Paris to Nice train or flight

The train ride is quite scenic after the first 2.5 hours or so, with great sea views beyond St Raphaël.
It is also much less stressful than flying, even from Orly. And, last but not least, far better for the environment.
So, unless your trip depends on those 2 hours you'd save if you fly (and that's only if you take cabs to/from airports - public transport to Orly isn't great), I would take the train.

Train. So easy - Just get yourself to Gare de Lyon* and you’re on your way - no taxiing to airports, no security lines or long waits at the gate. City center to city center. Lovely, lovely scenery. If it’s in your budget, I’d get 1st class tickets. 2nd class on a TGV is nice, but 1st class offers wider, more comfortable seats and fewer people in each car. One note: Gare de Lyon is a very big, busy station with multiple departure “halls.” *If you are new to train travel, to give yourself time to get oriented to the station and grab a snack for the train, plan on arriving a good half hour before your train departs.

Sorry but once you account for the cost of getting to and from the airports into town, the train and plane don't come out to the same price.

I took this train in 2012 and very much enjoyed the ride. If it has not changed, it is a fast train to Marseille, and then its slower tracks from Marseille to Nice. What we did is we stopped for the afternoon in Marseille, leaving our luggage at a locker in the train station. Then we took an evening train to Nice. The only thing I would say is that we arrived around 10 pm at the Nice station and it was a bit of a mob to get a taxi to get to our hotel. Since it was late at night, we did not want to wander to get to the hotel.

Train
We went by train from Paris to Nice, 1st class and if I recall they gave us a little care package with chips, cookies and some other snacks. It was a nice surprise. The train will most likely have a food car (not sure during the pandemic how that is working) but I would grab some lunch to eat on the train. I also find that when traveling sometimes it is just nice to have quiet 6 hours to read, journal, view the scenery.
When you say the price is the same, does that account for the Taxi from Paris city center to the airport?

As far as I know the restaurant car is open, the menu can be found here: https://www.sncf-connect.com/media/pdf/en/inOUI319-1-102_CarteBarPapierTrad-EN.pdf

But another option is to eat at the station before leaving. There are worse places than Le Train Bleu for a lunch or breakfast.

I paid 59 Euros for the train. So the most scenic parts begin 2.5 hours after departing Paris? Is it for remainder of the journey or just off/on? I don’t wanna miss anything!!!

sit on the right hand side of the train and admire the views of the mountains and then the non-stop (virtually nonstop) views of beaches and Mediterranean Sea. Be prepared for beauty. Once you reach the sea you will go along the edge of the coast all the way until you are approaching your destination of Nice Ville.

I actually really like that train ride. I usually (before covid) took that trip in January or February most years. I had one journey that I particularly like to look back on one year where we left Paris in decent weather, as the train moved through the Massif Centrale there was snow on the ground, and when we got to Nice it was carry the jacket, and change into short sleeves. Always a great break from English winter...

the advice for the side to sit is if as most the train does not reverse at an intermediate station. If you are same train reversing at Marseilles St Charles then it is reversed.

Train, train, train. The only way I'd fly from Paris to Nice is if I was landing at Paris and connecting to an ongoing flight. Period. Too much hassle getting to airport (either airport) in Paris and from airport in Nice.

My husband and I took this train last week (3/19/22). The food/snack car was open but we didn’t use it as we picked up food and water from the station. To me, even before the coast, the scenery was lovely as soon as we left Paris. Bucolic farmland, green rolling hills, and then we had fun picking out the hill towns in Provence. We sat on the left side of the car (facing east and then north as we went), in two facing seats with a table. I can see that being on the right side may be ideal, however the train car windows are large, so we could see the coast even though we were on the other side.

The six hours went by in a flash. If you get very bored there is free WiFi the whole way.

We opted for the upper level in first class and like other posters, chose seats on the right side of the train. We bought our tickets when they went on sale and got first class tickets for not much more than second class. We also took aboard snacks and sandwiches to enjoy on the trip. Monaco was our destination and if I recall we had to board a regional train in Nice to journey to Monaco. WE really enjoyed the 6 hour stress free train ride.

For those who recently went did you need France covid health pass to go on inter regional train?

Health or vaccine pass—no. Mask- yes,
Took the train yesterday.

BTW, I’m in the minority, but I hate that 6-hour ride from Paris to Nice and usually fly. I love watching the topography change, and the spectacular landing in Nice is my favorite. But, the difficult truth about the carbon footprint is starting to make me think twice.

Thank you!! I’m in Paris and leave for Nice Wed!!!

How about a direct overnight train departing the Paris Austerlitz station arriving at the Nice Ville station the next morning? You could rent a sleeper car.

I was looking at overnight trains but this is my first time in Europe I’m saving that for next visit. I’m a very light sleeper and recently developed motion sickness and these night trains tend to be longer duration than day trains.

That Paris-Nice overnight train is not a particularly enjoyable experience; it is merely practical. French night trains are basic: the rolling stock is old, and there are no proper sleepers - only couchettes (padded bunks) and seats. No restaurant either. You are not missing out, especially if you are a light sleeper!

thanks for the info, any night trains you do recommend??

any night trains you do recommend??

where do you want to go. Generally no, none, but I understand that the Oebb Night Jets are better than most.