Getting around by train Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur

Linked to the main stations in France and Europe, Saint-Charles station offers more than 15 Marseille/Paris journeys per day, in about 3 hours 30 minutes. You can compare fares and discounts at the ticket offices and terminals or on the website. You will find all the information on the TER lines on site, not forgetting the bus station in the heart of the station. To wait, think of the heated waiting room with seats, the sunny terraces, the commercial shops, bars and fast food restaurants, luggage lockers...

The location of this station on the Paris-Lyon-Miramas line is very interesting for travellers who wish to visit the nearby city centre with its pleasant lanes and beautiful houses steeped in history. Built in the 19th century, it is an integral part of the city's heritage. However, its attractions end there. The ticket offices are frequently closed due to a lack of staff, and the infrastructure is basic; the shop is only open in high season. At the same time, we only go there to take the train...

Annexe station of Menton-Garavan, Porte de France, 500 m from the Italian border.

Designed by architects Jean-Marie Duthilleul and Etienne Tricaud and built on the Arbois plateau, the station is within easy reach of Aix-en-Provence city center (13 km) and Marseille-Provence airport (11 km). The simplest and most economical solution is to take the shuttle that links the TGV station to the Aix bus station. Once on the train, you'll reach the capital in around 3 hours. A fast and privileged link to Paris.

In the heart of Cannes, the main train station welcomes a multitude of TER, TGV and Intercités trains every day. Amenities such as toilets are available on the left of the square, opposite the station, while a Starbucks awaits you on the right. The train line between Cannes and Menton runs along the coast, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the countryside, sumptuous villas surrounded by umbrella pines and secret coves. TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur offers a wide range of services to suit all your travel needs.

This TGV station, 6 km from Avignon city center, provides connections between the major cities of Provence and the regions, with 60 TGV trains a day. It is also served by TER PACA trains to and from Avignon-Centre and Carpentras. Buses and cabs run to and from the city center, as do car rental companies. Catering, newsagents and a perfume shop are there to keep you waiting in case your train is delayed. A drop-off point and numerous short- and long-term parking lots are also available.

Most of the large trains that carry out the Marseille-Nice route stop in Antibes in both directions. The TER provides more than 80 shuttles every day across the coast. During the summer period, when the road network is very crowded, it is sometimes interesting to go to Nice by train.

The Nice region has a very dense bus network, which allows you to reach all the towns and villages of the hinterland. Information, rates, ticketing and luggage deposit.

Of all the small lines of the secondary rail network, little has survived. The Compagnie des Chemins de Fer de Provence operates a narrow line, Nice-Digne, which plunges into the hinterland, rises to 1 022 m altitude and crosses sites of all beauty, inaccessible by road, on a spectacular route of 151 km which contains no less than 25 tunnels, 16 bridges and viaducts of stone and 15 metal bridges. It is a real mountain line offering magnificent views.

Why this nickname of Train des Pignes? Opinions are divided on its. For some, it would come from pine pignes that city dwellers report on their Sunday walks. For others, the speed of the train on the coast is so low that travellers can go down and pick up pignes along the road. For others, the coal soot was deposited on the locomotives and made them resemble the bottom of the Italian pots, the Pignates… today, the regular service is provided by blue, modern and comfortable diesel railcars but, some days, the Puget-Théniers-Annot segment is insured by a steam locomotive built in 1909 and maintained by a volunteer association. It derives from painted wood benches of 1892. The vapeur of its six tons of water requires the lighting of the boiler 5 h before departure! This steam train only works on certain dates (check before). Regular service per railcar consists of four trains per day in each direction. This transport is ideal for a walk in the hinterland, but may prefer a departure from Nice-Lingostière station where it will be easier for you to park.

The Train des Merveilles, also known as the Train des Pignes, is a tourist train that travels through the magnificent landscapes of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France.

The journey begins in Nice and continues to the town of Tende, passing through the high villages of the valleys: Peillon, L'Escarène, Sospel, Breil, Fontan, Saorge and La Brigue.

The journey takes just over 2 hours and is considered one of the most beautiful train journeys in France, from the coast to around 1000 m above sea level.

Located south of the city, the Grasse train station was put into service in 1871, then closed in 1938. Re-established since 2005, the station, located on the SNCF Grasse-Cannes line, is a great success. The traffic includes about ten connections per day in each direction, from 5:30 am to 11 pm. Most trains continue to Nice or come from Nice via Cannes. In the station, you will find a ticket office, open every day, and automatic machines for buying tickets. The Funix bus network completes the transport offer.

One of the easiest and most ecological ways to get to the Côte d'Azur from the main French cities is by TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse owned by the SNCF company). Currently, three cities are served by the TGV in the Alpes-Maritimes: Cannes, Antibes and Nice. Thus, their city centre is less than 6 hours from the heart of Paris, 4.5 hours from Montpellier, 4 hours from Lyon, 3 hours from Avignon and 2.5 hours from Marseille. Renovation work is underway to reduce these travel times.

Menton is connected to all the cities of the Italian Riviera and Riviera by many TER.

Terroir and picturesque discoveries are on the program of the train des Pignes which links Nice to Digne. This line offers a journey to the heart of Provence. The company operates a daily service of 6 round trips, all year round and without reservation. Les chemins de fer de Provence provides a link between Nice and Colomars, some 20 times a day. This urban train connects the two towns in 25 minutes and is mainly aimed at school and business travelers.

Launched in April 2013, this low-cost SNCF service from Marseilles allows passengers to reach central Paris, Lyons or Lille for just a few euros. Prices remain low even as you approach your travel date, but it's best to start early so you don't miss out on the best prices. The service is serious, the trains are new and clean. It will be ideal to go to Disneyland as well since there is a direct line to Marne-la-Vallée. Please be sure to arrive 30 minutes before your departure, having printed your tickets. The baggage allowance is subject to certain restrictions, which can be consulted on the website. But for the price, who can complain?

Served by nearly 230 TER trains, more than 100 TGVs and nearly 20 InterCités every day, the station is located in the heart of the city, just a few minutes walk from La Canebière. It welcomes you with comfort, whether in the main hall or in the wing leading to the bus station with its shops and restaurants. Numerous terminals are available for your tickets. Impeccable service and welcome. You can also find the cheap Ouigo lines to Paris or Lyon.

This small, historic local train station is located on a convenient public transport hub. The M1 underground line and the two tram lines T1 and T2 serve it from the city centre. A good plan to avoid the hustle and bustle of the Gare Saint-Charles when you want to take the train to the east. Travellers wishing to go to Aubagne, Toulon or Nice can use the various TER trains stopping on one of the 5 tracks. Relaxed atmosphere and country atmosphere. PRM access and no crowds. The Blancarde train station is also a good tip in the summer to get to the beach, whether in Cassis, La Ciotat or Bandol, avoiding the car

Since 2018, all regional transport has been brought together under a single name: Zou! So we no longer speak of TER or LER, or Cartreize and Varlib buses. From now on, the Zou! logo will adorn the fleet of buses and the many trains that criss-cross the Provence region. Dozens of connections between the main towns, with stops in the secondary towns. The territory is well criss-crossed. The buses will allow you to reach places not served by trains. Very attractive prices.