Nice public transport

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

Nice is one of the most walkable cities on the French Riviera — the Promenade des Anglais, the Old Town and the main shopping streets are all clustered within easy reach of each other — but for reaching the airport, the port or the outlying neighbourhoods, the Lignes d'Azur tram and bus network is efficient and well-priced. Two tram lines now cross the city, with a third under development, making public transport increasingly the sensible choice over a taxi.

Lignes d'Azur Trams: T1 and T2

The tram network in Nice is operated by Lignes d'Azur and currently has two running lines.

Line T1 runs east–west through the city on a roughly 8.7 km route, from Henri Sappia in the north-west to Las Planas in the east, passing through the very centre of the city via Jean Médecin (the main shopping boulevard), Masséna (the central square) and the historic Libération market. This is the most useful line for most visitors, putting you within a few minutes' walk of the main sights from anywhere along its length.

Line T2 is the more recently opened airport link, running from Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport Terminal 2 (with a stop at Terminal 1 via a short walk or shuttle) through the city to the Jean Médecin interchange and then continuing to the Port Lympia, the main ferry port for Corsica and Sardinia. The T2 runs about 11 km and makes the airport connection quick and inexpensive, with the journey from Terminal 1 to the city centre taking around 20–25 minutes.

The two lines cross at Jean Médecin – Libération, making it easy to change between them. Trams on both lines run from around 4:30 in the morning until past midnight, with frequencies of around 5–6 minutes on peak sections during the day.

City Buses

Lignes d'Azur also operates the bus network across Nice and the surrounding metropolitan area. For visitors, the most useful urban routes include:

• Route 15: connects the city centre with Cimiez, where the Matisse Museum and the Chagall Museum are located on the hilltop above the city.
• Route 100: the coastal bus running east along the Riviera to Monaco and Menton — one of the most scenic bus routes in Europe, hugging the cliff roads above the Mediterranean for much of the journey. Expect it to be slow but spectacular.
• Route 200: heads west along the coast towards Antibes and Cannes, useful for day trips along the western Riviera.

These inter-city bus routes fall under the Zou! regional network (operated by the Alpes-Maritimes department) rather than Lignes d'Azur, and use a slightly different ticketing system — though a standard Lignes d'Azur ticket typically covers them within the Nice zone.

Getting to and from Nice Airport

Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is one of France's busiest, located about 6 km south-west of the city centre. The T2 tram is the fastest and cheapest option for most visitors, running directly from Terminal 2 (Terminal 1 is a short internal shuttle away) to the city centre. The journey to Jean Médecin takes around 20–25 minutes and the fare is the standard urban ticket price — a fraction of a taxi.

The 98 and 99 express buses also run between the airport and the city centre, and are useful if you are heading somewhere not directly on the T2 corridor. Taxis are plentiful but significantly more expensive; there is a fixed-rate zone for journeys to central Nice.

Tickets and Passes

Lignes d'Azur tickets cover trams and urban buses within the Nice zone. The ticketing system was simplified in recent years.

• Single ticket (1 journey): allows unlimited transfers for 74 minutes from validation on trams and buses within the Lignes d'Azur zone. Including airport T2 journeys.
• 10-trip carnet: ten singles at a discounted rate, sold at machines and agents.
• 24-hour pass: unlimited travel for the day — excellent value if you are using the airport connection on arrival and making several other journeys.
• 7-day and monthly passes: available for longer stays.

Buy tickets at tram stop machines (most accept contactless card payment), from Lignes d'Azur agencies, or via the mobile app. Validate immediately on boarding — on trams the yellow validators are at the doors, on buses immediately behind the driver. Inspections happen frequently, especially at Jean Médecin and on the airport line.

The Tramway to Monaco and the Train

For day trips along the Riviera, the regional train along the coast is fast and frequent, connecting Nice to Monaco in about 25 minutes, Antibes in around 25 minutes, and Cannes in about 35–40 minutes. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes and do not require a reservation for most regional services. The coastal rail line is one of the most pleasant regional rail journeys in France, with sea views for much of the way.

Cycling in Nice

Nice has invested heavily in its cycle infrastructure in recent years. A bike lane runs the full length of the Promenade des Anglais, separated from pedestrian traffic, and connects westward towards the airport. The city's bikeshare scheme (Vélo Bleu) has docking stations near most tram stops and throughout the centre. Electric bikes are available from hire shops near the Promenade for those who want to explore the hills above the city.

Tips for getting around Nice

• The T2 tram is by far the best way to get from the airport to the city — reliable, regular and cheap compared to a taxi.
• The route 100 bus to Monaco is slow but spectacular; the train is faster if you want efficiency.
• Masséna and Jean Médecin are the central interchange hubs — almost every route passes through or near them.
• The Old Town (Vieux-Nice) is closed to vehicles for most of the day; walking is the only way in.
• Validate your ticket before sitting down — on crowded trams inspectors check quickly and fines are immediate.

Frequently asked questions

How many tram lines does Nice have?

Nice currently has two operating tram lines: T1 (east–west through the city centre) and T2 (airport to Port Lympia). A third line is in planning or development phases. Both are operated by Lignes d'Azur.

How do I get from Nice Airport to the city by tram?

Take the T2 tram from Terminal 2 (or a short internal shuttle from Terminal 1 to the T2 stop). The journey to the Jean Médecin interchange in the city centre takes around 20–25 minutes and uses the standard Lignes d'Azur ticket.

Can I get to Monaco by public transport from Nice?

Yes, easily. The regional train takes about 25 minutes and runs frequently throughout the day. The route 100 bus takes longer (around 45 minutes) but follows the cliff roads with dramatic sea views.

Is the Lignes d'Azur ticket valid on the airport tram?

Yes. A standard Lignes d'Azur ticket covers travel on the T2 tram, including the airport section, within the Nice metropolitan zone — no supplement required.