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How to Get from Aime Train Station to La Plagne by Bus

If you're travelling to La Plagne by train, getting to Aime-la-Plagne train station is only part of the journey.

Click to the bit you need, or keep on reading!

Aime sits down in the valley (not to be confused with Aime 2000, which is one of hte altitude villages in the resort!), while most of the main La Plagne resort villages are around 30 minutes further up the mountain. So unless someone is picking you up, you'll need to arrange the final journey from Aime train station to La Plagne.

The good news is that you don't necessarily need to book a taxi or private ski transfer.

There are scheduled public buses connecting Aime-la-Plagne train station with La Plagne throughout the winter and summer seasons. For most visitors staying in the main La Plagne altitude villages, the bus you're looking for is the S71.

If you're staying in Plagne Montalbert, you'll normally use the S70 instead.

You'll often hear these services referred to as “Altibus”, because Altibus is the platform used to find timetables and book tickets. But this isn't really a traditional ski transfer. It's better to think of it as the scheduled public transport option between the train station and the resort.

And if the timetable lines up well with your train, it's one of the simplest and cheapest ways to get from Aime to La Plagne.

Already in resort and trying to work out how to get between the different La Plagne villages? Head over to my complete La Plagne free shuttle bus guide. That covers the free local buses, pedestrian lifts and resort transport you'll use once you're up the mountain.

Aime train station to La Plagne bus: the quick answer

For most people arriving by train, this is what you need to know:

Main bus route	S71
From	Aime-la-Plagne train and bus station
To	Main La Plagne altitude villages
Montalbert	Use the S70
Type of service	Scheduled public bus
Booking	Online via Altibus
Luggage	Hand luggage, hold luggage and one pair of skis or snowboard are currently included
Best for	Train travellers whose arrival connects well with the bus timetable
Main thing to check	Your train arrival time against the current bus timetable

The bus station in Aime is directly outside the SNCF train station, so changing from train to bus is straightforward. The part that needs planning is the timing: these are scheduled buses and don't work like a private transfer waiting specifically for your train.

Is there a public bus from Aime train station to La Plagne?

Yes.

The S71 bus connects Aime-la-Plagne station with the main La Plagne resort villages.

This is the route most people travelling to La Plagne by train will use for the final part of their journey.

It's worth making one distinction here because there are two different types of bus service you'll come across when planning a La Plagne holiday.

The S70 and S71 are public bus routes connecting the valley with the resort. You need to check the timetable and buy a ticket.

Once you're actually in La Plagne, there is also a separate network of free resort shuttle buses that connects many of the villages.

Which bus do I need for my La Plagne village?

This is the first thing to check because not every La Plagne village uses the same train station or bus route.

S71 from Aime to La Plagne

For most visitors arriving at Aime-la-Plagne train station and staying in the main altitude villages, the S71 is the bus you need.

The route connects Aime with stops in the main La Plagne resort area, including villages such as Plagne 1800, Plagne Bellecôte, Belle Plagne, Plagne Centre, Plagne Soleil, Plagne Villages and Aime 2000.

Always check the current route and your nearest stop before travelling, particularly if you're arriving with children, skis and several suitcases. “La Plagne” covers a much bigger area than many first-time visitors realise.

S70 from Aime to Plagne Montalbert

If you're staying in Plagne Montalbert, you don't want the main S71 service.

The S70 connects Aime-la-Plagne station with Montalbert.

Again, check the current timetable before you book the rest of your journey, as the service runs to fixed departure times.

Staying in Montchavin or Les Coches?

If you're staying in Montchavin or Les Coches, Aime generally isn't the train station you want to aim for.

The S72 connects Landry train station with Montchavin-Les Coches.

This is an important one to know before you book your train tickets. It can be very easy to see “Aime-la-Plagne” and assume that it is automatically the correct station for anywhere within La Plagne.

It isn't.

Staying in Champagny-en-Vanoise?

Champagny-en-Vanoise sits on the other side of the La Plagne ski area.

The relevant valley bus connection is normally the S66 from Moûtiers train station rather than travelling via Aime.

I've included all of these valley connections in my main La Plagne bus guide if you need to compare the routes.

Where do you catch the bus at Aime-la-Plagne station?

This part is refreshingly easy.

Aime bus station, or gare routière, is directly beside the SNCF train station.

When your train arrives, you don't need another taxi or complicated connection to reach the bus departure point. You get off the train, leave the station and head across to the bus station.

That said, give yourself a sensible connection time.

If you've ever tried getting three children, ski bags, suitcases and hand luggage off a busy Saturday ski train, you'll know that a five-minute connection looks very different on paper from how it feels in real life.

The same applies if you've never visited Aime before and need a few minutes to work out where you're going.

I would always rather have a little time waiting at the bus station than build a stressful connection into the start of a ski holiday.

