Traditionally all our holidays to Europe are by coach. However, we recognise that for some people this is a disincentive to join our holidays! Hence this section explaining more about the flying option.

The flying option

If, despite our comments in the final paragraph, you would prefer to fly then we want to make it as easy as possible for you to join us. We understand that for some, coach travel is a non-starter, whatever we say! Particularly if you get travel sick, or hate the channel crossing, or are very tall. We are not able to sell you flights direct, otherwise we would have to have an ATOL number. However, the process is very simple and we are happy to guide you through it.

Booking a flight

There are numerous airlines that offer flights to Switzerland, some of which are quite reasonably priced these days. Probably Basel is the best airport to fly into (but not for Crans-Montana) although Geneva is an equally good option (but not for Flims). We can certainly recommend using EasyJet and if you have access to the internet this is very simple. Just go to the EasyJet web site, or telephone 0905 821 0905. Be ready to pay by credit card. Try to book a flight to get you there for midday, if you want to link in neatly with the arrival of the coach party.

Refer to our travel section for the details of which airport to use and how to get from there to the resorts.

Making the transfer to resort in Switzerland

This is very simple, so don't be apprehensive. The rail station is only a short walk within the airport complex. All the train personnel speak good English. Trains to each resort go at least once an hour. You can pay for you ticket once seated on the train by cash or credit card. Look on our website, under the travel section, for a clear explanation of the journey from the airport to each of our resorts. If you want a timetable even telling you when to change and platform numbers, etc. go to the Swiss Rail web site. If there are two or more of you in the party, do consider renting a car as this can be cheaper and considerably faster.

Advising us of your plans

If at the time of booking you tell us you are going to fly, we can offer a £20 discount. It will also help us, and obviate some of the problems of not having you with us on the coach, if you can tell us your plans. Tell us when you hope to arrive (Day and Time) and when you expect to leave (Day and Time). Tell us which days you expect to be skiing, so we can get the right ski pass. Tell us whether you expect to arrive in time for a meal on the evening of our arrival (we usually eat around 6.30pm). Tell us if you want a meal on the night we depart (this meal usually begins around 6pm). It will help if we know all this at least a week before we leave. We can also help you if you intend to arrive before us, by advising you which bedroom you are in.

Why we (still) encourage coach travel

It gives us the chance to get to know each other and really does prove a good ice-breaker for the holiday. It means we can begin to learn everyone's name. It means we can check out some of the plans for ski groups, binding settings, etc. We tell people which bedroom they are in and let them know if they are helping the cook on the first evening! We get a lot of help moving into the centre (and out at the other end of the week) from those on the coach. It probably takes 4-6 hours longer, but is considerably cheaper. It saves people the stress and hassle of getting to the airport and the cost of parking. It saves having to book a flight and the cost of airport taxes and credit card charges. There is the time and hassle of baggage retrieval and then getting out of the airport. Then there's the cost and time of train (and then sometimes post bus) transfer. Through all of this you need to carry and watch your baggage. We find that on the outward journey most of our clients manage to get about 8 hours rest (albeit a bit broken up) On the way home, if things go well, some get nearer 9 hours sleep, in a 16 hour journey.