Using the Bus:
Tips:
- Timetables are available at each stop and you can plan your trip via this App
- Buses must be flagged down even though they generally stop if the driver sees you. At stops for multiple buses, flagging down is essential.
- Board the bus at the front and exit at the rear. However, if there are a lot of people for the bus, you will find some board at rear – it is generally a free for all!
- Once on board, you must validate your ticket [even if you have just bought it from driver] in one of the machines on the bus or tram, even if your ride is a transfer.
- The ‘ticket police’ often appear in groups of 4 and check tickets. If you dont have a validated ticket you will be removed from bus and fined on the spot. Fines can also be paid by mail or online for additional fee!
- If the bus is not too full you can ask the driver to let you know when you get to your stop. Alternatively follow the progress by the list of stops on the bus and/or follow the signs at each stop.
- As you approach your stop, press the red button found on the poles so that Arret Demandé appears in red at front of bus above the driver.
- Want to take the bus from Nice to Monaco? The No. 100 bus from Nice to Monaco departs from the Old Port of Nice (behind the church), The journey takes about 40 minutes and allows you to admire the coast between Nice and Monaco. Once in the principality you can get off near the hill with the Prince’s Palace, or near the casino in the Monte Carlo district. The No. 100 bus continues on to Menton. Cost €1.50 one way – what a deal but be prepared to stand as the bus is often full!!
Tickets;
- A single ticket costs €1.50 which can be bought from the driver [cash – coins not notes] or from one of the tickets machines found at tram stops [coins or chipped credit card]. This ticket is good for all transfers [bus & tram] within 74 minutes. You must validate on each bus/tram. It is not usable for return trip
- Multi-voyage Card for a 10-ride if you are going to use the bus/tram frequently during your stay. It costs €10 – a good savings. The card has no expiration date and can be used for more than one person as long as you validate it for each person. Like the single ticket the card is good for transfers.
- You can also buy a Daily pass for €5. Just validate it on first trip and then you are good for the day; There is also a 7 day pass for €15 – useful if you are going to us bus/tram frequently.
- Tickets can also be purchased from one of the Lignes d’Azur stores at 1 rue d’Italie or 4 Blvd Jean Jaures or at various agencies around the area.
Tram:
There are now three Tram lines in Nice that are invaluable for getting around and particularly for getting to/from the airport.
Using the tram:
- Tickets can be purchased from the machines at the stops – you can also validate them before you get on. Prices and transfer are the same as for the buses.
- Validate on board by inserting in the machine – even if a transfer.
- As for the bus, failure to validate the ticket will lead to a fine and a much bigger fine if you have no ticket.
- Trams run every day for 20h /day. At Peak times every 4 minutes; Off Peak: every 6-8 minutes; late evening every 15-20 minutes.
- Trams usually stop at every stop but to be safe, press the yellow button on the poles and follow the progress on the screens inside the cars
- Signs at the stops show how many minutes before the next tram is due
Line 1:
- This U-shaped route , runs from Henri Sappia (Nice Nord), south to the city center and coast and back north to Hópital Pasteur. Stops include: Stade du Ray, Valrose university campus, Gare Thiers, Jean Médecin, Place Masséna, Jaun Jaurès, Place Garibaldi, Nice Acropolis, Université and St-Roch.The main train station (Gare Thiers) in Nice town centre is a two-minute walk from the nearest tram stop.
Line 2:
- Also know as Ligne Est-Ouest runs from the Airport to the Port, connecting with Line 1 at Jean Medecine and Garibaldi
- Choose ‘Port Lympia” for the Port and be careful if heading to the airport to choose tram going to “Airport T1/T2” rather than “CADAM”
- If you are picking up the Tram at the airport look at this
- Travel time from airport to the Port is approx 26 minutes
- Part of the line is underground:
Line 3:
- Line 3 connects the major parts of the Eco-Valley: the airport, the Grand Arénas, the Pôle d’Echanges Multimodal Saint-Augustin, Nice-Méridia, the Allianz Riviera stadium, the Nice Valley shopping center, Ikea and the Saint-Isidore district.
Using the Train:
Nice Ville Station
The main station is Nice is Nice-Ville. This is where you will arrive if you take the the TGV from Paris or the Thello from Italy [Milan]. If you want to travel along the coast on day trips this is your starting point.
The ticket office is to the left as you enter the building – expect a wait The best way is to either buy ticket on line or at one of the machines. This video is a help:
The first thing you need to know is that the convenient ticket machines take only coins and chip-and-pin credit cards, and most American credit cards won’t work because the we now have the chips but not the pins.
This means that you either need a pocket full of change, or else an extra half-hour to wait in the ticket line, where they can take your American card. However if you plan ahead – buy on line
Going to Italy? For trips to Ventimiglia you can use the TER [local trains] or one or the Trello trains that run three times a day.. Quicker and more comfortable then TER but the timing may be an issue – also this is best way to get to San Remo unless you want to change trains in Ventimiglia
