Planning a trip from Nice to Antibes? This laid-back seaside town is one of the easiest and most rewarding destinations on the Côte d’Azur.
Famous for its atmospheric Old Town, expansive Port, sandy beaches, and leafy Cap d’Antibes, it’s a great choice for a relaxed day trip or a few days of mellow exploration.
In this article, I break down all the ways to get to Antibes from Nice and list the pros, cons, travel times, and costs for each.
So, are you ready to plan your jaunt to this delightful French Riviera town? Let’s go!
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Fastest: Train (22 minutes + short walk, ~€7).
Cheapest: Tram and bus combo (1 h 20 min, €2.50).
Most flexible: Car (30–40 minutes depending on route).
Most scenic: Flat coastal bike ride (~1 hour).
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Nice to Antibes transportation timetable
|
Mode |
Time |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
🚆 |
22 min + 10 min walk (~32 min total) |
Fast and frequent, budget-friendly |
Crowded in summer |
|
🚌 |
~1 h 20 min |
Scenic route, cheapest option |
Requires tram transfer, slowest option |
|
🚕 |
~30 min |
Door-to-door, no parking stress |
Traffic, costly |
|
🚘 |
~30 min (autoroute) |
Flexible for side trips, scenic drive |
Parking stress and cost, traffic, tolls |
|
🚲 |
~1 hour |
Flat coastal cycle path, active |
Hot and tiring in summer heat |
|
🎫 |
9 hours |
No freedom, expensive |
This article will then help you plan the journey from Nice to Antibes.
If you’re visiting Antibes on a (half-)day trip from Nice, then be sure to read my Nice to Antibes day trip itinerary and my in-depth guide on the best things to do in Antibes. It features all the must-sees for a wonderful day out.
And for more travel inspiration, check out the other day trip destinations from Nice.
About Antibes
Antibes is one of the most charming towns on the French Riviera, balancing history, beaches, and everyday life. Just like Nice, it isn’t only for tourists — it’s also a residential city, but with a slower, more relaxed pace. Antibes’ sandy beaches are a welcome change from Nice’s pebbles, and the Old Town has a timeless Mediterranean feel with its bustling market and fortified sea walls.
What I love about Antibes is its diversity: technically, it’s part of a larger municipality called Antibes–Juan-les-Pins, which includes three very distinct “sub-destinations.” Antibes proper has the Old Town and the large Port Vauban. Juan-les-Pins, within walking distance of Antibes and with its own train station, is a lively resort with a modern, beach-holiday vibe. And Cap d’Antibes is a greener, more secluded peninsula, famous for its luxury villas and sweeping coastal views.
The mix of sandy beaches, excellent restaurants, and its variety of neighborhoods makes Antibes a perfect destination for both a quick day trip and a longer stay. Just keep in mind that while Antibes and Juan-les-Pins are easy to reach by train, Cap d’Antibes requires a local bus connection once you’re there.
What if… You make this CHARMING CITY your travel base to explore the French Riviera?
Where to stay?
Antibes accommodation options include contemporary boutique hotels, lovingly restored properties within the city walls, and lavish villas with a private pool. My detailed guide helps you decide on the best area to stay in Antibes and features the best hotels and vacation rentals. Here’s a preview:
All the ways to get from Nice to Antibes
There are several easy ways to travel from Nice to Antibes, whether you prefer speed, budget, flexibility, or a more scenic route.
Below, I compare all the main transport options – from train and bus to car, bike, and guided tours – so you can choose the best fit for your trip.
1. By train from Nice to Antibes
The train is both the fastest and, at €7 one-way, the cheapest way to get to Antibes from Nice. The Antibes train station is located just west of Port Vauban. The train ride on the Regional Express Train (TER) from Nice-Ville to Antibes (direction Cannes) takes just 22 minutes, less if you leave from Nice – Saint-Augustin near the airport. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to reach the Old Town or Vieil Antibes.
Regional trains are often packed during the summer months. If you want to travel comfortably, then I strongly recommend avoiding rush hour.
Conclusion: At just 22 minutes from Nice-Ville and a 10-minute walk into the Old Town, the train is by far the easiest and most efficient way to get to Antibes. Tickets cost 7 one-way.
