Nice and Cannes are two of the most popular cities to visit on the French Riviera.
And there’s no reason why you can’t see them both on a single trip.
Instead of sitting on a cramped bus or spending all of your euro on an Uber, take the train and find out why it’s the best way to get from Nice to Cannes without a car.
Image Credit: Getty Images, pixdeluxe
The best way to get from Nice to Cannes without a car
Can you get around the French Riviera without a car? Yes you Cannes and it’s quite Nice.
How much does it cost from Nice to Cannes?
Getting from Nice to Cannes can cost anywhere as low as €3 to as much as €85 or more. The cost depends on what mode of transport you choose. Renting a car may be the most expensive depending on the time of year you’re visiting. Taxis and ride shares can cost upwards of €60, while the bus can cost as low as €3. Train tickets start around €8, and while over twice the price of a bus ticket, it can get you there in half the time.
Is there a train between Nice and Cannes?
Yes, there’s a direct train between Nice-Ville train station in Nice and Cannes train station that runs nearly 60 times a day. You can get to Cannes from Nice by train in as little as 30 minutes.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Busà Photography. Image Location: Gare de Nice-Ville, Nice, Côte d'Azur, France
How much is a train ticket from Nice to Cannes?
Train tickets between Nice and Cannes start as low as $8.78. Booking your train ticket as early as possible gets you the cheapest price available. Download the Trainline app right after you purchase your flights to France and you can instantly secure your train ticket from Nice to Cannes right from your phone—paid for in US dollars.
What is the best way to get to Cannes?
You’ve got a few options when it comes to getting to Cannes: car, bus, and train. Renting a car involves more effort and expense. Taking a bus involves more time and less comfort. The train to Cannes from cities along the French Riviera is the perfect balance of comfort, speed, and price.
Can you do a day trip to Cannes from Nice?
Yes, a day trip to Cannes from Nice is absolutely doable, no matter what kind of traveler you are. Train travel makes it exceptionally easy, getting you from city center to city center in as little as 28 minutes. The first train typically sets off at 05:39 AM for early birds who want a Cannes crêpe while the last train usually departs from Nice at 11:25 PM for those who want to soak up Nice for as long as possible before heading to their French Riviera hotel in Cannes for the night.
Image Credit: Getty Images, pixdeluxe
What to do on a day trip to Cannes from Nice?
Most of us know of Cannes thanks to the famous international film festival, but Cannes is much more than a city of cinema. Here are a few things to check out on a day trip to Cannes from Nice, whether you’re a cinephile, beach lover, or foodie.
Island hop: Spend a day gazing at Cannes from afar with a boat ride to the Royal Fort on Île Sainte-Marguerite or the fortress on Île Saint-Honnorat. Both islands have nice coastal hiking trails and seafood restaurants.
Soak up French Riviera culture: The Musée des Explorations du Monde has a collection ranging from "recent" 19th-century paintings to primitive art and Mediterranean antiques. Spy scenes from iconic movies along the painted walls of Les Murs Peints, acting as an open-air iconographic and cinematographic museum.
Hit up a beach club: No need to sightsee when the sun is out. The French Riviera has fantastic beach clubs that day trippers can visit. Carlton Beach Club and Hyde Beach Cannes are two to scope out.
Snack ‘n’ stroll: Marché Forville is your appetizer before dining out in Cannes. Visit this large market and sample tons of French specialties. Gambetta Market is another great stop for fresh food, plus a handful of things like clothes and jewelry.
Train travel Cannes be nice
Get to Cannes from Nice fast and cheap by train with a little help from the Trainline app. Looking for a place to rest your head for the night by the beach? Here are the most famous hotels on the French Riviera. New to the whole "trains in Europe" thing? Check out our guide to trains in France and how to book train tickets in France online.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Yann Guichaoua-Photos. Image Location: La Napoule, Côte d'Azur, France