Frequently asked questions: private and shared transfers
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a last minute booking?
If you are hoping to travel in the next 24 hours you can still request a booking online, this will send us a booking request which we will reply to as quickly as possible with either a confirmed booking or an offer of what other possibilities we have if we can’t meet your request. If you are hoping to travel on the same day you will have to call our office to check availability and make a booking.
What information do I need to make a booking?
To make a booking we will need your flight details, including landing time at the airport and departure time for your return trip, as well as the corresponding flight numbers. We will also need your accommodation details including full address in resort, a mobile contact number and email address, plus all the basics like your name, the number of passengers travelling and if you need any child seats.
Can I buy my ticket at the Airport?
We are partnered with the Gare Routiere in Geneva airport, so yes this is possible, however if you wish to guarantee a seat we advise booking in advance online.
How do I pay for my transfer?
Payment must be made online at the time of the booking. You must pre-pay your ticket to secure it, this can be done at the time of booking online, or over the telephone for last minute bookings.
Do you offer a discount for repeat bookers?
We offer the lowest cost service in the resorts we operate in, so do not give out discounts lightly.Please email our office to see if you qualify for any sort of discount.
Do I need to bring my e-ticket?
We require all customers to have access to their e-ticket either via mobile or a printed copy, this way we can be more efficient in dealing with your transfer.
Our policy on changes to bookings are as follows...
Shared Transfer Modification Requests: 0-72 hours before travel:
No modifications can be made to your booking. Increases in passenger numbers are subject to availability and will require a new separate booking at the current price. No change can be made to the booking on the same day, including moving your transfer time, date, or address for both arrival and departure transfers. Any change of date with this amount of notice will follow our official cancellation policy.
There is a 10 euro per person (20chf per person for Swiss resorts) change/re-booking fee for travelling happening within 72 hours.
Private Transfers Modification Requests: 0-24 hours before travel:
No modifications can be made to a booking, increases in passenger numbers are subject to availability. No change can be made to the booking on the same day, including moving a clients transfer time or date, drop off location for both arrival and departure transfers. Any change of date with this amount of notice will follow our official cancellation policy. Amendments to Private transfers can be made if we are given more than 24 hours notice in advance of your booking, however the amendments are made solely at AlpyBus's discretion and are only subject to availability and additional charges where necessary.
All transfer types modification request: More than 72 hours (more than 3 days) –Address and time changes can be made subject to availability and/or additional charges, but cancellations and date changes are still subject to the Alpybus refund policy (see 3.1).
Credits – AlpyBus cannot provide a credit for any booking. If clients wish to re-book at a later date, clients must still cancel their booking and re-book. If clients wish to change the date of their transfer AlpyBus must receive more than 7 days notice, otherwise the standard cancellation policy applies.
What seat is suitable for my child?
If you are unsure whether our seats will be suitable for your child we recommend you bring your own to avoid any debate, just let us know on the booking. Here is our rough guide on which seat to choose for your children.
Infants: Rear Facing - Baby up to at least 15 months old depending on the child height and weight.
Toddlers: Front Facing - Weight of child between 9-18kg, depending on the child - 9 months to 4 years old.
Children: Booster - Until the child exceeds 135cm or reaches 12 years of age.
I left my personnel belongings on the bus, what can I do?
If the luggage is forgotten and left in the Vehicle, the Client must inform Alpybus thereof by email at the following address: info@alpybus.com. The Client shall arrange for courrier pick-up of the said luggage or items at his/her own responsibility and expense. If an item forgotten during a transfer is not claimed within four (4) week from said Transfer, Alpybus will be entitled to relinquish or destroy it.
Are your transfers door to door?
Yes they are, we are happy to offer door to door shared transfers, if the property is accessible by road. This excludes Verbier where we are restricted by Swiss taxi laws, and can only drop at parking Brunet, unless you have a Private transfer booked.
There are some restrictions in certain resorts that are on the outskirts of our pick up zones, these are listed below:
- St Jean D’Aulps – Pick up and drop off at the Tourist office.
- Avoriaz - Pick up and drop off at the Prodains Telecabin, (Shared transfers and Privates transfers booked for weekend travel).
- Cote D'Abroz - Camping Les Marmottes in Essert Romand.
- Taninges - Pick up and drop off at the Tourist office.
- Le Fayet - Pick up and drop off at Le Fayet Gare.
- St Gervais - Pick up and drop off at Le Fayet Gare for 4 passengers or less.
- Sallanches - Pick up and drop off at the Carrefour.
- Servoz - Pick up and drop off at the Tourist office.
In some cases it may not be possible for the transfer to access the accommodation, this could be due to poor weather conditions making a road dangerous to drive, a road being too small for a vehicle to or the accommodation being in a car free or pedestrianised part of the resort.
Do you go to Avoriaz?
