Tram and Bus in Nice: Lines and Maps

Last updated on 26 September 2026

The short answer: the Lignes d'Azur network is more than enough for a stay in Nice: 4 tram lines (1, 2, 3 and B) and over a hundred bus lines, with a single fare: €1.70 for a solo ticket, valid for 74 minutes with unlimited transfers. The airport is reached by line 2 in about 30 minutes, for €10 return with the dedicated airport ticket.

In Nice, the difficulty is not finding things to do, it is getting around without wasting time. The tram bypasses traffic jams, avoids parking, and gives you a clear way to read the city: here are the lines, the 2026 fares, the PDF maps, and local habits.

The network at a glance

Operating hours run from 4:05 am to 12:35 am on line 2 (until 1:15 am on Fridays and Saturdays) and from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm on lines 3 and B. Lines 1 and 2 meet at Jean Médecin and Garibaldi / Le Château; line 3 joins the port-city centre axis before heading to Saint-Isidore. Since 2025, the CADAM branch has been split off from line 2 to form line B, which, together with line 2, alone serves the south of the airport.

Why the tram is often the best choice

The tram is straightforward: you understand it in five minutes, it links the key areas, and it gives you a clear way to read the city as soon as you arrive. Above all, it avoids the stress of parking in the city centre and the traffic jams on the Promenade in August.

• Frequency: about one train every 7 to 8 minutes on weekdays on line 2, every 10 minutes on line B.
• Accessibility: trains and stations are accessible for people with reduced mobility, with lifts in the main interchange stations.
• Interchangeable tickets: any tram ticket is valid on buses and vice versa, with no zone surcharge.

The detail of stops near each site is useful before setting out: see getting around Nice by public transport.

From the airport to the city centre

Line 2 directly links Terminals 1 and 2 to the city centre, at Jean Médecin station, and to the port, at Port Lympia: under 30 minutes to reach the centre, compared to often more than an hour by car in summer.

Two pieces of information many visitors do not know:

• The journey Terminal 1 ↔ Terminal 2 ↔ Grand Arénas is free and requires no transport ticket for everyone;
• By contrast, airport access requires a specific ticket: the Aéro return ticket costs €10 (free return), and a Lignes d'Azur card loaded at the current standard fare also provides access.

With heavy luggage or late at night, a taxi or ride-hailing service remains more comfortable (expect to pay much more than the tram, depending on distance and time of day). For all options, see coming to Nice by plane and our complete airport guide.

2026 fares: how much does the tram cost in Nice?

One single principle: all tickets work equally on tram and bus, with no zone surcharge. Multi-trip fares become discounted on the same card, which suits families travelling together.

Where to buy your transport tickets?

• Automatic machines at tram stations: coins and bank cards accepted, all tickets available;
• Lignes d'Azur Tickets mobile app: purchase and reload remotely;
• Authorised resellers: tobacconists and sales points signposted by the network.

The anonymous reloadable card (deposit of €2, refundable from a reseller) is the simplest option for a family: load multiple trips and passes onto it, and share it with a single gesture. Remember to validate every time you board, including when transferring.

Useful buses for visitors

Buses fill in where the tram does not go: Mont Boron, the hills, neighbouring towns. The most useful ones during a stay:

• 12+: Promenade des Anglais, Cap 3000 shopping centre, Hôpital Pasteur;
• Zou! lines (600, 620, 630…): Monaco, Menton, Cannes, Sophia-Antipolis, without going via the train station, tickets to buy before boarding;
• Evening network: five tram-like lines (5 to 9) and line 12 serve the city from 5 am to 12:30 am, with a service every 30 to 45 minutes between 10 pm and 12:30 am.

For regional journeys and train stations, see coming to Nice by train and public transport.

PDF maps of the tram and bus network to download

Keep the official Lignes d'Azur maps on your phone (2025-2026 editions): they remain the most reliable option when the connection drops. Direct download, in PDF format:

• Schematic map of the main lines: download the PDF (1.3 MB): the essentials of the network on one page;
• Sector 1, Nice: download the PDF (7.3 MB);

These are the official documents: find the up-to-date versions, interactive maps and line-by-line timetables on lignesdazur.com, and park-and-ride and bicycle information on Parcazur. Paper maps are also available in Lignes d'Azur shops.

Park-and-ride, bicycle and combinations

To arrive by car and then continue cleanly, the Parcazur park-and-ride facilities let you park free of charge for the day on the outskirts, provided you buy and validate a Lignes d'Azur return ticket. A way to avoid paid parking in the centre: see our parking guide and coming to Nice by car.

Bike-sharing services complete the system for short trips, much like getting around by two-wheeler. For walking distances, the city is compact: getting around Nice on foot.

Local habits for a stress-free stay

• Staying near the airport? Take the tram rather than multiple taxi connections.
• Old Nice and the port: tram to Garibaldi, then walk; the tram does not go into the alleys.
• Day at the beach: get off at Magnan or Lenval, and avoid looking for a space on the Promenade.
• Match at the Allianz Riviera stadium: line 3 serves the stadium, with increased frequency on match nights.
• Do not underestimate walking: many short journeys are faster on foot than by public transport.

The network also has extensions under study: the opening of new lines is announced regularly, but nothing is open as of the date this guide was checked. To plan your days around the stops, what to do in Nice and where to stay in Nice indicate the best-served areas.

FAQ

What about the train or the bicycle?

• Nice's train stations: Nice-Ville, Saint-Augustin (airport) and Riquier, with tram and bus connections;
• Cycling in Nice: cycle paths, bike-sharing services (Lime, Pony) and rentals.