I know Nice is the logical choice for the Riviera sans renting a car, but I would really like to stay in Antibes. We don't mind using trains, buses, cabs, et al, to get around.
Has anybody done this? If so, where did you stay, and what advice do you have?
You don't need to tell me that we should rent a car. We don't like driving all that much in the States, let alone France.
Not too much help, I'm afraid, but I do know that Antibes works well by train. I've never stayed there - always Nice or east of Nice - but have visited by train and it was fine.
I hope you have a fabulous trip.
I stayed in Juan Les Pins and went to Antibes short train ride. In Antibes I would stay in the charming old town. It is short walk to the train station.
The regional train the TER Line 4 Cote d'Azur runs to all the towns practically
https://www.ter.sncf.com/paca/aide/travel-by-train-in-paca
Not complicated at all....
About 20 years ago, I spent a week in Antibes without a car. I did fine with buses and train. I don’t remember the name of the hotel that I stayed in. It was a small, independent place, located in the old town and within walking distance of the bus and train stations.
We had a Homeaway apartment by the port, a very short walk to the train station one dor3ction and easy access to the old town the other direction. Loved it. I think the only bus we took was to return from hiking Cap d’Antibes.
Its quite possible to do, as noted above, especially from the port or most of the old town, within a walk of a 1km. Just note the location of your hotel or apartment, sticking to a distance that is comfortable for you to walk to the train station -- for example, the Royal Antibes, a popular hotel, is like a mile from the station. (You can take the bus, however) There are also local buses that will take you down the coast (although the direction towards Nice gets thick with traffic in the summer), and the main parking area/station is right there in the old town
Thank you all for your thoughtful input.
A friend and I stayed in Antibes for a month without a car a few years ago. We used the train and the excellent and cheap buses to visit small towns and villages as well as day trips to Cannes and Nice. We were right in the old town and found it very convenient. We also found a small tour company through one of the hotels and went on two or three trips with them. They were totally French speaking but we managed and as it was Carnival time it was convenient to go with them as they booked seats too.
In 2001 we spent a few days in Antibes, although the hotel in which we stayed was actually in Juan-Les-Pins because it was considerably less expensive than the hotels in Antibes. Most of the time we simply walked from Juan-Les-Pins to Antibes and back ... didn't bother with the bus or train, hence giving us more flexibility. It's not a long walk. Although I recall Antibes as generally pricy, we did manage to have some nice meals at very modest prices. Not sure what things are like there now, however.
