- Must visit
Musée Matisse
Major museum dedicated to Henri Matisse, set in a Genoese villa in Cimiez, with paintings, drawings, cut-outs, and personal objects tracing his life in Nice.
Cheapest price
$124
Average price
$187
Fastest journey
5 h 34 m
Average duration
6 h 7 m
Trains per day
8
Distance
686 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Paris to Nice is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Paris to Nice will cost around $187 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $124.
Of the 8 trains that leave Paris for Nice on Fri, May 22, 8 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 22 the direct trains cover the 686 km distance in an average of 6 h 7 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 34 m .
On Fri, May 22 the slowest trains will take 6 h 52 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Paris to Nice among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $38. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 34m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.6kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $38, and a flight costs an average of $59.
Distance: 426 miles (686 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$125 Average price | $264 Average price | $75 Average price Cheapest | $288 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 20m Average total duration 6h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 34m Average total duration Fastest 3h 34m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 9h 10m Average total duration 8h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 23m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.1 - 4.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.7 - 1.7kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Paris to Nice:
A bus is $50 (€41) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Paris to Nice costing on average $125 (€101).
A bus is $189 (€153) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Paris to Nice costing on average $264 (€213).
Other travel options to Nice take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 50m.
Bus takes on average 8h 40m.
The journey is about 2h 33m faster (6h 50m by train vs 9h 23m by car) and roughly $163 (€132) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($125 (€101) vs $288 (€233)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with SNCF | TGV INOUI, SNCF | Intercités de nuit, Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français (SNCF).
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Paris to Nice trains for tomorrow, Friday, May 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:36 AM Paris | 6h28 | 12:04 PM Nice | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:09 AM Paris | 5h57 | 3:06 PM Nice | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:38 AM Paris | 6h52 | 4:30 PM Nice | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:22 PM Paris | 5h42 | 10:04 PM Nice | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:09 PM Paris | 5h34 | 10:43 PM Nice | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:57 PM Paris | 12h12 | 7:09 AM Nice | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:08 PM Paris | 13h01 | 8:09 AM Nice | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:25 PM Paris | 14h05 | 9:30 AM Nice | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
By Thibault Constant
The train ride from Paris to Nice has to be one of France’s greatest journeys. I love to call it “France in a nutshell” – you begin in the heart of the capital, pass through the central regions, and watch the landscape transform into the classic scenery of Provence. Eventually, you reach the glittering Mediterranean Sea, just five hours from Paris. How magical is that?

The ornate and historic interior of the Le Train Bleu restaurant at Paris Gare de Lyon.
You have a few options for train travel between Paris and Nice, including two types of high-speed trains: TGV Inoui and Ouigo. The latter is the low-cost brand of the national railway, SNCF. While onboard comfort with Ouigo is basic, the travel time is the same as TGV Inoui, which offers more comfortable interiors, First and Second Class seats, and even an onboard bar. Another option is the night train, operated by Intercités de Nuit, which lets you leave Paris in the evening and literally wake up to the sea outside your window. This is a great option if you’re short on daytime travel hours. The choice is yours, but for today’s journey, I chose TGV Inoui!
Train tickets in France can be a bit pricey, and TGV Inoui train tickets can sometimes be cheaper than Ouigo. That’s why I always use Omio to find the best possible option for my route.
Paris Gare de Lyon is one of the city’s greatest stations. Be careful when entering, though, as there are two main halls: Hall 1 (Tracks A to N) and Hall 2 (Tracks 5 to 23). If you have the time, stop by the beautiful Train Bleu restaurant—it has to be one of the most beautiful restaurants I’ve seen in my life. If you don't want to eat there, you can just stop by to enjoy a drink. Gare de Nice-Ville, at the end of the journey, might be less grand but is still beautiful, especially the canopy that greets you as you step off the train. From Nice-Ville, you’re just 15 minutes from Place Jean Médecin and another 5 minutes to the Promenade des Anglais, where you can admire the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Between Hall 1 and Hall 2, don’t miss the Galerie des Fresques—a long mural above the shops that showcases the destinations once served by the former PLM (Paris Lyon Méditerranée) railway. Gare de Lyon was the main station of the PLM, which helps explain why Paris has so many train stations, as each railway company once had its own terminus.
During the week, there are seven TGV Inoui and Ouigo trains connecting Paris and Nice, with an average journey time of around 5 hours and 45 minutes. The first train departs in the morning and arrives in Nice in the early afternoon (only the night train gets you there earlier). The last train leaves Paris around 5 PM, arriving in Nice in the evening. On weekends, there’s also a TGV that departs Paris around 7 PM and arrives in Nice just before 1 AM.
TGV Inoui offers two travel classes: First Class – large reclining seats with a table and power outlet at each seat. Second Class – smaller seats with a table and power outlet at each seat. As for the luggage policy, TGV Inoui allows two pieces of luggage and one carry-on per person, with no weight limit but size restrictions apply. I traveled in First Class, and it was great! Mid-train, there’s a bar where I grabbed a small snack for about €15. The food was tasty, even though it was served on an unappealing cardboard plate. Still, eating while zooming through southern France at 300 km/h is pretty cool. My advice is to sit on the right-hand side of the train when leaving Paris, where you'll be able to catch the best views of the Mediterranean Sea. My favorite stretch is between Saint-Raphaël Valescure and Cannes, which is truly breathtaking. I also love to see the transition between the central part of France and the Mediterranean landscape that changes gradually after Lyon.

