedestrians and skiers heading to Les Arcs.
The shuttle buses (navettes) connecting the different Les Arcs villages from Les Arcs 1600 are typically free.
Ski passes can be purchased online in advance or at the resort's ticket offices. The funicular itself does not require a ski pass to ride.
The ski season in Les Arcs typically runs from December to April, but it's best to check the official Les Arcs website for exact dates.
The funicular is free to use for access to Les Arcs.
🎫 ⛰️ Onsite Experience
The funicular offers spectacular panoramic views of the mountains and the valley as you ascend.
There are no seats on board the funicular, so be prepared to stand during the short journey.
While the funicular is efficient, reviews indicate that the bus transfer at Les Arcs 1600 can be chaotic with long queues and disorganization.
Les Arcs offers skiing and snowboarding in winter, and hiking and mountain biking in summer. The funicular provides access to all these activities.
The funicular is generally accessible, but the incline can be troublesome for some. It's recommended to check with the operator for specific accessibility details.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
⛷️ Skiers and Snowboarders
🚶 Hikers and Summer Visitors
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Les Arcs Transfer
However, the experience can be significantly impacted by the transfer process at Les Arcs 1600. Multiple reviews and social media posts highlight issues with the bus system connecting to higher resorts (1800, 1950, 2000). Travelers report huge, chaotic queues for buses, with waits exceeding an hour.
To mitigate this, consider traveling during off-peak hours or weekdays if possible. Some suggest that improvements to bus frequency, traffic management, and potentially a dedicated lift to higher resorts could greatly enhance the visitor experience.
The Funicular Experience
Travelers often praise the funicular for its smooth operation and the friendly, efficient staff.
While the ride itself is generally a positive experience, it's worth noting that there are no seats available on board, meaning passengers will be standing for the duration of the trip.
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