How to Get From Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence (6 Ways)

BySarah Vanheel

Planning a trip from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence? This iconic hilltop village, known for its stone ramparts, narrow streets, and world-class galleries, is a magnet for art lovers and photographers.

Perched between the mountains and the sea, it’s one of the most atmospheric places on the Côte d’Azur, perfect for a half-day of slow wandering and artistic inspiration.

In this article, I break down all the ways to get from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence and list the pros, cons, travel times, and costs for each.

So, ready to plan your visit to this timeless Provençal village with its artistic soul? Let’s go!

QUICK ANSWER

Fastest: Car (~40 minutes, toll + parking cost for self-drive or €60 for ride-share).
Cheapest: Train + bus (~1 hour, €5.90).
Most flexible: Self-drive (total ~40 minutes, toll + parking cost).

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Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence transportation timetable

Mode

Time

🚆 + 🚌

~1 hour

Cheap, relatively fast

Transfer required, no late evening service

🚘

~40 min

Flexible schedule, easily combined with Antibes, Cannes, or Grasse

Limited parking, traffic can cause delays

🚕

~40 min

No parking stress, door-to-door

Traffic can be unpredictable, pricier

🚃 + 🚌 + 🚌

~1 h 20 min

Cheap, relatively easy if staying near Nice Airport

Transfer(s) required, no late evening service

🎫

8 hours

Medieval Villages Full-Day Guided Trip (small-group tour)

Less flexible, brief stop, higher cost

🎫

9 hours

Provence and its Medieval Villages Full-Day Tour (small-group tour)

Less flexible, brief stop, higher cost

🎫

9 hours

Antibes & St Paul de Vence Tour with Wine Tasting (small-group tour)

Less flexible, brief stop, higher cost

⭐

9 hours

Wine Tasting, Cannes, and Provencal Countryside (private tour)

Less flexible, brief stop, expensive

⭐

9 hours

The Great Painters and the French Riviera (private tour)

Less flexible, brief stop, expensive

⭐

5 or 8 hours

French Riviera: Customize your Private tour (private tour)

Expensive
French Riviera Travel Planning Services

This article will then help you plan the journey from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence.

My detailed guide on the best things to do in Saint-Paul de Vence mentions all the must-sees. Stay tuned for my guide on how to plan the perfect half-day trip to Saint-Paul de Vence from Nice.

And for more add-on inspiration, check out the best day trip destinations from Nice.

Saint-Paul de Vence vs Vence

Before diving in, I want to clarify that Saint-Paul de Vence and Vence are separate French Riviera towns.

Both are located halfway between the Mediterranean coast and the hinterland – Vence a bit more tucked away than Saint-Paul de Vence – and are just 5.5 km (or 3.4 mi) apart.

While Vence has its charm, it’s not as idyllic and picturesque as Saint-Paul de Vence.

The only noteworthy attraction in Vence is the Chapelle du Rosaire (Rosary Chapel), also known as the Matisse Chapel, after the artist who designed it, featuring a beautiful stained-glass window. You can find the chapel just outside the Vence town center. But overall, Vence is not a must-see on the French Riviera.

There’s a hiking trail through the small valley that separates both towns and, during the summer months, a shuttle bus that connects the Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul de Vence to the Rosary Chapel in Vence.

What if… you spend part of your French Riviera stay in this enchanting hilltop village?

Where to stay?

Imagine wandering the quiet lanes of Saint-Paul-de-Vence after the day-trippers have gone. From medieval townhouses inside the historic walls to boutique hotels, a bastide with a pool, or unique stays in an artistic setting, here are some hand-picked places to stay:

Landing in Nice?

Staying in Saint-Paul de Vence and flying into Nice Airport? Skip the hassle and book this pre-arranged door-to-door transfer. Your English-speaking driver will track your flight and meet you at the terminal.

Book your airport transfer

5 ways to get from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence

Unlike many coastal French Riviera towns, Saint-Paul de Vence isn’t served by a train station. The nearest one is in Cagnes-sur-Mer, from where you can continue by bus.

Let’s zoom in on all the direct and combined ways you can get from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence.

1. By train + bus from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence

Since there’s no direct bus from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence, this combination of transportation modes is your best option for an affordable transfer.

Take the Regional Express Train (TER) from the Nice-Ville train station to the Cagnes-sur-Mer train station. The ride takes about 15 minutes and costs €3.80 one-way.

Walk over to bus stop Square 8 Mai to take Zou bus 655 to stop Village in Saint-Paul de Vence. The bus ride takes 30 minutes and costs €2.10 one-way.

Conclusion: It takes just about 1 hour to get to Saint-Paul de Vence from Nice with the train and bus combo and costs €5.90 per person one-way.

