The nearest airport is Chambéry (about 110 km), followed by Lyon Saint-Exupéry (about 180 km) and Geneva (about 160 km). Transfer times by road vary considerably depending on traffic and season — allow 2–2.5 hours from Chambéry and 3–3.5 hours from Lyon or Geneva in good conditions. Pre-book a transfer shuttle or hire a car; taxis are expensive. The Méribel Altiport also handles light aircraft from Paris and other French cities for those willing to pay the premium.
The nearest train station is Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains (about 18 km and 600m lower in the valley), served by TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon in around 3.5 hours (seasonal service running on weekends and peak periods in ski season). Transfer from Moûtiers to Méribel by bus takes about 45 minutes.
By car from Paris, allow 7–8 hours (600 km) via Lyon and the Tarentaise valley. The road from Moûtiers up to the resort is well maintained and gritted in winter but can be slow in heavy snowfall. Snow chains or winter tyres are legally required above certain altitudes.