Nice, France - Lignes d'Azur (buses, trams, trains)
 

Hello, I visited the Côte d’Azur several years ago so I do not remember some details about the transportation system (even though I used buses, trams, and trains back then).
Besides, there definitely have been changes in the routes, prices rates etc.

I'd like to dedicate a thread about buses, trams, trains in the cities and towns of the French riviera (e.g. Nice, Cannes, Monte-Carlo, Menton, Saint-Tropez, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer etc).

Here are the useful links I've found during my research on this subject (unfortunately the forum engine forbids to post any links if a user posted less than 10 messages). I hope it will be of use to you in case you are interested in the same subject as I am:

• lignesdazur
• zou.maregionsud
• nice.aeroport

Here are the questions to discuss. Please join it.

Question 1. Can you ride a public transport system (tram, bus, train) completely digital without buying any paper tickets?

I assume the short answer is 'no'. For example, in Paris you can install the Bonjour RATP app on your iPhone and in this case you do not need to buy any paper tickets. You can go 100 percent digital. It seems that in Nice though there is no such an option. You can install the Lignes d'Azur app. However, if you want to buy an electronic ticket you need to buy the Lignes d'Azur card first (it is an item from the material world). Only afterwards you can top up this card via your app.

Question 2. Is there a way to buy the Lignes d'Azur card in the airport of Nice at the day of your arrival (in order top up it via the the Lignes d'Azur app)?

The short answer is 'I do not know'. I could find find a proven info where and how I can buy the Lignes d'Azur card in the airport of Nice.

Question 3. Is there a way to buy a single tram ticket in the airport of Nice at the day of your arrival?

The short answer is 'yes'. You can buy a round-trip ticket for 10 euros in the ticket machine in the tram station near airport. I hope the finding a tram station is not a hard quest and they have some signs and pointers in the airport.

Question 4. Is there a way to buy a single bus ticket in the airport of Nice at the day of your arrival?

The short answer is 'I do not know'. As far as I remember I bought the bus ticket directly from the driver. It is not convenient though considering you have a big luggage bag or even two.
I'd prefer next time to buy it either in the ticket machine or via my app.Is there such an option?

Question 5. How can I know the price of a tram, a bus or a train ticket?

The short answer is 'I do not know'. I could not find any information on the official websites on how much tickets cost neither for bus nor for tram. The only mention of the price is a 10 euro for a round-trip ticket from the airport to the Nice centre and back.

I believe that the price may differ. Say if I'd like to go from Nice to Monte-Carlo or from Nice to Menton on the bus route 600. Does the price of a ticket differ in this case? It is so hard find the exact price online. Do they have some price calculator or tariff rate table?

Question 6. Where can I find a schedule for a bus, a tram, or a train?

The short answer is here: lignesdazur but it seems only for buses and trams (there are to timetables for train on this web site).

Even though I managed to find the schedule for buses and trains I could not find any schedule for trains. It seems that it is impossible to find it if you use the English language for your query. Do you have any ideas where one can find a train schedule for different routes (or at least the names of the train routes)?

rome2rio.com
seat61.com

Nice and useful websites, thank you.

I have found (at last) many answers to my train-related questions right here on the official SNCF website: sncf-connect.
They also have an app for iOS. I am very happy with it.

No, you can purchase an NFC ticket for Lignes d'Azur with an Android phone. You must also install the Ligne d'Azur ticket app. You can also recharge your physical carte. You can buy an eticket (QR code) for Envibus (Antibes/Cannes) using their app or an e-ticket via SMS.

You can take the tram for free to the Grand Arenas stop and the machines there will sell a card or ticket to get into the city at the regular rate. The airport fare is just put in there for tourists; i think the system missed the revenue that they used to get when they ran a special airport bus to the center

Tickets on trams or buses in Nice on Lignes D'azur are 1.70E. Bought in bulk the price goes down. There are also unlimited passes available of various durations. Once you change systems a different ticket may be required (like to trains, Zest in Menton, Envibus in Cannes/Antibes, Monaco's system). Some cross-system passes are available..

You can top up a Lignes d'Azur card using an Android or IPhone.

The Lignes d'Azur application can give your routes and schedules and is location and status aware.

You can find all fares and prices on this page:
https://www.lignesdazur.com/en/buy-t...oad-fare-guide

SCNF Connecd it he app for the train. You can buy train tickets online (email ticket) or via bar code iin the app There are third party sites like trainline that integrate systems but charge a commission.

Envibus is another system for the Antibes/Cannes area, and Zest for Menton. You will find that these are local lines going to more remote destinations b but may be referenced when using rome2rio, google maps or other routing sites/apps.

Thank you for your comprehensive answer. It does add a value to this thread.

Here are another portion of questions relating to the tram route 2 and the bus route 12 (they both go from the airport to the city centre).

1) When I buy a tram ticket in the ticket machine on a tram stop (Grand Arenas) can I get a Lignes d'Azur card that can be replenished later via the app? I assume the answer is ‘yes’.

2) When I buy a tram ticket from the tram driver on a tram stop (e.g. Grand Renas) can I get a Lignes d'Azur card that can be replenished later via the app?

3) When I buy a bus ticket in the ticket machine on a bus stop (e.g. Aeroport Promenade) can I get a Lignes d'Azur card that can be replenished later via the app? I assume the answer is ‘yes’.

4) When I buy a bus ticket from the bus driver on a bus stop (e.g. Aeroport Promenade) can I get a Lignes d'Azur card that can be replenished later via the app?

5) Can I top up my Lignes d'Azur card via the app with a ticket for a bus route 600?

6) If yes, does the price differ for Monte-Carlo and Menton?

7) Do I have an option to choose a city I am going to when I buy a ticket via the Lignes d'Azur app on the bus route 600? Can I reload my Lignes d'Azur card with an Azur Ticket?

8) Can I ride a tram or a bus in Nice using an Azur ticket and then immediately go to route 600 bus for Menton using the same ticket? I believe the answer is ‘yes’ it is made with 2 and a half hours.

8) I assume there are two type of material bus/tram tickets in Nice:

9) If a buy a 14 day pass will it end in two weeks at the end of the day at 12 a.m. precisely or just at the time I bought it two weeks ago say at 4:21 p.m. or 09:23? a.m.?

Could you tell me please?

I wonder: Are you writing a blog or travel article? If so, I wish you would say so.

When a person gets such an answer he or she understands that it is better to ask ChatGPT instead of people.

Your both suggestions are wrong. I am going to Nice soon. I hope I have a right to ask some questions here, haven't I?

I also wanted to create a useful thread for other travelers that is why I provided the info I had already discovered myself.

You mean the two websites you praised in post # 3, upthread? They might not have provided the answers you sought, but it is unlikely that they are "wrong." They (seat61 and rome2rio) are among the resources that many experienced travelers consult routinely and with great success.

You can, of course, ask any questions you like! The effort to provide information to others is laudable.