How to book the bus from Aime to La Plagne

This is where Altibus comes in.

Altibus is essentially the booking and information platform through which you can find and book a number of bus and coach services serving French mountain resorts.

For the Aime to La Plagne journey, the public transport network is Cars Région and the current operator listed by Altibus is Voyages Loyet.

To book your journey:

Go to Altibus.
Search from Aime or Aime-la-Plagne.
Choose your La Plagne destination.
Check that the bus departure works with your train arrival.
Book your ticket.
Keep the booking confirmation accessible on your phone for the journey.

Altibus currently offers a discount when S70 and S71 tickets are bought online more than 48 hours before departure, so there can be an advantage to booking ahead rather than leaving it until you arrive.

Check current timetables and book the Aime to La Plagne bus through Altibus.

Check the bus timetable before you book your train

This is probably the most important advice in this article.

Don't book your train to Aime first and assume there will automatically be a bus waiting when you arrive.

The S70 and S71 run to scheduled departure times.

S70 S71 S72 La Plagne valley bus time tables Download

That means the public bus is a brilliant option when your train and bus connect neatly. But it becomes much less convenient if your train arrives after the last suitable bus of the day or leaves you with a very long connection.

Bus schedules also change between seasons.

Rather than relying on an old timetable you've found online, check the current S70 or S71 schedule when planning your journey.

My advice is to plan the journey in this order:

Find the train you want to take to Aime-la-Plagne.
Note its scheduled arrival time.
Check the current S70 or S71 timetable.
Allow a sensible amount of time to get off the train and reach the bus.
Only then finalise both parts of the journey.

If you can make those two pieces fit comfortably together, taking the bus from Aime to La Plagne is very straightforward.

If they don't fit, look at a taxi or private transfer instead.

How long does the bus from Aime to La Plagne take?

The journey from Aime up to the main La Plagne altitude villages is roughly 30 to 50 minutes, depending on which village and stop you're travelling to and the conditions on the road.

Remember that La Plagne isn't one single village.

Plagne 1800, Belle Plagne, Plagne Centre and Aime 2000 are all in different locations, so journey times and stops will vary.

On peak winter Saturdays, it's also worth allowing for additional traffic on the mountain roads.

How much does the Aime to La Plagne bus cost?

The public bus is usually the budget-friendly option for getting from Aime train station up to resort, particularly if you're travelling alone, as a couple or as a smaller family.

Ticket prices can change between seasons, so I don't recommend planning your holiday around an old price quoted in a blog post.

Instead, check the current fare when you look up your journey on Altibus.

At the moment, Altibus also advertises a 10% discount for S70 and S71 tickets purchased online more than 48 hours before travel.

For larger groups, it's worth comparing the total cost of all your bus tickets with the cost of a taxi or private transfer. The bus will often still win on price, but once several people are travelling together the difference can become smaller.

Can you take skis and luggage on the alti-bus?

Yes.

The current S70 and S71 ticket conditions include:

One item of hand luggage
One item of hold luggage
One pair of skis or one snowboard

That makes the public bus a realistic option for ski holidaymakers rather than simply a local commuter service.

You should still pack with the journey in mind.

If you're travelling with young children, several large suitcases, multiple ski bags and hand luggage, getting everything between the train and bus is naturally more effort than being met by a private driver.

It's perfectly doable. It just isn't door-to-door travel.

Is the Aime to La Plagne bus good for families?

Yes, as long as the timetable works for you.

For families, I think the biggest question isn't really whether children can travel on the bus. It's how easy the entire journey will be once you factor in luggage, train times and the age of your children.

If your train arrives at a sensible time, you've got a comfortable connection and your accommodation is close to the bus stop, the S71 can be a great option.

If you've got very young children, a late arrival, several ski bags and an awkward final journey from the bus stop to your accommodation, paying more for a taxi can suddenly feel like money very well spent.

I travel with three kids myself, and this is exactly how I assess these things. The cheapest journey isn't always the best-value journey for your family.

Remember though, this is public transport – like National Express in the UK and they don't provide car seats for babies, toddlers and kids.

What happens if my train is delayed?

This is where travelling by scheduled public transport differs from booking a private transfer.

The S71 isn't your personal transfer, so you shouldn't assume a bus will simply wait because your train is delayed. Because it won't.

If you miss your booked service, speak to staff at the station and check what options are available on the next departure.

Whether that works for you will depend on how late your train is and whether another bus is still running that day.

This is another reason I wouldn't book an unnecessarily tight connection between your train and the bus.

And if you're booked onto the final useful service of the day, have a backup plan. Here's my La Plagne taxi directory with a load of phone numbers. Perhaps keep the link saved just in case!

What if my train arrives after the last bus?

If your train doesn't connect with the public bus timetable, the simplest alternative is normally a taxi or pre-booked private transfer from Aime station.

