Getting around Nice without a car: the practical guide from Hôtel du Centre

Category: #NiceInYourPocket — Published on 24 July 2026

No, you don't need a car to visit Nice from Hôtel du Centre. Located at 2 Rue de Suisse, facing the Notre-Dame basilica and just steps from Avenue Jean Médecin, our hotel puts you right in the heart of a city centre that's very easy to explore on foot, with the train station, tram and bus all close by, and regional trains making it easy to reach Cannes, Monaco or Menton.

Coming by car anyway?

No problem: Hôtel du Centre has a partnership with a public car park at a preferential rate, just 150 metres from the hotel. Once parked, you won't need to get behind the wheel again for the rest of your stay. Feel free to ask our front desk, available 24/7, for more information.

The train station and tram, just minutes away on foot

Hôtel du Centre owes its name to its location: right in the centre of Nice. The main train station (Nice-Ville / Thiers) is just 5 minutes' walk away, handy for reaching Cannes, Monaco or Èze by train. The Jean Médecin tram stop is also only 2 minutes' walk away. Nice has several tram lines connecting the airport, the train station, the city centre and the main routes across the metropolitan area. A ticket costs €1.70 and remains valid on buses for 1h30; day or week passes are available for longer stays. Line 2 connects the airport directly to the city centre in around 30 minutes, with a tram every 8 minutes.

The bus, to complete the network

The Lignes d'Azur bus network complements the tram and serves the more outlying districts as well as several neighbouring towns, using the same ticket as the tram. Handy for reaching certain museums or residential areas not directly served by the tracks, including the Palais des Congrès and exhibition centre, accessible by tram from the hotel.

Bike, scooter and pedicab

Nice has a bike and scooter sharing service (Lime, Pony), available 24/7 across much of the city centre. Expect to pay around €1 for 20 minutes on a mechanical bike, a little more for an electric one. It's a pleasant way to reach the Promenade des Anglais, about a 15-minute walk from the hotel down Avenue Jean Médecin. Another fun, effortless alternative: the pedicab (vélo-taxi), which drops you off exactly where you want to go, hassle-free.

Our guided tours, so you don't have to think about it

Want to discover Nice without worrying about the route? AMMI Hotels offers guided tours around the city — a simple, sociable way to discover Nice's must-see sights without a car or a map to follow.

Exploring on foot from Hôtel du Centre

Located facing the Notre-Dame basilica, on Avenue Jean Médecin (Nice's main shopping street, home to the Nice Étoile shopping centre), Hôtel du Centre puts you 5 minutes from Place Masséna, about 15 minutes' walk from the Promenade des Anglais and the beaches, and 5 minutes from Nice-Ville train station. Vieux-Nice and the restaurants of Cours Saleya are also within easy reach on foot or by tram. Enough to enjoy the best of Nice without ever needing a car.

Day trips from Nice: Cannes, Monaco, Menton, Antibes by train

The Zou! regional train line, which runs along the French Riviera, makes it easy to reach Cannes, Antibes, Monaco or Menton without a car, with very frequent departures (up to one train every 15 minutes) and affordable fares, starting from just a few euros depending on distance and discounts. From Hôtel du Centre, it's just a 5-minute walk to Nice-Ville station to string together day trips without ever getting behind the wheel.

Hôtel du Centre tip: the train is especially recommended during the Cannes Film Festival or the Monaco Grand Prix, two events when traffic and parking become very complicated — the Zou! line remains the simplest way to attend stress-free, without the hassle of the road.

Heading inland: the Train des Pignes and the Train des Merveilles

Fancy escaping into the countryside without a car? The Train des Pignes connects Nice to Digne-les-Bains through the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, on a historic narrow-gauge line. The Train des Merveilles, meanwhile, winds its way from Nice-Ville station to Tende, in the heart of the Roya valley, with guided commentary from April to September. Both trains depart from Nice-Ville station, just a 5-minute walk from the hotel: two spectacular routes for discovering the Nice hinterland without ever getting behind the wheel.

Your questions about getting around from Hôtel du Centre

Do you need a car to visit Nice from Hôtel du Centre?

No. The city centre is very easy to visit on foot from the hotel, and the tram, buses and regional trains cover most needs, including day trips around Nice.

How do I get to Hôtel du Centre from the airport without a car?

Tram line 2 connects the airport terminals directly to the city centre in around 30 minutes, with a stop at Jean Médecin, just 2 minutes' walk from the hotel.

Is the hotel close to Nice train station?

Yes, Nice-Ville station (Thiers) is just 5 minutes' walk from Hôtel du Centre, handy for regional trains as well as the Train des Pignes or the Train des Merveilles.

Can I visit Monaco, Cannes or Menton without a car from Hôtel du Centre?

Yes, easily, by regional train (Zou! line) from the nearby Nice-Ville station: journeys take between 15 and 40 minutes depending on the destination, for just a few euros.

Is a bike a good option for getting around Nice?

Yes, especially along the coast: bike and scooter sharing services (Lime, Pony) are available 24/7 in the city centre.

I'm coming by car — where can I park near Hôtel du Centre?

A public car park at a preferential rate is located 150 metres from the hotel. Ask our front desk, available 24/7, for more information.

How can I attend the Cannes Film Festival or the Monaco Grand Prix without a car?

By train, via the Zou! regional line, with frequent departures from Nice-Ville station, just 5 minutes' walk from the hotel: it's the simplest way to avoid the traffic jams and parking difficulties that come with these events.

Stay in the heart of Nice, without worrying about the car

Hôtel du Centre welcomes you right in the centre of Nice, facing Notre-Dame, just minutes' walk from the train station, the main sights and public transport. Book direct with the WEB promo code and enjoy up to 10% off your stay, along with early check-in from 2pm and late check-out until 12pm, subject to availability.

Book your stay with the WEB code at Hôtel du Centre and enjoy Nice without ever needing to get behind the wheel.