France

How to get from Annecy to Nice

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
1h 5min
💶
From
29€
📍
Distance
261 km
Powered by 12Go system
⚡ Quick answer

Fastest way from Annecy to Nice: Flight, about 1h 5min (from €39). Cheapest: Bus, from €29 (about 9h 10min – 10h 45min). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 12, 2026): FlixBus, Blablacar Bus, Daytrip private transfer with English speaking driver; main departure point: Annecy.

Distance: 261 km. Data updated on .

There are 2 ways to get from Annecy to Nice

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Bus
9h 10min – 10h 45min
CHEAPEST
29 – 32 €
View
Flight
1h 5min
FASTEST
39 – 41 €
View
🚌 Departure from Annecy
📍In Annecy, the main bus departure point is the bus station, located next to the train station in the city centre. Depending on the operator, the stop may differ: confirm the address shown on your e-ticket before you leave.
🚇Central Annecy is compact: from the old town or the lake, you can reach the bus station on foot or by city bus. A taxi is a simple solution if you have luggage or a very early morning departure.
⏰Schedules vary by day and operator. Check the departures shown on the page for your date, and choose a slot that leaves you some margin before the last departure of the day.
💸 Transport from 29€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 1h 5min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 12, 2026 for a departure on December 3, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Blablacar Bus Bus Annecy Bus Station €29 2
FlixBus Bus Annecy €32 3
Daytrip private transfer with English speaking driver Van / transfer €1016 2
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Practical tips

💡
Compare before you choose

Open the comparison table and weigh the price gap against the time you save. If the difference is small for your date, the faster option is often worth it. If your budget is tight, the bus remains the safest bet.

💡
Check the exact departure point

In Annecy, a bus may leave from the bus station or another stop depending on the operator. Reread the address on your e-ticket the day before, and locate the spot on a map so you aren't searching at the last minute.

💡
Check the arrival point in Nice

The arrival point in Nice may not be the one you expect. Check the stop or airport shown on your ticket, then plan how to reach your accommodation, especially if you arrive late in the evening.

💡
Book ahead

The lowest fares go first, especially on weekends and during school holidays. Book as soon as your dates are set, and keep some margin if your trip continues on to Italy or another country.

💡
Don't miss the last departure

Pick a departure that leaves you some margin, especially if you must reach the bus station or airport by public transport. If you run late, a missed connection or last departure can be costly.

The journey experience

Getting from Annecy to Nice without a car means crossing the Alps to reach the Riviera, and the right choice depends mostly on what matters most to you: budget or time. On this route the comparison is between the bus and the plane, and the gap in travel time is far bigger than the gap in price.

The long-distance bus is the cheapest option. You travel seated, often with power outlets and luggage stored in the hold, and there are no complicated boarding formalities. The trade-off is that it takes up most of your day. The plane cuts the journey down considerably and suits you if you want to make the most of your time at your destination, but you need to get to the airport, go through security and follow the baggage rules.

To avoid mistakes, check the table on this page: it puts durations and price ranges side by side. Before paying, verify the exact departure and arrival points on your ticket, and whether the trip is direct or involves a change. Book online: your e-ticket arrives immediately, and you can set off with peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions — Annecy → Nice

Why visit Nice?

  • ✓ Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais and relax on the pebble beaches facing the Bay of Angels
  • ✓ Get lost in the colorful lanes of Old Nice and taste socca at the Cours Saleya market
  • ✓ Climb Castle Hill for panoramic views over the city and the harbor
  • ✓ Visit the Matisse Museum and the Marc Chagall Museum, two landmarks of modern art
  • ✓ Hop on a train or bus to Èze, Villefranche-sur-Mer or Monaco for an easy day trip
🌙
Recommended stay
2 to 4 nights — enough to see the city and add one or two coastal day trips

When to visit Nice?

MILD MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

April to June and September to October — mild, sunny weather, pleasant sea, and fewer crowds than midsummer

Jan 😐
Feb 😐
Mar 😐
Apr 😊
May 😊
Jun 😊
Jul 😐
Aug 😐
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😐
Dec 😐
📍
In Nice — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Nice
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Nice?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🌊
Promenade des Anglais at Sunrise
The 7 km Promenade runs along the Baie des Anges. Come early, around 7am, for golden light and calm before the rollerbladers and cyclists arrive. Rent a bike from €5 per hour or walk to the Negresco hotel. The famous blue chairs are free: grab a takeaway coffee and sit down.
🛍️
Cours Saleya Market
In the heart of Old Nice, this market offers flowers, fruit, spices and Provençal produce. It runs Tuesday to Sunday mornings until about 1pm; on Mondays, antique dealers take over. Try socca from a local vendor from €4 and avoid the tourist-oriented stalls at the far end of the street.
🏰
Castle Hill and Waterfall
Only ruins remain of the castle, but the views over the bay and port are superb. Climb the stairs from Old Nice (about 20 minutes) or take the lift for around €1. Access to the hill is free. Aim for late afternoon for better light and fewer crowds.
🎨
Matisse Museum and Cimiez Gardens
Housed in a 17th-century Genoese villa, the museum traces the career of Matisse, who lived in Nice. Expect about €10 admission and closure on Tuesdays. Combine it with the nearby Roman arenas and the park's olive groves, ideal for a picnic. Take a bus up from the city centre.
⛪
Russian Orthodox Cathedral
Built in the early 20th century, this cathedral with colourful onion domes is the largest Russian Orthodox church in Western Europe. Entry costs about €4; shoulders and knees must be covered. The icons and frescoes inside are worth the detour. Visit mid-morning for more quiet.
🍝
Niçoise Cuisine in Old Nice
Try salade niçoise (no potatoes or cooked green beans, say the purists), petits farcis, pissaladière and daube. Book a place on rue Droite or around the port. A full menu starts from €22; avoid restaurants with photos on the menu.
🚆
Train to Villefranche-sur-Mer
Ten minutes from Nice-Ville station, this fishing village with ochre façades overlooks one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful bays. A regional train ticket costs about €2. Wander the medieval, vaulted rue Obscure, then swim at Marinières beach.
🌅
Mont Boron Trail at Sunset
This forested park overlooks the port and Villefranche, far from the seafront crowds. Follow shaded trails to the Mont Alban fort and its viewpoints. Allow 1.5 hours for an easy, free walk. Bring water and closed shoes; take bus line 14 up to save time.

How long to visit Nice?

2 to 5 days

Plan 3 days to enjoy Nice at a relaxed pace: Old Town, Castle Hill, Promenade des Anglais, Cours Saleya market and museums over the first one or two days. With 1 to 2 extra days, add train day trips to Villefranche-sur-Mer, Èze, Monaco or Menton (frequent, inexpensive regional trains). Tip: stay near the train station or a tram line, and avoid July-August to skip the crowds and peak prices.

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