There are several La Plagne taxi companies that collect passengers directly from Aime.

A taxi or private transfer costs more than the scheduled bus, but you get much more flexibility and, depending on the service you book, you can usually be dropped much closer to your accommodation.

If you're still deciding how to get to resort from an airport or train station, I've also put together my La Plagne transfers directory.

Public bus vs taxi from Aime to La Plagne

There's no single “best” option here.

It depends on your arrival time, group size, budget and how much convenience matters to you.

	Public bus	Taxi or private transfer
Cost	Fixed timetable	Higher
Deprture time	Not usually	Pre-arranged and more flexible
Door to door	Yes	Usually
Good for solo travellers	Yes	Expensive
Good for couples	Yes	Convenient but more expensive
Good for large families	Good if the timetable works	Worth comparing the total group cost
Skis and luggage	Allowed	Easier to manage
Late arrivals	Limited	Better option
Delayed trains	Can cause a missed connection	Usually more flexible
Best for	Budget-conscious travellers with a good connection	Families, groups and awkward arrival times

My view?

If the S70 or S71 timetable fits comfortably with your train, use the bus.

It's simple, relatively inexpensive and gets you from the station into La Plagne without needing a car.

If you're trying to force a connection that doesn't really work, especially with children or a late train, I'd book a taxi instead.

Saving some money isn't worth starting your holiday by standing in Aime wondering how you're going to get up the mountain.

What happens when you arrive in La Plagne?

Before travelling, check exactly which S71 stop is closest to your accommodation.

Again, don't underestimate the size of La Plagne.

If your accommodation says “La Plagne”, that doesn't tell you enough. You need to know whether you're staying in Plagne Centre, Plagne 1800, Plagne Villages, Plagne Soleil, Aime 2000, Belle Plagne, Plagne Bellecôte or another village.

Once you've arrived at your village, you can use the resort's free shuttle buses and pedestrian lift network to move around during your holiday.

That's useful for everything from getting to restaurants to meeting friends staying in another village, reaching activities or simply avoiding having to drive while you're here.

My La Plagne free shuttle bus guide has the routes, seasonal timetable information and practical tips for using the network.

Is the public bus from Aime to La Plagne worth it?

For the right journey, absolutely.

If you're arriving at Aime-la-Plagne train station and your train connects comfortably with the S70 or S71 timetable, taking the public bus is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to complete your journey to La Plagne.

Just remember what you're booking.

This isn't a private transfer waiting for you at the station. It's scheduled public transport.

Check the timetable before booking your train, allow enough time for the connection and make sure you know which stop you need when you get to La Plagne.

If the timings don't work, don't force it. Book a taxi or private transfer instead.

And once you've made it up the mountain, you can switch over to La Plagne's free shuttle buses to get around the resort during your holiday.

See you in La Plagne!

Aime to La Plagne bus FAQs

Is there a bus from Aime train station to La Plagne?

Yes. The S71 connects Aime-la-Plagne station with the main La Plagne altitude villages during the winter and summer seasons.

Is the bus from Aime to La Plagne free?

No. The valley bus from Aime train station to La Plagne is a paid service.
This is separate from the free shuttle buses that operate within La Plagne resort.

Which bus goes from Aime to La Plagne?

For most of the main La Plagne altitude villages, use the S71.
For Plagne Montalbert, use the S70.

Which train station is best for La Plagne?

For most of the main La Plagne villages, Aime-la-Plagne is the closest and most useful train station.
However, Montchavin-Les Coches is normally better served from Landry, while Champagny-en-Vanoise can be reached from Moûtiers.
If you're still planning the rail part of your journey, read my full guide to taking the train to La Plagne.

Do I need to book the S71 bus in advance?

I recommend booking in advance, especially during busy ski holiday periods.
Booking ahead also means you can confirm that your train arrival and bus departure actually work together before you travel.

Can I take skis on the S71 bus?

Yes. Altibus currently states that one pair of skis or one snowboard is included with your ticket on the S70 and S71 routes, alongside hand luggage and one item of hold luggage.

Does the S71 run all year?

The S71 operates during the winter and summer seasons, but the timetable changes.
Always check the current operating dates and departure times before travelling.

What happens if I miss my bus from Aime?

Speak to the staff at the bus station and check whether you can travel on a later service.
If you've missed the final suitable departure, you may need to take a taxi or arrange a private transfer.

How far is Aime train station from La Plagne?

Aime-la-Plagne sits in the valley below the resort. The main La Plagne altitude villages are roughly 30 to 50 minutes away by road depending on your destination, traffic and road conditions.

Is Altibus a ski transfer company?

Altibus is better understood as a booking platform for bus and coach services rather than a traditional private ski transfer company.
For the Aime to La Plagne journey, you're booking a seat on a scheduled public bus route.