Pros:

  • Budget-friendly option.
  • Easy to combine with a jaunt to the picturesque village of Haut-de-Cagnes, close to the transfer point.

Cons:

  • No direct connection, you’ll need to transfer in Cagnes-sur-Mer.
  • There are no late-night return buses.
  • Your Lignes d’Azur bus pass isn’t valid on the Zou bus. That’s because it’s a different bus network: Lignes d’Azur is local for the territory of Nice, while Zou is the regional bus network. So, either you’ll need to buy two separate bus tickets or opt for one single ticket Azur for €2.50, which is available at the vending machine or from the driver.

Travel tips:

Bus stop of the Saint-Paul de Vence Zou bus at the Cagnes-sur-Mer train station

2. By Uber, Bolt, or taxi from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence

If you don’t have a car available but like the flexibility of the road, then you can rely on taxi services. The drive from Place Masséna in Nice takes around 40 minutes without accounting for traffic. The taxi ride will cost you anywhere between €82 and €90 one-way; you can check the rate table here.

A more wallet-friendly option to get from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence is ride-sharing. Bolt is the go-to ride-sharing option on the French Riviera because it’s a bit cheaper than Uber. Just order your ride from the app, and the driver will get you to the entrance of Saint-Paul de Vence.

Conclusion: It takes 40 minutes to get to Saint-Paul de Vence from Nice by taxi or ride-share. Bolt is the cheapest alternative to reach Saint-Paul de Vence by road and costs around €60 one-way.

Pros:

  • Door-to-door service.
  • No parking stress.

Cons:

  • Roadside traffic when leaving (and arriving back in) Nice.
  • Costly.

3. By car from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence (self-drive)

If you have a car available, you can easily drive to Saint-Paul de Vence yourself.

Follow the length of the Promenade des Anglais past Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, where you’ll enter onto the A8 highway. Take exit 48-Cagnes-sur-Mer and drive uphill following signs to La Colle-sur-Loup / Vence. This route includes a small toll charge. If you prefer to avoid it, then stay off the highway and opt for the local route via Cros de Cagnes and Cagnes-sur-Mer.

Whichever route you prefer, from the reference point Place Masséna in Nice, it’ll take about 40 minutes to reach Saint-Paul de Vence. Not accounting for traffic, that is.

All parking facilities are located outside the ramparts, at the town entrance.

Conclusion: It takes 40 minutes to get to Saint-Paul de Vence from Nice by car. Parking can be hard to come by during high season.

Pros:

  • Flexibility to add another destination to your trip. Popular options are Cannes, Antibes, or Grasse, but smaller Provençal towns like Cagnes-sur-Mer, Vence, La Colle-sur-Loup, Biot, or Mougins are also very doable.
  • If you go for the local road option, then there’s no toll.

Cons:

  • Traffic can cause delays, especially when driving during rush hour.
  • There’s a small toll to pay if you choose the highway option.

Travel tips:

  • When it comes to car rental, I highly recommend Discover Cars with its wide variety of cars. The booking process is effortless, and there’s an option to pay later that comes with free cancellation.
  • Skip the expensive Indigo car park; the municipal parking facilities are much cheaper. Roadside parking is available along the Route des Serres near Place Charles De Gaulle, and there are some smaller parking lots on the Route de Vence and the Montée des Trious. These public car parks are free after 7 p.m. Just be sure not to leave any valuables in the car.
  • There’s one reason why I always pass by the Indigo parking after I park my car elsewhere: The boutique on the ground level has an incredible selection of sun hats. They come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Oh, how I love browsing here… and so do my girls!
Arrival point and entrance to the main parking facility in Saint-Paul de Vence

4. By (tram or train +) bus + bus

There’s a second public transportation option. For most travelers, it involves two transfers, which makes it a rather convenient way to get from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence. However, if you’re staying near the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, it only takes one transfer.

  • Optional, if your accommodation is located in Nice city center: Take the tram to the Grand Arénas tram and bus stop near the zoo and tropical botanical garden of Parc Phoenix, or the train to the Nice-Augustin train station and walk over to Grand Arénas.
  • From there, hop on Lignes d’Azur bus 9 direction Halte Routiere de l’Ara (not Le Gué / Polygone) to stop Vence Rocade in Vence. An individual ticket costs €1.70 and the ride takes around 45 minutes.
  • At stop Vence Rocade, you wait for Zou bus 655 and hop off at stop Village in Saint-Paul de Vence. This is the second stop. An individual ticket costs €2.10.

Conclusion: This combination of buses 9 and 655 from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence is only interesting if you’re staying near the airport of Nice.

