The short answer
Take the train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, the funicular to Arc 1600, then an onward shuttle if needed.
At a glance
- High-altitude sites
- Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000.
- Valley base
- Bourg-Saint-Maurice is presented as the year-round base camp at 850 m.
- Railway gateway
- Bourg-Saint-Maurice
- Airport candidates to compare
- Geneva, Lyon, Chambéry — check flights and the complete onward connection for the actual dates.
Compare the arrival options
Distances and journey estimates apply only to the endpoints and conditions specified below.
| Option | Journey | Distance | Time | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main interchange | Bourg-Saint-Maurice | Endpoint depends on the chosen village | Check train and onward-service dates together | Take the train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, the funicular to Arc 1600, then an onward shuttle if needed. |
| Funicular ride only | Bourg-Saint-Maurice station → Les Arcs | See the segment and measurement scope | 7 minutes | Bourg-Saint-Maurice–Arc 1600 ride; excludes walking, waiting and other Arcs sites. |
| Final arrival | Les Arcs → accommodation | Use the confirmed building and stop | Add the last local leg | The funicular does not arrive at every Les Arcs residence. |
Understand the villages and collection areas
Arc 1600
Funicular arrival is Arc 1600; other Arc sites need a checked onward connection.
Arc 1800
Funicular arrival is Arc 1600; other Arc sites need a checked onward connection.
Arc 1950
Funicular arrival is Arc 1600; other Arc sites need a checked onward connection.
Arc 2000
Funicular arrival is Arc 1600; other Arc sites need a checked onward connection.
Choose the Arc number deliberately
Arc 1600 has the funicular arrival; Arc 1800, 1950 and 2000 add their own onward journey. Compare that complete route when choosing a residence for a car-free holiday. Bourg-Saint-Maurice may be a base itself, but then both the first ascent and the evening return become part of the daily plan.
A central Bourg-Saint-Maurice hotel is not accommodation in Arc 1800.
How the arrival fits your chosen base
Take the train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, the funicular to Arc 1600, then an onward shuttle if needed.
The funicular does not arrive at every Les Arcs residence.
- Arrive at Bourg-Saint-Maurice mainline station.
- Follow the funicular connection and travel to Arc 1600 during operating hours.
- For Arc 1800, 1950 or 2000, check the onward shuttle and residence access.
Choose collection around the first ski day
Choose Arc 1600, 1800, 1950 or 2000 to match your accommodation; the shared Les Arcs name is not enough.
Put the accommodation entrance, lesson meeting point and intended collection shop on one map before paying. A lower equipment price in another village can introduce a special fitting or return journey. Ask the chosen shop about collection hours and return conditions; this guide does not promise those commercial details.
Before committing to transport
Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 are different pickup sites.
Use a date-specific operator planner for the complete outward and return trips. A published ride time does not include baggage collection, waiting, road delays or the last walk to the building. If the last usable service is too early, compare an organised transfer or an overnight near the gateway before buying a non-refundable connection.
Find the location
Les Arcs. This is a location reference, not a live journey-time or road-condition calculation.
Open the location in Google MapsYour questions answered
Is Arc 1950 the same pickup site as Arc 2000?
No. The tourism office presents them as separate sites.
Which railway gateway should I use for Les Arcs?
Bourg-Saint-Maurice. The funicular does not arrive at every Les Arcs residence.
Should the rental shop be in the same place as my accommodation?
Choose Arc 1600, 1800, 1950 or 2000 to match your accommodation; the shared Les Arcs name is not enough. Compare the real collection and return journey rather than assuming all entries in a ski area are interchangeable.
Turn the plan into a trip
Choose the right arrival and pickup point
Match your transfer destination and rental shop to your accommodation, not just to the wider ski-area name.
Check the detail that matters
Sources and information checks
Timetables, seasonal services and traffic conditions can change. Recheck your exact date and final address with the operator before paying.
- Les Arcs — official locality guideExisting verified local topology: High-altitude sites, Valley base. Reused with its original verification date, not re-dated by this publication.Checked: 2026-10-18
- Les Arcs — official transport informationPrimary tourism/operator page or its official search extract reviewed for the named interchange, connection and explicitly published measurements. Not a live timetable, fare, seat or road-condition check.Checked: 2026-10-19
Editor: Tom Hillebrandt. Read the editorial method and correction policy.
