How to get to La Clusaz?
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How to get to La Clusaz
Nestled in the heart of the Aravis mountains in Haute-Savoie, La Clusaz is a resort that's easy to reach thanks to a comprehensive transport network. In peak season, this well-known alpine village welcomes up to 2 000 visitors a day, drawn by its slopes, authentic atmosphere and unspoilt surroundings.
To reach the resort, you have several options: train + bus, long-distance bus, carpooling or airport shuttles. Here's a clear guide to help you plan your journey.
🚆 Train + bus: the most convenient option
La Clusaz doesn't have its own SNCF station. The nearest main station is Annecy, around 50 minutes from the resort.
Step 1: take a train (TGV or TER) to Annecy from Paris, Lyon, Chambéry, Grenoble or Geneva.
Step 2: from Annecy station, board the Cars Région Haute-Savoie bus (Annecy → La Clusaz – Gare Routière route). The journey takes around 1 hour, with several departures a day.
This train + bus combo is often the fastest way to get there from major cities.
🚌 Getting to La Clusaz by long-distance bus
Direct buses let you reach La Clusaz without changing, notably from Paris:
- FlixBus
- BlaBlaCar Bus
Duration: between 10 and 12 hours depending on the schedule.
Price: from €30–35 depending on the season.
Buses arrive at the Gare Routière de La Clusaz, right in the heart of the village.
🚗 Getting to La Clusaz by carpooling
Carpooling is a flexible, affordable alternative, ideal for last-minute departures. Many listings link directly Annecy → La Clusaz or major cities → Annecy.
Via Tictactrip, you can compare BlaBlaCar journeys or other partner platforms in one click.
Average price: around €20 for a long-distance journey.
✈️ Getting to La Clusaz by plane
For international travellers or those coming from further afield, two airports serve the resort:
- Annecy Mont-Blanc Airport – around 50 km away
- Geneva International Airport – around 65 km away
From these airports, tourist shuttles such as Altibus or Alpes Express provide regular transfers to La Clusaz.
Transfer time: between 1 h and 1 h 30 depending on the airport.
📊 Summary of options and prices
| Mode of transport | Description | Estimated duration | Average price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train + bus | SNCF/CFF train to Annecy, then regional bus | 5 h 45 to 7 h from Paris | €95–170 + €5–8 |
| Direct bus | FlixBus or BlaBlaCar Bus | 10–12 h | from €30–35 |
| Carpooling | Shared car to Annecy or La Clusaz | 6–8 h from Paris | ≈ €20 |
| Plane + shuttle | Arrival in Geneva or Annecy then Altibus shuttle | 1–1 h 30 | €120–150 (flight) + shuttle |
🚆 The nearest stations to La Clusaz
| Station | Company | Trains/day | Distance / Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annecy | SNCF | ~20 | 40–50 min |
| La Roche-sur-Foron | SNCF | ~8 | ~1 h |
| Cluses | SNCF | ~10 | ~1 h |
| Geneva Cornavin | CFF | ~10 | 1 h 30 |
🚌 Bus stations serving La Clusaz
| Bus station | Address | Buses/day | Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Clusaz | 26 Route des Grandes Alpes, 74220 La Clusaz | ~15 | Regional / long-distance buses |
| Annecy | Place de la Gare, 74000 Annecy | ~20 | Cars Région Haute-Savoie, FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus |
The history of La Clusaz
Clinging to the slopes of the Aravis massif, La Clusaz (postal code 74220) is an alpine village steeped in history, whose origins go back several centuries. Located in Haute-Savoie, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the commune has managed to preserve its mountain identity while becoming one of the most renowned winter and summer sports resorts in the French Alps.
With around 1,800 inhabitants, called Cluses, La Clusaz spans 40.67 km² of forests, alpine pastures and ridges, forming a rich and preserved natural setting. Its name comes from the Latin term cluse, meaning "narrow passage between mountains", and formerly appeared as "Clusa Locus Dei", literally "enclosed place of God", a name given by the abbots of Talloires.
Some major milestones in the history of La Clusaz:
- 1601: Duke of Savoy Charles-Emmanuel I raises La Clusaz to the rank of a market town, authorizing markets and fairs to boost the alpine economy.
- 19th century: The village lives mainly on mountain farming, sheep and cattle breeding, and the making of reblochon, an iconic cheese still produced today.
- 1902: Opening of the Annecy - Col des Aravis road, marking the arrival of the first visitors and the rise of tourism.
- 1907: Organization of the first ski competition, the starting point of a long tradition of winter sports.
- 1956: Commissioning of the Beauregard cable car, a symbol of the resort's modernization after the Second World War.
- 1980s: La Clusaz asserts itself on the international scene by hosting major competitions, strengthening its sporting reputation.
The ram featured on the village's coat of arms pays tribute to its pastoral past, marked by transhumance and livestock farming in the high-altitude meadows. Even today, this rural heritage coexists harmoniously with a modern resort equipped with quality infrastructure, traditional wood and stone chalets, and a village that cultivates a genuine Savoyard soul.
In 2025, La Clusaz continues to combine nature, heritage and innovation. Its authenticity, dynamism and deep attachment to its roots make it a unique destination for those seeking both a change of scenery and the charm of a lively, well-preserved mountain village.
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