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Want to travel from the French capital to the south of France and need more information? Look no further!
Generally, the average journey time by train from Paris to Nice is 5 hours and 58 minutes, with around 10 trains running on this popular route each day provided by SNCF and OUIGO. SNCF’s high-speed TGV service can take you from Paris to Nice by train in just 5 hours and 41 minutes. If you want to maximize the amount of time you have to explore Nice, SNCF run overnight INTERCITÉS services from Paris Austerlitz to Nice Ville, taking around 11 hours and 48 minutes.
A trip to the capital of the French Riviera is always a good idea! Not sure what to do during your trip to Nice? We’ve got some ideas for you:
No wonder it's one of the best places in Europe to visit from Paris according to our guide. For more inspiration, check out our comprehensive guide on how to travel around the French Riviera by train. Confused about Nice's many train stations? We've got you covered. Check out our rundown of the French Riviera's most famous hotels if you need even more travel inspiration.
Feel like traveling in style? TGV First Class passengers enjoy wide reclining seats and quieter carriages. Once you’ve found your seat, you can take advantage of the power sockets, reading light and retractable table.
Keen to start your journey to the South of France? Book your cheap train tickets from Paris to Nice today. Keep reading for ticket prices, train times and journey information.
It takes an average of 7h 42m to travel from Paris to Nice by train, over a distance of around 427 miles (687 km). There are normally 16 trains per day traveling from Paris to Nice and tickets for this journey start from $21.58 when you book in advance.
First train | 6:03 am | |
---|---|---|
Last train | 9:22 pm | |
Departure station | Paris | |
Arrival station | Nice | |
Journey time | From 5h 33m | |
Distance | 427 miles (687 km) | |
Frequency | 16 trains per day | |
Changes | Direct trains available | |
Price | From $21.58 | |
Train and bus operators |
TGV is the high-speed train service of the SNCF company. It connects the major cities of France at speeds of up to 200 mph (320 km/h). All TGV trains are equipped with a food carriage, a free WiFi connection, power sockets and fold-down tables. Two comfort classes are offered – First Class and Second Class, with flexible fare options available and access to the Grand Voyageur lounge in some stations.
OUIGO is the low-cost, high-speed train service operated by the French national train company SNCF. Despite having only one class on board, OUIGO trains offer the same comfort as Second Class seats on TGV trains, although OUIGO tickets are only available to purchase online. To make your journey as smooth as possible, arrive at least 30 minutes before departure and bear in mind that there's an additional fee for bringing a suitcase with you, having a seat with power sockets and travelling with a stroller/buggy.
Intercités is the classic service of SNCF. The Intercités lines are an important part of the French rail network. Trains make more stops and are cheaper than TGVs, and run at speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h). Two comfort classes are offered aboard Intercités – First Class and Second Class. Intercités by night allows you to travel at night on certain routes, in sleeper cars.
SNCF is the national train operator of France. It operates all domestic trains and routes across France, as well as international services to Spain and Germany. There are three different types of domestic trains that operate under the SNCF banner – TGV (high-speed, full-service trains that connect the major cities in France), Intercités (usually a more frequent stopping service, but with all the amenities), and TER (regional train services with basic onboard facilities).
In Second Class, TGV INOUI allows you to travel comfortably while enjoying the onboard services, such as free WiFi, power outlets and more.
Prefer to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Second Class as well as some additional extras.
OUIGO comes with only one class, Standard Class, which is the equivalent of TGV's Second Class. On board you'll find WiFi and a café-bar (on services in Spain). There may be a trolley service on Train Classique services in France. You can pay extra to guarantee a seat with a power outlet, as not all seats currently have one.
If you're travelling in Second Class, you'll enjoy at-seat power sockets, free WiFi and a catering service offering snacks and drinks.
In addition to all the amenities available in Standard Class, you'll find more legroom, adjustable seats and individual tables in First Class.
