Getting Around Nice and the French Riviera Without a Car
In Nice, the tramway (lines 1, 2 and 3) and Lignes d'Azur buses cover the city, and line 2 runs straight from the airport to the center and the port. For the Riviera, TER trains hug the coast to Villefranche, Beaulieu and Monaco in minutes, and the 600 bus follows the same route. Lime and Pony bike-share bikes round out the options.
Driving in Nice means battling traffic jams and parking that's scarce and expensive. The good news: the city and the coast all the way to Monaco are very easy to explore by public transport. Here's everything you need to get around without a car.
From the airport: tram line 2
Tram line 2 links Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 stops) to the city center and then the Port Lympia. According to the airport, the ride to the Jean Médecin stop takes under 30 minutes, with a tram roughly every 7 to 8 minutes on weekdays. Travel between the terminals and Grand Arénas is free; that's also where you change for line 3.
For tickets, the airport lists a round-trip "Aéro" ticket at €10, sold at the ticket machines at the Terminal 1 and 2 stops, which accept coins and bank cards . If you're not heading back to the airport, a single ticket will do (see below).
Trams and Lignes d'Azur buses in Nice
The three tram lines
- Line 1: northeast axis, via Avenue Jean-Médecin and Place Masséna. It serves Nice-Ville train station (Gare Thiers stop) .
- Line 2: west-east axis, from the airport to the port via the city center.
- Line 3: from the airport (change at Grand Arénas) to Saint-Isidore, via the Allianz Riviera stadium .
Buses
The Lignes d'Azur network serves the neighborhoods the tram doesn't reach, including Cimiez hill (Matisse and Chagall museums) and the hills above the city. Use the Lignes d'Azur online journey planner to find the right line.
Tickets and fares
- Solo ticket (1 trip): €1.70 according to the tourist office .
- Other tickets: Multi-trip, 1-Day Pass, 7-Day Pass .
- Format: since July 2023, paper tickets have been replaced by a rechargeable card, sold at station ticket machines . Tickets can also be bought in the Lignes d'Azur Tickets app.
- Validation: required on every trip, including transfers.
- Smartphone: on Android, the app lets you validate directly; on iPhone, the tourist office says you need a contactless card topped up via the app.
Along the coast to Villefranche, Beaulieu and Monaco
By train (TER ZOU!)
The TER regional train is the fastest way to reach the Riviera east of Nice. From Nice-Ville station, trains stop, depending on the service, at Nice-Riquier, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Èze-sur-Mer, Cap-d'Ail and Monaco. The Nice-Ville – Beaulieu-sur-Mer ride takes about ten minutes according to timetable comparison sites . Tickets are sold at the station or in the SNCF Connect or ZOU! apps . Tip: arrive a few minutes early in summer, as trains to Monaco are often crowded.
By bus: line 600
The former line 100 is now called the 600. It leaves from Nice (Square Normandie Niemen stop, near the port) and runs to Menton, serving Villefranche, Beaulieu, Èze-sur-Mer, Cap-d'Ail, Monaco and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. According to Monaco Tribune (February 2026), it runs every 10 to 15 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends, for €2.10 with contactless payment on board or €2.50 in cash . It's slower than the train, but the sea views are stunning.
For a detailed route to the neighboring bay, see our article getting from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer.
By bike: Lime and Pony
The Vélo Bleu system no longer exists: since February 2024, the Metropolis has handed bike sharing over to two operators, Lime and Pony. The City of Nice reports more than 2,000 bikes available 24/7 across twelve towns in the Metropolis, the vast majority of them electric. You unlock them with the operator's app by scanning the QR code .
The Promenade des Anglais and its bike lane, flat for several kilometers, are ideal for a seaside ride. On the other hand, avoid cycling the Basse Corniche toward Villefranche if you're not used to heavy traffic.
On foot: the best way to see the center
Old Nice (Vieux Nice), the Cours Saleya, Castle Hill, the port and the Promenade du Paillon are all within a 30-minute walk of each other. For a ready-made route, follow our plan for what to do in Nice in one day. Wear good shoes: cobblestones and steps are everywhere.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you get from Nice airport to the city center?
On tram line 2, straight from the terminals, in under 30 minutes to Jean Médecin according to the airport. A round-trip "Aéro" ticket is sold at the ticket machines.
How long does it take to get from Nice to Beaulieu-sur-Mer?
About ten minutes by TER train from Nice-Ville, a little longer on the 600 bus, with sea views .
Do the Vélo Bleu bikes still exist in Nice?
No. Since February 2024, they've been replaced by Lime and Pony bike-share bikes, available through their apps.
Can you pay for the bus with a bank card?
On the 600 line to Monaco and Menton, yes, by tapping your contactless card on the validator. On the Lignes d'Azur city network, check which payment methods are accepted .
Kayaking with Azurkay
Our closest tour to Nice leaves from Beaulieu-sur-Mer, about ten minutes by TER train or a few stops on the 600 bus from the center: no need for a car. This four-hour kayak outing, led by state-certified instructors in groups of 16 people maximum, follows the coast between Beaulieu and Cap Ferrat in the spirit of low-impact travel that's close to our hearts. All the details are on the kayaking in Beaulieu-sur-Mer page.
