To help our customers and others to have a comfortable trip and enjoy skiing in Andorra, we have prepared this small guide explaining how to get to the country of the Pyrenees and some basic information about this great skiing destination.
Andorra is a small country located between France and Spain, right in the heart of the Pyrenees with just over 465 square kilometres and a population around 80,000 people. It is basically known for the great skiing offer that the country has during the winter months and for its great shopping options at the capital, Andorra La Vella.
Tourism is well considered and it’s a key factor in the country's economy, especially during winter. The official language is Catalan, but most of the people also speak Spanish, French and Portuguese.
The country is located 190 kilometres South from the Toulouse airport (TLS) and 210 kilometres North from Barcelona-El Prat airport.
The main routes to access the country are 2:
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From France, the fastest and easiest way to access is by car or by bus through Pas de La Casa. So, if you flying to Toulouse, you have to get the A61 up to Montesquieu-Lauragais, then continue down the A66 and change to the N20 when you get to Pamiers, after that, the same road (N20) takes you to the French border. Once you access Andorra, you will have to follow the N22 to Pas de la Casa.
If you want to continue to Andorra La Vella, you will have to go through the Envalira tunnel, using this same road, will take you to other well known villages such as Soldeu, El Tarter and Canillo, all these skiing sectors belong to the Grandvalira domain.
If you have booked a hotel in Arinsal or La Massana, then the best option is accessing the country from Spain, but just in case you do it from France, follow the CG-2 road down Andorra and when you get to Escaldes-Engordany, turn right and go through the tunnel that will take you to La Massana. From there, you will only have to follow the indications to get to Arinsal, if your final destination is this great small village.
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From Spain, there are a couple of fast routes to access the country of the Pyrenees, but if you want to drive there from the Barcelona Airport, the best option is to get the B-22 motorway once you leave the airport. When you finally leave Barcelona, follow the A-2 and connect with B-23. Once you get to El Papiol you will have to change the motorway and follow the AP-7 up to Sant Cugat, there you will have to turn right and follow the directions that will indicate Berga C-16. Follow this road C-16/E-9 that will take to Berga, after going passed this small city continue to Baltarga, there the indications will indicate La Seu d’Urgell, which is the main village before you access Andorra.
Just remember to follow the indications to Berga, La Seu d’Urgell and Andorra, the way is very easy.
Once you get to Andorra, you will have to cross the Spanish border and go through Sant Julia de Loria, the first village in Andorra. Then, continue up the main road and from Andorra la Vella, the capital city, you will be able to access all the other villages located near one of the two great ski domains, Vallnord (Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalis) or Grandvalira (Encamp, Canillo, El Tarter, Soldeu, Grau Roig and Pas de la Casa).
From Esquiades.com UK, we suggest flying in to Barcelona or Toulouse from your prefered local airport. If you book your ski package with us, remember that you can add round trip transfers from either airport. So, don’t forget to include you transfer from the airport you are flying to and book the accommodation right next to the ski slopes in order to enjoy a comfortable ski trip in Andorra. Bare in mind that to make things even more enjoyable and easier for our customers, we deliver the ski passes and menu tickets to the hotel or apartment they have previously booked.
For us, it is all about enjoying your Andorra ski holidays without having to drive and having everything as easy and near as possible.
If you prefer to hire a car, remember that we also offer this service from Barcelona and other locations in Spain.