Pros:

  • Manageable option if you’re staying near Nice airport.
  • Budget-friendly.

Cons:

  • Two transfer stops if you’re staying in the center of Nice.
  • Your Lignes d’Azur bus pass isn’t valid on the Zou bus. That’s because it’s a different bus network: Lignes d’Azur is local for the territory of Nice, while Zou is the regional bus network. So, either you’ll need to buy two separate bus tickets or opt for one single ticket Azur for €2.50, which is available at the vending machine or from the driver.

Travel tips:

  • Don’t confuse bus stop Village in Saint-Paul de Vence with the similarly named bus stop in La Colle-sur-Loup.
  • Planning multiple day trips? The SudAzur Explore Pass offers unlimited travel on TER trains, buses, and trams, saving you both time and money as you travel around the French Riviera.

5. By tour (small-group)

If you prefer a guided visit to Saint-Paul de Vence that includes transportation, then an excursion is the way to go. You’ll be driving to and from the hilltop town in a minivan accompanied by a tour guide and, depending on the type of tour, a small group of other travelers.

However, since Saint-Paul de Vence is pretty compact, all excursions combine it with another French Riviera destination. Some include Antibes and Cannes, while others stop in Grasse, Gourdon, and Tourettes-sur-Loup. Personally, I prefer the latter because I feel it’s more in line with the slower pace and Provençal flair that characterizes Saint-Paul de Vence.

Conclusion: An excursion by minivan can be a great way to combine Saint-Paul de Vence with nearby towns. Small-group day tours are available for €100-150 per person.

Pros:

  • Hotel pick-up.
  • Small-group setting.
  • A knowledgeable guide who’ll tell you all about the destination.

Cons:

  • Lack of flexibility due to the tight schedule.
  • Saint-Paul de Vence is just one of several destinations and may not be the focal point of your visit.

You can check for availability here:

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5. By tour (private)

Here are some private Saint-Paul de Vence tours to consider. One that comes highly recommended includes a visit to the world-renowned Château de Crémat, another one lets you combine the destinations that appeal to you the most, and the third one focuses on the places that inspired famous painters.

It goes without saying that private tours are more expensive. However, if you’re traveling with a group of four or more, the price difference can become negligible.

Conclusion: Private tours allow you to uncover everything about Saint-Paul de Vence (and another town nearby). Prices are upwards of €450 per group.

Pros:

  • Hotel pick-up.
  • A dedicated guide who’s determined to make your day out one to remember.
  • More flexible than a group tour, and the option to adapt the excursion to your travel pace.

Cons:

  • Saint-Paul de Vence may not be the only focal point of your visit.
  • Expensive, especially for a small group of travelers.

You can check for availability here:

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FAQ on how to get from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence

You can get from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence by a combination of train and bus, or by ride-sharing, taxi, or excursion. The train + bus combination (via Cagnes-sur-Mer) and Bolt ride-share are the most convenient and affordable options.

Saint-Paul de Vence is famous for its medieval ramparts, cobblestone streets, panoramic views of the Mediterranean, Provençal charm, and thriving art scene. The Fondation Maeght (Maeght Foundation) is one of the highlights, showcasing modern and contemporary art in a stunning hillside setting.

Yes, Saint-Paul de Vence is absolutely worth visiting. It captivates with its medieval character, art galleries, and sweeping views over the French Riviera. The village’s tranquil pace and charming restaurants make it a perfect stop to soak up the authentic Provençal atmosphere.

Yes, you can take an Uber from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence, though Bolt is generally more available and slightly cheaper on the French Riviera. The ride takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

The options listed above are intended for day trips departing from central Nice, not for arrivals at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. If you’re flying into Nice, I recommend booking this pre-arranged airport transfer. It’s quick, door-to-door, and saves you from navigating public transport after your flight.

There’s the Indigo car park right at the entrance to the village, at the Place de Gaulle, but it’s very expensive. Therefore, I recommend the – much cheaper – municipal parking facilities on the Route des Serres, the Route de Vence, and the Montée des Trious.

How will you travel from Nice to Saint-Paul de Vence?

That’s it for this detailed guide on getting to Saint-Paul de Vence from Nice. Now all that’s left for you to do to explore this amazing destination is set a date and read up on the best things to do in Saint-Paul de Vence.

Bookmark this page or pin it for future reference.

Sarah Vanheel

Sarah, your go-to expert for all things Nice and the French Riviera, is a trained teacher of French as a foreign language and a long-time francophile. Nice is her second home and she knows this Mediterranean city and its surroundings like the back of her hand. Sarah takes great pride in sharing her local expertise and experience-based travel tips to help you make the most of your time in Nice and beyond.
Learn more about Sarah or contact her.

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