On board TGV INOUI trains, you can take up to 2 pieces of luggage measuring no more than 70 x 90 x 50 cm (27.5 x 35.4 x 19.6 inches), plus one hand luggage measuring no more than 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches). If you are bringing an XL baggage (maximum 90 x 130 cm or 35.4 x 51.1 inches), it will replace one of the two 70 x 90 x 50 cm (27.5 x 35.4 x 19.6 inches) pieces of luggage authorised.
All your luggage must be labelled before entering the train.
All TGV INOUI trains are equipped with a café-bar car offering a range of food and drink to suit you at any time of day. The Bar is always situated in car 4 or 14 of the train. There's a range of local and responsibly sourced products on offer.
TGV INOUI trains have free WiFi on board for you to use throughout your journey, allowing you to stay connected, reply to emails or even relax and enjoy what's offered on the TGV INOUI entertainment portal.
Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap.
If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand baggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket. Bike tickets cost €10 per bike, per journey.
Small pets are allowed on board TGV INOUI trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on TGV INOUI services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a leash. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains.
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
One piece of hand baggage (36 x 27 x 15 cm) and one piece of cabin baggage (55 x 35 x 25 cm) can be taken onboard. You can take additional or larger bags with you (max. 30kg) for an extra fee or by paying for OUIGO Plus.
On OUIGO trains in France: an at-seat service of snacks is available on Train classique services. This service is not available on high-speed OUIGO trains.
On OUIGO trains in Spain: OUIBAR is located in car 4 of each train and offers a selection of hot and cold drinks, plus snacks.
WiFi (OUIFI) and an entertainment portal (OUIFUN) are available at an additional cost.
For OUIGO trains in France: Passengers under 12 years old pay a fixed price for tickets all year round - €5 for journeys on Train classique services, and €8 for high speed services.
For OUIGO trains in Spain: Passengers under 12 pay €5 for all journeys.
You can take your bicycle on board OUIGO trains if you add the 'Bike' option onto your ticket for an additional fee of at least €5. Your bike must be folded or dismantled and placed in a storage bag for transport.
Pets are only allowed on board OUIGO trains if the 'Pets' option is added to your ticket at the time of booking. (1 pet per adult, per booking, €10 per pet.)
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
You can take as much baggage as you want on INTERCITÉS trains, whether that's a suitcase, overnight bag or a backpack - just make sure that each piece of baggage is no taller than 130cm and no wider than 90cm. You must be able to carry all your baggage yourself. All baggage must be labelled before you hop on board the train.
You can treat yourself without leaving your seat on INTERCITÉS trains, as there's an at-seat food and drink service. Discover the INTERCITÉS menu 'Nos Territoires Gourmands' and enjoy high-quality, local products. This service is only available on the following routes: Paris - Clermont-Ferrance, Paris - Toulouse, Bordeaux - Marseille, Paris - Briançon (night INTERCITÉS train), Paris - Toulouse (night train), Paris - Lourdes (night train), Paris - Nice (night train).
Free WiFi is available on some INTERCITÉS services. Kick back and relax with free WiFi on the following routes: Paris-Clermont-Ferrand, Paris-Limoges-Toulouse, Marseille-Bordeaux and Paris-Briançon. On overnight trains, you can connect to free WiFi on the Paris - Nice and Paris - Briançon routes.
Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap.
If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand luggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket for an additional fee.
Small pets are allowed on board INTERCITÉS trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on INTERCITÉS services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a lead. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains.
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Paris to Nice by booking early.§
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
If you'd like to maximize your time in the south of France, why not take an overnight train from Paris to Nice?
Travel on the INTERCITÉS overnight service and fall asleep in Paris and wake up in Nice. On this route, your train will depart from Paris-Austerlitz station. In total, the journey takes around 12 hours and 30 minutes, stopping in six cities before reaching Nice-Ville station. When booking your ticket, there are three options to choose from:
If you’re traveling on a low budget, SNCF offers an economical option with INTERCITÉS night trains, with one-way tickets from €19. To make the journey more comfortable, the benches have a footrest, an adjustable headrest and personal night lights.
