Bus Services (city network)

Trains

Bus Services, intercity Routes, schedules, fares and “Special fares”

Taxis

Vélo bleu (bike share city service)

Tuk Tuk

Scooter and moto rentals


Car rental


Bicycle rental (except for Vélo bleu)





 
Bus Services, city network

The popular public bus system of Nice ("Lignes d'Azur": http://www.lignesdazur.com/) connects most parts of the city, and a single bus fare will get you quickly around Nice and to the outlying areas as well. Tickets are sold in various points within the city center as well as on buses, and you can purchase tickets for a single trip - currently a flat rate of 1.00 euro, a 10-trip multi-pass (10 euro), a single day pass (4 euros) or a seven day pass (15 euros). Local buses start at around 06.00am but be warned many of them terminate as early as 19.00pm, and routes to the outer lying areas of Nice may run only three or four trips a day, and some not at all on Sundays. One of the most useful local buses is Route 23, which connects central Nice with Terminal 1 Nice Airport. (not to be confused with the express line n. 98 - Airport – SNCF -  Railways station Nice Riquier (-passing also through the main Sncf Railway station “Nice Ville”- and back, whose ticket costs 4 €, and is valid on the whole day of issue)
Note that the 7 day pass (currently 15 euros) is good for unlimited travel on buses and the tram too, and includes trips to the airport (otherwise 4 Euros per journey on the direct buses from the bus station or the mainline station).
In any case, thanks to the WIFI connection available in the apartment ;-), you can choose your city journey (click here and write your departure point and your arrival point in the city area (reseau urbain) !!!
http://www.lignesdazur.com/ri/?rub_code=4
Did you try? Did you plan your journey? Did you find the appropriate bus line and how long it takes? We are sure you did, it’s easy!
For more details about pricing:

That means that your outward (or homeward) journey within 74 minutes costs only 1,00 Euros.

Exception:
To take the express airport routes 98 and 99, you must hold a 1-day Pass, which costs €4 and can be obtained on board the buses or in “Lignes d'Azur” agencies. Click here to find your closest Agency:
http://www.lignesdazur.com/contact/?rub_code=14
In addition, this ticket (daily 4 euros ticket) enables you to travel across the entire network for one day, without any restrictions.
Then, it is easy to move around the city. Some further clarification is required if you want to move from Nice towards the eastern and western coast villages and towards the inland countryside.
The 3 types of tickets we have mentioned before (1,00 €; 4,00 € or 15,00 €) provide the only opportunity to travel throughout the “Métropole Urban Nice Côte d'Azur = the acronym is NCA)  which includes 27 municipalities (urban NCA).
This pricing applies also on intercity network (the ancient TAM network) but only for journeys within the NCA: Routes n° 100 - 200 - 400 - 500 - 112 - 116-217 - 510 - 701A - 701B - 702 - 705-707 - 720 - 730 - 790.

Returning to the subject related to the fare: Tickets 1,00, 4,00 or 15,00 euros will be sufficient if your destination is in the Metropolitan Urban Nice Côte d'Azur network  (NCA, and within 74 minutes if you have purchased the 1,00 euros one). That is to say, the following villages:


Aspremont, Beaulieu-sur-Mer Cagnes-sur-Mer, Cap d'Ail, Carros, Castagniers Coaraze, Colomars, Duranus, Eze, Falicon, La Gaude, Lantosque, Levens, NICE, La Roquette-sur-Var, Saint-André-de-la-Roche, Saint-Blaise, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Saint-Jeannet Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Saint-Martin-du-Var, Tourrette, La Trinité, Utelle , Vence. Villefranche-sur-Mer


You can notice that Monaco (and the French village beside Beausoleil) are not part of the NCA. In this case the best solution is taking the train.
 


