Cannes Travel Answers

First, what website are you looking at? Note: I am not real familiar with this trip, it having been many years since I was in Nice, but I can read the Web as well as anyone ;-) I am looking at the official French website for the national railways at www.sncf-voyages.com (I can't remember if there are English pages here), and I see frequent trains from Cannes to Nice that take 30-40 minutes, with a standard fare (on many trains - not all, as there are different types) of 5.80 euro each way, 2nd class, and a senior discount fare of 4.40 euro each way 2nd class. Now, I am not familiar with the French railways' rules on senior discounts - your age is OK (it's 60 and up), but they may or may not require a 'frequent flyer' card (for lack of a better term) that is available only to French residents (this is the case in Italy, for example). However, even at 5.80 euro each way (so, 11.60 euro round trip) without the discount, this is not so bad, huh? You don't need first class for such a short trip, unless you're antisocial ( ;-) ). Many of these trains allow for reserved seats, but given the uncertainties of your schedule, I'd just go to the station in Cannes and take the next train. At that point, you may want to buy the return ticket as well, just to commit yourself to getting back by a certain time. Bill

Try the following website: http://www.voyages-sncf.com 1. Select départ: Cannes - gare de Cannes (06150) 2. Select arrivée: Nice - gare de Nice (06000) 3. Select date: Aller le . . . 4. Select: Continuer 5. On the next screen, notice item 2 and fill in the number of passengers and ages (60 et +). If your selections all look good, click: Rechercher 6. Fares are from 4 to 10 euros per person, each way for the 40 minute train ride. Note: TER trains have no reservations, you purchase a ticket before boarding. TGV trains require a reservation, however this may be done anytime as long as seats are available. For best pricing and availability on TGVs, reserve early.

I would stick with the TER trains. The journey time Cannes to Nice is exactly the same as the flash TGV trains. The cost on the TER local trains is less and no worries about reserving seats, just turn up at the station, allow a few minutes to get a ticket from the ticket office or the machine and off you go!. There is a frequent service and do make sure you sit on the right hand side! The normal TER fare is indeed €5.80 one-way from Cannes to Nice Ville. Make sure you to go Nice Ville, as the other Nice stations are not in the centre. Have a good trip.

Thanks to everyone! I think I was intimidated because of the language. Anyway, I'll stick with the TER and venture out on our own. We have also found a site that advertises a "BIG TOUR" in Cannes that sounds pretty good. Thanks Again! Ps. Bill, You also helped me with my Rome questions!!