With INTERCITÉS night trains, you can enjoy optimal comfort at a reasonable price. From €29 each way, you can choose between First and Second Class bunks. Travel in a bunk and you’ll enjoy more services on board including a water bottle and a comfort pouch containing wipes, earplugs and tissues.
If you fancy treating yourself, book a private space and you’ll enjoy a compartment just for you! With INTERCITÉS night trains, you can book an entire compartment, either in First Class (4 bunks) or in Second Class (6 bunks).
Visiting Paris from abroad? You’ll most likely arrive at one of Paris’ airports. If you want to know how to get to central Paris from the airport, keep reading for more details.
In Paris, there are three major airports:
Each airport offers a bus and taxi service, but only Charles de Gaulle and Orly have their own dedicated train stations (the nearest train station to Beauvais Tille is nearby Beauvais). Find out more about transfers to and from airports in Paris.
Before your journey to Nice, you need to travel to Paris Gare de Lyon station. Not sure how to get there? We’ve got you covered!
Situated in east Paris, Gare de Lyon is easily accessed due to the city’s public transport system. If you’re hoping to take the train from Paris to Nice and need to get to Paris Gare de Lyon train station, you can get there via:
Intercités night trains
If you are traveling on one of the Intercités night trains, you will depart from Paris Austerlitz station. To get there, you can use public transport:
Once you’ve arrived at Paris Gare de Lyon station, you can make your way to the platform. If you’re traveling with TGV INOUI, you can take advantage of the First Class lounge if you’ve got a Business Première ticket or another eligible ticket.
No matter which train operator you decide to travel with, your train will arrive at Nice-Ville station, in the heart of the city.
Once you’ve left the station, you’ll find that Nice train station is conveniently located on Avenue Thiers. The station is open Monday to Sunday from 05:00 am to 00:30 am.
As your journey starts and ends in the same country, you can simply leave the station as soon as you’ve arrived. You’ll probably want to start exploring the city’s most famous landmarks straight away – you can get from Nice-Ville station to different parts of the city by:
If you want to get around Nice quickly and conveniently, you can use the city's public transport system.
Taking the tram in Nice
In Nice, there are three tram lines. Firstly, the T1 line connects the north of the city to the south, near the sea. From the station, you can take the T1 through Massena Square to Nice’s Old Port. Secondly, the T2 line connects the Old Port with Nice’s airport, running between the east and west of the city. Lastly, the T3 links the airport to the Allianz Riviera, the city’s main sports stadium.
To buy tram tickets, you can find a vending machine at each tram stop. Before your journey, you need to validate the ticket inside the tram or on the platform before boarding. Please note that tickets cannot be purchased from the driver.
Taking the bus in Nice
Nice’s bus network runs 7 days a week, from morning to evening. After 10:00 pm, night buses are available. To stop the approaching bus, you need to wave your hand at the driver. Tickets can be purchased from the driver and must be validated on board. Before your stop, you need to press the stop button to get off.
If you want to visit more places along the French Riviera, buses run to nearby towns and cities, including Monaco and Cannes. Please note that once your ticket is validated, it can be used for 74 minutes.
On your way from Paris to Nice by train, you can stop off at a variety of French towns and cities.
Not all trains serve the same stations, in fact, some trains don't stop anywhere during the journey. However, depending on which service you travel on, you can visit some of the most beautiful towns in France, including Avignon, Cannes and Aix-en-Provence. The line from Paris to Nice can serve:
Once you’ve arrived in Nice, you can start to explore some of the city’s most famous landmarks.
Nice is a charming city that is located in the south of France. Departing from Paris, you can reach Nice and the Promenade des Anglais in about 6 hours. The city offers beautiful walks and has many cultural sites, such as museums and a castle.
