🌎 Countries crossed

France

🕔 Transport time

12h44

How to join Nice from Lyon by train and by bus?

Fancy a breath of fresh air just a stone's throw from the Mediterranean? Head to the peaks of Mercantour for a two-day micro-adventure around Nice! Just a few hours by train from Lyon or Marseille, reach Nice and head for the heights of Vésubie for a nature getaway. On the agenda: hiking, exploration games, and a giant zip line descent... Guaranteed relaxation, no car required, between the gentle mountains and the thrills of high altitude.

Lyon,
France
Marseille,
France

High speed train

High speed train

(≈ 1h44)

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Marseille,
France
Nice,
France

Regional train

Regional train

(≈ 2h30)

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Nice,
France
Saint-Dalmas,
France

Day bus

Day bus

(≈ 2h00)

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Saint-Dalmas,
France
La Colmiane,
France

Day bus

Day bus

(≈ 00h15)

La Colmiane,
France
Nice,
France

Day bus

Day bus

(≈ 2h00)

Nice,
France
Marseille,
France

Regional train

Regional train

(≈ 2h30)

Book my ticket
🙏 For some links, we get a commission each time you book a ticket. This allows us to sustain HOURRAIL!

Marseille,
France
Lyon,
France

High speed train

High speed train

(≈ 1h45)

Book my ticket
🙏 For some links, we get a commission each time you book a ticket. This allows us to sustain HOURRAIL!

Map

Detailed itinerary

From Lyon, you will reach Nice Saint-Augustin at the end of the day by combining a OUIGO and a TER ZOU train. After spending the night near the airport, you will take a summer bus the next morning to Saint-Dalmas, a charming mountain village at the gateway to the Mercantour.

There, you can pick up a picnic at the Boulangerie du Terroir before setting off on a hike accompanied by... a donkey! This long-eared companion makes the climb easier, especially if you're traveling with children. After about four hours of walking, return to the village for a fun and surprising activity: a connected exploration game in the style of an escape game in the heart of nature.

At the end of the day, head to a local farm to meet the valley's producers, before returning to La Colmiane for a night in an ecolodge perched among the fir trees.

The next day, thrills are on the agenda with a summer toboggan run and a flight on the longest zip line in France! After a well-deserved Savoyard lunch at Frankie's, you'll head back to Nice train station for a direct return trip to Lyon. A condensed adventure and landscape tour in just two days, without ever touching the wheel. And to go further, you can read the experience of Églantine here!

The itinerary includes 12h44 of transport and 7 steps, with a minimum budget of -1 euros.
High speed train

Lyon - Marseille

The step from Lyon to Marseille lasts 1h44. You'll travel in a TGV Inoui operated by SNCF Voyageurs.
You can find tickets from -1 euros.
Regional train

Marseille - Nice

The step from Marseille to Nice lasts 2h30. You'll travel in a TER ZOU ! Marseille <> Nice operated by Transdev.
On board, you'll have access to: Wi-Fi, Bike.
Day bus

Nice - Saint-Dalmas

A two-hour bus ride will take you to this charming village at the gateway to Mercantour. We recommend picking up a picnic lunch at the Boulangerie du Terroir (a 5-minute walk from the bus stop). Then it's off for a hike with the Ânes de Blore around Saint-Dalmas! Finally, it's time for the My Adventure exploration game (approximately 2.5 hours), before visiting the Camping de la Ferme campsite. To learn more, read Églantine's feedback in this article!

The step from Nice to Saint-Dalmas lasts 2h00. You'll travel in a Bus Été Vésubie operated by Été Vésubie.
Day bus

Saint-Dalmas - La Colmiane

Once you arrive in La Colmiane, we recommend trying out the giant zip line (the longest in France) before spending the night at the Green Ecolodge, a 100% natural accommodation at the foot of the slopes!

The step from Saint-Dalmas to La Colmiane lasts 00h15. You'll travel in a Bus Été Vésubie operated by Été Vésubie.
Day bus

La Colmiane - Nice

The step from La Colmiane to Nice lasts 2h00. You'll travel in a Bus Été Vésubie operated by Été Vésubie.
Regional train

Nice - Marseille

The step from Nice to Marseille lasts 2h30. You'll travel in a regional train.
High speed train

Marseille - Lyon

The step from Marseille to Lyon lasts 1h45. You'll travel in a high speed train.

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