On our shared transfers we can take you to the Prodain cable car at the bottom of the valley, from here you can take the cable car to the centre of Avoriaz, for more information on its opening times please check out our Avoriaz page here.
For private transfers we can take you up to the Welcome Centre in Avoriaz during the week, on a weekend the drop off point is the telecabin unless your flight time is outside of the operating hours.
What time does the Prodain cable car close?
Check out our handy timetable below. Please ensure when travelling to this resort that you have checked your flight times work with the cable car opening times.
For more useful information check out our page about Avoriaz and Prodains transfers.
- Monday-Thursday: 07:00 to 21:00
- Friday-Saturday: 07:00 to 00:00
- Sunday: 07:00 to 22:00
Can I get dropped off at my hotel in Verbier?
On a private transfer yes, this is possible however on the shared transfer we are restricted by Swiss Taxi laws so are not legally allowed to do so, in this instance we drop off and pick up at the Parking Brunet.
Do you pick up from Geneva city centre or surrounding hotels?
On a shared transfer we cannot drop off or pick up from the city centre or surrounding hotels. Most hotels near to the airport will have a free shuttle service so it is worth checking this with your hotel.
On a private transfer we can accommodate pick ups and drop offs to Geneva Hotels.
How long will I have to wait when I arrive?
Our average wait time during the winter equates to 40 minutes, with a shared transfer these times can vary. You will be allocated our closest transfer to your flight time allowing 30 minutes to 1 hour after your flight arrives. Sometimes, traffic and other circumstances can effect your transfer time but we will do everything to get you and your group to resort as soon as possible.
These are scheduled around your flight arrival and departure times only so wait is minimal on arrival.
What time will you pick me up on my return?
For Morzine and Chamonix we normally allow 3.5-4 hours before the flight time and 4 hours for Verbier. We aim to get passengers to the airport with at least 1.5 hours to spare before their flight departure time.
The estimated pick up time given on your booking confirmation is a guide, but is subject to change depending on the pick up route on the day, weather and anticipated traffic conditions. We will send an SMS the day before you travel confirming your pick up time. With private transfers we can offer more flexibility and the pick up time can be tailored to your group only.
I have not received my pick up time by text message, what should I do?
If you have not received your pick up time by 16.00 the day before you travel please call our office to confirm your pick up time.
What type of vehicles do you use?
We use 8 seater Renault traffics, 13 seater Renault Masters, Mercedes Sprinters that can be used with either 16 or 20 seats and on occasion coaches. Please note by law all of our vehicles are restricted to 100km per hour on the motorway due to the size of the vehicle. If you have a special request or a larger group we are always happy to help and provide a quote, simply email or call our office. We also have trailers should you require extra space for luggage or bikes.
We are a large group, can we all travel together?
We have a variety of vehicles sizes to cater to all groups. We do also have coaches available so if you would like to travel in a coach please speak to our office team directly or use the form to send us a request on our Contact page.
What if my flight is delayed?
If your flight is delayed please arrive at the airport desk as normal. These are our standard procedures for flight delays.
What if I missed my flight?
If you miss your flight and thus your booked transfer you may be required to purchase a new transfer seat and could be subject to additional wait times on arrival. Please call our office so we can assist in rearranging your travel.
Do I need travel insurance?
We highly recommended all passengers take out travel insurance, not only to cover you if your flight is delayed and you miss your transfer to resort, this would cover you for any additional charges you may incur on the day.
Can we eat and drink on the bus?
Please refrain from eating and drinking on the bus. Please also note that alcohol consumption is forbidden.
Will I get travel sick?
This really depends on the person, mountain roads can be windy so we recommend taking all precautions against sickness. For example not eating a large meal before boarding, not focusing on your phone or tablet whilst in the vehicle and looking through the front window. If you would like to travel in the front seat we are happy to take all requests and will do what we can to accommodate these. If you are feeling unwell please inform the driver.
Do you offer transfers very early in the morning?
Yes we do, but any transfer taken before 5.00am will be subject to an additional surcharge and will be dependent on availability.
Will there be traffic on my transfer?
This is the golden question, we anticipate as best we can but of course it can sometimes be un-predicable with accidents or weather causing delays.
Always expect rush hour traffic on weekdays between 7.00am and 10.00am and 4.30pm and 7.00pm in the evening. If you wish to avoid the ques we recommend booking a flight arriving between 9.30am and 14.30pm, that way you can miss the bulk of the Geneva rush hour.
What happens if it snows?
All our transfer vehicles are equipped with snow chains and winter tyres, plus your pick up time will be adjusted accordingly in the instance of snow being forecasted.
If the driver deems it too dangerous to get to your requested address for pick up or drop off they will ensure you are taken as close as possible to your requested location, taking into account yours and the other passengers safety.
How do I make a booking?
To make a booking we advise our clients to use our quick and easy booking system online. Simply get a quote using our quote generator and follow the steps to make your booking. Or email info@alpybus.com
Can I pay in cash?
