Nice area

Hi, we are planning a trip to the Nice area in September. Originally we intended to actually stay in Nice itself but are now thinking we might be better finding somewhere within an easy bus or train ride from the town. We will be there for one full week so would like a hotel if possible with a garden or balconies where we can relax after a hectic day of sightseeing. Any suggestions would be very gratefully received.

Another point, we weren%26#39;t intending to hire a car but have been advised by some people that this would be a much cheaper option than using the trains for trips to places like Cannes, Monaco, Grasse etc. Any thoughts on this please.

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The trains and buses are cheap - Nice has the best transport connections and is the most interesting place to stay as it has so much for folk to see and do and also masses of restaurants and easy access to the surrounding areas

parking is really expensive in the area and i don%26#39;t get the impression that hiring a car is particularly cheap [i don%26#39;t drive and don%26#39;t need a car living in Nice - most of my friends don%26#39;t have cars but occasionally hire one for a long distance trip say to avignon ]

Monaco is one euro on the bus from Nice

Grasse is one euro on the bus from Nice

Cannes is one euro on the bus but its often held up in traffic jams so I recommend the train for that direction - cannes is about 25 mins by train and its costs 5.80 single

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Check out the hotels on Villefranches-sur-Mer if you don%26#39;t want to stay in Nice, but that%26#39;s a very nice city to use as a base.

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Don%26#39;t know who gave you the advice but it is just about as wrong as anything could be. Buses and trains are almost free and car hire is very expensive. A medium sized car including full insurance will cost approaching 100 euro a day and can cost another 20 in parking fees. We need to carry some heavy items on Monday so have to hire a car. I will breath a sigh of relief when I hand it back again and revert to the bus.

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Hi there,

Glad you decided not to rent a car, it is expensive and the traffic can be a nightmare. The public transportation on the Cote D%26#39;Azure is fantastic, cheap and it is so easy to navigate. You can do so much in one day and hop on snd off when you like.

We did Nice / Eze Village / Monte Carlo/ Dinner in Menton then back to Nice for an evening cocktail.

The following day did Nice / Antibes / Juan Les Pins and Cannes.

I%26#39;m going back this year to explore inland and go to Iles Lerins, if time permits then a wee hop to Corsica, its cheap on the ferry if you prebook.

In Nice I do like Mercure Notre Dame as it is central, very handy for airport bus, main train station and tram. The hotel has nice rooms overlooking courtyard gardens, rooftop pool and terrace overlooking Notre Dame.

If you stay oustide the city I really liked Antibes, Villefranch, Beaulieu and Menton.

Enjoy, I cant wait to go back.

Cheers

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Thanks for all your information, its a great help. We have been quoted £240 for a car (for 4 of us) so it looks as though we will be able to get around by public transport for much less than that. First trip to the south of France so am really looking forward to it, just have to find the right hotel now!