Most Alpine chalets and apartments change over on a Saturday, with departing guests leaving in the morning and new arrivals checking in from the afternoon, once the property has been cleaned. If your flight lands early, plan a lunch stop, a ski hire fitting or a luggage drop rather than arriving at a locked door. An AirportsTransfers.ch transfer can be timed around the check-in window, and around Saturday traffic.
- Typical changeover: Saturday, with some properties on Sunday or flexible days
- Check-out: usually in the morning, to allow cleaning
- Check-in: generally from mid to late afternoon; confirm the exact time with your host
- Early arrival: ask about a luggage drop, then lunch or ski hire in the village
- Saturday traffic: the busiest day on airport and resort roads in winter
How changeover day works
Chalet holidays in the Alps are traditionally sold by the week, from Saturday to Saturday. On changeover day the outgoing guests leave in the morning, cleaning and laundry teams prepare the property, and the new guests arrive in the afternoon. In catered chalets, staff also restock the kitchen and prepare the evening meal, so the timetable is tight.
That is why most properties set a check-in time in the afternoon and a check-out time in the morning. The exact hours vary, so look at your booking confirmation or ask the host. Some chalets offer Sunday changeovers or short breaks, which can be quieter on the roads.
If your flight lands early
Many ski flights arrive in Geneva in the morning, and the drive to a nearby resort can be short: Megève is about 75 km and 1 h 10 from the airport, and Chamonix about 90 km and 1 h 15. Arriving before the chalet is ready is common. Options include:
- Asking whether bags can be left at the chalet or with the agency while the property is prepared
- Booking ski hire for the afternoon, so boots and skis are fitted before check-in
- Having lunch in the village and a walk to get your bearings
- Collecting lift passes or ski school documents if they are not already sorted
- Taking a slower journey with a lunch stop en route
If you plan to stop on the way, mention it at booking so your chauffeur can allow for it.
Late arrivals
Evening and night arrivals are also common, particularly with connecting flights. If you expect to reach the chalet late, check how keys will be handed over, whether an agency office will be closed, and whether a catered chalet can keep dinner for you. Supermarkets in resorts may close in the evening, so a self-catering group may want a stop for basics on the way.
Your chauffeur tracks your flight, so if you land later than planned, the pick-up time adjusts automatically. It helps to update your host with the new estimated arrival time once you are on the road.
For families arriving after dark, pack a small night bag with pyjamas, toothbrushes and a change of clothes on top of the luggage, so children can go straight to bed while the rest is unpacked the next morning.
Saturday on the roads
Changeover Saturday is the busiest day of the week on the roads between Geneva Airport and the resorts, especially during school holidays. The motorways out of Geneva towards the French Alps and the Valais can slow, and the final climbs to some resorts are crowded with departing and arriving guests. A trip to Courchevel, normally about 2 h 15, or Val d'Isère, about 2 h 45, can take considerably longer on a peak Saturday afternoon.
Flying earlier in the day, or choosing a Sunday changeover where possible, reduces the time spent in traffic. On the way home, allow plenty of margin for the drive to the airport.
Departure day
Check-out is usually in the morning, but many return flights leave in the afternoon or evening. Ask your host whether you can leave luggage after check-out, then plan a final lunch or a short ski before the transfer. If you ski on the last morning, keep travel clothes and documents separate, and agree with your chauffeur on a pick-up time that leaves a buffer for Saturday traffic.
Return transfers can be booked at the same time as the outbound journey, so arrival and departure are both settled before you leave home.
Booking around the check-in window
When you book with AirportsTransfers.ch, you see the fixed price for your vehicle before paying online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. A chauffeur meets you in arrivals with a name sign, follows your flight and includes waiting if it is late. Add the check-in time and any planned stops to your booking notes, request child seats and declare skis so the right vehicle is sent. For return trips or last-minute changes, contact +41 78 346 56 77 by phone or WhatsApp, any time.
