We will be arriving into Nice airport and then spending our first 2 nights at a B&B on the hill above Villefranche. (Approximately a 10 minute walk to the sea., right above the main part of town) We will be picking up a rental car on our 3rd day back at the Nice airport and having several days near Vasion la Romaine, before driving to Biarritz, and then taking a train or bus into Spain. My question is, what would be the most economical way to get to Villefranche, without taking a lot more time than a taxi? Is there a express bus or train? I am wondering if it might make more sense to get the car when we arrive in Nice.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7949 posts
Nice has been expanding its tram system, but there’s not a tram out to Villefranche. You could take a bus from the airport to Villefranche, or tram from the airport into Nice, then bus from Nice to Villefranche.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6985 posts
Don't get the car before you are ready to leave the area, it will just be an expensive headache. You don't mention where in Villefranche-sur-Mer you are staying but there are several bus routes as well as local trains. You can e.g. take a tram (or walk, it is not far) to Gare de Nice St-Augustin and the TER (local train) from there to Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Also, don't drive all the way to Spain. Returning the car somewhere in France and taking a train across the border will save you a lot of money, unless you plan to return to France.
Posted by
OP
Bandon Oregon
71 posts
Thank you both for your replies. I looked up a taxi and it looks like it would be about $100 round trip on Booking.com. Does that sound about right if we were to wait and get a taxi at the airport? Taking a train and/or a bus involving transfers with all of our luggage and then walking up a steep hill sounds a bit cumbersome, especially since I have been having some knee issues lately. We will definitely be dropping the car off in Biarritz before we take public transport into San Sebastian, to avoid heavy drop off fees in another country (updated my original post to reflect this)
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6985 posts
The airport website says €49-65 for a taxi to Villefranche-sur-Mer. The train on the other hand is €2 I think.
Another option is a tram to central Nice and a bus from there. There is also a bus route from the station in Villefranche-sur-Mer that will take you up "on the hill above".