Major city · France
Serre-Chevalier
Spend 2–3 days for skiing; add a day for Briançon if you want a town break.
Serre-Chevalier is a large Alpine ski area with 250 km of runs from 1,200‑2,800 m. A short stay covers the main slopes; a longer stay lets you explore nearby Briançon or relax in the spa villages.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- avoid Jun–Aug (limited ski)
- Airports
- GNB · LYS · TRN · MXP
- Nights
- 2–3
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Serre-Chevalier17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Serre-Chevalier, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch mountain weather changes and keep ski equipment secured on lifts.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 15 fire and ambulance · 112 General emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGNB Grenoble Alpes–Isère (≈2 h 45 min by car).
- Getting aroundBus from Grenoble or Marseille to Briançon, then local bus or shuttle to ski villages.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in café€2–€3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi 3.1 mi (5 km)€15–€20 (≈ US$18–25)
- Budget bedHotel double room, a night, per room€80 (≈ US$95)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room€230 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €70 (≈ US$85) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GNB Grenoble Alpes–Isère (≈2 h 45 min by car) · LYS Lyon‑Saint‑Exupéry (≈3 h by car) · TRN Turin (≈2 h 40 min by car) · MXP Milan Malpensa (≈2 h 40 min by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
Best
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: Dec–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Nov (9 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Serre-Chevalier: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Bus from Grenoble or Marseille to Briançon, then local bus or shuttle to ski villages. Car via D1091 (Lautaret) or A51/E712. Within the resort use ski lifts and village shuttles.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Briançon
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Train from Briançon station (Marseille‑Briançon line) or bus from resort, ~30 min
Historic fortified town with citadel and museums.
Gap
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 15 min
Car or bus via N85, ~1 h
Larger town for shopping and museums.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Peak Retreats
Self‑catering apartments, 2‑10 guests, lift‑pass and ski‑school options
Grand Hotel Serre Chevalier
2‑minute walk to lifts, rooms €80‑€230, half‑board available
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €70–€120 (≈ US$85–140) excl. lift pass
- Mid
- €120–€200 (≈ US$140–250) excl. lift pass
- High
- €200 (≈ US$250)+ excl. lift pass
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 2 nights × €130 | €260 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €120 | €480 |
| Ski lift pass (6‑day)2 × €300 · check | €600 |
| Car rental (1 day)2 × €45 · check | €90 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €143 |
| Trip total≈ €393 per person per day, bed included | €1,573≈ US$1,900 |
Grand Hotel rates
2026 estimate in euros; flights and ski passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in café | €2–€3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Croissant | €1.5–€2.5 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Ski rental (full day)check | €30–€45 (≈ US$35–55) |
| Taxi 5 km | €15–€20 (≈ US$18–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Lift tickets are pricey; check current rates before arrival.
- Snow conditions vary early/late season; verify open runs.
- Night train from Paris arrives late; plan transport to Briançon.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 15
- General emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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Serre-ChevalierSerre-Chevalier
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance15
- General emergency112
Embassy
US consulate in Marseille; French police stations in Briançon and Gap.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Grenoble → Briançon bus: ≈ €15, 2 h 45 min (check)
- Ski lift day pass: ≈ €300 for 6 days (check)
Say or show
- Pardon — Excuse me / Sorry (pardon)
- Merci — Thank you (merci)
- C’est combien ? — How much is it? (c’est combien)
- Où est le téléski ? — Where is the lift? (où est le téléski)
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît — Can I have the bill? (l’addition s’il vous plaît)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Serre-Chevalier. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar · avoid Jun–Aug (limited ski) · month by month →
- 4 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Briançon for culture after ski days.
- Consider a spa day in La Salle les Alpes for relaxation.
Sources
Ask about Serre-Chevalier
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