Booking your transfer to and from the airport is one of the last things you do when preparing for your ski holiday. A rather uncomplicated process, you find a company, you look up a rate and you book it. However, what many unaware travelers don’t know is that the price you see upfront may not be the price you pay in the end. Shared and private ski transfers come with a lot of extra (hidden) fees and most show themselves after you’ve already committed. Excess baggage allowances, seasonal surcharges, waiting fees and more inflate your private ski transfer budget but come as an unwelcome surprise. These chargeable extras are frustrating but knowing where they hide and how to avoid them in advance can save you from the additional cost.
The Actual Price of Luggage and Equipment
Unlike city breaks, ski holidays require more than a carry-on bag. Many passengers travel with cumbersome items skis, snowboards, boots, helmets, and extra winter apparel. While many transfer companies absorb ski gear as part of luggage, many others provide it as oversized luggage and charge an additional fee per item. This is especially the case with shared transfers where space is at a premium within vehicles.
For example, if you take a Geneva to Morzine shuttle shared transfer, the price may seem reasonable until the additional fee for each snowboard or ski bag is added. With private transfers, this is less the case, as they have ample space; however, families and groups with multiple sets of equipment pay the extra costs most often. Alps2Alps is known for offering transparent pricing that often includes ski gear, helping travelers avoid unpleasant surprises. The best way to avoid this hidden fee is to confirm the company’s luggage policy before booking to ensure that ski gear is explicitly included in the price.
Seasonal Supplements and Peak Time Fees
Transfer companies work on a seasonal schedule, meaning that demand isn’t equal throughout the year. Thus, during peak weeks, such as Christmas, New Year’s and February half term, many transfer companies increase their charges. While this seems expected, it’s how they do it that makes it a hidden fee. For example, many transfer companies boast flat rates, only to apply seasonal supplements at the payment confirmation page.
For example, a Geneva to Val Thorens shared transfer costs a fair amount in early January, but the same service during February school holidays doubles the price. Often these supplements are not disclosed beforehand. Thus travelers on a budget will find themselves over-budgeted. An easy solution to avoid this type of hidden fee is to gain an understanding of seasonal pricing and travel at all but the peak times for your holiday excursion.
Waiting Charges and Delayed Flights
Flight delays happen during winter travel, and while reputable transfer companies allow a grace period for waiting, additional waiting charges often apply when trips are substantially delayed. For example, in a private transfer situation, a driver will wait up to an hour without an additional charge, but anything after one hour comes with a waiting fee on a per-hour basis. In a shared transfer, it cannot be expected that other passengers will wait endlessly. Therefore, if your flight is delayed for two or more hours, you might miss your regularly scheduled shuttle and need to get rebooked on another one, a rebooking that’s sometimes at full price.
For example, if you’re flying from Zurich to St. Moritz and your flight is delayed by three hours, the private driver will still be waiting for you in the arrivals hall, but you might ultimately have to pay for that extra time, an amount equivalent to an additional lift pass. Shared passengers who don’t have that extra money or who don’t want to pay for something they anticipated would be included might find themselves on a later bus with no guarantees of available space. For this reason, inquire about the company’s delay policy and whether they track flights for advanced rescheduling.
Additional Stops Along The Way
Private transfers are desirable because of their flexibility; they’re also advertised with the option of door-to-door service. However, passengers sometimes think that the “door-to-door” option means unlimited stops along the way without additional fees. This is untrue. Stopping to drop friends off at a second chalet on the way, stopping at a grocery store mid-transfer, or even stopping to pick up equipment on the way can net exorbitant added charges.
For example, the route from Milan to Cervinia is pretty direct. Going to Cervinia from Milan takes you out of the city and into the mountains; however, if you’re requested to stop at the large grocery store along the way, some companies charge €20–€40 for the added stop. This isn’t unreasonable; it’s just something that should be disclosed at the time of booking. Thus, clarifying stops that are included or part of the added fee ensures that you don’t end your trip with hidden charges.
Child Seats and Special Requests
For many who travel with children, it’s assumed that child seats are included. However, many companies charge per seat, making what initially seems an all-inclusive family service just another added expense. The same goes for booster seats, the need for special assistance, or even the little luxuries provided such as blankets, bottled water, or just even a few requests during the journey.
For instance, if you get a shared transfer from Lyon to Les Deux Alpes and fail to mention child seats at booking, the transfer service may inform you that it’ll be €20 per child seat. This not only adds to the expense but makes it frustrating the moment you land. Clear communication equals prevention of this fee and making a family transfer as affordable as it should be in the interest of safety.
Cross Border Charges and Tolls
The Alps cross many borders and many transfers go from one country to another. For example, a transfer from Geneva airport into France means a transfer on French toll roads; a transfer from Switzerland into Italy/Austria means additional permits and insurance papers may be required to drive the passenger across national lines. Some companies account for this in their baseline fares, others have it as an added cost.
