Japan Ski Transfers: New Routes

Japan offers an unforgettable ski holiday, from deep powder and dramatic mountain scenery to relaxing onsens, exceptional food and fascinating local culture. To make reaching the slopes easier, Ski-Lifts is launching new private transfer routes from Tokyo’s airports to some of Japan’s most popular ski destinations.

The new routes connect Tokyo Narita Airport and Tokyo Haneda Airport with Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, Lotte Arai, Myoko Kogen and Shiga Kogen. Transfers are also available from selected Tokyo city hotels to Lotte Arai, Myoko Kogen and Shiga Kogen, giving you more flexibility when planning your Japanese ski adventure.

Why ski in Japan?

Japan has become a favourite destination for skiers and snowboarders from around the world, and it is easy to see why. The country combines impressive mountain scenery and excellent ski areas with a travel experience that is completely different from a traditional European or North American ski holiday.

Experience Japan’s famous powder snow

Japan is renowned for its light, dry powder snow, often referred to as “Japow”. The quality of the snow is one of the main reasons skiers travel to destinations such as Hakuba, Myoko and Nozawa Onsen. Japan’s distinctive snow conditions and snowy mountain landscapes are among the country’s biggest attractions for winter visitors.

Whether you are an experienced off-piste skier looking for fresh powder or a beginner wanting to enjoy a new winter destination, Japan offers a wide choice of resorts and terrain. Many destinations also combine several ski areas, making it possible to explore different slopes during the same holiday

Combine skiing with Japanese culture

A ski holiday in Japan offers much more than time on the mountain. After a day on the slopes, you can relax in a traditional onsen, enjoy regional Japanese cuisine or explore a historic mountain village.

Nozawa Onsen is particularly well known for its traditional hot springs and atmospheric village setting. Hakuba offers a lively international ski scene surrounded by dramatic mountain views, while Myoko Kogen and Shiga Kogen provide access to some of Nagano’s most impressive winter landscapes.

For many visitors, the appeal is the chance to combine skiing with a few days in Tokyo. You could begin your trip among the bright lights, restaurants and shopping districts of the capital before travelling onwards to the mountains.

New Japan ski transfer routes

Ski-Lifts now offers private transfers from Tokyo’s main airports to five leading ski destinations:

Tokyo Narita Airport ⇄ Hakuba.
Tokyo Haneda Airport ⇄ Hakuba.
Tokyo Narita Airport ⇄ Nozawa Onsen.
Tokyo Haneda Airport ⇄ Nozawa Onsen.
Tokyo Narita Airport ⇄ Lotte Arai.
Tokyo Haneda Airport ⇄ Lotte Arai.
Tokyo Narita Airport ⇄ Myoko Kogen.
Tokyo Haneda Airport ⇄ Myoko Kogen.
Tokyo Narita Airport ⇄ Shiga Kogen.
Tokyo Haneda Airport ⇄ Shiga Kogen.

There are also routes from Tokyo city hotels to Lotte Arai, Myoko Kogen and Shiga Kogen. This is especially useful if you are spending a few nights in Tokyo before travelling to the ski resort.

With airport and hotel collection options, you can choose the route that best suits your itinerary rather than arranging separate transport for every stage of your journey

Why prebook a Japan ski transfer with Ski-Lifts?

Japan is famous for its efficient public transport, and travelling by train can be an excellent option for independent visitors. However, getting from an airport or Tokyo hotel to a ski resort is not always as simple as taking one train.

A prebooked transfer with Ski-Lifts can make the journey easier in several ways.

Travel directly to your accommodation

Instead of changing between airport trains, mainline services, local trains, buses and taxis, a private transfer takes you directly to your resort or accommodation.

That means less time reading timetables, finding platforms and working out the final connection from the nearest station. After a long-haul flight, the convenience of a direct journey can make a significant difference.

Avoid managing ski equipment on busy transport

Travelling with skis, snowboards and large suitcases can be challenging, particularly when moving through large stations or changing between different forms of transport.