TRAINS
 
Generally speaking, when your destination is outside the NCA area and is situated along the railway lines (to the westbound line Nice-Marseille as Cannes or to the eastbound line Nice - Vintimille as the Principality of Monaco) the train is the best solution. For train schedules and rates click:
http://www.voyages-sncf.com/billet-train/horaires

or click

http://www.ter-sncf.com/Regions/paca/Fr/Se_deplacer_en_TER/Avant_mon_voyage/Recherche_d_itineraires/Default.aspx

If you are looking for the cool climate of the hinterland and you want to know the "Vallée des Merveilles" we strongly recommend the use of the train and specifically the line "Nice - Tende" The locomotive literally climbs among the gorges and mountain slopes of the valley (la Vallée de la Roya) . For more details about this SNCF line click on the following site, remember that you can catch this train both leaving form Nice Ville Sncf Railway station both from Nice St. Roch Railway station (closer to the apartment):
http://www.voyages-sncf.com/billet-train/horaires
 
or click

http://www.ter-sncf.com/Regions/paca/Fr/Se_deplacer_en_TER/Avant_mon_voyage/Recherche_d_itineraires/Default.aspx
 
For more details about this amazing trip, click also:
http://www.beyond.fr/travel/railcuneo.html
As already mentioned in the section “getting there – the apartment” if you get into town by train, Rue de la Poissonnerie is halfway between the two railway stations SNCF Nice Ville and Nice Riquier. So if you're heading east you should leave from Nice Riquier, on the contrary, if you’re directed westbound the choice is leaving from Nice Ville railway station. Finally we have just said that to take the train to Breil – Tende it is better leaving from the Sncf station “Nice St. Roch”.
 


BUS SERVICES, intercity Routes, schedules, fares and “Special fares”
If you prefer coaches rather than trains you can find all the information in the Regional Council web site that includes lines and schedules.

Routes:
http://www.cg06.fr/fr/servir-les-habitants/deplacements/transport-collectifs/lignes-et-horaires/lignes-et-horaires/
 
The network map
http://www.cg06.fr/cms/cg06/upload/servir-les-habitants/fr/files/transport_plan-reseau.pdf

And the fares
http://www.cg06.fr/fr/servir-les-habitants/deplacements/transport-collectifs/la-tarification/la-tarification/
 
Special fares
“Ticket Azur”
The great initiative (since 2008) : The launch of the 1 Euro  single fare (called “Ticket Azur”) valid for the entire “departmental” transport networks (departmental means for the department n° 06, Alpes Maritimes,  the Region of Nice). This initiative is conceived in order to support the sustainable development and quality of life that is accompanied by an innovative public transport policy: the principle of the “guarantee” of compliance with sustainable mobility within the Department. For a € 1 This “Ticket Azur” allows you to take two transport networks in succession, to complete a journey, including one change between one of the lines on the Departmental Council’s TAM network and a line on one of the following networks: Envibus (Antibes and surrounding area), Communauté de la Riviera Française (Menton and surrounding area), Sillages (Grasse and surrounding area), Bus Varmer (Carros and surrounding area), Ligne d’Azur (Nice and surrounding area “NCA”), Bus Azur (Cannes and surrounding area). 
To understand more about the “Ticket Azur” (the sheet includes also where you can purchase the “Ticket Azur”.
http://www.cg06.fr/cms/cg06/upload/servir-les-habitants/fr/files/transportarifs_ticketazur.pdf

And above all remember that: In all cases, the maximum connection duration time (the time between the issuance of the first ticket and the second validation) is 2,30 hours. The "Ticket Azur", that gives right to a connection and that is not used within this period (2h,30) shall in no case be reimbursed.
To see a complete suburban transport fare sheet you can access the following page:
http://www.cg06.fr/cms/cg06/upload/servir-les-habitants/fr/files/gtarif.pdf

“Carte Azur”
This is the latest revolutionary innovation launched in 2010 to further promote mobility within the Department at very low cost. But this is only a monthly subscription (45 Euros) or Yearly (365 Euros)
For more details ( about “Carte Azur” click below):
http://www.lignesdazur.com/presentation/?rub_code=89


The site:
http://www.ceparou06.fr/index.asp
Public transport for the suburban area is efficient and if you understand well the pricing mechanism it can also be convenient but if you do not want to waste time in calculations you had better to visit the website http://www.ceparou06.fr/index.asp (it’s an official “General Council Site!)
In the right side of the web page you can click the area “my journey” or “my journey on the map” and after a few clicks the site will display you all the different possible solutions (with connections too obviously). A great site!


