Practical Travel Info for the French Riviera
Everything you need to know about transport, money, apps, and daily life
Getting Around |
Getting Around the French Riviera
Getting around the French Riviera is easier than many visitors expect.
If you stay along the coast — especially in Nice, Monaco, Antibes or Cannes — you can often rely on public transport. Trains and buses connect most towns, and within Nice itself, the tram and bus network is simple to use.
We’ve created two short videos that show exactly how public transport works here and what to expect in real life.
Train, Bus & Ride Services
Trains are usually the fastest and easiest way to travel between coastal towns like Nice, Monaco, Cannes, Antibes and Menton. They run frequently during the day and connect directly with many city centres.
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Buses are a good option for local travel within Nice and for reaching places that are not directly on the train line. They are also very affordable, but travel times can be longer during busy traffic hours.
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Ride services like Uber are widely available in Nice and in most coastal towns. In France, you may also see or use local ride apps such as Bolt, which works in many cities and can sometimes offer more availability depending on the area and time of day.
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For most visitors staying on the coast, public transport is often enough for daily travel and day trips.
Car vs No Car
You do not need a car if you plan to stay mainly in Nice and visit coastal towns by train. Many visitors are surprised how easy it is to move around without driving.
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A rental car becomes useful if you want to explore mountain areas, hill villages or places that are harder to reach by train — for example parts of the countryside or destinations like the Gorges du Verdon.
​All major car rental companies have desks directly at Nice Airport, making it easy to pick up a car when you arrive.
For example, you can compare rental options or check availability with our trusted partner SIXT.​
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Driving on the Riviera is generally safe, but traffic and parking can be challenging in summer and in city centres.
Apps & Tools That Make Travel Easier
Google Maps​
​Very useful for navigation and public transport routes across the Riviera.
However, opening hours — especially for restaurants and small local businesses — are not always 100% reliable, so it’s worth double-checking when possible.
Train Travel
Public Transport in Nice
Ride Services
SNCF Connect App
The official French train app — check schedules, buy tickets and see real-time updates.
Lignes d'Azur Tickets App
The official Nice public transport app — buy tram and bus tickets and manage travel passes directly in the app.
Bolt App
A ride service similar to Uber, available in Nice and some Riviera towns, often with competitive prices.
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Uber
Widely available in Nice and most coastal towns.
Money, Cards & Tipping
Card vs Cash
Cards are accepted almost everywhere on the French Riviera. Contactless payment is very common, even in cafés, taxis and at the markets.
Good to know: Small shops may prefer cash or have a minimum card amount. It’s always useful to carry a little cash for small everyday purchases.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted across France. Many locals pay by phone or watch, especially for small purchases. It’s one of the easiest ways to pay while travelling here.
Tipping Culture
Service is included in restaurant prices in France. Tipping is not required, but small tips are appreciated. Rounding up or leaving a few euros is perfectly normal.
SIM Cards, eSim & Data
Mobile data can be very expensive in and near Monaco — even with EU roaming plans.
If you don’t have a French SIM, it’s best to switch off roaming when you are in or near Monaco.
Local Tip:
eSIM is usually the easiest option for short trips to France. You can install it before you travel and have data as soon as you land. Many visitors use apps like Saily (get 15% off automatically via our link) or similar global eSIM providers.
eSim (Easy Option for Most NON-EU Travellers)
Coverage Reality
Mobile coverage is generally very good along the coast and in cities. You may lose signal briefly in tunnels, mountain roads or underground parking.
Things That Surprise Visitors
Tap Water Is Free in Cafés & Restaurants
You can ask for tap water in cafés and restaurants.
Ask for une carafe d’eau ( a jug of water) or un verre d'eau (a glass of water); it’s free and completely normal.
Restaurant Hours Are Strict
Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner. Typical kitchen hours are around 12–14 (12-2PM) for lunch and 19–22 (7-10PM) for dinner.
August = French Holiday Season
August is the main holiday month in France, and many French people travel during this time — including to the French Riviera.
As a result, it is usually the busiest month of the year here, with very high demand for beaches, restaurants and activities.