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Nice- Lyon- Bordeaux transportation advice requested

Posted by on

We have a few days in between 2 trips. Our Monaco trip ends on 5/9. We need to be in Bordeaux for river cruise on 5/11. We plan to depart Monaco on 5/9 for Lyon. We plan to leave Lyon for Bordeaux on 5/11.

Problems we are trying to solve:

1- No direct flights except for Easy Jet. Reviews are bad. Does anyone have any experience with Easy Jet?
2- TGV Train from Nice to Lyon is an option. 4.5 hours. Does anyone have any experience with this option? Other options preferred?
3 - Only train option from Lyon to Bordeaux is thru Paris. All flight options that aren’t Easy Jet connect thru Paris. What would be best option?

4- Any suggestions other than Lyon that would be less of a transportation hassle and would be worth experiencing during this short timeframe. We are more food and wine than museums/beaches.

Posted by
10211 posts

Nice to Bordeaux is two trains: either a TER, local train, or a TGV as far as Marseille. In Marseille, you switch to an Intercités train to Bordeaux.
Yes, from Lyon, you go to Paris, do the change from Gare de Lyon to Gare Montparnasse.

Each train is 2 hours. If you book your tickets on SNCF Connect, your itinerary will be connected and protected if your first train on either route, via Marseille or via Paris, is late and you need a later train to finish the trip.

Posted by
281 posts

We've used Easyjet. None of the short haul airlines are that great. It's better than Ryan Air. You can upgrade to get early boarding which means a better seat choice. At least you used to be able to. It might be changed now. Take the train, it will be less stressful.

Posted by
221 posts

We flew easyjet from London to Catania, Italy then Palermo to Naples (May 2022). We booked each trip separately. When we booked we paid for all of the options and amenities, so the ~$30 ticket was ~$100 but the airline and service was perfectly fine. With all of the options we were able to pick our seats, board early, store our luggage (I can't remember if we checked luggage although I'm sure it came with the ticket upgrades, but if so it wasn't a problem). I would definitely fly them again, and would choose over RyanAir, although I haven't flown them, just know of horror stories. But, I would also pay for the upgrades including changeable/refundable for my own peace of mind.

Posted by
6916 posts

easyJet is perfectly fine. Nothing to worry about. I also believe Air France (or its subsidiary HOP) flies from Lyon to Bordeaux, BTW.
And the train is indeed the best way to get from Nice to Lyon.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate you taking time to help me. Very kind. Thanks again

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