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Getting around Nice

Travelling around Nice
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Updated byAsaël Häzaqon 22 July 2024

As an expatriate in Nice, you'll find it easy to navigate the city daily, thanks to its well-established transport network managed by Lignes d'Azur, the public transport service of the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolitan area.

Buses in Nice

Lignes d'Azur operates more than 140 bus routes that connect various communes within the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolitan area. You can access bus schedules and purchase tickets through the Lignes d'Azur website, where you can also set up an online account.

Tramways in Nice

Nice currently operates three tramway lines, with plans underway to introduce two additional lines. Line 4 will connect the towns of Cagnes-sur-Mer and Saint-Laurent-du-Var, while Line 5 will extend Line 1 to include the Ariane district of Nice and link to the towns of La Trinité and Drap:

  • line 1 (departure: Henri Sappia – terminus: Hôpital Pasteur) serves 22 stations, with two connections to streetcar line 2, and two connections to stations;
  • line 2 (departure: Aéroport terminal 2 – terminus: Port Lympia) covers 20 stations. It shares two stops with line 1, five with line 3, and one with Nice Saint-Augustin station;
  • line 3 (departure: Aéroport terminal 2 – terminus: Saint-Isidore) serves 11 stations. It shares five stops with lines 2 and one with Nice Saint-Augustin station.

Good to know:

Starting from July 1, 2021, transportation was free for individuals aged 18 to 25 on weekends. However, the initiative was discontinued in June 2023 due to lower-than-expected participation.

Public transport fares in Nice

Whether you choose to travel by bus or streetcar, fares begin at 1.70 euros per trip. Lignes d'Azur offers a variety of season tickets tailored to different needs and profiles, such as occasional or regular travelers, youth, seniors, and job seekers. For added convenience, consider using "Ma Carte", a personalized rechargeable transport card provided by Lignes d'Azur.

Bikes in Nice

Since February 2024, Lime and Pony, two private operators, have replaced Vélobleus, the previous self-service bicycle system in Nice. Currently, there are 2,000 bicycles available (1,000 per operator), which is 800 more than what Vélobleus offered. Lime bikes are fully electric, while Pony offers 200 mechanical bikes that can accommodate passengers. These bikes are now deployed across 12 communes, expanding the previous service area by six communes. Additionally, 250 parking areas will be established within these communes, equipped with GPS systems to ensure correct bike parking. Failure to park properly may result in fines. Each operator has launched a dedicated application. Subscribers of Lignes d'Azur will benefit from reduced fares. For more details, visit Lime's and Pony's respective websites.

Cabs in Nice

Nice's taxi network has over 300 vehicles available 24/7. You can easily book a taxi online or by phone through Cab Nice, a centralized reservation system operated by a network of professional drivers.

The Uber ride-hailing app also serves Nice. Alternatively, you can book a helicopter ride to travel around the Côte d'Azur region.

Car rental in Nice

If you choose to rent a car upon arriving in Nice, you'll find numerous rental agencies scattered throughout the city and at the airport. Additionally, you can utilize Mobilize Share (formerly Renault Mobility), a self-service car rental service that is available city-wide. To recharge electric vehicles, you can use Prise de Nice, which provides electric car plug rental services.

Having a car is very convenient for exploring the outskirts of Nice, but it's worth noting that navigating and finding parking within the city itself can sometimes be challenging.

Useful links:

Lignes d'Azur

Nice Tourisme

Prise de Nice

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.

About

I'm the holder of a Master's degree in Law - Political Science as well as a diploma from the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N2, and have worked as a communications officer. I have over 10 years' experience as a web copywriter.

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