We will be in Nice may 25-28 and we want to a few day trips to Monaco, Cannes or some of the other small towns in the area. Are the trains pretty good in the Area? how much do they cost? <BR><BR>Thanks <BR><BR>

I've done what you're suggesting several times and the trains are great in this area. I'm not sure of costs, though, but someone in this forum will probably be able to give you a website where you can check.

Does any one know a website that can give me prices and travel times?

The train website is SCNF.com Click on the British flag at top left to get info in English. Be aware that there are at last 2 train stations in Nice. I believe Nice ville is probably the one you want. The &quot;local&quot; train that runs along the coast (I think it's called the Metrazur)is fairly frequent &amp; doesn't require reservations. There are also express trains running through Nice (TGV) that stop in Cannes that may require reservations. <BR>When you look for the schedule on the website it's under the region &quot;Provence-alpes maritimes&quot; I believe.<BR>Be aware that you, like many posters here, will be in Nice at the end of the Cannes film festival &amp; the beginning of the Grand Prix in Monaco.<BR>If you do a search here for Nice AND trains there may be more info including costs. Bonne chance.

I checked the SCNF website - it basically says a Trip from Nice to Cannes is 11 Euros one way ? seems kind of steep for a 35 minute train ride (30 Dollars for round trip - 60 for two people )Does any one know if there is a Day pass? or other good transport between cites near Nice? It seems crazy that 2 day trips from Nice(monaco is the same price) would cost 120 US Dollars(just for rail transportation) for two of us. <BR><BR>

I think you are being very unrealistic as to train fare. That seems quite reasonable to me. In the US, the Amtrak train between BWI airport and Washington DC costs about $30 and it's only 35 minutes. Subway fares in NY and DC cost over a dollar if you go only a few blocks.<BR><BR>I don't understand how it can cost US$30 RT if it's only 11 euro (which is about US$12) one-way, though.

11 euros is about 13 bucks (with a cash exchange rate) so RT is about 26 bucks. 30 dollars is a conservative estimate. I live in Chicago And I Can get to either airport for a 1.50, I can get from Elgin to Downtown Chicago (which takes an Hour) for 7 dollars round trip using Communter rail(Metra) In NYC the you can take the subway from midtown - to Coney Island(Brooklyn)- also an hour for 1.50. I guess what I was trying to get at is there does not seem to be any commuter type connections or arrangements in the south of france. If anyone knows of any let me know. I guess it just is much cheaper to drive.

??? I just went to the SCNF site and the most expensive one way 2nd class fare I could find was euro 5.50 per person between Nice &amp; Cannes.

I did the same as the above poster from Nice to Monte Carlo at 10:00 AM and it was 7.20 Euro

I am sorry - I think I was originally looking at Raileurope or something - the sncf website does have decent prices. 3-7 euros each way. I was still wondering if there was any kind of Hop on - hop off day passes available to tour the coastline, without having to buy all these tickets. <BR>

Don't take the train to Monaco - go to the little bus terminal in the center of Nice and take one of the casino buses. It cost 17 francs one way (either to or from was free) a couple of years ago - about $3. I can't imagine the service has been discontinued since, and the drive to Monaco is breath-takingly fantastic. About 45 minute bus ride, i think.

Angeleno, the train ride to Monaco is even more breathtaking as the tracks run closer to the cliffs than the road &amp; you can actually look down on villas perched above the sea.

I agree. That train ride along the coast between Nice and Monaco is spectacular. I've always felt the trains there were a bargain -- and would just as soon leave the car taking the train instead of paying for parking and having the other hassles of driving into busy cities like Monaco and Cannes. Five to seven euro is pretty cheap for what you get in my humble opinion.