Easy day trips from Nice: 5 destinations by train or bus
Five easy day trips from Nice, all reachable by train or bus: Èze, Monaco, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Times and practical tips.
Nice is the perfect base for exploring the Riviera. Five easy destinations, all reachable by train or bus, are made for a day trip: Èze, Monaco, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
Why take a day trip from Nice?
Nice-Ville station and the Lignes d'Azur buses link the coast within minutes. No hire car, no parking stress: the train hugs the sea all the way to Monaco and Menton, while buses climb to the perched villages. The Marseille-Vintimille TER line serves every coastal station.
Èze, the perched village
The medieval village of Èze, suspended between sea and mountain, is the most spectacular trip. Take the TER to Èze-sur-Mer and climb the Nietzsche path (1h-1h30), or bus 82/83 straight to the village. Exotic garden, flowered alleys, 360° panorama.
Check our complete guide to Èze from Nice.
Monaco, the principality
Monaco is reached by TER (about 25-30 minutes from Nice-Ville): the Rock and the palace, the cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum or the casino gardens. Half a day is enough for the essentials. The train is also the easiest way to Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, at the foot of the Rock.
Antibes and Juan-les-Pins
To the west, Antibes (TER, about 15-20 minutes) combines the charm of the fortified old town, the Picasso museum in the Grimaldi castle and the beaches. Our guide to Antibes and its beaches gives you all the addresses.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
The closest, a few minutes by TER or bus 15: the roadstead ranked among the most beautiful in the world, the citadel, the Cocteau chapel and an easy coastal path. Our Villefranche guide helps you plan the day.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
The peninsula of billionaires and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild: the Cap-Ferrat loop (4.8 km, very flat) runs along the sea between villas and pine groves. Access by bus 15 or TER to Beaulieu then bus. Our Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat guide details the programme.
Practical tips
- Buy a TER day pass or several tickets for multiple journeys;
- In the morning, the perched villages (Èze) are less crowded;
- Check return times: frequencies drop in the evening and off season;
- For Monaco, the TER line runs all day, handy for coming back after sunset.
FAQ
What is the best day trip from Nice?
Èze for the panorama and perched charm, Monaco to discover the principality, or Cap-Ferrat for easy walking by the sea.
Can you take a train from Nice to Monaco?
Yes, TER trains link Nice-Ville to Monaco in about 25-30 minutes, all day long.
How long is the Nice-Èze journey?
A few minutes by TER to Èze-sur-Mer, then a 1h-1h30 climb on the Nietzsche path; or 30-40 min by bus to the village.
Do you need a car for day trips from Nice?
No, all these destinations are reachable by train (coastal TER) or by Lignes d'Azur bus.
Which destination to choose with children?
Cap-Ferrat (flat loop and Villa Ephrussi) or Villefranche (beach and citadel) are the most family-friendly.
Can you combine two destinations in one day?
Yes, Èze and Monaco combine well (bus + train), as do Villefranche and Cap-Ferrat along the same line.