Payment in cash is no longer acceptable, this has been acceptable in previous years however to ensure the transfer runs as smoothly as possible we do not accept cash payment. This is standard practice in the transfer industry. Check out our terms and conditions for more detail on payment.
Can I bring my dog/pet/cat/hamster on my transfer?
We love all animals here at AlpyBus, but do have to consider other passengers on board that may have allergies, so we cannot allow pets to travel on shared transfers. In this instance we would suggest booking a private transfer, where you will be charged an additional 20€ for your pet. In any case if you are looking at bringing a pet please call our office to discuss this.
Can I bring any Skis and Snowboard?
Yes! Skis and snowboards must travel in a bag at a cost of 1€ for 1 ski/snowboard bag, please ensure this is indicated on the booking. Any additional ski/snowboard bags will be charged at a cost of 20€ per bag.
What luggage can I bring with me?
Our standard luggage allowance is 1 piece of hand luggage for free. You are also allowed 1 piece of checked luggage (under 23kg) at a charge of 1€ and a set of skis or snowboard at a charge of 2€ per passenger. 1 bike in a box/carry case is allowed at a charge of 10€. Any additional luggage will have a charge of 20€. Please check our terms and conditions.
Can I bring my bike with me?
We are happy to transfer bikes, these are subject to a 10€ surcharge due to the large amount of space they use in the transfer vehicle. Please indicate them on the booking, and also note that the bike must be boxed, and have maximum dimensions: Length 147cm, width 36cm, depth 85cm.
Where are you located in Geneva Airport?
As you enter the Arrivals Hall from the baggage reclaim, take a RIGHT. Approximately 20 meters our Desks are besides Montreux Jazz Cafe. This information can be found on your e-ticket. Check out our handy Geneva airport page for more details.
What can I do if I missed my transfer and I have a standard ticket?
If you missed your transfer, you can buy a "Rescue Fee" for 25CHF to be assigned to the next transfer available.
My transfer time has been changed, why?
The times on the booking confirmation you receive are estimated transfer times, these are subject to change on shared transfers and can vary by up to 2 hours. With shared transfers we have to consider other passengers flights as well as the pick up route on the day.
For departures from resort we send an SMS the day before travel confirming the exact pick up time. For more information on time changes please consult our terms and conditions.
Can I make a change to my booking?
If you want to change your booking please give us more than 7 days notices. We do not charge any admin fee for amending bookings with this sort of notice, unless the update changes the price of a booking (for example passenger numbers).
Amendments and modifications to bookings should be made online at https://alpsbookings.com/my/find/ALP
What happens if I have a duplicate booking?
On each of your bookings will have a different booking number. Please check this number and all the information before making payment. You will not be asked to pay twice. Check the details of your ticket carefully to avoid paying for a duplicate booking. If you have paid for a duplicate booking, we invite you to contact info@alpybus.com
Can I get a refund for my booking?
If your plans change and you would like a refund please firstly consult our refund policy below:
All refund requests or cancellations need to be done in writing and sent via email to info@alpybus.com.
|
|
SHARED STANDARD | SHARED ALPYPLUS | PRIVATE |
|
Notice Period 0 to 2 days |
0% refund | 0% refund | 0% refund |
|
Notice Period 3 to 7 days |
0% refund | 50% voucher | 50% refund given |
|
Notice Period over 8 days |
50% voucher | 100% voucher | 100% refund given |
|
Notice Period more than |
50% voucher | 100% voucher | 100% refund given |
*The refund % is calculated on the original ticket price — extra luggage and seat options are exempt. Once you have booked your transfer any extra fees such as additional bags/ski bags/baby seats are non-refundable for standard tickets.
Do you provide Baby and Booster Seats?
We highly recommend that you travel with your own car seat. Most airlines including easyJet let you take this item free of charge in the hold luggage in addition to your normal baggage allowance.
Alpybus can provide seats at an additional cost of €5 per seat, per journey. We offer rear or front-facing seats, as well as booster seats. Please ensure your requirements are indicated on the booking.
Please note that baby seats are not mandatory if you travel in a coach, by local law. If you have paid for a child seat and are provided with a coach on arrival, Alpybus will refund your charge for the child car seat.
Do children and babies travel for free or at a discount?
As children and babies legally require a seat in a transfer for safety reasons you must book a seat for them, they are charged at the same rate as an adult for this reason. It is illegal for a child to travel in an adult's lap.
Please note, this law does not apply if you travel in a coach. If you have paid for a child seat and are provided with a coach on arrival, Alpybus will refund your charge for the child car seat.
Can I choose the time of my transfer?
Since the 1st of February, we offer a service "fixed lines" to Chamonix, Morzine, Mégève, Val Thorens, Verbier & Tignes. For all these destinations, you can choose directly the time of your transfer.
Please check our timetable: here