Getting to Nice and getting around the French Riviera from your apartment in Nice
Public transport in the South of France is among the finest in the world. Trains, trams and buses are frequent and cheap. And no matter where your Nice holiday apartment may be located, coverage is comprehensive. Keen cyclists are catered for too. Peddle away with Nice’s Vélo Bleu bike-sharing scheme along the wide Promenade des Anglais.
TRAMS→ TAXIS→ BUSES→ TRAINS→ CARS AND PARKING→ CYCLING→
Nice’s trams provide speedy, cost effective transport for guests staying in our Nice holiday rental apartments. The trams start running at 4.30am and run until 1.30am every night. Between 6am and 9pm the trams run every 3-10 mins. Outside of these hours, the trams run every 11-30 minutes. For live tram times please visit Lignes d’Azur website.
TRAM INFORMATION FOR DEPATURES FROM NICE AIRPORT TERMINAL 2 TOWARDS NICE CENTRE
Destination | Line No | Journey Duration (mins) | Change At | Cost per ticket |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nice - Aéroport T1 | T2 | 4 | N/A | FREE - 0.00€ |
Nice - Grand Arénas | T2 | 7 | N/A | FREE - 0.00€ |
Nice - Parc Phoenix | T2 | 10 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Cassin / Kirchner | T2 | 12 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Ferber | T2 | 14 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Carras | T2 | 15 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Sainte-Hélène | T2 | 17 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Fabron | T2 | 19 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Hôpital Lenval | T2 | 21 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Magnan | T2 | 22 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen | T2 | 23 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Alsace-Lorraine | T2 | 25 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Jean Médecin | T2 | 27 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Masséna | T1 | 37 | Jean Médecin | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Opera Vielle Ville | T1 | 40 | Jean Médecin | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Cathedrale Vielle Ville | T1 | 42 | Jean Médecin | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Garibaldi | T1 | 44 | Jean Médecin | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Acropolis | T1 | 45 | Jean Médecin | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Durandy | T2 | 28 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Garibaldi / Le Chateau | T2 | 30 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
Nice - Port / Lympia | T2 | 32 | N/A | SOLO 1 journey - 1.70€ |
YOUR TICKET IS RECHARGEABLE AND YOU WILL NEED YOUR TICKET TO EXIT AS WELL AS ENTER THE UNDERGROUND STATIONS SO ALWAYS HOLD ONTO YOUR TICKET
Tram tickets from the airport are 10€ per person and there is a one off supplement of 2€ which issues you a plastic card you for you to keep and use to top up with other passes on any of the machines at any tram stop. Or you can top up your card via the LIGNES D'AZUR app.
Once in the centre of Nice, each journey costs approximately 1.70€, you can add as many as you want to your tram card. Each person must have their own card, which you will need to get in / out of the tram stations.
If paying 10€ to/from the airport seems a little steep (especially for those who remember when it was 1.50€) you can walk the short distance to the nearest tram stop outside of the airport - Grand Arénas Sud, from where passes are charged at the same rates as the rest of the city.
You can also buy a day-pass at 7 € or a 7-day pass for 20 €, useful for guests staying a week or longer. You can also recharge your card with multiple journes of up to 100 journeys, which can be used over any length of time. The cost per journey only decreases, if you buy 50 or more journeys. These tickets can also be used on Lignes D’Azur buses. Children under four ride for free.
You buy your plastic tickets only once and then re-charge it any number of times, using credit card, at any tram stop using the machines or you can download lignes d'azur app. To avoid being fined, remember to validate your ticket when boarding by touching it against the machines on the tram. You will hear a beep when the card is registered for the journey and display will show how many rides you have left.
Prams may be taken on tram. However bicycles and oversized luggage are not allowed.
Nice has two tramlines in operation. Tramline 2 is running between Nice Airport Terminal 2 and the Port and takes 35 minutes from one end to the other. The tramline 1 is running between Hopital Pasteur and Henri Sappia and takes 40 minutes from one end to the other. The tram offers a quick and cheap method of travelling from your Nice holiday apartment to different areas of the city.
Within each tram, there’s a small screen displaying the name of the upcoming stop. There’s also a map of the tramline just above each door.
Below is a list featuring information of the attractions that can be found at some of the popular, central tram stops. Our Nice holiday apartments are concentrated in the city’s central neighbourhoods, with the best tourist attractions and these corresponding tram stops nearby.
