Travel from Carcassone to Nice

I wouldn't look at a car for just this day.

The best train journey for you, with very convenient times ...
1) IC 4655 Dep 10:33 CARCASSONNE (France) Arr 13:43 MARSEILLE ST CHARLES (France)
2) TER17487 Dep 14:30 MARSEILLE ST CHARLES (France) Arr 17:02 NICE VILLE (France)

Thanks David. However the thought of getting stuck in the train for such a long distance is quite a waste of time isn't it?

ViaMichelin http://www.viamichelin.com/ estimates driving distances, times and costs. These can vary depending on vehicle of course. Taking toll roads where available is faster than the train by at least an hour (Marseille-Nice tracks don't allow trains to crank up the speed.) It also is about 40 euros in tolls and 55 for petrol. Avoiding toll roads the price is about 60 euros for petrol and it takes eight hours. Neither of those considers rental fees. I see the SNCF website offers trains with one connection taking 6 1/2 hours starting at about 50 euros if bought now. That sounds cheaper and more relaxing but I like trains and don't like city driving.

Thank you Southam for your kind assist to compute out the toll fees and petrol costs. Believed i would have to take a train to get to Nice given the excessive costs involved if i were to opt for driving.

Thanks again.

"the thought of getting stuck in the train for such a long distance is quite a waste of time"

But as driver you are committed 100% of the time to driving.
On a train you are free 100% of the time to ...
1) sleep
2) listen to music (on your device)
3) watch a movie (on your device)
4) view the countryside going past
5) write in your journal
6) catch up with social media (on your device)
7) read a book
8) grab a coffee or a snack at the bar
9) chat to your fellow passengers
10) play games (on your device)

I made that drive a couple of years ago - the motorways are in great shape, and it is a beautiful drive. Basically, it depends on what you want to do...do you want to be able to drive the edge of the corniche? Or, are you wanting to be sure to get to Nice quickly? You need to decide what is most important for you. Provence is a beautiful region, even in November, so you may want to consider stopping overnight in Aix or Avignon, then continuing on to Nice.

Have fun,
Lisa

You said that you didn't like the price for the train ticket, but did you look at prices for your actual travel date? You can book reserved tickets now for 60 euros per person on the 12:30 departure. If you don't have Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode, then you have to use a different booking service, like capitainetrain.com or raileurope.com (may be worthwhile to compare both). Seats are limited at the better rates.

Thanks everyone for the valuable advice and feedback, much appreciated.

Have decided to take train but still plan to do a short stopover at Avignon. However just found out 11 Nov is actually a public holiday in France, which i believed would have only affected the functioning of government offices correct?