Getting around the Côte d'Azur without a car: the guide
Exploring the Côte d'Azur without your own car is not only possible but often more restful: no parking to hunt for, no driving after dinner. Between the train, the tram, the boat and the private chauffeur, here is how to build the right mix.
The train, backbone of the coast
The regional line running along the coast, from Marseille to Ventimiglia, frequently serves Cannes, Antibes, Nice, Monaco and Menton. Economical, scenic and free of parking worries, it is the backbone of coastal travel.
Its limit: stations are not always near your final destination, which is why the last mile matters.
Tram, bus and boat
In Nice, the tramway is highly efficient, with the T2 line linking the airport to the centre. Regional buses fill in the network towards the hinterland, and seasonal shuttle boats serve, in particular, the Lérins Islands from Cannes.
These modes are perfect for specific hops, to be combined according to your plans and the season.
The private chauffeur for the last mile and the hinterland
Hilltop villages such as Èze or Saint-Paul-de-Vence, isolated villas, harbours, late-evening returns, group travel or trips with luggage: all situations the train does not cover. The private chauffeur provides door-to-door service, with no parking and no driving.
Our bilingual chauffeurs, rated 5.0/5 from 38 Google reviews, know the region intimately and tailor the route to your wishes.
Occasional rental when freedom comes first
To explore the hinterland over several days at your own pace, a car rental adds flexibility. Many visitors combine the train for the coast and a vehicle — with or without a chauffeur — for the heights.
That is the advantage of relying on a company that offers both rental and chauffeur service.
Building the right mix
A concrete example: the train to link Cannes, Nice and Monaco together, the chauffeur to reach Èze, a villa or the airport, and the boat for the Lérins. The result: no parking to manage, even at the height of the season.
Matching the mode of transport to each stage makes the stay both smoother and more enjoyable.