Nice to Paris by train

There is more than one train station in both Paris and Nice -- though really in Nice this is a technicality as there's really just one main railway station in Nice, the other Nice railway stations serving local/regional traffic only -- but you don't have a choice.

Trains from Nice to Paris depart from Gare de Nice/Gare de Nice-Ville (same station) and arrive at Gare de Lyon in Paris.

Exactly what I needed to know. Thank-you!

Also, you probably know this already but just in case, 1 May is a major holiday in France (Fête du Travail) and outside of Paris, there is typically no local public transport. In Nice I believe there are no local buses or trains running, so plan accordingly!

Andrew, I have been figuring that out, yes. That is the day our RS tour ends so there we are. Fortunately all I have planned for that day is getting to Paris and then our hotel, probably a turn around Pere Le Chaise cemetery, and maybe a concert.

Oui.sncf

You will see that there are fast TGV trains about once every two hours through the middle of the day. They take just over six hours. They don't go very fast Nice-Marseille because of the poor track bed; after that they are chasing the wind to Gare de Lyon. Purchase as soon as possible to get the lowest fare. To the Marais, there are Metro and bus connections (or at least there will be when things settle down); by then the interactive planner at http://services.ratp.fr/itineraires/en/ratp/recherche-avancee should be working to connect you to your hotel address.

Thanks so much for all your help!

jkelman

We did this trip in the opposite direction a few years ago. Like another poster said, the trip to Marseille is slow. Then between Marseille and Paris it is fast. When we went, we bought two separate tickets so that we had several hours in Marseille. We left our luggage in storage lockers at the Marseille station and walk down to the pier area. From there we took a hop on/hop off trolly what took us to several sights. Had a very early dinner at one of the few places that was open so early and then walked back to the station.

Happy travels.

We are heading from Nice to Paris the day before you. As recommended by another Rick Steves forum post we are taking Air France back to Paris since it is more economical. We are taking the train down just for the experience.

Surprised no one has suggested flying. If you're making a direct trip a flight is a little over an hour and roughly 50 euros each (not sure about with checked bags?). Air France flies into Orly, from there I took the Orlyval into town. Good things about Orly are it's smaller (easier to get out) and closer to Paris (about half the time from CDG).

The Nice airport is right at a mile from one of the local train stations (the one furthest west of the three in Nice). I walked, you might want a taxi.

I arrived in Nice (by air) on May 1, 2017. There was, as already indicated, no public transportation running in the city. There were also very few taxis working that day. Be sure you have transportation lined up to the airport if you decide to fly, or to the train station if you decide on the train and are not staying nearby.

Thanks for the warnings about it being May 1st. I believe if we need to walk to the station from our hotel we are close enough to do so. Thanks all!!