Libération is the last stop before the residential neighbourhoods of northern Nice (direction of Las Planas). Head here for Nice’s locals-only morning market (Tue-Sun 8am-12:30pm), where you can stock up on everything from apples and artichokes to olive bread and goat’s cheese. Nearby, you can visit the Church of Joan of Arc and the Church of Saint Jerome. Public parking is also available here at Parking St Lambert.
The recently opened Gare du Sud, next to the Liberation tram stop, is where foodies head to sample modern and traditional cuisine. The old Gare du Sud railway station has been revamped to house small cafes, eateries and bars. It’s a great spot, well worth a visit at any time of the day or night.
This is the nearest tram stop to the Nice Ville Train Station. If you arrive in Nice by train, or are planning a day-trip to a nearby town by train, alight here. This stop also marks the beginning of the Jean Medecin High Street. As Nice’s busiest shopping avenue, it’s packed with major labels like Zara and H&M, as well as one-off boutiques. Redevelopment is underway for a new shopping centre next to the Nice Ville train station.
Opposite Nice Etoile, the city’s four-storey shopping mall, Jean Medecin is the nearest stop to both Notre Dame Church and the prestigious Boulevard Victor Hugo. For movie buffs, there are a handful of cinemas nearby. Keep an eye out for ‘VO’ films: signifying ‘version originale’. This note means that the film is shown in its original language.
You can change to Tramway line 2 from this stop. Disembark, turn left down Avenue Jean Medecin, then first right onto Bd. Victor Hugo. You should see the tram entrance to the underground station of Jean Medecin up ahead. The distance to walk between the two stations is about 150 metres.
Massena is the tramline’s busiest stop. Offering quick access to the beach, this stop also sits on buzzing Place Massena. This lively square is dotted with shops, restaurants and cafés, as well as the imposing Fountain of the Sun. Just off the square are the Gardens of Albert I. Alight here if you’re planning to tour the city on Nice’s Hop on Hop Off Bus or the little train (le Petit Train).
Opéra – Vieille Ville provides easy access to the Old Town. It is a short walk from this here to the Opera, the Cours Saleya produce and flower markets, Chapelle de la Miséricorde, the Church of the Annunciation, Palais de Justice Courthouse, Wayne’s English Bar, the Church of Saint Paul – as well as scores of petite shops and tasty restaurants. Opéra – Vieille Ville is also very close to JC Bermond, one of the city’s major bus stops.
Like Opéra – Vieille Ville, this tram stop is also on the edge of the Old Town. From here, you can easily visit Palais Lascaris and Colline du Château (the former site of Nice’s ancient castle). The latter boasts an impressive man-made waterfall and a panoramic park. Cathédrale – Vielle Ville is also a short stroll from Place Rossetti, home to Cathédrale de Sainte Réparate, a handful of pretty pavement cafés and the hugely popular Fenocchio ice cream shop.
Hop off at Garibaldi for access to the MAMAC Museum of Modern Art and the National Theatre. Place Garibaldi itself is also well worth a wander: this large square is lined with lively restaurants and a large Monoprix supermarket. It’s also home to a statue of Garibaldi, the Italian general who was born in Nice in 1807. Buses heading east of Nice leave from just off the square. The old port and Confiserie Florian, a sweet and bonbon factory, are a five-minute walk away.
You can change to Tramway Line 2 from this stop. Disembark, turn left into Garibaldi square. The entrance to the underground station of Le Chateau/ Garibaldi is directly across the square on Rue Catherine Segurane next to Patisserie Cappa. The distance to walk between the 2 stations is about 100 metres.
It’s unlikely that you will travel any further north along the tramline than Palais des Expositions, as the remaining stops service the city’s universities and residential neighbourhoods. Alight here for Nice’s Patinoire (indoor ice-skating rink), public swimming pool and Palais des Expositions, where the city’s large trade fairs frequently take place.
The Nice Tramway Line 2 starts (eastwards) from Nice Airport terminal 2 and then stops at terminal 1 before heading into the city. From Terminal 2, exit the arrivals lounge and make a right turn and you will see the tram stop ahead of you. Easy peesy.
Access to the tramstop at terminal 1 is just as easy and is straight ahead from the exit of the arrivals lounge.
