Train Transport from Arles to Nice, France

I am interested in info on train transport from disembarkation port of River Cruise in Arles to Nice, France for a few post cruise days. Has anyone done this?

River Cruise line is expensive in transfer fees from Arles to Cote d'Azure. Included if you book Hotel stay for Cote d'Azure post cruise but Hotels are considerably more expensive in Monte Carlo then Nice. Will be flying home from Nice airport so would prefer to possibly train directly into Nice and be in close proximity of airport for return flight

Thanks

Did you post as well as check out the a River cruise board? It may have some other info you can use as well as on this board.

It's a 4 to 5 hour trip (depending on the various trains) with a change either in Avignon or Marseille, fare about 50 euro. Go to SNCF.com for details.

Thank you Langoustine!

You're welcome. Glad to help. If you have any questions, the website http://www.seat61.com/ is usually very helpful; if that doesn't work for you, ask here and I will try to keep an eye on this thread.

Since you have been so helpful may I ask your thoughts on taking train in Arles to Nice for a few days post cruise vs Monte Carlo? Would be our 1st time to any of these places. Is it as nice staying in Nice as opposed to MC where Hotels are significantly more expensive. Also would like to be relatively close to Nice Airport for our travel day back to US.

I think I would stay in Nice and do a day trip to Monaco; it's only about an hour each way on the train--and Monte Carlo is only a part of what's there. Now, if you have a car, the road east from Monaco along the coast is spectacular.

Have to agree...we would choose Nice over Monte Carlo any time :). In fact, when DW and I are driving in the region we usually bypass Monte Carlo since it has long been our least favorite city/town in the region.

Hank

It is a great place for laundering money, though. As Somerset Maugham described it, "A sunny place for shady people."

BTW, there is a wonderful narrow-gauge train that runs from Nice up into the hills. I can't remember the name of the town where it ends, but it's about a two-hour ride each way and it's really beautiful. Anybody know the name? It has something to do with pine cones, I think.

Found it: http://www.beyond.fr/travel/railpignes.html

Thank you Langoustine for your recommendations!

There have been changes for Le Train des Pignes in the past couple of years. The narrow-gauge line runs from Nice to Digne, but the steam train only runs in the segment between Puget-Theniers and Annot on most Summer Sundays. Here is the schedule:

http://gecp.asso.fr/

And the brochure:

http://gecp.asso.fr/train-vapeur/plaquettes/2015/2015-plaquette.pdf

According to the brochure, the steam train also runs some Fridays and holidays. The best way to find out when it is running is to try doing a fake reservation on the website:

http://gecp-prd-java-01.ippon-hosting.net:8080/geReza/tickets/tickets.xhtml

Puget-Theniers-Annot is only the central portion of the Nice-Digne line. You need to get to Puget-Theniers by the regular narrow-gauge train (autorails) from Nice. This train runs daily:

http://gecp.asso.fr/

You could also drive to Puget-Theniers, it is 65 km from Nice.

We have been on the steam train a couple of times when it ran from Nice to Annot. If you work the schedule right, you can stop at Entrevaux and take a later steam train to Annot. There is a beautiful mountain top fortress there and some nice, little restaurants in the village.

If you are a steam train buff, don't miss it. Here is a video clip of the steam train: http://gecp.asso.fr/train-vapeur.html

Thanks for the update. The steam train was great fun, but the scenery will still be spectacular.