JR East provides guidance for oversized luggage, including size, weight and storage restrictions. Its guidance states that luggage must be no more than 250 centimetres in total dimensions, no more than 30 kilograms per item and limited to two items per passenger, excluding personal belongings. Storage space can also be limited and is generally available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A transfer removes much of this practical difficulty. Your equipment stays with you in the vehicle, rather than being carried through stations, lifted onto trains or fitted into a final local bus or taxi.

Make group travel simpler

Families and groups often have different arrival times, ski bags, suitcases and varying levels of experience navigating Japan. Keeping everyone together on public transport can be difficult, especially when connections are busy or delayed.

A private transfer provides one straightforward journey for the whole group. It can also be a more comfortable and practical option when travelling with children or large amounts of winter equipment.

Know the cost in advance

When arranging transport independently, the total cost may include several train tickets, bus fares, taxis and luggage services. Prebooking allows you to see the transfer price in advance and build it into your holiday budget.

This is particularly useful for groups, where the cost of a private vehicle can be shared between several passengers.

Is public transport still a good option?

For some travellers, absolutely. Japan’s rail network is clean, reliable and a memorable part of the travel experience. Public transport may suit you if:

You are travelling with light luggage.
You are comfortable navigating stations and connections.
You have plenty of time between your flight and resort journey.
You are travelling independently and want to experience more of Japan.
Your accommodation is close to a convenient train or bus stop.

You can also use luggage forwarding services to send equipment or suitcases ahead, reducing what you need to carry. However, this requires additional planning, including checking delivery times and confirming that your accommodation can receive the bags.

When is a private transfer the better choice?

A prebooked transfer is often the most practical option if you are travelling directly from Tokyo to the mountains, arriving after a long international flight or carrying ski equipment for the whole group.

It is also particularly useful when your resort requires a final road journey after the train. Reaching the nearest station is only part of the journey; you may still need to arrange a local bus, taxi or resort shuttle to get to your accommodation.

With Ski-Lifts, you can arrange your transport before leaving home and travel directly from Tokyo Narita Airport, Tokyo Haneda Airport or selected Tokyo city hotels to your chosen resort.

Book your Japan ski transfer with Ski-Lifts

Japan is an incredible place to ski, but reaching the mountains should not be stressful. Whether you are planning a first visit to Hakuba, returning to Nozawa Onsen or exploring Lotte Arai, Myoko Kogen or Shiga Kogen, a prebooked transfer gives you a simple and comfortable start to your holiday.

Book your Japan ski transfer with Ski-Lifts and enjoy a direct journey from Tokyo to the slopes, with clear pricing and routes designed around your travel plans.

Ready to start planning your Japanese ski adventure? Check availability and book your Tokyo airport or city-hotel transfer today.

How to Get to Avoriaz

Avoriaz is one of the most distinctive ski resorts in the French Alps, set high above Morzine in the heart of the Portes du Soleil. Geneva Airport is the most practical arrival point for most visitors, with the journey taking around 1 hour 40 minutes. Because Avoriaz is entirely car-free, transfers finish at the Avoriaz Welcome Centre, where you continue into the village on foot or by resort transport. Avoriaz can also be reached from Chambéry, Lyon and Grenoble, by train to nearby stations, by car, or by public transport with a final road transfer.

This guide covers the practical detail for each option — routes, costs, luggage and timing — so you can work out which one suits your trip. For more on the trade-offs between service types, see our shared vs private ski transfers guide. To compare transfer prices and book directly, see all available Avoriaz transfers.

How to get to Avoriaz travel guide

Jump to:

Getting to Avoriaz by train

There is no railway station in Avoriaz itself, so train journeys need to be completed with a final road transfer. Cluses is usually the most practical nearby station, with onward travel to Avoriaz taking around 60 minutes in normal conditions.

Thonon-les-Bains can also be useful depending on your rail route, particularly if travelling through Switzerland or from elsewhere in France.

Rail travellers can compare onward options from Cluses train station.

Getting to Avoriaz by car

Driving to Avoriaz gives you flexibility, but winter preparation is essential. Between 1 November and 31 March, French mountain driving rules may require suitable winter equipment, including winter tyres or snow chains depending on conditions.

