Need Advice for Getting to Nice from Paris
 

We are thinking of taking a three day trip to Nice after our stay in Paris. What is the best way to get there...I imagine train?

Also, can anyone recommend a nice hotel, good location, moderately prices for a family of three? Or a B&B with a family room?

Merci

No, no. Fly. It's faster and actually cheaper. I think Easyjet has a connect.

Flying may be cheaper, but you'll miss some wonderful scenery and an opportunity to see the French countryside. The TGV is almost as fast as flying when you you figure in time getting to airport, checking in, getting baggage upon arrival and possible time delays.

We did this trek recently... we debated the pros/cons of EasyJet vs. TGV. It was a Friday night and we decided the stress of flying + traffice + security + flight times, etc. wasn't worth it. Since I didn't know if we'd be shopping in Paris, I also was a bit concerned about the luggage situation.

The TGV 'fast' portion of the trip is to Aix en Provence (3 hrs.) and then I think its another 3 hrs. from there to Nice.

We took the TGV to Aix en Provence on a Friday night - it was a 3 hr. trip and then got a hotel there. Had a chance to walk around and enjoy Aix. The next morning, we drove from Aix to Frejus, drove around the Esterel, and then went to Nice.

In Aix we stayed at Hotel Le Manoir (bonus of free courtyard parking!) - very reasonable. Search on Le Manoir for more reviews.

In Villefrance we stayed at Hotel Welcome and loved it!

Villefranche that is.

" The TGV is almost as fast as flying when you you figure in time getting to airport, checking in, getting baggage upon arrival and possible time delays."

This it utter nonsense. And flying is much cheaper, too.

It's hard to get into this flying vs train thing. This summer we have already booked our Easy Jet tickets from Nice to Paris. But we've done the trip by train several times (usually broken up into segments) and by car a few times as well.

First trip between the two? I'd probably do the train to be honest. It is more relaxing, you can have a nice meal on the train (in the dining car or a picnic at your seats) and see some of the countryside, although admittedly you don't really see all that much whizzing by at those speeds.

You can do the train from city center to city center in 6 hours with almost no extra time needed for early arrival at the station. The flight is essentially an hour, but add in being at the airport at least an hour early and a half hour or so travel time at each end, and at least a half hour to get your luggage, and we're up to between two and three hours difference in the two modes of transport.

Cheaper by plane? Probably, unless you're booking last minute and you can't get those 20 euro or so Easy Jet fares.

By the way, I see our flight from Nice to Paris is scheduled as being an hour and a half long -- so now the time savings of flying over training could be as little as 90 minutes total.

I took the train from Paris to Nice and it was exactly what you'd want to see - lots of beautiful hilly green countryside with small villages - perfect sight seeing and only a few hours. Worth the trip, but if time is more important - flying is good. I stayed at the Hotel Splendid in Nice - good location, lovely rooftop terrace and pool - great views. Have fun!

Flying is not necessarily cheaper if the SNCF offers PREM tickets to Nice. Moreover, it might also be more convenient because the train station is in Paris itself.

I did TGV last September Paris-Nice. It was very relaxing. I read and looked at the scenery. There was only one other couple on my coach in first class. I would definately do it again.

Note that the TGV goes only as far as Aix; from there on there are no TGV tracks, which is why the whole Paris to Nice trip consumes about 6-1/2 hours.

For a Nice hotel: the Mercure Promenade des Anglais, which has moderately priced rooms, some with sea views, and is in a fine location.

I don't know how you feel about night trains, but there is one between Paris and Nice. It saves you a night in a hotel and gives you more daylight hours for sightseeing. PREM'S (discount) tickets, if not sold out, are very cheap (as little as E35 for a bunk in a 2nd class six-person couchette). However, I'd recommend getting 1st class PREM'S in a roomier four-person couchette so you'd only have to share the space with one stranger--and you might have the couchette all to yourselves.

Last June my wife and I and our adult daughter stayed in the Hotel Le Clemenceau (www.hotelclemenceau.com)which is located between the train station and the beach. It's a modest two-star hotel, but very spacious and it has AC.

"Flying is not necessarily cheaper if the SNCF offers PREM tickets to Nice. Moreover, it might also be more convenient because the train station is in Paris itself."

Monsense. Easyjet can cost 20E. And as someone already said, the train takes 6.5 hours plus getting to amd from the train station. The flight is less than 1.5 hours. Even eith time going to the airport, flying comes out way ahead in every department.

Travelling to and from airports, plus the check-in time, will add significantly to the flight time. It will still be quicker than the train (though will waste more time than the overnight train) but, if you fly everywhere, isn't every journey the same? Eating in McDonalds is quicker and cheaper than eating in a restaurant. Quicker and cheaper, but what a dreary lifestyle!
I wonder if there is any particular reason for choosing Nice. It's a big city and not the most attractive in France in my opinion. The train from Paris to Nice actually goes to the outskirts of Marseille, then follows the coast for much of the way to Nice (but going inland between Toulon and St-Raphael). You can visit an attractive Mediterranean resort without going all the way to Nice.

We flew Air France and it was cheaper than taking the train.

Imhornet,

Did you factor in the all the fees? The price I got for June 15 from Paris (Orly) to Nice is 18€ base price, which turns out to be 35€ with all the extra fees. A PREM ticket could be cheaper.