We will be on a cruise in November that stops in Villefranche - sur -mer. We plan to visit Nice for part of the day, either by bus or train.
I have read that the bus takes you closer to the Old Town, which is what we are interested in seeing (and the flower market).
Several in our group cannot walk for extended periods (knee and back problems) and I was wondering which mode of transportation would best suit our needs. Also, I have been reading about the new tram system and would like to know if this would benefit us.

Is there a way to see this area without completely backtracking? Thanks for any suggestions.

The train station in Nice is quite a walk from the Old Town, I'd guess about 20 mins fast walk, maybe more. The bus station is not far from the Old Town so that definitely sounds better for your group. We have caught the bus through Villefranche-sur-Mer but not sure where the cruise ships stop or whether the bus goes to the port.

I would suggest contacting the tourist office in Nice with a specific question of the route of the bus from Nice to V-s-M and return. When we were in the tourist office they gave us timetables for the routes we were most interested in. Bus fares were cheap too, just over a euro each way but that was a couple of years ago.

You could possibly get the bus into Nice, get off close to the Old Town (pick out a landmark or two ahead of time so you have some idea of where to get off) have a wander around, enjoy the flowers, stop to rest your feet with a coffee or glass of wine and people watch for a while then hop on the bus back. There are lots of cafes and restaurants in that area.

Hope it goes well, I have good memories of those flowers

Kay

The bus would be best for you. The bus terminal was under a cpmplete renovation when I was there in June. However the bus makes several stops in the town, I would suggest you get off the bus either on the Promenade or by Place Messina.
From either stop you can walk , sightsee and eat .
The tourist office is on the Promenade and you can get info there.
Have a great time in the fabulous town of Nice,

Thanks for the responses. As to where to get off the bus in Nice, I had read somewhere to just get off at the end of the line, Nice -Vauchan or also J.C. Bermond. Is there a stop that would get us closer to the Old Town?

The end of the line used to be at the bus terminal, so I assume the last stop would be near the terminal. That stop would be fine it is in the old town and near the flower market.
The flower market is part of the COURS SAYEYA MARKET.
This is a wonderful market that sells flowers ,fruits ,vegetables, cheeses,bread,spices and too many other things to enumerate.
I believe the entire market closes at about noon when the entire area converts to outdoor restaurants.

I will be in Nice next week. I will check out the bus station for you. When I was there in April, the bus station had moved away from the Old Town, but the tram is right next to it. So no problem. The train from Villefranche to Nice might be difficult for people with mobility problems. It is up several steps. But if you decide on the train, the tram is only one block from the train station at Nice Ville. Not the stop-Nice Ville. there are several stops in Nice. Come out the station and go to your left.

www.eurocheapo.com/nice getting around

Shuttle bus up and down the coast pretty best way for me.

Nice Ville train staion many miles away from Promenade Anglais

The only place to be there...

qwo, don't understand your last cryptic post.

hagan, how many are in your group? Villefranche is less than 6km from Nice. Many taxis now take 4-6 people. With a short amount of time and bad knees, etc., I would price a taxi or taxis straight to where you want to go.

But, as above, the bus will get you within a few streets of the Old Town.

Take bus 100 from Villefranche to Nice, get off at J.Bermond . Cross the boulevard and you'll be in the old town.
Or take a train from Villefranche to Nice-Ville, then the tram 30 meters too your left as yu exit the station (direction Pont Saint Michel) and get off at Opera-Vieille Ville or at Cathedrale-Vieille Ville.

Note : bus 100 can be crowded.
Timetable :http://www.lignesdazur.com/

Forgot to add : Opera and Cathedrale bus stops are close to Cours Saleya. If you want to visit the old town and in order to avoid backtracking, walk up to Place St-François and rue Pairolière, exit Place Garibaldi and wait for bus 100 which stops there to take you back to Villefranche.