That's La Plagne
The best La Plagne Parking Guide
So, you've booked your epic ski holiday to my hometown of La Plagne – the best ski resort by far (in my opinion!). And you've decided to take the wheel and drive to La Plagne. But, one of the most regular questions I’m asked, and I see asked all the time in different ski forums, is where can I find parking in La Plagne? And also, how much is it going to cost?
Before you hit the snowy slopes, let me share my constant struggle with the nitty-gritty of La Plagne parking. After all, no one wants their winter wonderland adventure to start with a parking puzzle!
Join the inside track to get the story first from La Plagne.
Free parking in La Plagne
Now, let's dive into everyone’s burning question – is there any free parking in La Plagne? Brace yourselves for the news: in this charming ski village, free parking is as elusive as a yeti sighting. Well, not quite! Only 5 years ago, there was a lot more free parking along most of the roads throughout the altitude villages, but with the constant level of building and development, most of this parking has been gobbled up to build more hotels and residences.
Having got the bad news out of the way, there are some free parking places you can check out, but do remember that La Plagne is a popular destination, and every inch of space is precious. So, don't count on snagging a free spot close to your accommodation.
Plagne Centre parking In Plagne Centre, there is a free outdoor car park at the foot of the Bergerie chair lift. Just be careful where you park: the first half is only for coaches and buses, and you will get a ticket if you park in one of their slots!
Plagne Villages and Plagne Soleil Both these villages have quite large free outdoor car parks to the sides of the main access roads, but they quickly get busy. The biggest issue here is people not parking property and taking up multiple spaces. So make sure you park sensibly.
Aime 2000 has two large outdoor car parks just below it, with the idea that you can park temporarily next to the building to unload and then move to one of the other car parks.
Bellecôte has two outdoor free car parks. The parking closest to the town is nearly always jam-packed. Don’t be tempted to pull in and leave the car here temporarily, you will get a ticket – and I speak from experience! The lower Bellecôte car parks have much more space and are the safer, better option.
Plagne 1800 has two new, free car parks opened in the winter of 20/21, and there's also a third smaller car park just above the Decathlon at the top end of Plagne 1800.
La Roche, being the lowest of the La Plagne altitude villages, often has plenty of space in its car park.
Paid Car parking La Plagne
Now, let's talk about the paid parking options in La Plagne. The good news is that there are several paid parking options available throughout the different villages that make up La Plagne. The pricing varies depending on the village and proximity to the slopes, but you can expect to pay around €10 to €20 per day, usually 72€ for a week. Keep in mind that prices might fluctuate during peak holiday periods, so it's always a good idea to check and book ahead.
Have a look at the La Plagne parking map, but paid car parks can be found in Belle Plagne, Plagne Bellecôte, Plagne Centre, Plagne 1800, Aime 2000, and Plagne Soleil.
You can book paid La Plagne parking online.
La Plagne Motor Home Parking
For those arriving in La Plagne in a motorhome, there's a dedicated motorhome parking area at Plagne Villages called a “Cavanniege.” There are 4 rows with 40 motorhome parking spaces measuring 8.50 x 4 metres each. Each motorhome pitch also has a 16v electricity point near it. There is also waste-water disposal, freshwater access and video surveillance.
One thing to be aware of is that Wifi access is paid extra.
GPS coordinates for the La Plagne motorhome are: N45 ° 30.315 ‘E06 ° 41.323'
It's an excellent option for those seeking both parking convenience and a cosy, homey feel. However, this parking area gets very busy and booked out over the season with long-term stays, so it's advisable to book in advance.
For more information check out my Ultimate Guide to Motorhome Parking in La Plagne.
A week's parking spot will cost 184€ for 7 nights, and you can book the La Plagne motorhome parking online.
Eco-Friendly Challenges: Electric Vehicle Parking in La Plagne
If you're an eco-conscious traveller cruising in an electric vehicle, you might be frustrated to know that La Plagne is keeping up with the times – but slowly! Up until winter 2023/24, there were only a few public charging points in La Plagne:
- Boulevard parking in Plagne Centre
- Covered parking Plagne Soleil
However, for winter 23/24, I’m pleased to say there are now publicly accessible electric vehicle charging points in the La Plagne 1800 car park and also in Montchavin. There are:
- 4 x 300kw charging points at Plagne 1800 at the entrance of the Mines car park
- 2 x 300kw charging points at La Plagne Montchavin, Route du Replat parking
Recharging is done either with a multi-operator card or using a QR code displayed on the screen. and the price per kWh at 0.55 cts€ and 3 cts extra per min when the vehicle is charged and not moved.
My final tip for electric charging points would be to check your accommodation, as several hotels and chalets have installed charging points for their guests. For example, I know the Hotel Carlina has electric vehicle charging points for their guests, as do some of the Alpoholics chalets.
That’s La Plagne & top tips for your ski holiday parking options
Here are three top tips for parking in La Plagne from someone who lives the struggle:
- Plan Ahead: During peak seasons, parking can get competitive. Arrive early to secure your spot, especially if you have a particular parking area in mind.
- Cash and Cards: Be prepared to pay for parking in both cash and card. Some parking areas might only accept one form of payment.
- Explore Alternate Transportation: La Plagne's well-connected free shuttle bus system means you can easily get around without your car once you're here. Consider leaving your vehicle parked while you explore on foot, by ski lift, or on the shuttle bus.
And there you have it. Now that you're in the know about parking in the best resort in the Alps, it's time to buckle up, hit the road, and let the alpine adventures begin.
See you on the slopes!
