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Winter flight schedules released

featured in News & reviews Author Helen McGrory, Chamonix Reporter Updated

The summer may be just beginning but it's already time to start thinking about your winter hols, well it is at least if you want to get a good deal on flight prices. A number of the no-frills airlines have released their winter flight schedules in the last week, so if you get in there quick, there are still some bargains to be had.

Easyjet has already announced its schedules from London, Bristol, Belfast and Liverpool and currently has one-way flights to Geneva for as little as £24.99 inc. taxes for some of the prime holiday slots. Flights are also on sale to Lyon and Grenoble airports which makes for a shorter transfer time to 3 Valley, Tarentaise and Southern Alpes resorts. Edinburgh, Glasgow, East Midlands and Newcastle timetables will be released in the next few weeks.

FlyGlobespan offers 4 flights per week to Geneva from Edinburgh and Aberdeen and an additional Saturday flight to Chambery from Edinburgh. Half term prices to Chambery are currently around £210.98 return all in, but if you are not restricted to school holidays then there are many cheaper prices to be had from Scotland at the moment.

If you're in and around the north of England, then take a look at the Jet2 website, which has great deals into Geneva from Manchester and Leeds Bradford throughout the winter. Return flights for Christmas week (travelling on a Sunday) are currently £139.88 inc. tax. Jet2 also fly into Chambery from the above airports plus Edinburgh, Newcastle and Belfast.

Before getting carried away with early cheap flight deals, take a second to plan your onward journey from the airport to your chosen resort. Many of the cheap flights are into Geneva, but if you're planning on skiing in Val d'Isere or Alpe d'Huez for example, then you may find that onward transfer options are few and far between or very, very expensive. A private taxi from Geneva to Val will cost you in the realms of €400! For northern alp resorts (Morzine, Chamonix etc) and Switzerland, Geneva is the best option as the onward transfer options are plentiful and good value.

Lyon and Chambery airports are better alternatives for the Tarentaise and 3 Valleys (eg. Tignes, Courchevel etc) and also offer a shorter onward transfer time to resort. Grenoble is also a viable option and particularly for Southern Alp resorts such as Alpe d'Huez and Les 2 Alpes.

Altibus runs a scheduled bus service from Chambery, Lyon and Geneva airports and Grenoble city centre to the main French ski stations. Altibus itself provides the central reservation system for approximately 14 local bus companies across the Alps such as Chamonix Bus or Autocars Martin, which can be a little confusing if you're on the look out for an Altibus bus. Tickets can be booked in advance (advisable) or bought at the travel information desk at the airport. However, their buses do not run late into the evening so beware if you are landing later in the day as you may need to consider an alternative method of onward travel.

There are also a multitude of airport transfer companies that operate throughout the Alps that offer good value, shared or private transfer options. This tends to be a faster, more flexible service than the public bus, but obviously you will pay a bit more for your seat. Such transfers usually need to be booked in advance so you are not guaranteed to be able to just pick one up at the airport. See our Airport Transfers listings under Travel and Transport, for companies operating in your chosen destination.

With a bit of forward planning there are currently some great flight deals available – just don't triple the cost of your holiday by not planning your transfer!