How to go skiing in the Alps by train from the UK

The skiing season is in full bloom (or rather, powder) and there are still a lot of last minute deals to be exploited. Have you recently thought about making the travel from the Island to the Alps, but have only found unsustainable air travel options? Don't despair. There's indeed a very simple (and affordable) way to reach Zurich or Innsbruck by night train – two cities very close to the Alps. And you only have to change in Amsterdam (or Brussels). Here's how:

A skier spraying some pow, offpiste, in front of a blue sky — Enjoying fresh pow somewhere around Andermatt, Switzerland

Step 1: Take the Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal

On weekdays and Sundays, there are three connections per day (on Saturdays two). We recommend taking the earliest connection, so you still get to enjoy Amsterdam and "relax" a bit (might come in handy for a good sleep for the following night train).

Fares start at around 50 GBP for a second class ticket.

Oh, and leave your gear at home. Renting is more sustainable anyway. Of course, if you insist on bringing it, that will probably be more hassle-free than on a plane.

Step 2, option 1: Take the Nightjet to Zurich

There's one line heading to Switzerland, namely the NJ 403 which also halts in Basel. Prices usually start at 100 EUR per person (couchette), for a bed in the sleeper carriage you'll pay around 150 to 180 EUR. The train leaves usually at around 20:00 and arrives in Zurich at around 8:00 in the morning, so you can quickly take a local connection to a resort (see step 3) and maybe even ski on the same day!!!

Find your Nightjet to Zurich here!

Step 2, option 2: Take the Nightjet to Innsbruck

The NJ 421 goes via Munich all the way to Innsbruck in the heart of Tyrol. The prices are a bit cheaper, with couchettes starting from around 80 EUR. The journey is a bit longer though: You'll depart in Amsterdam around 19:00 and arrive around 9:00 in the morning – right in time for your first dose of Kaiserschmarrn. Enjoy!

Find your Nightjet to Innsbruck here!

Step 2, option 3: Take the European Sleeper from Brussels to Innsbruck

This is a bit of a secret hack. European Sleeper starts a seasonal train from the 5th of February which will go all the way to Venice and runs twice a week. It stops in Innsbruck on the way. But it doesn't stop in Amsterdam unfortunately, so you have to hop off from the Eurostar in Bruxelles-Midi. From there, the European Sleeper departs somewhen between 18:00 and 19:00 in the evening.

Check out European Sleeper for trains to Innsbruck!

Step 3: Enjoy the slopes

Here are some personal recommendations:

From Zurich: Andermatt (rather big) or Flumserberge (rather small and cozy), both are reachable with public transport or busses within one to two hours
From Innsbruck: Axamer Lizum (small), Nordkette (apparently the steepest slope of Europe), Stubaier Gletscher (huge resort a bit farther away, within one hour with public transport)

Have fun, don't break a leg (else you will have a bit of an unsustainable repatriation flight back home and we don't want that, right?)