SNCF Trains and Railways on the Côte d'Azur

All you need to know about trains running to and from Monaco and the French Riviera. Find the times for the SNCF trains from the Italian border to Toulon...

SNCF is the national train service for France and TER SNCF is the regional French rail system. Timetables and a ticket booking service are available online. Information booklets with train times and destinations are available at all stations and some tourist offices. TGV is the high-speed train network in France. Bookings should be made in advance.

The TER for the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur has regular lines running from Marseille to Ventimille (Ventimiglia) on the French/Italian border.

• Find timetables for TER PACA

For lines running between Marseille and Ventimille, trains always stop at Antibes, Cannes and Nice; stops at the smaller towns are less frequent.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the automatic ticket machines situated at stations. There are a number of subscriptions for frequent travellers, and for occasional travellers.

• Find out more about travel passes 

In addition, there are a number of special passes including Zou Pass (available in the summer only for unlimited travel for one day), and the Pass Isabelle for families. 

• Find further information about train travel on the French Riviera or elsewhere in France

Train des Pignes

The Train des Pignes, operated by the Chemins de Fer de Provence, runs between Nice and Colomars along the M6202, which is the main road out of Nice towards the ski stations. Trains depart from the station situated near the Place de la Libération in Nice (not far from the Valrose university site), with some of the main stops being St-Martin-du Var, Colomars and the Pont de la Manda, Lingostière and Plan du Var.

• Find out more about the timetables and fares

A train also runs from Nice to Digne-les-Bains in the Alpes-de Haute Provence, the department next door to the Alpes-Maritimes. The route is popular with tourists and an ideal trip for a day out. The journey takes 3 hours and 30 minutes.

• Find out more abut excursions on the Train des Pignes

Monaco-Monte Carlo (SNCF) railway station

• Real-time schedule of departures and arrivals at Monaco train station

Rail strikes in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region

From time-to-time the train service is reduced due to strike action. Legally the SNCF must provide a minimum level of service (a minimum number of trains must be operating) in the event of a strike (grève); revised train schedules are posted on notice boards at stations. Real-time information on delays or cancellations is available at the station, online from the service, from the SNCF or by telephone. When the train service is reduced due to strike action, schedules of trains running are usually posted on notice boards at stations. These strikes may also affect transport to Ventimille/Ventimiglia, Italy; the Italian rail service, Trenitalia, publishes updated schedules online.

Note: during a strike, the train service websites may not be operational.

• TER PACA
  
• Italy Trenitalia

In the case of long-distance travel (more than 100 Km), if a main line SNCF train is delayed more than 30 minutes and the delay is caused by SNCF, compensation in the form of travel vouchers may be available.

Useful Train Numbers

• Bike Rentals in Nice
• Electric Car Rental
• Nice Tramway
• Public Transport in Monaco
• Riviera Train Services
• Trains, Trams & Metro
• Buses & Coaches
• Riviera Bus Services
• Strikes