Getting Around Nice

GETTING AROUND NICE – Complete Transport Guide

Nice is compact and walkable, but understanding transport options (tram, bus, bike, walking) will save time and money. This guide covers all options with prices, maps, and insider tips.

1. THE TRAM (Line T2) – Most Popular & Efficient

What: Modern light rail connecting airport to city center and beyond.

Best for: Quick, reliable transport. No traffic delays.

• 📍 Route: Airport → Gare SNCF → Vieux-Nice → Hôpital Pasteur
• 💶 One-way: 6€ | 10-pass: 15€
• ⏰ Frequency: Every 10-15 min
• 🕐 Hours: 5:30am – 11:30pm daily
• ⏱️ Airport to city: 25-30 min
• ♿ Accessible: Yes (elevators, ramps)

Insider tip: Buy 10-ride pass (1.50€ per ride). Valid 1 year.

2. BUSES – Cheap & Flexible

What: 20+ bus lines covering entire Nice metro area.

Best for: Budget travelers, specific destinations not on tram line.

Main Routes:

• Bus Express 99: Airport → Promenade des Anglais (6€, 35-45 min)
• Bus 23: Airport → Gare SNCF (3€, 30-35 min)
• Bus 12: City center loops (3€)
• Bus 15: To Cimiez museums (3€)
• Night buses (N1, N2): 10pm – 5am (6€)

Pricing: Single trip 3€ | 10-pass 15€ | Day pass 5€

App: Download “Lignes d’Azur” (free) for real-time schedules.

Insider tip: Day pass (5€) pays for itself after 2 trips. Good for exploring.

3. WALKING – The Best Experience

What: Vieux-Nice, Promenade des Anglais, Port Lympia are all walkable.

Best for: Experiencing the city’s real charm.

• 🚶 Most attractions within 20-30 min walk
• 💶 Cost: Free
• 📸 Best for: Photos, discovering hidden cafés
• ⏰ Best times: Early morning (8-10am) or evening (5-8pm)

Distances from Promenade des Anglais:

• Vieux-Nice: 15 min walk east
• Castle Hill: 20 min walk east
• Port Lympia: 20 min walk east
• Russian Cathedral: 10 min walk west

Insider tip: Wear comfortable shoes. Nice’s streets are hilly. Bring water.

4. BIKE RENTAL – Perfect for Promenade

What: Electric and regular bikes available throughout the city.

Best for: Covering 7km Promenade des Anglais quickly.

Rental Options:

• Vélo Bleu (City bikes): 5€/hour, 15€/day (casual riding)
• E-bikes (electric): 20-30€/day (easier, recommended)
• Mountain bikes: 25€/day (for trails)
• 📍 Pick-up points throughout city

Insider tip: E-bikes worth extra cost for Promenade (7km is long on regular bike).

5. TAXIS – For Luggage & Groups

What: Official taxis, Uber, Bolt available.

Best for: Airport to hotel with luggage, late night arrivals.

Official Taxis:

• 📍 Stand at airport exit
• 💶 Fixed: 30-35€ (airport to city center)
• 📞 Call: +33 4 93 13 78 78
• ⏰ 24/7 available

Uber/Bolt:

• 💶 Uber: 25-40€ (surge pricing peak hours)
• 💶 Bolt: 22-35€ (cheaper than Uber)
• ⚠️ Avoid 8-10am and 7-9pm (surge pricing x3)

Insider tip: Tram is 5x cheaper than taxi. Only use taxi if you have luggage or it’s late.

6. TRAIN – Day Trips to Monaco, Cannes, Antibes

What: SNCF regional trains from Gare SNCF (Nice Central Station).

Best for: Day trips along Côte d’Azur.

Popular Routes:

• Nice → Cannes: 25 min, 12€
• Nice → Antibes: 20 min, 8€
• Nice → Monaco: 20 min, 6€
• Nice → Grasse (perfume): 40 min, 10€

Station location: Gare SNCF (Gare de Nice-Ville), accessible by tram T2

Insider tip: Buy round-trip ticket. Weekend passes offer discounts.

