Arriving on a Saturday in the Tarentaise: traffic tips from a local driver
Arriving on a Saturday in the Tarentaise in midwinter means arriving on the day the whole valley swaps holidaymakers. Departing guests drive down towards Albertville while new ones head up to the resorts, and traffic can make every journey much longer. With a little planning, though, the day goes smoothly.
Why Saturdays are so busy in the Tarentaise
In most resorts, weekly rentals start and end on a Saturday. A whole valley empties and fills up again on the same day. Holidaymakers' cars, coaches and taxis all end up on the main valley road, the RN 90, and then on the roads up to the resorts.
Moutiers is the junction where everything meets: the roads to the Belleville valley, Méribel and Courchevel all start here, and the road to Valmorel passes this way too. A minor accident or a snowfall is then enough to slow everyone down.
The station follows the same rhythm. Several snow trains only arrive on that day, such as Eurostar Snow and the Travelski night train, and free taxis become scarce outside.
Times to avoid on a winter Saturday
We do not give exact times: traffic varies from one Saturday to the next, depending on school holidays and the weather. The pattern, however, stays the same. In the morning, guests who have checked out drive down the valley. Then the new arrivals start driving up. The hardest moment is when the two flows cross, and Saturdays during the French school holidays are generally the busiest of the season.
Our advice:
- drive up early, before the wave of arrivals, or late in the day, once it has passed;
- do not plan anything essential for Saturday afternoon, such as a ski lesson or an appointment;
- keep water and snacks within reach for the children;
- bring a little patience: your driver knows where the slowdowns are, but cannot make them disappear.
Which trains to choose for a Saturday arrival
If you are arriving at Moutiers on a Saturday, your choice of train matters as much as the road. A morning train lets you drive up before the worst of the traffic; an evening train lets you go up once it has eased. If you can, avoid arriving in the middle of the day.
If your dates are flexible, the best solution is not to travel on a Saturday at all: the 3 Valleys tourist office suggests skiing Sunday to Sunday to avoid travelling at the same time as everyone else. Some snow trains only run on Saturdays, though, and then you simply plan around it.
Lines, 2026-2027 season dates and which station to choose are covered in our guide to taking the train to the 3 Valleys.
Getting back to the station: how much margin to allow
On your departure Saturday, the trip back to Moutiers needs the same care as the arrival. When you book it, we ask what time you want to leave the resort; your train time lets us check that this leaves enough margin. If it looks too tight, we will suggest leaving earlier.
From the highest resorts, such as Val Thorens or Les Menuires, the drive down is longer, so your margin should be too. From Valmorel, the journey ends on the main valley road between Aigueblanche and Moutiers, the one every holidaymaker uses that day: here too, do not leave it to the last minute.
Better to wait a little on the platform than to chase a train.
Why transfers cost more on winter weekends
Our base prices apply Monday to Friday. On winter Saturdays and Sundays, from early December to early May, a winter weekend surcharge applies. It is not a hidden extra: the price shown by the calculator for your date already includes it, and it does not change once your booking is confirmed.
The reason is simple. Winter weekends bring the highest demand of the week, every trip takes longer because of the traffic, and each van completes fewer journeys in the day. Outside winter, weekends are charged at the base price, and night journeys are always at the base price.
If your dates are flexible, arriving on a weekday will cost you less. The full price list and its rules are on our prices page.
At Moutiers station on a Saturday
On Saturdays, book your transfer in advance: our taxi parked outside the station may already be on a job when your train arrives, and the wait at the taxi rank soon grows. With a booking, your driver meets you outside with a sign bearing your name, even if your train has been delayed on the way.
Give us your train number and a phone number we can reach during the journey. If you change trains, let us know on WhatsApp and we will track the new one. How the pick-up works is explained on our Moutiers train station page, and our other practical guides cover travel times, luggage and the choice between coach and private transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Saturday the only busy day?
It is the busiest day, because most holidays start and end then. Sunday is also part of the winter weekend, with a higher price, but traffic is often lighter than on Saturday.
How much extra time should I allow on a Saturday?
There is no reliable figure: it depends on the week, the time of day and the weather. We advise you case by case, based on your resort and your train, when you book.
Can the Saturday price change after I book?
No. The price is fixed and shown before you book, winter weekend surcharge included. It is confirmed by email, and you pay the driver directly, with no deposit.
Is it better to arrive on a Sunday?
If your dates are flexible, the roads are often quieter, and the 3 Valleys tourist office recommends skiing Sunday to Sunday. A winter Sunday is still a weekend day, though, with a higher price than midweek.