Indirect flights:
Airport Transfers: Airport transfers from Toulouse Airport (Blagnac) are included in the cost of the holiday, running at specific times depending on your trip. James or Cathy will meet you in the arrivals hall by the Terminal Cafe, opposite the baggage reclaim 'belt 4'; they will have a Marmot Tours sign. Please see the transport section of each trip page for the exact transfer time, which is usually the most sensible / reasonably priced flight of the day. If this flight is late arriving, then the transfer will be delayed accordingly. If you miss your flight or choose to fly after the arranged meeting time, you will be unable to join the group transfer and you will be responsible for catching up with the group (see: Independent travel from Toulouse Airport to L'Alpage). Unfortunately, if you do not use the transfer for any reason, there is no refund available. If you end up with time at the airport either before or after the group transfer, you may like to explore Toulouse. Occasionally you may be able to leave you bags with us, otherwise there is a left luggage facility at the train station (there is no left luggage at the airport). There is a Navette (shuttle bus) that leaves from just outside the arrival hall of the Airport to the railway station in Toulouse. The bus departs every 20 mins and takes 20 mins. You pay for your ticket in the booth opposite the bus stop (5 Euros). The railway station (Toulouse Matabiau) is the final stop and is a 10 mins walk from the main town square. For information on things to do in Toulouse please look at this excellent online City Guide. Independent travel from Toulouse Airport to L'Alpage: [Time: 2.5hrs, Cost: 23 Euros, one way] There is a Navette (shuttle bus) that leaves from just outside the arrival hall of the Airport to the railway station in Toulouse. The bus departs every 20 mins and takes 20 mins. You pay for your ticket in the booth opposite the bus stop (5 Euros). The railway station (Toulouse Matabiau) is the final stop. There are then trains every hour (except at lunch times) direct to Ax-les-Thermes (on the line to Latour-de-Carol). The journey takes about 2hrs and costs 17 Euros. On Sundays some of the services are replaced in part by buses. The final train of the day leaves Toulouse at about 2015. Please contact us or go to www.sncf.com for an up-to-date timetable.
On arrival in Ax-les-Thermes there should be taxis waiting
outside the station. If not they can be called on 0033
685104221. Alternatively, Alan (the owner of the chalet) may
be able to pick you up from the railway station in Ax
(depending on the time of day) if you arrange it with us in
advance. The railway station is a 5 mins drive from the
Chalet.
CARCASSONNE
AIRPORT
There are lots of indirect flights possible via Stansted. The 'Navette Airport' leaves from the bus station which is a 1 minute walk from the railway station from the bus station (turn right out of the railway station), you buy your ticket on the bus. There is a bus every 20 mins and the journey takes 20 mins, costing 5 Euros. It drops you off near the 'arrivals' part of Toulouse Airport. You will then be able to meet up with James or Cathy in the arrivals hall by the Terminal Cafe, opposite the baggage reclaim 'belt 4'; they will have a Marmot Tours sign. There are then trains every hour (except at lunch times) direct to Ax-les-Thermes (on the line to La-tour-de-Carol). The journey takes about 2hrs and costs 17 Euros. On Sundays some of the services are replaced in part by buses. The final train of the day leaves Toulouse at about 2015. Please contact us or go
to www.sncf.com
for an up-to-date timetable. BARCELONA
AIRPORT
There are lots of indirect flights possible via London From Saints there are trains to the French border at La Tour de Carol via Vic which take just over 3 hours and cost about 10 Euros. The line gauge changes at La Tour de Carol (which also becomes Latour-de-Carol) so you need to change to a French train operated by SNCF. From here there are direct tains to Ax-les-Thermes every 2 hours and the journey takes 1 hr, costing 6.90 Euros. Please contact us or the
RENFE
(Spain) and the SNCF
(France) for an up-to-date timetable. Driving to the start point can be a great way of extending your holiday. We have found that hotels listed on the Logis de France website are of a reliable quality. Cheap ferry deals can be picked up by visiting ferryprice.com. If you want help in planning the best route, have a look at the fantastic AA European route planner, which even gives you an indication of how long your journey will take. There is ample parking at L'Alpage in the driveway which is just after the house. If in doubt, Alan, the owner of the lodge, can be contacted on 0033 (0)5 61 03 53 29 (he speaks English). Directions from the North/West: Pick up the N20 heading south from Foix. Keep following the N20 following signs for Andorre until you get to Ax-Les-Thermes. In the centre of Ax there is a roundabout, take the road to the 'Col du Chioula' (3rd Exit), follow this under a railway bridge and start to climb. After going around a right hand hairpin and a left hand hairpin, L'Alpage is the first house on the left hand side of the road. It is a white, chalet style building with burgundy shutters. Directions from the South/East: Enter Ax-les-Thermes on the N20 direction Foix. In the centre of Ax there is a roundabout, take the road to the 'Col du Chioula' (1st Exit), follow this under a railway bridge and start to climb. There is a right hand hairpin and a left hand hairpin. L'Alpage is then the first house on the left hand side of the road. It is a white chalet style building with burgundy shutters. Lessen your carbon footprint and take the train - it could even save you a few pounds! It is a very easy journey from London Waterloo to Paris Nord with Eurostar, an easy underground ride to Paris Austerlitz and then a train direct to Ax-les-Thermes (some services change at Toulouse). There is even an overnight sleeper train direct from Paris that arrives in Ax at 0630 in the morning. This connects well with the Eurostar service to Paris leaving Waterloo at about 1830 the night before and you even have time for dinner in Paris! On arrival in Ax-les-Thermes there should be taxis waiting
outside the station. If not they can be called on 0033
685104221. Alternatively, Alan (the owner of the chalet) may
be able to pick you up from the railway station in Ax
(depending on the time of day) if you arrange it with us in
advance. The railway station is a 5 mins drive from the
Chalet. |
