We will be arriving in Nice from the US on September 5th around 12:55 p.m. I have heard that Tram 2 is now open at the airport and that one can take that to Nice up to a certain point but when I try to set a route through Google maps, it still shows either a bus or walking 15 minutes to the nearest train station as the only options. We are staying at the Welcome Hotel in Villefranche-sur-Mer for three nights. I am hoping to figure out the tram/train route from the airport to the hotel to save paying for a taxi. We can easily pull and lift our luggage off and on a few times if necessary. Based on what I was able to surmise IF the Tram 2 is operating, I think I figured out that we could take Tram 2 until it ends, get on Tram 1 to the Thiers stop, then walk around 10 minutes to the Gare de Nice train station, then take the train to the Villefranche-sur-Mer stop and have around a 10 minute walk to the hotel. Any info would be appreciated!
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
What you have described using Tram 2 sounds like cruel and unusual punishment after a long haul trip from the US. According to rome2rio a taxi (remember! You will be tired and jet lagged) a taxi would be $50 - $65. Start your vacation on a high note. Do the Tram 2 thing on your way home.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32699 posts
Tram 2 is definately working - 3 an hour at the beginning of the day, every 12 minutes or so during the day.
Google maps doesn't know everything (shock horror).
The location of your hotel isn't convenient to an easy public transport arrival.
It is a walk from the station. The station is up quite high because trains don't like going up and down hills, and your hotel is down low next to the water. It is also a walk to Nice Ville station from the tram - not too far, and just about level, but a walk. Rewarded with a Paul just outside the Nice Ville station.
Or you can go tram, bus, and another change onto the 80 bus which goes most of the way to the hotel.
Posted by
Nice, France & San Francisco
674 posts
You can simply take the new Line 2 to the Grand Arenas station. It is free up to that point. Then, you can walk roughly 400 meters along the marked path to the St. Augustin station and catch a train to Villefranche-sur-mer from there. If by chance you are arriving after the tram stops, then you must walk to the station. Upon arriving in Villefrance-sur-mer, you will still be 500m from your hotel. There is a small bit of elevation, but it's not a very large climb/descent.
You can also take Uber, if you have a lot of luggage or arrange a private transfer (55E is a common flat rate).
Posted by
OP
227 posts
Thanks so much for all of the options and advice. I liked the Google maps comment Nigel! What did we do before we had all of this technology? My first two trips to Europe we didn't have cell phones!
Posted by
OP
227 posts
One more question; Is there a particular taxi company or color of taxi that would be best to look for? I know when we were in Budapest, there was a taxi station right outside the terminal where we could get in line and they took care of getting the info on where we were going, told us the fare and then sent us to the taxi when it was our turn. Thanks.