Major city · France
Flaine
Go for 2–3 days of skiing in Le Grand Massif; skip if you want a traditional Alpine village with nightlife — Flaine is car-free, purpose-built and quiet after the lifts close.
Flaine is a 1960s Bauhaus-designed, car-free ski resort in Haute-Savoie, 70 km from Geneva. It sits in the Le Grand Massif ski area (265 km of pistes) and has one of Europe's fastest gondolas. The architecture divides opinion, but the snow record and direct access to the slopes are excellent. Most visitors come for 2–3 days of skiing or snowboarding; summer is quieter, with hiking and mountain biking.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (skiing); Jun–Sep (hiking, biking)
- avoid Nov (resort closed between seasons), May (slushy snow, many lifts closed)
- Airport
- GVA
- 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 Flaine112 ▾
- European emergency112
- Police (Haute-Savoie)17
- Fire18
- Mountain rescue (PGHM Chamonix)04 50 53 16 89
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 Flaine, 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
- SafetyFlaine is a safe, family-oriented resort.
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 numbers112 European emergency · 17 police (haute-savoie) · 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.
- AirportGVA Geneva Airport (70 km (43 mi); 1 h 15 min by car/taxi, 1 h 45 min by shuttle bus (winter only)).GVA Geneva Airport (43 mi (70 km); 1 h 15 min by car/taxi, 1 h 45 min by shuttle bus (winter only)).
- Getting aroundThe resort is car-free and walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- BeerBeer (draught)€5–7 (≈ US$6–9)
- Budget bedApartment (sleeps 4), a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- Mid-range bedApartment (sleeps 4), a night, per room€200 (≈ US$250)
- High-end bedApartment (sleeps 4), a night, per room€350 (≈ US$450)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €80 (≈ US$95) · Mid €150 (≈ US$180) · High €250 (≈ US$300)
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
- GVA Geneva Airport (70 km (43 mi); 1 h 15 min by car/taxi, 1 h 45 min by shuttle bus (winter only))GVA Geneva Airport (43 mi (70 km); 1 h 15 min by car/taxi, 1 h 45 min by shuttle bus (winter only))
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
Best
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Best
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Apr. Avoid: May, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest May (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Flaine: 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)
11 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
10 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
11 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°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)
10 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
12 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
The resort is car-free and walkable. A free internal shuttle runs between Flaine Forêt and Front de Neige. Ski lifts connect the whole Grand Massif area.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Car via A40, about 1 h 15 min
Mont Blanc views and a different ski area; a full day trip.
Door to door: About 1.25 h
Car via A40 and A41, about 1 h
Lake town with old quarter; good for a non-ski day.
Geneva
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Car or shuttle, about 1 h 15 min
City break; parking is expensive.
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.
Flaine Forêt
Lower part, more apartments and quiet; closest to the gondola.
Flaine Front de Neige
Central area with shops, restaurants and direct ski 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
- €80–120 (≈ US$95–140) excl. ski pass
- Mid
- €120–200 (≈ US$140–250) excl. ski pass
- High
- €200 (≈ US$250)+ excl. ski pass
Trip budget
| Apartment (sleeps 4)1 × 3 nights × €200 | €600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × €150 | €900 |
| Geneva Airport shuttle (winter, return)2 × €60 · check | €120 |
| Ski pass Le Grand Massif, 1 day2 × €55 · check | €110 |
| Ski rental (skis, boots, poles), 1 day2 × €30 · check | €60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €179 |
| Trip total≈ €328 per person per day, bed included | €1,969≈ US$2,500 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and ski pass excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | €2–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer (draught) | €5–7 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Fondue or raclette (per person) | €18–25 (≈ US$25–30) |
| Pizza | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Taxi from Geneva Airportcheck | €100–130 (≈ US$120–160) |
| Supermarket baguette | €1.20 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Car-free resort: park at the entrance car parks (pay) and use luggage trolleys or the shuttle.
- The architecture is raw concrete — some find it ugly; check photos before booking.
- Nightlife is limited to a few bars and restaurants; après-ski is low-key.
- Shuttle buses from Geneva run only in winter; summer access is by car or taxi.
Emergency numbers
- European emergency
- 112
- Police (Haute-Savoie)
- 17
- Fire
- 18
- Mountain rescue (PGHM Chamonix)
- 04 50 53 16 89
Pocket card
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FlaineFlaine
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- European emergency112
- Police17
- Fire18
- Mountain rescue (PGHM Chamonix)04 50 53 16 89
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Lyon; most other countries have embassies in Paris. Nearest consulates for many: Geneva.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Geneva Airport → Flaine shuttle (winter): about €30 (≈ US$35) one way, 1 h 45 min (check)
- Taxi Geneva Airport → Flaine: €100–130 (≈ US$120–160), 1 h 15 min (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello
- Merci — Thank you
- Combien ? — How much?
- Où est le télésiège ? — Where is the ski lift?
- J'ai besoin d'aide — I need help
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 Flaine. 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–Apr (skiing); Jun–Sep (hiking, biking) · avoid Nov (resort closed between seasons), May (slushy snow, many lifts closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Flaine
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