How to Get from Paris to Nice

Nice lies roughly 425 miles (685 km) miles southeast of Paris, on the far eastern edge of the French Riviera. Despite the distance, travel between the cities is relatively easy, with direct flights and high-speed trains connecting them in as little as four hours.

The fastest way to reach Nice from Paris is by plane, with flights taking an hour and a half and an overall door-to-door travel time of under four hours.

Direct high-speed trains link the cities in just under six hours and require fewer steps and connections than flying. Self-driving takes nine hours and is best broken up into multiple days to allow for sightseeing throughout Provence and the Côte d'Azur. For more ideas on stopovers and detours, explore our 10-day and 14-day Paris to Nice itineraries.

By Plane

Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours

Direct flights into Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE) depart from both Orly (ORY) and Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airports. The total flight time is just 1.5 hours, but transport to and from the airports, as well as standard pre-boarding waits, means the overall journey takes about 3.5 to 4 hours. 

Choosing which Paris airport to depart from depends on your location and budget; Orly (ORY) is smaller and closer to the city, which often makes it the more convenient choice. The fastest way to reach the airport from central Paris is by taxi, private transfer, or the Orlybus, which departs from Denfert-Rochereau Metro/RER station and takes about 30 minutes.

Upon arrival at Nice (NCE), the easiest way to get to the city center is via the brand new Lignes d’Azur light rail, which runs from terminals 1 and 2 to the main thoroughfare of Jean Médecin in 25 minutes. Other choices are the airport shuttle buses and fixed-rate taxis, both of which reach Nice in under 30 minutes. 

By Train

Duration: 6 hours

While a little slower than flying, traveling to Nice via train is straightforward and direct, offering a scenic entrance along the Côte d'Azur. The fastest option is the direct high-speed TGV, which departs Paris Gare de Lyon and arrives at Nice Ville station in just under 6 hours. 

Travelers have the choice of budget OuiGo or the more deluxe InOui trains—the latter's higher price comes with no baggage limit, a buffet car, and free wifi.

Choosing a seat on the right side of the train offers the best vantage point for picturesque views; the last 2 hours of the route skirt the coast along the Riviera as the train approaches Nice. 

Gare de Lyon station is located in southeast-central Paris, within a 30-minute taxi, metro, or bus ride from most areas. Nice Ville is an easy 20-minute walk from Vieux Ville and the beach.

By Rental Car

Duration: 9 hours 

The fastest way to drive from Paris to Nice follows major high-speed autoroutes and takes about 9 hours. Driving out of Paris can be stressful, and the major highways aren't particularly scenic, so the train is a better choice unless you're looking to slow down and break the drive up into multiple days. 

The most direct route follows the A7 autoroute due south, turning east near Aix-en-Provence on the A8, which cuts across southern Provence and the Var region before reaching Nice. It's a journey best taken in multiple steps, with Lyon as a prime stopover spot at almost exactly halfway. 

Another option is to take the train but disembark at Aix-en-Provence or Marseille and drive from there—this offers the chance to enjoy the most scenic stretch of the trip without the Paris traffic and the long drive south.

Upon arrival in Nice, the traffic-free city center means it’s best to park in one of the Parc'Azur park-and-ride lots close to the A8, which are free with the purchase of a Lignes d'Azur tram ticket into the center.