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2. By bus from Nice to Antibes
While the bus provides easy access from Nice to most French Riviera destinations, that’s not the case for Antibes. That’s because there’s no direct line from the center of Nice.
In Nice center, you first have to hop on Lignes d’Azur line 12 or tram line 2 or 3 to get to the stop Parc Phoenix (near the Nice – Côte d’Azur Airport). From there, you can transfer to Zou bus line 620 to either stop Pôle d’Échanges or stop Directeur Chaudon. All in all, it’ll take you around 1 h 20 min to reach your destination.
Conclusion: The bus is the cheapest option (€2.50) but also the slowest, taking around 1 h 20 min with a transfer. Best only if you want to save money and don’t mind the time.
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3. By Uber, Bolt, or taxi from Nice to Antibes
Taxi services are available for transfers to Antibes. The drive from Place Masséna in Nice takes 30 minutes, but traffic can cause delays, especially during rush hour. Depending on your departure and arrival point, the taxi ride will cost you anywhere between €83 and €93 one-way; you can check the rate table here.
Ride-sharing services are a cheaper option, and Bolt tends to be even cheaper than Uber. Just order your ride from the app, and the driver will get you to where you need to be in Antibes. Expect to pay around €50 one-way.
Conclusion: Taxi, Uber or Bolt will take you exactly to where you need to be in Antibes in around 30 to 40 minutes (or more, depending on traffic). Prices start at around €50 one-way.
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4. By car from Nice to Antibes (self-drive)
For the drive from Nice to Antibes, there are two options: the 40-minute coastal route via Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Cagnes-sur-Mer, and Villeneuve-Loubet, and the 30-minute highway route. The latter comes with tolls.
Daily rates for parking in Antibes are comparable to those in other destinations on the French Riviera. During the high season, the lots fill up quickly, especially those near the beaches. For a visit to the Old Town, I usually park at QPark La Poste because it’s clean, spacious, and well-lit. Exit at Place des Martyrs de la Résistance and you’re good to go. An overview of all facilities can be found here.
Conclusion: Driving takes around 30 to 40 minutes via the highway (50 along the coast) and gives you maximum flexibility to also explore Cap d’Antibes. Parking, however, can be tight in summer.
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5. By bike
This is by far my favorite way to get to Antibes from Nice. An all-flat, separated cycle path connects both cities so that you can cycle along the coast in all comfort and safety.
Antibes is also part of the sharing bike schemes Lime and Pony, so you can just scan the e-bike with the app and enjoy the ride. It costs around €15 one-way, depending on the bike of your choice.
Conclusion: Cycling to Antibes takes about an hour along a flat coastal path, a scenic and healthy option if you enjoy active travel.
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6. Nice to Antibes guided day tour
The most carefree option to visit Antibes on a day trip is joining a guided tour.
Most tours combine Antibes with Cannes and Saint-Paul de Vence. However, personally, I think that’s a bit too much to cram into one day. The French Riviera, and especially destinations like Antibes and Saint-Paul de Vence, deserve to be savored. That’s exactly why this tour is the one I’d recommend; it just captures the essence of Provence.
Conclusion: This €119 per person guided tour is a great way to combine Antibes with other Riviera highlights like Saint-Paul de Vence and a winery, without worrying about logistics.
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7. 🧭 Bonus: Getting around Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, and Cap d’Antibes
Cap d’Antibes is not directly connected by train, but you can reach it by local bus from Antibes. Take Envibus line 2 from stop Pôle d’Échanges or, if you’re already in the center of Antibes, from stops Guillabert or Maizière.
In summer, the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus and the tourist mini-train also include the peninsula, making it easy to enjoy the villas, views, beaches, and the famous Sentier du Littoral trail without worrying about parking.
Juan-les-Pins is just one stop away from Antibes by TER train, a pleasant 25-minute seaside walk, or a short ride on the local Envibus lines 30 and 31. It’s also on the tourist train circuit, so you can combine Antibes’ Old Town with Juan-les-Pins’ resort vibe in the same trip.
FAQ on how to get from Nice to Antibes
How will you travel from Nice to Antibes?
That’s it for this detailed guide on getting to Antibes from Nice. Now it’s up to you to set a date and discover the must-sees in Antibes so that you can enjoy this gorgeous French Riviera city to the fullest.
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