Bus Travel

Trains are quickest if you're traveling along the coast, but to reach backcountry spots not on the rail line—such as St-Paul-de-Vence and Vence—buses fill the gap. Lignes d’Azur runs to 24 communes in the Alpes-Maritimes for the bargain price of €1.50 (an exception is the Nice airport bus, which costs €6). The Envibus line, which originates in Antibes, covers that city before heading into the hills; going west to Cannes or east to Nice, for instance, you jump on Bus No. 200 (€1.50). From St-Tropez's station on Avenue du Général de Gaulle, VarLib buses travel to and from St-Raphaël, the town with the nearest railway station (1½ hrs, €3). In high season, traffic can lead to two-plus-hour bus rides, so if it may be wiser to take a Bateaux Verts shuttle boat between the two ports . Bus schedules are available at tourist offices and at the local gare routière (bus station).

Contacts

Envibus. 04–89–87–72–00 ; www.envibus.fr .

Lignes d’Azur . 08–10–06–10–06 ; www.lignesdazur.com.

VarLib . 04–94–24–60–00 ; www.varlib.fr .

You must hail buses; don't presume the driver sees you. Drivers give change and hand you a ticket, which you must get stamped (composté) in the ticket validator and keep as proof of payment, as inspectors often board buses to check.