Saint-Raphaël Without a Car: Trains, Buses and Boats
Saint-Raphaël is easy to reach by train: Saint-Raphaël-Valescure station, right in the town centre, is served by TGV and OUIGO high-speed trains from Paris and by regional TER (ZOU!) trains on the Les Arcs – Nice line. Once there, the same TER line and buses 8 and 21 of the Estérel Côte d'Azur network follow the coast road to Agay, Anthéor and Le Trayas. For everything else, go on foot, by bike or by boat.
Saint-Raphaël is one of the few towns on the French Riviera where you can spend a whole week without a car, often more peacefully than with one: along the Esterel coast road, parking is scarce and packed in summer. Here's how to get there, and then how to reach the beaches, trails and calanques.
Getting to Saint-Raphaël by train
Saint-Raphaël-Valescure station
This is the natural gateway. Right in the town centre, the station is served by high-speed trains (TGV INOUI and OUIGO) and by ZOU! regional TER trains. The old port, the tourist office (99 quai Albert-Ier) and Veillat beach are all a few minutes' walk away. The bus station is just behind the train station, which makes it easy to switch from train to bus.
TGV timetables and frequencies vary with the seasons: check SNCF Connect or the OUIGO website for your travel date .
From Nice and the airport
Saint-Raphaël is about 65 km from Nice Côte d'Azur airport. By train, the journey to Nice takes around an hour depending on the service; for the airport, the nearest station is Nice Saint-Augustin . ZOU! regional coaches also link Saint-Raphaël bus station with the airport .
Along the coast by TER train
ZOU! line 3 (Les Arcs – Saint-Raphaël – Cannes – Antibes – Nice) is the best way to discover the Esterel coastline. After Saint-Raphaël-Valescure, it stops at:
- Boulouris-sur-Mer: small beaches and the coastal path;
- Le Dramont: Débarquement beach, Cap Dramont, Île d'Or;
- Agay: the bay, its beaches and its kayak rental outfits;
- Anthéor-Cap-Roux: the Anthéor calanque and its viaduct;
- Le Trayas: red-pebble calanques;
- Théoule-sur-Mer: the first village in the Alpes-Maritimes.
According to Estérel Côte d'Azur Tourisme, around ten trains a day run in each direction on this stretch, with tickets costing just a few euros . Be aware: not every train stops at every small station. Check your train's list of stops before you board, especially for Le Dramont and Théoule-sur-Mer.
The locals' trick: walk one way along the coastal path and come back by train. For example, from Boulouris to Le Dramont, then back from Le Dramont station. See our article on the Cap Dramont and Île d'Or hike.
By bus: the Estérel Côte d'Azur – Le Bus network
The local bus network (formerly Agglobus, now "Estérel Côte d'Azur – Le Bus") runs from Saint-Raphaël bus station. The most useful lines for visitors:
- Line 21: bus station – Agay – Trayas Pointe Notre-Dame, along the RN98, with frequent stops (including Camp Long);
- Line 8: bus station – Boulouris – Agay – Trayas Pointe Notre-Dame, listed as running mainly during school terms;
- Line 10 and the Boulouris shuttle: town centre – Boulouris;
- Lines 3, 14 and shuttles A and B: Saint-Raphaël – Fréjus.
Fares and tickets
According to the network's official website, single tickets are sold on board by the driver and allow a transfer within 60 minutes; a 7-day Pass Loisirs is available for tourists, and there's also a 10-journey ticket . The Agglobus mobile app lets you check timetables.
Services are infrequent, especially out of season and on Sundays: check the Timetables section of the website before you set off, and have a backup plan by train.
By boat: Saint-Tropez without the traffic jams
From the old port, the ferry terminal on quai Amiral-Nomy is the departure point for shuttles to Saint-Tropez, which drop you at the Estacade pier. It's the most pleasant way to avoid the gulf road in summer. The season runs roughly from spring to autumn .
By bike and on foot
Cycling
The Corniche d'Or road (RN98) is spectacular by bike, but narrow and very busy in summer: set off early in the morning. To get off the main road, the Saint-Barthélémy loop, starting from the place du Togo car park in Agay, is one of the cycling routes listed by the tourist office. E-bike rental shops can be found in Agay and Saint-Raphaël . Taking bikes on TER trains is subject to conditions .
To discover the road itself, read our article on the Corniche d'Or, the Esterel coast road.
On foot
Central Saint-Raphaël, from the old port to the basilica and the archaeological museum, is easy to explore entirely on foot. Along the coast, the yellow-waymarked coastal path links Santa-Lucia port to Agay, with train stations and bus stops all along the way if you want to cut it short.
Our partners in Saint-Raphaël
Frequently asked questions
Which station do I need for Saint-Raphaël?
Saint-Raphaël-Valescure, in the town centre. It's served by TGV, OUIGO and TER trains.
Can you get to Agay by bus from Saint-Raphaël?
Yes, on line 21 (and line 8 during school terms) from the bus station, located behind the train station. TER trains also stop at Agay station.
How do you get from Saint-Raphaël to Théoule-sur-Mer without a car?
By TER train on the Les Arcs – Nice line, which runs along the whole coast road. Make sure your train actually stops at Théoule-sur-Mer.
Do you need a car to visit the Esterel?
No. The stations at Boulouris, Le Dramont, Agay, Anthéor-Cap-Roux and Le Trayas give access to the trails and calanques. In summer, check the prefecture's wildfire risk map before heading into the massif.
Kayaking with Azurkay
Kayaking is the natural next step on a car-free trip: no engine, no hunting for parking. Our guided Esterel Massif tour leaves from Théoule-sur-Mer, which you can reach by TER train from Saint-Raphaël, riding along the coast. Four hours at the foot of the red rocks, in a small group of 16 people maximum, with a state-qualified instructor.
