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Voykit pocket guide · France
Courchevel
Spend 2–3 days for skiing and resort amenities; one night works only for a quick lift pass and dinner.
Courchevel sits in Les Trois Vallées, the world’s largest ski area (372 km of runs, 198 lifts). Luxury hotels and Michelin restaurants raise costs, so a short ski stint fits a 2‑day stay; longer trips let you explore neighboring villages and enjoy spa time.
- Country
- France
- Best months
- Dec–Mar (peak ski season)
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (off‑season, limited lift operation)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR, €). Contactless cards work in most shops, cafés and restaurants.
- Daily spend
- Budget €80–120 excl. lift pass · Mid €150–250 excl. lift pass · High €300+ excl. lift pass (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Orange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Fire 18 · Medical 15
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin plugs; type E sockets have an earth pin sticking out, so Schuko (type F) plugs need a C/E hybrid or an adapter.
- Tipping
- Café or bar: Leave small change, €0.20–1.; Restaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro or two.; Hotel porter or housekeeping: €1–2 per bag or per night.; Tour guide: €5–10 per person for a half day, more for private guides.
- Water
- Tap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise. Restaurants must serve a free carafe of tap water on request.
- Toilets
- Paris has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €3–5 |
| Ski lift pass (1‑day) | €70–90 |
| Meal at mid‑range restaurant | €30–45 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi) from Altiport to 1850)Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km) from Altiport to 1850) | €25–35 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CVF · Courchevel Altiport
- Highest airport in Europe; transfers to Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble.
- GVA · Geneva Airport
- Main international gateway, 149 km (93 mi) away; shuttle or private transfer.Main international gateway, 93 mi (149 km) away; shuttle or private transfer.
Typical fares
- Geneva → Courchevel Altiport (shared shuttle)
- about €80, 2 h30 (check)
- Moûtiers → Courchevel (bus)
- ≈€12, 20 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Ski lifts within the resort; free shuttle bus links 1850, Le Praz and Courchevel Altiport. Private transfers from Moûtiers station or Geneva are common.
See and do
Known for
- World‑class ski area
- Luxury hotels and Michelin restaurants
- High‑end boutiques
- Les Trois Vallées connection
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Meribel | Ski via Les Trois Vallées lifts, about 15 min downhill | ≈20 min |
| Val Thorens | Ski through Les Trois Vallées, 30 min total travel | ≈45 min |
| Brides‑les‑Bains | Bus from Courchevel Altiport or shuttle, 10 min | ≈15 min |
| Saint‑Martin‑de‑Belleville | Bus or shared transfer, 12 min | ≈20 min |
Sleep
- 1850
- Luxury hotels, ski‑in/ski‑out; best for high‑budget stays.
- Le Praz
- Mid‑range lodgings, close to lifts and shops.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pardonpardon |
| Thank you | Mercimerci |
| How much is it? | C’est combien ?say kɛ̃ kɔ̃byen |
| Where is the lift? | Où est le téléski ?u ɛ l telɛski |
| Can I have a map? | Puis-je avoir une carte ?pɥi ʒə avwaʁ yn kaʁt |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'bonjour madame/monsieur' on entering any shop, bus or office; avoid: Asking a question before saying bonjour — it is read as rude
- Cheek kisses (la bise): Follow the other person's lead; one to four kisses depending on region; avoid: Initiating la bise with strangers or in business
- Addressing people: Use 'vous' and titles until invited otherwise; avoid: First names and 'tu' with older people or staff
- Restaurants: Wait to be seated in restaurants; call the waiter 'monsieur' or 'madame'; avoid: 'Garçon', snapping fingers, asking for the bill before you are finished
- Conversation: Debate is a pleasure; food, politics and philosophy are fair game; avoid: Asking about salary or religion; loud voices on trains
- Dinner at a home: Bring flowers (not chrysanthemums), chocolates or a good bottle; arrive 10–15 minutes late; avoid: Cutting the tip off a cheese wedge or asking for ketchup
- Dress: Smart-casual in cities; covered shoulders in churches; avoid: Beachwear in town centres
Scams and watch-outs
- Lift tickets are expensive; check current price before arrival.
- Altitude can cause shortness of breath; stay hydrated.
- Private helicopter landings are limited and weather‑dependent.
Courchevel is safe for tourists; main risks are icy sidewalks and occasional avalanches – stay on marked paths and heed ski patrol warnings.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Courchevel yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- World‑class ski area
- Luxury hotels and Michelin restaurants
- High‑end boutiques
- Les Trois Vallées connection
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Courchevel: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Courchevel, revision 5319893 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5319893
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/courchevel). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.