Useful stops for anyone staying in our properties located on or near the Promenade des Anglais, and for accessing the better value beach clubs located further from Nice centre.
Useful stop for guests staying in our apartments in the Les Fleurs, Musiciens and Carre d’Or districts of Nice. It is next to the very pleasant Alsace Lorraine park, at the junction of the main arteries of Bd. Victor Hugo and Bd. Gambetta. As with all underground stations, lifts can be accessed directly from the platform that take you to street level.
Most guests will want to use this stop; right in the heart of Nice it allows easy access to the main shopping areas of Nice as well as quartiers such as the Carre d’Or and Musiciens. A wealth of shops, cafes and restaurants are at your disposal.
This station is underground and located virtually on the axis of Bd. Victor Hugo and Ave. Jean Medecin. Guests wishing to change to Tramway Line 1 should take the lift on the platform to reach the surface exit located on Bd. Victor Hugo, then walk to the end of Bd. Victor Hugo and then turn left up Ave. Jean Medecin. You’ll see the overground tram stop of Jean Medecin up ahead. The distance to walk between the two stations is about 150 metres.
This underground station is situated immediately adjacent to Durandy Square which was entirely renovated during the tram works. The streets surrounding this station are filled with lesser known tourist restaurants which are popular with the Niçoise locals. Go Explore!
Useful stop to access to the bustling tourist hub of the Old Town and Garibaldi area. Guests wishing to change to Tramway Line 1 should take the lift or escalators from the underground platform to reach the only surface station exit point. From there, cross the main square and follow the tramline until you reach the overground stop of Place Garibaldi. The distance to walk between the 2 stations is about 100 metres.
The last stop on Nice Tramway Line 2 where the tramline reaches the surface and disembarks all passengers on the picturesque Port of Nice. The stop gives easy access to all portside restaurants and the bus stops on the adjacent street above provides services to the east of Nice with destinations such as Beaulieu, Eze, Cap Ferrat and Monaco.
Taxis are not as easy to come by in Nice as our guests might find in other cities. It is rare to be able to “hail a cab”. Booking in advance is always best and sadly, availability is not always guaranteed. We have come to trust and work alongside the English speaking company Friend in France. They do tours and transfers from the airport and will carry out a taxi function as well, as long as booked in advance.
If you are wanting a transfer from the airport, this is who we recommend. You can also book the transfer directly through our site on check out. Guests are met at the airport arrival lounge by an English speaker and are transferred directly from Nice Airport to the doorstep of your Nice apartment. For a wide range of tours across the French Riviera. You can contact Mira at mira@friend-in-france.com.
For a full network map as well as timetables, visit the Lignes d’Azur website. Lignes d’Azur is also available in English – just click on the small British flag in the website’s upper right-hand corner.
Buses heading Westwards (e.g. towards Cannes) tend to depart from Parc Phoenix. You can get to Parc Phoenix by taking the tramline 2 which stops directly next to the bus station. Buses heading Eastwards (e.g. towards Monaco, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat) depart from various stations, however Promenade des Art, next to the MAMAC Museum, and Le Port service some of the most popular bus routes.
These are main bus networks that serve the Riviera:
Lignes d’Azur covers routes between Nice, St Laurent du Var, Cagnes sur Mer, Villefranche sur Mer and St Jean Cap Ferrat. | |
Zou is a good bus network with regular buses going to Cannes, Monaco, Menton. | |
Envibus connects Antibes, Juan les Pins, Golfe Juan, Vallauris, Biot and St Paul de Vence. |
Most bus tickets along the French Riviera are priced at a flat rate of 1 € 50 per single journey of up to 74 minutes. You can also buy a day-pass at 5 € or a 7-day pass for 15 €. 10-journey tickets for 10 € can also be bought and can be used over any length of time. These tickets can also be used on the tram lines. Children under four ride for free.
Tickets can be bought, using credit card, at any tram stop using the machines or directly on buses using cash. To avoid being fined, remember to validate your ticket when boarding by slotting it into the machines on the bus. Keep your tickets until the end of the journey in case of ticket inspection.
Once you purchase a ticket, you must validate it on the bus. Do so by inserting the ticket, face-up, into the slot on the small machine near the driver. The machine will stamp your ticket with the time and date of your journey. Tickets can be used for 74 minutes from the time of validation, both on buses and trams.
