Best Routes to the French Alps from the UK

Choosing the right route is an important part of planning your self-drive journey to the French Alps.

The route you take will depend on your destination and your personal preferences, whether that’s getting there as quickly as possible or making the most of the journey along the way.

Quick tips for choosing your route

• Plan your full journey, including getting to the Tunnel or ferry terminal

• Use a route planner to estimate timings, tolls and fuel costs

• Decide whether you want the quickest, shortest or most scenic route

• Allow for traffic, weather and time for stops along the way

How should you plan your route to the Alps?

Planning your route in advance will help your journey run more smoothly. Don’t forget to plan your route to the Tunnel or ferry terminal as well as the final part of the journey to your ski resort once you arrive in France.

We have found the Via Michelin route planner to be the best option, and it also handily helps you estimate tolls and fuel costs based on your vehicle make and model.

The route you choose from northern France down to the Alps will depend on which resort you are travelling to and your personal preference. Consider what your priorities are: do you want to get there as quickly as possible, avoid tolls or take the scenic route?

What is the most common driving route to the French Alps?

Most journeys from Calais to the French Alps follow a similar route through France before heading into the mountains.

Here are some popular routes from Calais to the French Alps. We’ve chosen Chamonix as an example resort. Routes and times will vary according to which resort you are travelling to, your speed and the traffic conditions on the day.

What is the quickest route to the French Alps?

Quickest route from Calais to French Alps: 517 miles, 8 hours 57 minutes

Calais > Arras > Laon > Reims > Troyes > Dijon > Geneva > Chamonix

What is the shortest route to the French Alps?

Shortest distance from Calais to French Alps: 505 miles, 9 hours 48 minutes

Calais > Arras > Reims > Chaumont > Dijon > Geneva > Chamonix

Can you avoid toll roads when driving to the Alps?

Most routes to the Alps use French toll motorways (péages), which are easy to navigate and well signposted.

It is possible to avoid tolls, although it will increase your journey time.

Route from Calais to the French Alps avoiding tolls: 536 miles, 12 hours 8 minutes

Calais > Lille > Valenciennes > Landrecies > Laon > Reims > Chaumont > Besançon > Lausanne > Montreux > Chamonix

Can you avoid motorways completely?

You can also avoid motorways altogether if you prefer a slower, more scenic drive.

Route from Calais to the French Alps avoiding motorways: 524 miles, 15 hours 54 minutes

Calais > Arras > Laon > Reims > Châlons-en-Champagne > Lausanne > Montreux > Chamonix

What are French motorways like to drive on?

French motorways are well set up for long-distance driving, with regular services, clear signage and frequent rest areas.

Tip: on French motorways, there are:

• emergency telephones every 2km

• rest areas every 10–20km

• petrol stations approximately every 40km

Motorway radio (with traffic alerts in English at set times) is found at 107.7.

"Petrol is cheaper at hypermarkets eg. in the Reims area, at Carrefour at Reims Tinqueux or at the large out of town Leclerc, both of which are easily accessible from the autoroute." MF

Are some ski resorts quicker to reach than others?

If you’re looking to get to the French Alps as quickly as possible by car, you could consider choosing one of the resorts that is closest to Calais.

Options include Samoëns, Le Grand Bornand and Les Carroz. These can help reduce overall journey time, particularly if you are planning to drive in one go.

For a more comprehensive list, see our blog The best French Alps ski resorts near Calais.

Related guides

• Driving to the Alps from the UK: A Practical Guide

• Where to stop overnight on the way to the Alps

• Preparing your car for a ski holiday

• Do you need snow chains for a ski holiday in the Alps?

• Driving to the Alps with children