The spacious First Class seating on a TGV Inoui train.
The golden rule: book early. I paid €89 per person for this trip, which I consider very fair compared to flying, especially since I booked about a month in advance. Costs for one passenger:
| Item | Cost (eur) |
|---|---|
| Ticket price | €89 |
| Food & drinks | €15 |
| Travel to departure station | € |
| Travel from arrival station | € |
| Total | € 104 |
Paris to Nice is one of France’s must-do train journeys. It's definitely an experience you shouldn’t miss if you’re visiting the country. It captures everything France has to offer. And going from the French capital to a swim in the Mediterranean in just five hours? That’s something quite magical!

Trains from Paris to Nice run on average 9 times per day, taking around 6h 50m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $40 (€33) but you can travel from only $38 (€31) by bus.
There are 6 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:28, the last at 22:00. The fastest train covers the 426 miles (686 km) distance in 5h 34m.
Distance 426 miles (686 km) |
Average train duration 6h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price $40 (€33) |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 6 |
Fastest train 5h 34m |
First train 5:28 AM |
Last train 10:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Nice — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Nice trip today.
Major museum dedicated to Henri Matisse, set in a Genoese villa in Cimiez, with paintings, drawings, cut-outs, and personal objects tracing his life in Nice.
National museum housing one of the world’s most important collections of Marc Chagall’s biblical works, known for its luminous colors and serene setting.
Nice’s leading modern and contemporary art museum, noted for postwar European and American works and its striking rooftop views.
Nice’s iconic seafront boulevard lined with beaches and Belle Époque hotels, essential for walking, cycling, and classic Riviera views.
The old town’s maze of colorful lanes, baroque churches, shutters, and lively squares makes it the city’s most atmospheric area to explore on foot.
Castle Hill park and viewpoint with panoramic city and coast vistas, a waterfall, and some of the best photo spots in Nice.
Nice’s signature salad of tomatoes, eggs, anchovies or tuna, olives, and raw vegetables, traditionally without cooked potatoes or green beans.
A thin chickpea flour pancake baked in a hot oven, lightly crisp outside and soft inside; one of Nice’s most iconic street foods.
A Provençal tart topped with caramelized onions, anchovies, and olives, closely associated with Nice and the surrounding coast.
An established Michelin-starred restaurant blending refined Mediterranean and South African influences in an elegant fine-dining setting.
A long-running family restaurant in Vieux Nice serving classic Niçoise dishes and Provençal favorites in a warm, traditional atmosphere.
A famous small Niçoise restaurant known for traditional local specialties in a simple, intimate setting near the old town.
Prices are high by French standards, especially near the seafront. Bakery food and lunch deals help cut costs.
Service is usually included. Locals may round up or leave 5-10% for great service. Small change for cafes; round up taxis.
Official public transport app
Nice-Ville Station, Nice -> Place Massena, Nice
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Paris to Nice by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Nice, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need