TAXIS

Fast and efficient in Nice, the taxis are another alternative to move around. A light signal on the roof, indicates you if they are available or not. If this signal is off, they are available. If this signal is on, they are occupied. Be careful, not like other cities, the taxis haven’t got a particular color or brand. The minimum price for a journey is 5€. It has an increasing price if you travel with luggage.
If you wish reserve a taxi, dial  + 33(0)8.99.70.08.78, 24/24 hours switchboard, 7 days. Night rates between 7pm and 7am. Fortunately for you there is a fixed schedule of charges between the town and the airport (between 22,00 euro and – 28,00 euro)
Main taxi stations:
Esplanade Masséna, Promenade des Anglais, Place Garibaldi, Hotel-Of-Stations Street, Station SNCF and Acropolis.

 
VELO BLEU (Bike share)
 
Vélo bleu  (Blue Bicycles) :  the bike share service in Nice
A new system of bike share service is operational in Nice since July 18, 2009 under the label "Blue Bike – Vélo Bleu". This service is available 24/24 hours and 7/7 days.
It allows everyone to borrow a bike from one station 'Vélo bleu” and, after use, place it in any other terminal installed in different parts of the city.
Each station has bikes, terminals and an automatic hook totem computer.
 
The stations network
There are currently about 1,750 bikes available in 175 stands, located throughout the city of Nice. For the map of the stations: please click on the links:
http://www.velobleu.org/ftp/FR_documents_velobleu/Plan_Map_v3.pdf

http://www.velobleu.org/presentation/?rub_code=54
 
The closest station to the flat (3 rue da la Poissonnerie) are:
No. 85, Rue des Ponchettes
No. 22 and No. 24: 2 stations in Quay des Etats Unis.
No. 21, Palais de Justice / Palace of Justice

Tariffs for the users
A subscription is required to access the service (This is a fixed cost, an access code)
Subscription rate (fixed cost)
- Annual subscription: 25 € *
- Annual subscription for “Ligne d'Azur” subscribers: 15 €
- Monthly subscription: 10 €
- Subscription 7 days: 5 €
- Subscription 1 day: 1 €


* An annual subscriber of ST2N will have a magnetic card that will allow him to use both networks (bus and bike-service)
Rental rates (that is the variable cost):

- First half hour: Free
- Between half an hour to an hour: 1 €
- Then € 2 per hour extra
The way of payment and some useful tips :
Dear visitors, this is a very useful and smart service, but especially for foreigners, the way of payment is a little bit complicated.
Nice has Vélo Bleu self-service rental bikes on every corner: 175 stations with 1,750 bikes.  
For 1€ a day (or 5€ a week or 10€ a month – as fixe costs) you can use the bikes as often as you like for 30 minutes a pop.   Take a bike from one stand, leave it at another… it’s easy and super convenient if you know how to do it, and super frustrating if you don’t.
The Cost  You can get an access code for 1€ a day, 5€ for a week, 10€ a month, or 25€ a year… (and the best deal: if you already have a yearly bus pass, you can add the Vélo Bleu to it for just 15€).
This gives you the right to use any bike, anywhere, as often as you want, for 30 minutes at a time for free.    If you go over the free 30 minutes, the next 30 costs you 1€, and each hour after that is 2€.
Insider tip:  If you are going far, just return the bike before the 30 minutes are up, and then immediately take another.  You can look on the map or on the smartphone app to plan ahead and see where you can switch them out.
There are 4 ways to Sign Up:
I) On the Web: Click here  (http://www.velobleu.org/inscription/?rub_code=25&laction=add) to fill out the on-line form for 1 day or 7 days rental and click here:
(http://www.velobleu.org/inscription/?rub_code=25&laction=add) to fill out the on line form for one month, one year rental.
Once you have your daily, weekly, monthly, annual access code, you can use your cell phone to take the bikes (with a free call because it doesn’t pick up).  This is the easiest way if you can plan ahead.  For monthly or annual passes they send you your card by mail.
II) At Any Bike Station with Your Mobile phone   You call the number (04 3000 3001, and you pay this first call), punch in your credit card info, and voila.  After that, each time you want to get a bike, you call the number, which is free from the second call as it never even picks up the call, so there is no charge for using your phone after the initial set up.
III) NEW – CREDIT CARDS!!!!!!  At Certain Bike Stations You can pay directly with your Credit Card    There are now a few bike stations that take credit cards, so you don’t even need a phone, which means no more expensive international calls for tourists.  (This only works if you have a credit card with a microchip, it’s a no-go for Americans: the machines don’t swipe)  You can by the 1€ one day pass or the 5€ week pass, and you can also buy access to multiple bikes at the same time, which is great for couples or families.  The bike stations where credit cards are welcome are:

