Nice Transportation – Taxi, Train, Bus & Airport Tips

Nice Transportation

The centerpiece of the French Rivera, Nice is the transportation crossroads to the exclusive enclaves of Monaco, Antibes, Cannes and Saint-Tropez.  There are multiple options for getting to Nice and just as many for get around.

Getting to Nice

Nice is the fourth largest metropolitan area of France and the second largest city for tourism after Paris. The Nice International Airport is the gateway to the French Riviera with global flights arriving daily.  The airport is located along the coast and is the third busiest airport of France.  Shuttle buses, train service and taxis are available to transfer from the airport to points along the Côte d’Azur.

Train service from European capitals and TGV service from Paris arrive daily. There is even a weekly overnight train from Moscow with stops in Warsaw and Vienna.  Once at the Nice train station you can connect with service to the Italian border at Ventimiglia with connections to Milan, Venice, Rome and Florence.  Westbound to Cannes, Antibes and Marseille

France is connected by the autoroute throughout Europe for cars and buses.  It is modern, well maintained but if you are driving beware of the other motorists.  Make sure you have an international driver’s license.

Although the largest city on the Riviera, it has a rather average harbor and port located beside the Old Town with limited private docking space. There is ferry service to Corsica.

Getting around in Nice

Nice has an exceptional public transit system with local buses & trams on Lignes d’Azur. Purchase  the “Pass de Jour” for unlimited daily access. The TAM line connects Nice with towns and villages along the Riviera as well as direct service to Marseille and Aix-en-Provence.

There is a shared bike system called Velo Bleu with hundreds of locations within Nice. You can purchase a pass but know that the 1^st 30 minutes are free. Longer term bike rentals for trekking the small towns and villages along the Riviera can be arranged ahead of time or though your hotel.

Mini-trains depart  from the Promenade des Anglais, It takes you through the streets of the old town to the Chateau & then back to the seafront. You can get on & off at the various stops.

Of course nothing beats walking the wide promenades and sidewalks of the town. If you are really adventurous, strap on a pair of roller blades, easily rentable from kiosks in the old town.

If you are coming by car, know ahead of time that parking is very limited and at a premium.  The roads around the Riviera are notorious for high speed drivers and many fatal accidents.  Be cautious when driving and take the curves with care.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about transportation in Nice.