Cheap Travel to the French Alps

[C8PPO]

Anyone have any suggestions for cheap weekend travel to the Alps? We usually drive - but there are usually 4 of us in a car, so £200+ fuel, £120 tolls, and £100 tunnel is not so bad between 4.

Now there are only two of us heading off for a sneaky weekend, so that stings a bit. However, flights (Thurs eve to Sun eve) look like being north of £200 each, and the train is a laughable price.

Anyone got any other ideas? Cheap flights? Cheap trains?

Thanks.

[Silver993tt]

Go to Austria and avoid the toll roads in France. Go through some of France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and into Austria. It's also much cheaper once you're there and the resorts are far more welcoming both to the eye and pocket. If you have a diesle car even better since it's significantly cheaper than the UK especially in Luxembourg, Germany and Austria even with the strong Euro.

[C8PPO]

That's a thought - I like that. Only skied in Austria a couple of times (including the legendary St Anton!) but would be happy to go back.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[cptsideways]

Having just driven to the alps & back last week, a friend who also joined us took the sleeper train. We worked out for 2 people the train would be cheaper. He left work 5am Fri night, arrived in Bourg at 6am Saturday. We left in the car a full 24hours before he arrived. If you count days lost from work the train is a better bet for 1-2 people. +2 people the car is marginally cheaper but not counting days off work.

Personally I'd take the car everytime out of choice, if less than two up we'll take the Audi A2 Tdi & 75mpg on a run

[C8PPO]

We've been driving for years now, but have done the occasional train trip (mostly the riotous ski train....). Pref would be to drive but it's hefty for 2 people. I did look at trains but Eurostar/TGV is silly money. Any tips on where to find overnight sleeper prices?

[loltolhurst]

trains were £25 from geneva to bourg when i went before christmas - that with easyjet flight to geneva = good value.

booked the train on here

http://www.raileurope.co.uk/