How to Travel From Paris to Nice by Plane, Train, Car, and Bus

Beautiful Nice is the major city on the Côte d'Azur. At the heart of the French Riviera, it is easily accessible from Paris, the iconic city located 578 miles (930 kilometers) away. To get from Paris to Nice, the fastest and also most economical method is by plane. Driving will take much longer but offers a chance to stop at some lovely spots along the way. You can also use a combination of trains and a plane to get to Nice or you can travel exclusively by train or bus. However, the bus is the slowest option to get to Nice.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From Paris to Nice?

The least expensive way to get between Paris and Nice is by taking a plane from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris to Côte d'Azur Airport in Nice. Tickets are quite affordable, often starting at $45 for a one-way flight. Air France and easyJet have many flights throughout the week. Just keep in mind any costs associated with transportation to and from the airport. While public transportation is available at the airports in both cities, taking a car can add convenience and make the trip more expensive. You can purchase plane tickets online in advance, keeping an eye on the best deals.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From Paris to Nice?

The fastest way between Paris and Nice is the same as the cheapest: taking an airplane. Your trip from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport will take about one hour, 35 minutes from taxi to landing but the trip is a bit longer when factoring in time for getting to and from the airports in both cities as well as passing through security lines, boarding, and other delays at the airport. Possible delays aside, flying is the fast and cheapest way to get to Nice by far.

How Long Does It Take to Drive?

The distance from Paris to Nice is around 578 miles (931 kilometers). If making the trip by car, it takes around nine hours, 30 minutes via autoroutes A6 and A7, depending on how many stops you make and what the traffic is like. The high-speed rail TGV network will probably save you money if you take into account major autoroute tolls, a likely overnight stay (if you want to arrive fresh), rental car expenses, and the high cost of gas in France.

Another option is the BlaBlaCar ride-share service, which can be reserved online for prices as low as $22. While the ride is longer, as long as 15 hours depending on stops and transfers, you will have a chance to meet locals and relax rather than being behind the wheel.

Free street parking in Nice is usually available outside of downtown. Various parking lots in town offer one hour free and the downtown area has meters, typically with a two-hour minimum. Apps like Parkopedia or Parking.ai can help you find nearby parking lots, what they charge, and more helpful information.

How Long Is the Train Ride?

A train from Paris to Nice takes about six hours and tickets start around 66 euros for second class seats and around 100 euros for first class. However, prices fluctuate heavily depending on the day and time of your departure and how far in advance you purchase the ticket. France has a comprehensive and comfortable high-speed rail network. The TGV inOui train leaves every four hours from Paris-Gare-de-Lyon railway station to Gare de Nice-Ville train station.

Taking a train in combination with a flight is a quicker and cheaper way to get between Paris and Nice. This journey (from $65) takes three hours, 30 minutes, including a transfer of one hour, 12 minutes. The Paris RER train leaves every 10 minutes from Saint-Michel-Notre Dame station to Antony. Passengers then board an ORLYVAL train—also available every 10 minutes—from the city of Antony to Orly Terminal 4, where you will transfer to your flight. Air France and easyJet make the trip between Paris Orly Airport and Nice Côte d'Azur Airport several times a week. Booking online in advance is always helpful.

Is There a Bus That Goes From Paris to Nice?

The bus from Paris to Nice (from $48) is among the most budget-friendly modes of transportation between the two cities, but also the slowest. There are a few routes each day, typically in the evening, which has you on an overnight bus, saving on accommodation, then arriving to Nice airport in the morning or early afternoon, the next day. Reserving in advance is recommended, whether online or at the bus station.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Nice?

The best time to visit Nice is during the September and October shoulder season, which has warm but not too hot temperatures. It's also good to travel from mid-March to April when accommodations are cheaper, though the weather is cooler. To get away from the crowds, avoid Nice in the humid and hot time between May and August when prices go up. However, that peak season is when the fun takes place at the Nice International Film Festival in May and the Nice Jazz Festival in July.

What's the Most Scenic Route to Nice?

Those driving from Paris to Nice will enjoy a scenic ride with lovely stops along the A6 and A7 autoroutes. You could check out the luxurious Abbaye de la Bussiere Hotel and its vineyards near Dijon or head further to Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France. There is also the Palace of the popes and cobblestone old town in Avignon, and Marseille—the oldest city in the country—features medieval churches and Roman remains.

Can I Use Public Transportation to Travel From the Airport?

The Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is only about 5 miles (8.5 kilometers) from the city center. There are many ways to easily get from the airport to town. To take public transportation catch the Lignes D'azur Line 12 bus (from 1.50 euros, 21 minutes), which heads toward Promenade des Arts. Also, a Lignes D'azur tram (from 1.50 euros, 28 minutes) leaves every 15 minutes for the city center.

The quickest but pricier options each take just eight minutes. Taxi Riviera, Taxi Nice Côte d'Azur, and Alunni Claude start at $40 for a one-way ride. You can reserve in advance either an Uber rideshare or a town car through Jayride, which costs $30 and up.

What Is There to Do in Nice?

When in Nice, tourists enjoy the oceanfront Promenade des Anglais for walking, biking, and rollerblading. You can also explore the cobblestone streets in Vieux Nice, the Old Town, perusing the daily vegetable and fruit market at Cours Saleya. The city is known for museums like the Musée Matisse and the Marc Chagall National Museum, as well as for hosting one of the oldest Carnival celebrations in the world, held each February, featuring colorful floats, giant puppets, and 100,000 flowers thrown into the crowd. In addition, Nice makes a good central point from which to explore plenty of nearby attractions. Monaco is a 30-minute drive away, and it's only about 45 minutes to Antibes or Cannes.