7. ACCESSIBILITY – Wheelchair & Mobility

What: Nice has good accessibility infrastructure.

Accessible transport:

• ✅ Tram T2: Elevators at all stations + ramps
• ✅ Buses: Most low-floor (easy access)
• ✅ Taxis: Wheelchair-accessible vehicles available
• ✅ Uber/Bolt: Request accessible car in app
• ⚠️ Old town (Vieux-Nice): Narrow streets, hilly (challenging)
• ✅ Promenade des Anglais: Flat, accessible, long (good for rolling)

Info: Contact Nice Tourism Office for specific accessibility needs.

TRANSPORT COMPARISON CHART

Mode	Speed	Cost	Coverage	Comfort	Best For
Tram	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Fast)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (6€)	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Main routes)	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Modern)	Main transport
Bus	⭐⭐⭐ (Med)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3€)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Everywhere)	⭐⭐⭐ (OK)	Budget, coverage
Walking	⭐⭐ (Slow)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Free)	⭐⭐⭐ (Central only)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best view)	Experience
Bike	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Good)	⭐⭐⭐ (15-30€/day)	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Good)	⭐⭐⭐ (Weather-dependent)	Promenade
Taxi	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Fast)	⭐⭐ (30-40€)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Anywhere)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Luxury)	Luggage, late night
Train	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very fast)	⭐⭐⭐ (8-15€)	⭐⭐⭐ (Regional)	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Comfortable)	Day trips

MONEY-SAVING TIPS

• 🎫 10-ride pass: 15€ (vs 60€ individual tickets) = 75% savings
• 📅 Weekly pass: 20€ (unlimited transport all week)
• 🚶 Walk when possible: Central Nice is compact
• 🕐 Off-peak travel: Avoid taxis 8-10am, 7-9pm (surge pricing)
• 🚴 E-bike for Promenade: 30€ day = 4 tram rides

SAMPLE ITINERARIES WITH TRANSPORT

Day 1: Classic Nice (Tram + Walk)

• Morning: Tram T2 to Vieux-Nice (6€)
• Walk: Vieux-Nice → Cours Saleya (free, 20 min)
• Walk: Vieux-Nice → Castle Hill (free, 20 min walk up)
• Lunch: Port Lympia area (walk 20 min from castle)
• Evening: Promenade des Anglais (walk or tram, free/6€)
• Total transport cost: 12€ (1 tram pass)

Day 2: Museums + Beach (Bus + Tram)

• Morning: Bus 15 to Matisse Museum (3€)
• Lunch: Cimiez area
• Afternoon: Tram T2 to Castel Plage (6€)
• Evening: Walk Promenade (free)
• Total transport cost: 9€

Day 3: Day Trip to Cannes + Train

• Morning: Tram T2 to Gare SNCF (6€)
• Train: Nice → Cannes (12€)
• Afternoon: Explore Cannes (walk, free)
• Evening: Train back to Nice (12€)
• Total transport cost: 30€

TOURIST PASS – Worth It?

Nice Tourist Pass (24-hour): 24€ includes unlimited transport + museum discounts.

Is it worth it?

• ✅ Worth if: Visiting 2+ museums + traveling by tram/bus 4+ times
• ❌ Not worth if: Mostly walking + 1-2 museums
• 💡 Better value: Buy 10-ride tram pass (15€) + pay museums individually

CONCLUSION

Nice’s public transport is excellent. For 1-2 days, buy a 10-ride pass (15€) and walk between attractions. For longer stays, consider the 24-hour or 7-day pass. Avoid taxis unless you have luggage or it’s late night.

The city is best experienced on foot. Use transport to connect neighborhoods, but walk to truly discover Nice.

Ready to explore? Check our top 10 attractions and where to stay guides.