IV) For monthly or yearly passes: go to aVélo bleu Office. The downside is that it takes time to go there, but the plus is that you get your card on the spot.  The office is located on Avenue Thiers across from the Nice Train Station and they’re open from 8am-7pm M-F and until 3pm on Saturday
 
Actually Getting the Bike    Choose a bike and turn on the screen…
Insider tip: turn on two screens at the same time… they take a long time to warm up, and if for some reason one doesn’t work, you saves a lot of time if you have a second one already warmed up.  The directions are in several languages and are easy to follow: if you have a Vélo Bleu card you just wave it over the sensor, if you have a code you enter it, otherwise you call the number on your mobile phone (the call won’t pick up, so there is no charge).  Here are the instructions in English from the Velo Bleu site with little diagrams.
Insider tip: The only tricky thing is that when it shows you your choice of the three bikes, you need to enter the number corresponding with your choice… if there is only one bike attached to the bourne, you still need to enter that number, even if it’s obvious.  In the beginning We almost blew a gasket because we thought it was telling us to take bike #2 but then the bike would not unlock… only later realizing that we had to press the number 2 to make it unlock.  
In the final step, the screen will give you the combination for the bike lock in case you need to secure the bike up for a while… it’s a good idea to note this, or turn the lock to that number right then.  Just so you know, if you lose the bike, you’re on the hook for 150€.
The seat easily adjusts, the little bell comes in very handy, and there are three speeds… off you go!
Returning the Bike    Just like before, turn on two screens, just in case.  You tell it you are returning a bike, choose which hole you want to put the cable in, hold it in tight for a few seconds, then when it tells you, give it a pull to make sure it caught.  If not, you might want to go to that next screen that you’ve conveniently already warmed up!  Because this can take a few minutes, try to return (or switch out) your bike at around the 25 minute mark: if you cut it too close and the bike won’t lock, you can start to get very steamed.
Insider tip:  Know your destination bike stand in advance by looking on this map: what you want to avoid is being on minute 28 and you can’t find a stand.   Now, say you get there and the stand is full: no empty spaces!  It’s good to have a second stank in mind just in case, but otherwise just turn on a screen, chose ‘Find a Stand’ and it will show you a map of the closest… at this point it will give you another 15 minutes free if you pass your Vélo Bleu card over the sensor or call the number with your mobile phone (again, they won’t pick up, so the call is free).   The free Vélo Bleu iPhone app is great way to avoid all this stress as it not only shows you the closest stand, but how many bikes and how many empty spaces it has
 
Contacts :

Telephone : Allo vélo bleu : 04.93.72.06.06
The official site and other useful sites :

www.velobleu.org/

www.cyclesud.fr/region/libre-service-nice.html

en.nicetourisme.com/velo-bleu

http://www.bestofniceblog.com/2012/02/21/using-velo-bleu-just-got-easier-rental-bikes/

The blue bike – vélo bleu: MSDS:

The bicycles are aluminum and the weight is 18 kg.
They have three speeds - available to the right handle - well staged and adapted to different profiles.
They have a chain or gear, or tray and no derailleur. Transmission is by cardan.
The brake drum is internal to the hub. It is progressive and effective, it firmly presses the handle.
The lighting is done with an integrated hub dynamo. It switches on when it is rolled and switches off one minute after stopping:

The seat is very easy to adjust, it is firm without being uncomfortable.
Size: There is a size that is suitable for people between 1.45 m. and 1.95 m.
Baby seats and helmets?: No seat or luggage rack mainly for safety reasons. The helmet is obviously encouraged. But it is up to everyone to use his own personal one, for understandable reasons of hygiene.


