Snow train Scotland to Austria

Looking at a ski trip in March to revisit St Anton but it’s only for the days. I’d like to avoid flying but train seems, perhaps obviously, too much hassle. Was thinking sleeper to London then euro star, but with changes in not getting to SA until near midnight.

Has anyone done it with any success?

Some friends did it recently. Sounded like a right faff. Lots of changes and having to carry all their ski gear. Shame as it could be really good and better than flying but the reality didn’t quite work out

Work takes me from Glasgow to Manchester a couple of times a month. Initially I got the train there and back. Every journey without fail was an absolute disaster of cancellations, reroutes, unplanned changes, delays etc. Eventually I gave up with the train and drive instead 

Not a chance in hell that I’d gamble my holiday on our absolutely farcical trains

Slightly off topic but I just returned from a week in Les Arcs France by train.

Eurostar from Bourge Saint Maurice to London with Change at Lille then LNER.

Left Les Arcs at 0700 and back home near Edinburgh before 2300.

I do not wish to fly and have used Eurostar ski trains for many years. We are looking at options for Austria, Briancon and Italy but keep using the Eurostar ski train as it is very easy.

I’ve done it to the French Alps but it was years ago. Train from Bristol to London Paddington, tube to St Pancras, Eurostar to Paris, metro to change stations then sleeper to Bourg St. Maurice. Finally a funicular train up to Les Arcs.

Undoubtedly it was a faff and time consuming but we did gain a lot of extra skiing time by arriving first thing and leaving in the evening.

Seat61.com tells you everything you need to know.

UK trains; not a chance. 

I would however do it in the manner we have done all our European cycle tours; drive from Edinburgh and ferry to Calais / Dunkirk. Both towns have good, under covered & manned long stay car parks we’ve used in the past. From there hop on French trains which are reliable, cheap and fast. 

alternatively look at the Newcastle / Amsterdam overnight ferry. From there to the alps is around 8hrs of driving. Don’t know what trains are like. Potentially a better offering though. 

The biggest problem with UK trains would seem to be the west coast main line; the east has been pretty much spot on in my experience. The west side seems to be a complete disaster, yet getting from Dundee to Kings cross has always been fine. Relatively quick and reliable.

On a slight tangent there was a thing on Seat 61 about how to buy a ticket to St Pancras that includes CIV protection (so if you miss your connection due to Avanti shambles, you get put on the next Eurostar) – linky

I have done glasgow to oulx, it  was ok-ish

Took a while and changed in London and Paris . Paris was different stations so trip on the metro was needed.

But every long train journey I have taken in uk in the last few years has had issues. From strikes to weather to stuck behind a broken down train to random cancellations.

So in summary eurostar and European trains are good. Uk trains are horrendous and should not be trusted to run on time or run at all

If you can change at Lille, that’s a lot easier than changing in Paris.

I haven’t done St Anton, but I have done the French Alps a few times.

On the way there either stop over in London and get an early Eurostar to get subsequent trains to arrive at a decent time, or get a later Eurostar and connect to one of the Nightjet trains to take you into Austria.

On the way back, because you gain an hour, it’s easier and I’d aim to get back to London to catch the sleeper back to Scotland.

It’s more expensive than flying, but much nicer. I enjoy travelling by train and the travel feels like part of the holiday, both there and back.

Getting all the tickets booked is a PITA, because they all become available at different time.

One of the reasons that people have a problem with changing trains is that they pack like they’re driving to an airport to fly, so end up dragging massive suitcases full of crap around. My past couple of ski holidays I packed all my stuff (including boots) into a 30l duffel and wore my helmet and carried my skis.  Travelling light makes all journeys much easier.

Thanks. @Kramer any tips for a cheap stay over near St Pancreas? Unfortunately the sleeper arrives just too late to make the switch to a workable Eurostar (I think a 7/730)

I’ve used this place a few times.

It’s a bit run down, but it’s cheap and has always been clean with friendly staff. St Pancras is ten minutes walk down the road.

You may find this website very useful – a gold mine of information – https://www.seat61.com/Austria.htm

More than happy to advise as I have quite some knowledge of Continental train travel (it isn’t as scary as it sounds, and is far better than the UK).

One option could be to get the Eurostar to Amsterdam and then the Nightjet to Innsburck, then you are just a short hop from St Anton in Arlberg. Although this way could be pricy.

Alternatively, Eurostar to Paris Gare Du Nord, transfer across to Gare du Lyon for a TGV Lyria to Zurich and then a train over the Arlberg to St Anton. Although this way would mean crossing Paris with presumably bulky luggage.

Another option could be to split the journey up in the Rhineland with a cheap hotel, although this would obviously take longer.

Paris Nord and Paris Ost are about 10 minute walk. Much easier to walk or get a taxi than faffing with the metro. 

One option could be to get the Eurostar to Amsterdam and then the Nightjet to Innsburck, then you are just a short hop from St Anton in Arlberg. Although this way could be pricy.

Direct Eurostar to Amsterdam is finishing soon I believe.

Correct but you’ll be fine in March. Otherwise, a change in Brussels