Take Geneva to Chamonix for example. While it may seem cheaper than other transfers, it’s important to determine if French tolls are included. Yet they might not be, and an additional €30–€50 could be due upon arrival. Similarly, travelers going to Italian resorts such as Courmayeur or Cervinia should note that cross-border charges will definitely be applicable especially for the motorway tunnels. Knowing if charges are included prevents added costs.
Late-Night/Early-Morning Service Fees
Flights don’t always align with transfer services and when it comes to arriving at midnight or pre-dawn hours there are hidden surcharges associated with getting drivers compensated for unsociable hours. While one must understand there is a driver on the other end waiting for you, what often isn’t made clear is that at booking, these fees can be exorbitant.
For example, a private transfer from Geneva to Méribel costs €300 on most days but on January 9 at 1:00 a.m., that price skyrockets to €350–€400 due to late out-of-hours fees. Similarly, shared transfers may not even run overnight, so travelers may find themselves backed into a corner having no other options than private. Understanding this will help you factor your fees before booking your flight.
Credit Card/Payment Processing Fees
Fewer and far between than they used to be, many transfer companies still sneak in a small percentage added for credit card or third-party payments. Sometimes it only amounts to 2–3%, but on a €400 transfer, it might not seem so small.
For example, the more expensive routes (Zurich to Davos) show that transaction fees impact the final cost. Booking direct with a provider or checking payment policies in advance helps avoid these fees. However, rarely are they enough to deter booking a company; they just seem to always contribute to that elusive “hidden fees” trump card that’s never in the favor of the consumer.
Cancellation and Rebooking Fees
Cancellations and rebooking are par for the course when it comes to ski travel, especially with winter weather and delayed flights. Not every transfer company has lenient policies; some have strict cancellation and rebooking costs, while others include relative forgiveness only with the premium option.
For example, this is of concern for travelers going from Lyon to Tignes. If your flight is canceled due to heavy snowfall at the airport, a company with a strict cancellation/rebooking policy will never take you back on that returning trip at no cost. That’s €400 gone without hesitation. Yes, some companies allow you to forfeit your pre-booked option and get another for an additional fee (no refund), and some allow this with flexible tickets only at an additional price.
So, upon first glance, those flexible policies appear as if they’re premium perks; however, once you factor in potential storms or poor travel conditions, getting another chance may not be the offer people signed up for unless they’re willing to pay even more.
Hidden Costs in Shared Transfers vs Private Transfers
The hidden fees vary in different directions, however. Where shared transfers are concerned, hidden fees lie in baggage, transfer times, missed connections (often resulting in having to figure out another transfer altogether), and child requirements. Where private transfers are considered, hidden fees apply to waiting for passengers, adding extra stops, or off hours. Neither option is safe from hidden fees; however, the nature in which they could be applied makes sense relative to the nature of shared and private.
For example, a Geneva transfer to Avoriaz is €50 per seat with a shared transfer service; however, with all of the hidden fees (baggage, child seats if traveling as a family and hoping to not share with others and ensuring time to get to your destination for potential rebooking should a flight be delayed), it could end up costing more. A private transfer is €320 to get a group of 6 into Avoriaz as there are no hidden fees this may be the more reputable option in which ultimately everyone pays the same at €50 per person if no additional baggage needs to pay an extra fee. It is the effort and time taken to compare that is part of the process instead of looking at face value.
The Need to Read the Fine Print
Many of the hidden costs can be avoided if the fine print is read. How many travelers actually read the fine print when they book transfers or everything else? They see a price, they assume this is what they’re paying. In reality, prices fail to mention any extra baggage limitations or extra costs (surcharges if booked at 1 am versus 1pm). They also fail to mention what happens when a cancellation occurs. Do you lose your money or can you reschedule for free? However, had the fine print not been ignored, travelers would have known that they may have had to pay a little more for different situations but at least eliminated other added expenses here and there.
Therefore, when one takes the time to read the fine print (or inquire from the transfer service should they feel the need for additional details), clarity is provided into what is included and what is an extra fee. With all of the red tape cleared before even stepping foot on a transfer, it’s just one less thing to worry about while on a skiing adventure when all you want to do is enjoy your time without paying extra for nothing.
H2: Conclusions Regarding Transparency and Planning Ahead
Hidden fees deflate the spirit of a skiing holiday and ruin what should be an otherwise seamless start or end to your journey. But with proper planning and inquiry, most hidden fees are preventable. Will my luggage be accommodated? Are there any tolls along the way? Should I expect you to wait for me? Are cancellations free or are there additional charges? The answers facilitate an appropriate price tag; transparency keeps passengers honest without having to worry that their provider may charge them an extra fee down the line. Otherwise, it seems that it always falls on passengers to do their homework.
When ski holidays are already exorbitant in their costs, it’s worthwhile to avoid hidden costs that can inflate one area of travel while devaluing others like lift passes, après-ski activities, or meals on the slopes. By making sure your ski transfer is what should be a timely representative between your slopes and your airport it’s one less thing to worry about.
