Flying to the French Alps

Easyjet

Easyjet are the leaders in no-frills cheap flights with excellent online booking. They have an ever expanding service to Geneva (though at present they do not fly to Lyon or Chambery - see if the pricey Go acquisition goes through).

• London Gatwick 

• London Luton  

• London Stanstead 

Geneva

7 Days a week and 
several flights a day

www.easyjet.com is probably the best online booking facility website.  It is fast, simple and uncluttered. 

The outward flights are generally cheaper than the return flights.  Together expect to pay about £100 for a return.  Note; the price of flights goes up closer to the date of leaving: so book early.

Luton and Stansted airports are very small which makes everything much easier than the larger airports.  The short and long stay car parks are also cheaper than Gatwick and Heathrow. The terminals are much closer to check-in and so there aren't quite the same miles of endless moving walk ways.  

Easyjet are aiming to take all their bookings through their website but they can still take bookings by phone provided the flight leaves within the next two weeks 0905 821 0905 (calls cost 65p per minute - as at Jan 2005).

Enquiries (not bookings) 0871 244 2366  (calls cost at 10ppm - as at Jan 2005).

British Airways

www.britishairways.com British Airways are rapidly wising up to the simplicity and clarity of Easyjet's online booking facility and straightforward fares. Expect further improvements to their website and fares (though they are likely to be still more than Easyjet's).  Worth having a quick check before booking with Easyjet. 

Air France

London Heathrow 

Lyon (Satolas)

7 days a week

www.airfrance.com

Fares with Air France seem to vary wildly.  From just over £100 through to £400 for a return flight.

Ryan Air

Stansted 

St Etienne - (near Lyon)

7 days a week
one evening flight a day

www.ryanair.com 
St Etienne is quite far from the three valleys but the evening flights and the cheap fares make this a worth while option.  250km / 155 miles or 3 hours drive - though long, the drive is easy as it is motorway all the way.