Major city · France
Alpe d'Huez
Spend 2 days: one for skiing or summer mountain activities, another for the Tour de France climb or local sights.
Alpe d'Huez is a high‑altitude Alpine resort offering extensive ski terrain in winter and iconic cycling climbs in summer; a short stay covers the main lifts, a ski run, and the famous 21‑hairpin ascent.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Dec–Mar for snow; Jun–Aug for cycling and hiking
- avoid Late April–May (variable snow, limited lift opening)
- Airport
- AHZ
- Nights
- 2
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 Alpe d'Huez17 ▾
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 Alpe d'Huez, 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
- SafetyAlpe d'Huez is safe for tourists; main risks are weather‑related (avalanches, sudden storms) and altitude effects.
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 ambulance / samu · 18 fire (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.
- AirportAHZ Alpe d'Huez Altiport (General aviation only; no scheduled flights).
- Getting aroundFree shuttle bus runs up and down the mountain and serves the altiport; taxis available; private cars use D1085/D1091 roads.
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)
- Street or quick mealMountain lunch (sandwich, soup)€8–12 (≈ US$10–14)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (10 km (6.2 mi))Taxi (6.2 mi (10 km))€30–40 (≈ US$35–50)
- Budget bedDormitory bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedChalet room (2‑person), a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedChalet room (2‑person), a night, per room€200 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €70 (≈ US$85) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €150 (≈ US$180)
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
- AHZ Alpe d'Huez Altiport (General aviation only; no scheduled flights)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Best
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
Avoid*
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
May
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Best
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Jun–Aug, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Alpe d'Huez: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
10 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
Apr
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
May
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
11 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
Free shuttle bus runs up and down the mountain and serves the altiport; taxis available; private cars use D1085/D1091 roads.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Grenoble
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 30 min
Bus T75 to Bourg d'Oisans, change to T76; about 1 h 30 min total
City offers museums and historic centre; good for a half‑day.
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.
Ecrins Lodge
Chalet on town outskirts, catered accommodation
Résidence La Géode
3‑apartment complex near ski runs
Résidence Pierre & Vacances Les Bergers
Resort residence with restaurant, pool, sauna
Résidence Pierre & Vacances L'Ours Blanc
Wood‑decorated building with direct rink access
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
- €60–80 (≈ US$70–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dormitory bed2 × 2 nights × €45 | €180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €110 | €440 |
| Ski lift day‑pass2 × €55 · check | €110 |
| Shuttle bus (free) – no charge2 × €0 | €0 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €76 |
| Trip total≈ €209 per person per day, bed included | €836≈ US$1,000 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and long‑distance train not included.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in café | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Mountain lunch (sandwich, soup) | €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) |
| Ski lift ticket (full day)check | €45–55 (≈ US$55–65) |
| Taxi (10 km) | €30–40 (≈ US$35–50) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter lift opening dates vary; check the resort website each season.
- Shuttle bus may be limited outside ski season; verify schedule.
- High altitude can cause rapid fatigue; acclimatise before long climbs.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Ambulance / SAMU
- 15
- Fire
- 18
Pocket card
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Alpe d'HuezAlpe d'Huez
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Ambulance / SAMU15
- Fire18
Embassy
US consulate in Lyon (check address); other nations use embassy in Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Grenoble → Alpe d'Huez shuttle: Free (check schedule)
- Ski lift day‑pass: ≈ €45 (check price)
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)
- Puis-je avoir une carte ? — Can I have a map? (puis-je avoir une carte)
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 Alpe d'Huez. 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 for snow; Jun–Aug for cycling and hiking · avoid Late April–May (variable snow, limited lift opening) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add ski‑pass options (full‑day, multi‑day) as extras.
- Include guided cycling tour for the Tour de France climb.
Sources
- officialAlpe d'Huez City Council
- secondaryTransaltitude shuttle info
- secondaryLocal bus operator
- secondaryAltiport AHZ
- secondaryWikivoyage: Alpe d'Huez, revision 5181432 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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