We travel March 23-26, Nice for 3 days and then Provence March 27-31, 2026.
Should I get a car or just take trains/buses?
We'd like to get a flavor of Provence. RS says Aix, Avignon are safer bets in off season but were getting towards April.
We want to stay in a hotel, stroll/eat, markets, wine, history, hike, shop.
Mother-daughter.
Posted by
4 posts
I am headed to the same spot for a week and plan to take buses and tours through the Avignon Office of Tourism. From my research do not need a vehicle to enjoy the local area. I also will head to Nice via train with no vehicle. Thats what is so lovely about travel in Europe, no car necessary.
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
831 posts
I traveled to Nice and Provence in October without a car. Daytrip train and bus options from Nice are cheap, easy, and plentiful. The combination of no car and off-season limits your options somewhat in Provence, but there are many more places you can easily go than you have time for in your short visit. I stayed in Arles and prefer it to Avignon which is only 20 minutes away by train. But any one of Arles, Avignon, and Aix would be good for what you are looking for. There are small group day tours (and half day tours) to Luberon villages from Avignon or Aix, and to the Camargue from Arles.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
RS mentions Avignon as a better option for off season (we're traveling at at the end of March) Is March 27-31 off season? I understand people also like Arles too. Is one better in March, if you don't have a car? Or is one better for taking day trips from by train or car?
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
831 posts
I don't know how late March compares to my mid October experience. I believe that Avignon gives you a larger number of day trip options than Arles but that only matters if they are the places that you most want to visit. A car definitely increases options but, again, if you prefer not to rent a car, do you need one to go to the places you most want? With 4 days, you can't go everywhere. Group or private day tours are also an option. When I was planning, I found more day tours offered from Avignon than Arles.
I spent probably too much planning time debating Arles vs Avignon. I decided that I could stay in Arles and still do my priority day trips which for me were just a half day in Avignon, a half day (6 hour) van tour of Luberon villages from Avignon, St. Remy by bus from Arles (didn't end up going but could have), Nimes (by train on my way from Arles to Uzes which was my next stop) and Pont du Gard (did from Uzes). A couple I met over breakfast at my B&B in Arles had a rental car and more days in Arles; they had toured more extensively while based in Arles.