France

How to get from Lyon to Nice

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

⏱
FASTEST
6h 40min
💶
From
19€
📍
Distance
297 km
Powered by 12Go system
⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Lyon to Nice: Bus, about 6h 40min, from €19. 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: Lyon Av Tony Garnier.

Distance: 297 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Lyon to Nice

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

Bus
6h 40min – 7h 15min
19 – 21 €
View
🚌 Departure from Lyon
📍Long-distance departures from Lyon generally leave from the Lyon-Perrache station area, at the southern end of the Presqu'île. Check the exact address and any platform on your e-ticket before setting off.
🚇From the city centre, the easiest way is to take metro line A to Perrache station, or the tram. The area is also well served by city buses, and a taxi is a practical option if you have luggage.
⏰Several departures are offered depending on the day, generally in the morning, during the day and in the evening. Exact times vary by date: check the booking page and arrive a little early.
💸 Transport from 19€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 6h 40min
🗓 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 Lyon Av Tony Garnier €19 2
FlixBus Bus Lyon Av Tony Garnier €20 3
Daytrip private transfer with English speaking driver Van / transfer €895 2
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Practical tips

💡
Compare before you pay

Check the table on this page before booking: if the gap in travel time between bus and train is small, the bus is often better value. If the time saved is significant, the train may be worth the extra cost.

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Check the exact stop name

In both Lyon and Nice, several bus stops can exist within the same city. Reread the address on your e-ticket and locate it on a map the day before so you do not end up at the wrong place.

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Book early for low fares

The lowest fares sell out first, especially on weekends and school holidays. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, and choose weekdays if you are flexible.

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Avoid the last departure of the day

Pick a departure that leaves some margin. If there is a delay or a missed connection, you will have a fallback option instead of being stuck in the evening.

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Keep your ticket on your phone

Save your e-ticket and booking confirmation offline. Also keep your phone charged: onboard sockets help, but they are not always available at your seat.

The journey experience

Lyon to Nice is a classic route when you travel without a car: you leave the Rhône valley behind and head for the French Riviera, and the real question is which mode of transport is worth it. On this page you will find a clear table comparing durations and price ranges side by side, so you can decide in seconds without opening ten tabs.

Long-distance bus is the simplest option to book for this route: you board in Lyon, settle in, and arrive on the Riviera without switching transport along the way. Coaches generally offer reclining seats, power sockets and a luggage hold, which makes the journey comfortable, especially with a daytime departure so you can enjoy the Provence scenery. Your e-ticket reaches you by email right after booking.

Our advice: if budget is your priority, the bus is a very good choice, especially when booked in advance. Before paying, always check the exact departure and arrival points shown on your ticket, as well as whether there is a connection. Keep your ticket on your phone and arrive a little early: you will be fine.

Frequently asked questions — Lyon → 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 😐
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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