Getting to Nice from Lyon and Marseille: train, plane and durations
From Lyon, train in 4h30-5h or a 1-hour flight; from Marseille, the direct TER every hour in 2h40 beats the plane, which no longer offers a direct connection. Here is how to reach Nice from the South-East.
Lyon and Marseille are the two natural gateways to Nice from the South-East. In both cases, the direct train is the benchmark: faster door-to-door than the plane from Marseille, and competitive from Lyon thanks to direct TGVs. Figures verified in September 2026.
From Lyon: direct TGV in 4h30-5h
Eleven to thirteen trains connect Lyon Part-Dieu to Nice-Ville every day (TGV INOUI, OUIGO and TER depending on the services). The fastest direct services arrive in 4h33-4h58, while the average is around 5h10 with a connection. Fares start from about €42 when booking in advance.
- Departures: first train around 6:28 am, last around 6:10 pm; some direct services run via Valence, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille.
- Plane: Air France and easyJet operate direct flights between Lyon-Saint-Exupéry and Nice in about 1 hour, but only 1 to 2 flights per day (around ten per week): check that the schedule fits your stay.
- Tip: from Lyon, the train drops you in central Nice with no airport transfer, decisive for a weekend trip.
Schedules on SNCF Connect (Lyon-Nice).
From Marseille: the direct TER every hour
It is the busiest service on the Côte d'Azur: 21 trains per day between Marseille Saint-Charles and Nice, mostly direct TERs running along the sea via Toulon, Saint-Raphaël, Cannes and Antibes. Duration: 2h35 to 2h45, from about €30. A direct TGV INOUI complements the service late in the day (departing 5:28 pm).
- Frequency: roughly one departure per hour from 5:57 am to 8:57 pm, no reservation required on TER, but seats are pricey at peak summer times.
- Plane: there is no longer a direct flight Marseille-Nice. Itineraries with a stopover take 4 hours or more, often at a higher price than the train: to be ruled out.
- Good to know: some trains stop at Nice-Saint-Augustin, handy if your accommodation is to the west or near the airport.
Schedules on SNCF Connect (Marseille-Nice).
What if you arrive by car?
The A8 links Lyon and Marseille to Nice, but in summer and on departure weekends it is congested between Toulon and Nice. If you drive up to the South-East, budget for tolls and parking: see getting to Nice by car and where to park in Nice.
Once in Nice
The centre can be explored on foot, and the Lignes d'Azur tram and bus network complements journeys. To choose your base, compare the neighbourhoods in Where to stay in Nice; for the coast (Monaco, Cannes, Antibes), the regional train is enough, see Getting to Nice by train.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Lyon to Nice by train?
About 4h30 by direct TGV, 5h on average with a connection. Fares start from about €42 when booking early.
Are there Marseille-Nice flights?
No, there is no longer a direct flight. The direct TER, every hour in 2h35-2h45, is the best option.
Does the train stop near Nice airport?
Yes, some trains stop at Nice-Saint-Augustin, a few minutes from the airport and the Arénas district.