If you love the beach, you can enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches and the Mediterranean Sea. For the more adventurous, take the train and visit the nearby area of Cote D’Azur. Need some inspiration for your trip to Nice? Here are some of our favorite things to do in Nice:
Located on the French Riviera, between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Nice is an excellent choice for your summer holiday. In addition to its colorful architecture, charming cobbled streets and lavish beach clubs, the city offers a rich and dynamic cultural agenda. Here are some events not to be missed in Nice this summer, and our advice for getting there by public transport:
This July, enjoy big names in jazz at the Nice Jazz Festival! The renowned jazz festival started in 1948 and celebrates its 68th anniversary this year. Meet at the Théâtre de Verdure at Place Masséna for a few days of local, national and international sound discoveries.
To get there from Nice-Ville station: the Théâtre de Verdure is located just under a mile from the station, or about a 16-minute walk. You can also take the L1 tram to the Masséna stop.
Does a wine-musical festival appeal to you? From 8th June until 17th September 2023, the Les Musicales festival takes place across 42 wine estates in the PACA region.
From Nice, go to the Château de Crémat to find various music groups in concert in a picturesque environment.
To get to the Château du Crémat from Nice by public transport, it takes between an hour and an hour and a half. The easiest way would be to join line L3 at Aéroport Terminal 1 (accessible by L2 from Nice-Ville station), stop at Les Arboras/Université, and then take bus 52, which will drop you off directly in front of the castle.
In Nice, many exhibitions take place all year round. The city hosts a great diversity of artistic styles, whether modern art or photography. Here are some museums to visit this summer, all accessible either on foot or by tram from Nice-Ville train station:
💡 Our tip: if you want to avoid busy crowds, travel at the end of the summer season! Discover Nice outside of the tourist season and enjoy an Indian summer rather than a Mediterranean summer. TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS train tickets are already available until 8th November and OUIGO tickets until 12th December 2023.
Book now to find the best prices!
If you’ve enjoyed your time in Nice and want to explore more of France, you can easily reach nearby towns and cities by train. To inspire your next trip, here are some of the most popular train journeys from Nice:
If you’re traveling abroad from Nice, you’ll most likely depart from the city’s main airport, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport. The airport is located about 4 miles west of the city and can be reached by tram or bus.
Running between the east and west of the city, the T2 line connects the Old Port, in the heart of the city, with the airport. Also, the T3 links the Allianz Riviera, the city’s main sports stadium, to the airport.
If you want to buy tram tickets, you can find a vending machine at each tram stop. You need to validate the ticket inside the tram or on the platform before boarding. Please note that tickets cannot be purchased from the driver.
Departing from Promenade des Anglais, Place Masséna (Masséna square) and Vieille Ville (old town), the number 12 bus can take you to Terminal 1 at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport.
Nice’s bus network runs 7 days a week, from morning to evening. After 10:00 pm, night buses are available. To stop the approaching bus, you need to wave your hand at the driver. Tickets can be purchased from the driver and must be validated on board. Before your stop, you need to press the stop button to get off.
After visiting Nice, why not continue exploring Europe by train? With a Eurail Pass, you can travel across 33 European countries as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of travel days.
You can use a Eurail Pass if you’re not a European citizen or resident. If you're a European citizen or a non-European who is an official legal resident of a European country, you can use an Interrail Pass instead.
The average journey time by train between Paris and Nice is 7 hours and 42 minutes, with around 16 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
The fastest journey time by train from Paris to Nice is 5 hours and 33 minutes.
Train tickets from Paris to Nice can start from as little as $21.58 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.
Yes, it is possible to travel from Paris to Nice without having to change trains. There are 10 direct trains from Paris to Nice each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
The first train from Paris to Nice leaves at 06:03. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
The last train from Paris to Nice leaves at 21:22. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
Trains travelling from Paris to Nice cover a distance of around 427 miles (687 km) during the journey.
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Nice to Paris.