Most buses operate roughly between 6am and 9pm. During peak hours (7:30-9:30am and 4:00-7:30pm), many lines run more frequently.
Buses are certainly very good value. It’s also likely many routes will pass by your Nice rental property. However, depending on the time of day and the season, buses can also be crowded – worth bearing in mind if you’re travelling with a pram or luggage.
Buses are often slower and more crowded than the Riviera’s trains. But you can expect to see stunning panoramas from the bus, particularly between Nice and Menton. And stops are often closer to the centre of the town – and thus your holiday apartment in Nice – than the train station.
Lignes d’Azur has released a smartphone application that self-updates with all the latest timetables, delays, traffic conditions and route maps. This app is free and can be found in your app store by searching for Lignes d’Azur.
All of the following routes are operated by Lignes d’Azur.
Bus 15 Nice (Promenade des Arts) to Saint Jean Cap Ferrat.
Bus 9 visits artsy Vence: head here to visit Matisse’s iconic Chapelle du Rosaire, or simply wander the medieval Old Town’s cute boutiques. The bus goes from Nice (Parc Phoenix) to Vence. Guests will need to get the Tram Line 2 to Parc Phoenix and get the bus 9 from here.
Bus 100 is one of the Riviera’s most popular routes. It travels the panoramic Basse Corniche between Nice and Menton, stopping at Villefranche sur Mer, Beaulieu sur Mer, Eze sur Mer, Cap d’Ail and Monaco (journey time one hour) along the way. This bus runs every 20 minutes. However, it’s also popular with commuters, which means it can be become overcrowded during peak times. When planning your travels, do your best to avoid rush hour congestion.
Bus 112 connects Nice to Eze and Monaco. Completely constructed in pale golden stone, the enchanting town of Eze offers sublime views over the entire Riviera coastline.
Bus 200 is another very popular line starting at Parc Phoenix and plying the route between Nice and Cannes (journey time 90 minutes). This bus stops at St Augustin, St Laurent du Var, Cros de Cagnes, Cagnes sur Mer, Villeneuve Loubet, Biot, Antibes, Juan les Pins and Golfe Juan, before terminating in Cannes.
Bus 400 runs from Nice Parc Phoenix to Vence, stopping at St Paul de Vence along the way. St Paul is one of the Riviera’s best-known villages perchés, or hilltop towns. It’s particularly famed for its many art galleries.
In France, there are two types of trains. TER trains are regional. You’ll use these trains to hop between your Nice rental property and all other points along the Côte d'Azur. TGV trains are high-speed, long-distance trains that connect Marseille, Lyon, Paris and other large cities with the South of France.
Train schedules and tickets are available on the SNCF website, which can be used in several languages.
Just click the flag in the top right-hand corner.
Mobile tickets can also be bought on the Trainline App.
Train tickets must be purchased before you board your train, either in any train station or online on the SNCF website. Within the station, tickets may be bought from an automated machine (blue for TER, yellow for TGV), or from the station’s Sales Office (Espace de Ventes).
Before you set off on your journey, you must validate your ticket. Look out for the boxy yellow ‘composteur de billets’, positioned within the train station en route to the platforms, and often on the platforms themselves. Slot your ticket into the mouth of the machine, and it will be stamped with the name of the station, the date and the time. If a ticket is not validated, you may be fined. Signs remind travellers – in French, English and Italian – that ignorance of this procedure is not an excuse!
Travel on French trains is divided into first and second class. On a TER train, there is little difference between the classes. First-class seats are red and offer slightly more legroom, while second-class seats are blue (and about two-thirds the price). Aboard TGV trains however, first class is quieter, boasts bigger seats that recline further and more legroom. If you’re embarking on a long trip, first class seats may be worth the higher price. On a TER train, when your journey will likely be shorter, second class tends to be just fine.
Students, travellers under 26 as well as those over 60 are all entitled discounted tickets. Children under four years old ride for free while kids aged 4-12 are entitled to a 50% discount.
Depending on the station, either numbers or letters may be used to identify platforms. Don’t be afraid to ask the people who work in the station for help if you can’t find the right platform. SNCF staff are wear purple and grey uniforms. Security guards, usually in navy blue or black, will also be able to assist.