Vehicles cannot drive through Avoriaz village because the resort is car-free.
Cars must be left in designated resort car parks or arrival areas.
Traffic can build up on Saturdays during the ski season, especially around Geneva, Morzine and the final climb to resort.
Snow and ice can affect the road above Morzine, so winter equipment is important.

Bus to Avoriaz

Public transport to Avoriaz is possible, but it is not always the most straightforward option, especially with ski luggage. From Geneva, the journey usually involves travelling by coach, train or regional bus towards Cluses or Thonon-les-Bains, then continuing by local bus, taxi or transfer to the Avoriaz arrival area.

As a guide, public transport from Geneva to Avoriaz can take around 3 to 4 hours depending on timetables and connections. Regional services operated by providers such as SAT Autocars and Transdev may be useful for parts of the journey, but schedules vary by season, day of week and arrival time.

The main challenge is convenience. Carrying skis, snowboards and luggage between buses, trains and resort transport can make the journey feel much longer, especially on busy winter weekends. Because Avoriaz is car-free, the final step from any bus stop or vehicle drop-off point still needs to be completed using resort transport, luggage services or on foot.

Taxi to Avoriaz

A taxi from Geneva to Avoriaz gives you a direct journey, especially if you are arriving late or want to leave the airport immediately. The main downside is cost, as taxis are usually one of the more expensive ways to travel on this route.

As a guide, a Geneva taxi to Avoriaz can cost around €160–€230+, depending on the time of day, luggage, vehicle size, route, demand and peak travel periods. Swiss taxi surcharges may also apply, particularly for cross-border journeys into France, so it is worth confirming the fare before setting off.

Since Avoriaz is car-free, taxis still need to use the designated arrival or access areas rather than driving through the resort village itself. If taking a taxi, confirm that the driver will travel to the Avoriaz Welcome Centre access point rather than only as far as Morzine.

For comparison, a pre-booked private transfer from Geneva to Avoriaz starts from around £190 per vehicle for up to 8 passengers — for families and groups, this can be comparable to, or cheaper than, a taxi, with a confirmed price and a service arranged around ski luggage and winter resort access.

Timing your trip to Avoriaz

Timing makes a real difference to availability, traffic and price, whichever way you’re travelling.

Peak Season

Mid-December – Late March

Christmas, New Year & February half-term
Roads and resort access points are busiest
Book early for best availability

Shoulder Season

Early December & Late March

Often quieter roads
Good mix of value and snow conditions

Summer & Off-Peak

Spring, summer & autumn

Private transfers remain available year-round
Avoriaz and Morzine are popular for summer mountain activities

Weekends vs. weekdays

Mid-week travel is typically quieter than Saturday changeover days on the road, on the rail connection into Cluses, and for transfer availability — flexible dates can help with both price and journey time, whichever option you choose.

Compare Avoriaz Transfers

How to Get to Avoriaz – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest way to get to Avoriaz?

For most travellers, the easiest way to get to Avoriaz is to fly into Geneva Airport and continue by pre-booked transfer to the Avoriaz Welcome Centre. This avoids public transport changes and removes the need to drive in winter conditions.

Can you drive into Avoriaz?

No. Avoriaz is a car-free resort, so cars, taxis and transfer vehicles use the designated arrival areas rather than driving through the village itself.

Is Avoriaz easy to reach without a car?

Yes. Avoriaz is easy to reach without a car, especially from Geneva Airport. A pre-booked transfer is usually the most straightforward option because the resort itself is car-free and has dedicated arrival arrangements.

Is public transport to Avoriaz worth it?

Public transport can work for some travellers, but it usually involves connections and can be less convenient with ski luggage. For short trips, families and groups, a direct transfer is often the easier option.

Should I fly to Geneva or Chambéry for Avoriaz?

Geneva is usually the more practical choice because it has a wider choice of flights and strong transfer availability. Chambéry can be useful if flight times and fares suit your plans, but services are more limited and seasonal.