Cannes la Bocca (Train Station): Departures and guide

Travel to Cannes-la-Bocca train station from Cannes city center

By global standards, Cannes is a relatively small city and yet it enjoys international renown having long been a favorite destination for the rich and famous. Cannes lies on the French Riviera around 20 miles (30 kilometers) to the west of Nice. Both cities have airports, although the Nice airport is the bigger of the two and one of the busiest in France. Cannes is famous for its film festival held every year in May; as you might expect, hotel accommodation at this time of year can be very expensive. The Cannes-la-Bocca train station is on the west side of the city, right on the coast and not far from the airport. The main train station is in the heart of the city, near the Palais des Festivals and La Croisette. Nearly all local train services stop at both stations en route between Marseille, Nice, and Monaco. 

What is the best way to get to the train station from the city center?

As is often the case in small cities in Europe, the best way to get to the Cannes-la-Bocca train station from the city center is to walk. The only time this may not be advisable is on summer afternoons when it may be too hot to walk comfortably. The distance is easily manageable unless you have heavy baggage. You can walk right next to the beach or inland, with the latter option likely to offer more shade. Another option is to catch the train. Visitors can buy tickets at the Cannes main station and the journey takes four minutes. Remember to validate your ticket in the machines before boarding the train. There are regular services from Cannes to Cannes-la-Bocca throughout the day from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Another option is to take the bus. The number 22 (operated by Palm Bus) runs from the Cannes main station to the Cannes-la-Bocca train station. Tickets can be purchased from the driver when you board and the journey typically takes 15 minutes. 

How far is it from the city center to the train station?

The trip from the Palais des Festivals, in the heart of Cannes, to the Cannes-la-Bocca train station is almost exactly two miles (three kilometers). It's slightly shorter if you stick to the coast instead of going inland. The coastal route is also much more scenic. Walking west around the marina and past the park called Square Mistral will bring travelers to Boulevard du Midi which runs parallel with the railway and alongside Cannes-la-Bocca train station. There's an underpass for pedestrians to reach the station itself. On foot, the walk to Cannes-la-Bocca takes around 30 minutes. Taking the train from Cannes' main station is the quickest option; the journey takes only four minutes. Cannes' main station is very central and no more than a ten-minute walk from the Palais des Festivals and La Croisette. High speed (TGV) train services generally stop at Cannes' main station but not at Cannes-la-Bocca, which is smaller and has shorter platforms. 

How accessible is the train station for those with limited mobility?

The walk along the coast from the city center to the Cannes-la-Bocca train station is pleasant if you're traveling light and not in a hurry. However, it is not advised for those with either heavy luggage or limited mobility. In either of these cases, the best option is to take the train from Cannes' main station, which has elevators enabling step-free access to all platforms. Trains on this route have wheelchair access. A more expensive choice, albeit a slower one, would be to take a taxi to Cannes-la-Bocca station. Cars and taxis can stop just outside the station building.   

Local tips: the train station points of interest

If you're heading to Cannes, the area around the Cannes-la-Bocca station is a good place to base yourself. Having the station nearby means it's easy to get into Cannes itself or to go a little further afield and explore places like Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, or Nice. There are plenty of good hotels in and around La Bocca and they are generally much more reasonably priced than those in the center of Cannes. The trains run regularly throughout the day so tourists can travel into Cannes at any time of day and return to Cannes-la-Bocca later. With a car, a visit to the nearby town of Grasse is highly recommended. Grasse is widely considered to be the home of perfume and no fewer than three perfumeries are located here. Or visitors could take the train along the coast through Nice, Monaco, and over the Italian border to Ventimiglia.