From your holiday apartment in Nice, it’s a cinch to hop aboard a TER train and visit all the Riviera towns along the coast. There are two main train lines: one heads east to Ventimille / Ventimiglia, the other west to Cannes and Grasse.
For day trips to Beaulieu sur Mer, Villefranche sur Mer, Eze sur Mer, Cap d’Ail, Monaco / Monte Carlo, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Menton or Ventimiglia, take a train heading in the direction of Ventimille / Ventimiglia.
For day trips to Grasse, Cannes, Golfe Juan, Juan les Pins, Antibes, Biot, Villeneuve Loubet, Cagnes sur Mer, Cros de Cagnes or Saint Laurent du Var, take a train heading in the direction of Grasse and Cannes.
Make the most of your day out! Note that you’re able to get on and off the train anywhere between Nice Ville and your final destination. You can always hop aboard a later train to continue your trip, provided you complete your entire journey within six hours of when you validated your ticket.
Depending on the location of your Nice holiday apartment, you may wish to take the train to or from Nice Airport. Trains to Nice Airport stop at the station Nice St Augustin. It’s the first stop west of Nice Ville. From Nice St Augustin, it’s a 5–10 minute walk to the airport. Once inside the airport area, there are free shuttle buses (every 15 minutes) that can take you to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
Train | Duration (Approx) | Frequency |
---|---|---|
Nice to Cannes | 50 minutes | Every 30 minutes |
Nice to Antibes | 40 minutes | Every 30 minutes |
Nice to Airport | 5 minutes | Every 30 minutes |
Nice to Villefranche | 15 minutes | Every 30 minutes |
Nice to Monaco / Monte Carlo | 45 minutes | Every 30 minutes |
Nice to Ventimille (Italy) | 60 minutes | Every 30 minutes |
Nice to Marseille | 2 1/2 hours | Approximately 1 per hour |
Nice to Lyon | 4 1/2 hours | Apporoximately 1 per hour |
Nice to Paris | 6 hours | Approximately 1 per hour |
Note: Frequency of TGV trains changes depending on season and day, check the date of departure on the SNCF website prior to travel.
If you are arriving by plane and renting an apartment in Nice’s centre, we wouldn’t recommend hiring a car for the duration of your stay. The ride into Nice by taxi or bus is very easy and cheap.
Guests may prefer hiring a car just by the day if you want to travel to places not served by the great public transport links. We recommend Elite car hire who will deliver a car to the first available street outside your Nice apartment rental.
If you do want a car whilst you are here, then rest assured that there are over ten thousand spaces available in Central Nice throughout the network of car parks offered by the city. Parking is not cheap though and you can expect to pay around 30 euros a day for parking. 90% of our holiday apartments in Nice do not have a car parking space or easily accessible street parking. You can see the best options for parking cars on the How to Get There text listed on each property page.
A list of all car parks and their locations and the phone numbers or websites for opening hours and tarrifs can be found on the parking section of the Nice Tourist Board website.
As a city that spills along the seafront, Nice has scores of great places to go cycling – in particular, the wide, smooth Promenade des Anglais. If you’re keen to explore the neighbourhood around your Nice holiday apartment, the city and its wider surrounds by bike, Nice offers Vélo Bleu (website in French only), an automated bike-sharing system that is easy to use. It also allows visitors the freedom to rent a bike from one spot and return it to whichever Vélo Bleu station is closest when they are finished. Our map lays out all the stations where guests may pick up Vélo Bleu bicycles in the centre of Nice.
To rent a Vélo Bleu you must sign up online, giving details of your payment details and mobile phone number. You must then buy subscriptions online prior to renting your bike, this can be done however, immediately before renting the bike. You can buy a one-day subscription meaning you can rent a bike as many times for up to one day. Each time you rent a bike during this 1-day period you will have the first 30 minutes free. 1€ extra will be charged for using the bike for an extra 30 minutes. After this, 2€ will be charged per extra hour used. Alternatively, you can take a bike for 29 minutes, return it and take another bike (for another 29 minutes) for free.
Once you have your subscription, go to any Vélo Bleu station and follow the steps on screen to release your bike. You can return your bike to any Vélo Bleu station. When you park the bike, connect it to the monitor with the black cable. Vélo Bleu will automatically register that the bike has been returned.
Alternatively, you can take a bike for 29 minutes, return it and take another bike (for another 29 minutes) for free.