 
TUK TUK

+ 33 (0) 62 02 20 76 ;
website: http://www.tuk-tuk-riviera.com/site/
Here is the phone number and website that allows you to visit the city on this nice means of transport.
Bastien Janot Jerome has decided to transfer in the town of Nice this new concept and this way of life : visiting in a calm atmosphere the city on a means of locomotion unusual and exotic.
Bastien offers four typical trips:" Dolce Vita "; “Centre”, “Chateau” , “Cimiez”.
To know more, don’t hesitate, visit the website.
http://www.tuk-tuk-riviera.com/site/



SCOOTER AND MOTO RENTALS

One of the most practical and rapid means of transport of the town, it fits to your short and medium distance travel needs, typical of the summer season! Below you find 3 of the best sites on Nice. The first is really just a few minutes from us (in the Port area). Bon voyage, have a nice scooter journey!
the web sites:
http://egorent.fr/en/
http://www.holiday-bikes.com/en/index.html
http://www.locauto.fr/2roues/scooter.htm



CAR RENTAL

Surroundings, towns and villages of Nice Region are just waiting to be discovered. Renting a car in Nice allows you to enjoy the most by your stay: go to visit on your own the "Phoenix Parc Floral de Nice" and spend some time in the botanical birds and insects garden and zoo, where a greenhouse full of butterflies is open to visitors. The beaches of Nice are clean and well maintained but also the coastline is a great attraction in itself. It is just the precious complement to this chic and charming city.
Here are the main sites of car rental in the town.

http://www.easycar.fr/
http://www.hertz.fr/                   (9 Avenue Gustave V de Suede, Nice -Tél. 04 93 87 11 87)
http://www.locauto.fr/agences/location-voiture/alpes-maritimes/nice_centre.htm                   (91 bis Av Gambetta, Nice  - Tél. : 04 93 88 48 92)
http://www.ada.fr/location-voiture-nice-gare-sncf.html           (23 Rue de Belgique, Nice Tél.04 93 85 84 04)
http://www.europcar.fr/DotcarClient/step1.action?checkoutStation=NCEC01&checkinStation=NCEC01&checkoutCountry=FR&checkinCountry=FR&utm_source=google&utm_medium=maps&utm_campaign=NCEC01                               (3 Avenue Gustave V – Nice - Tél. 08 25 82 76 74)
http://www.avis.fr/SearchResults.aspx?term=nice+france (Aéroport, Gare, Place Massena, voir le site)
http://www.europauto.ca/location-auto-nice/location-voiture-nice.aspx
http://www.autoeurope.com/go/car-rental/france/nice/
https://www.alamo.fr
http://www.sixt.com/car-rental/france/nice/nice-airport
http://www.budget.co.uk/car-hire/nice-airport.htm
 
Finally, if you want to try one of the many sites that compare different car rental companies:

http://www.jetcost.com/location-voiture-Nice,France.html
www.rentalcars.com/Nice
nice.economycarrentals.fr/  
www.easyterra.fr/france
www.rhinocarhire.com/Car-Hire/France-Car-Hire/Nice-Airport-Car-Hire.aspx


BICYCLE RENTAL (except for Vélo bleu)

Holiday Bikes, 2 points in Nice:

NICE GARE SNCF : 23, rue de Belgique - Tél. : 04 93 160 162

NICE PROMENADE : 4, rue Meyerber - Tél. : 04 93 822 700

More info : http://www.loca-bike.fr/index.php

 

ROLLER STATION : 49, quai des Etas-Unis 06300 NICE

Ouvert 7j / 7 - Tel : 04 93 62 99 05

10h00 à 18h00 de NOVEMBRE à MARS

10h00 à 19h00 de AVRIL - JUIN et SEPTEMBRE - OCTOBRE

9h30 à 20h30 de JUILLET – AOUT

More info  : http://www.roller-station.fr/