Fastest ~25 min by car
| 🚌 Bus | ~30-45min | Lignes d'Azur line 82 (direct) or 602 (coastal, scenic) |
| 🚆 Train | ~15-20min | SNCF TER to Eze-sur-Mer, then a 45min-1h uphill hike (Chemin de Nietzsche) |
| 🚗 Car | ~25-35min | Via the Moyenne Corniche; parking fills by mid-morning in high season |
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Èze is the postcard hilltop village of the French Riviera, perched on a rocky spur above the Mediterranean between Nice and Monaco, and reaching it involves a genuine choice between convenience and character. It's only about 12 kilometres from Nice, but the village itself sits several hundred metres above the coast, which shapes every option for getting there.
The easiest way: bus 82 or 602 direct to the village
The most straightforward option is the regional Lignes d'Azur bus network, with line 82 and the coastal line 602 both running from central Nice up to Èze village itself, dropping you at the entrance to the old town rather than down at sea level. The journey takes around 30 to 45 minutes depending on the route and traffic, and buses run regularly through the day, more frequently in summer. This is the option most day-trippers use, since it avoids the climb entirely and puts you right at the village gates.
Line 82 takes a more direct inland route, while line 602 follows the coast road (the Moyenne Corniche) for longer, which makes for a scenic ride with sea views for much of the way if you're not in a hurry. Buy tickets before boarding or via the regional transport app; no reservation is needed, and services are frequent enough that missing one bus rarely means a long wait. For the wider network of coastal trains and buses along this stretch, see our guide to France by train.
The scenic alternative: train to Èze-sur-Mer, then the climb
For a different kind of trip, take the SNCF TER coastal train from Nice-Ville to Èze-sur-Mer, a journey of only around 15 to 20 minutes along the coast. From there, though, the actual village of Èze is a serious uphill walk: the Chemin de Nietzsche, a stepped path the philosopher reportedly favoured, climbs roughly 400 metres in elevation over about 3 kilometres, typically taking 45 minutes to 1 hour at a steady pace, longer in summer heat.
Despite the effort, plenty of travellers choose this route deliberately: the path offers sweeping views back over the coastline as you climb, and arriving in Èze on foot, rather than by bus, has its own appeal for anyone treating the walk as part of the day rather than an obstacle to it.
Driving the corniche
Èze is famously positioned on the Moyenne Corniche, the middle of the three coast roads between Nice and Monaco (the others being the Basse Corniche at sea level and the high Grande Corniche). Driving from Nice takes around 25 to 35 minutes depending on which corniche you take and the traffic, which can be heavy in summer. The Moyenne Corniche is the direct route to the village and offers some of the most photographed views on the entire Riviera. See our guide to driving in France for general road rules and tolls, though this stretch itself is toll-free.
Parking in Èze village is limited and can fill up by mid-morning in high season, with a paid car park at the entrance to the old town; arriving early or later in the afternoon avoids the worst of the crowds and the parking squeeze alike.
Combining Èze with the wider coast
Because Èze sits directly between Nice and Monaco, it's easy to build into a longer day along the Riviera. Travellers heading on to Nice to Monaco can continue by the same bus lines or the coastal train, and those coming from the Cannes direction sometimes combine Èze with a stop in Cannes earlier in the day, though that makes for a full itinerary rather than a relaxed one. If you're arriving in the region by air, our Nice airport to the city guide covers the tram link into central Nice, from where the bus and train options above both begin.
What to see in the village
Èze's old town is compact and largely pedestrianised, its narrow stone lanes climbing to the ruins of a medieval castle at the summit, now home to the Jardin Exotique, a cactus garden with panoramic Mediterranean views that's one of the best reasons to make the trip. The village is also known for perfumeries, including a Fragonard factory offering free tours, and a scattering of galleries and boutiques among the restored medieval buildings — genuinely picturesque, if inevitably busy with day-trippers at peak times.
Which should you choose?
For most visitors, the bus (82 or 602) is the practical choice: direct, frequent and requiring no climb. The train plus the Chemin de Nietzsche suits fit, prepared walkers who want the scenic approach and don't mind the effort. Driving works well if you're combining Èze with other corniche stops, provided you accept the parking squeeze in high season.
Frequently asked questions
What's the easiest way to get from Nice to Èze?
Bus 82 or 602 from central Nice, taking around 30 to 45 minutes and dropping you directly at the entrance to Èze village.
Can I walk up to Èze from the train station?
Yes, via the Chemin de Nietzsche from Èze-sur-Mer station, but it's a genuine uphill hike of about 400 metres of elevation, typically taking 45 minutes to an hour. It isn't suitable for pushchairs, heavy luggage or anyone with mobility limitations.
How far is Èze from Nice by car?
About 12 km, roughly a 25–35 minute drive via the Moyenne Corniche, though parking in the village fills up quickly in high season.
Is Èze worth visiting as a half-day trip from Nice?
Yes — the bus makes it an easy half-day trip, and many travellers combine it with a longer day along the corniche toward Monaco.
Sources and further reading:
- Bus timetables: Lignes d'Azur (regional Nice network).
- Train timetables: SNCF / TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
- Route context: The Man in Seat 61.