Best Day Trips from Antibes: How to Explore the French Riviera by Train (2026)
Antibes sits at the center of the French Riviera rail network. Cannes is 9 minutes to the west. Nice is 25 minutes to the east. Monaco is 45 minutes further. From a single base, you can cover the entire coast without renting a car, without dealing with A8 toll traffic, and without spending a single afternoon looking for parking. These are the best day trips from Antibes, with the 2026 fares, timings, and what’s actually worth your time at each stop.
Check all available train departures and fares before heading to the station
| Destination | Journey Time | Train Fare | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannes | 9 min | €1–4 | La Croisette, shopping, Lérins Islands |
| Nice | 25 min | €5.20 | Museums, Vieille Ville, Promenade |
| Monaco | 45 min | ~€8 | Casino, Oceanographic Museum, palace |
| Eze Village | 30 min + bus | ~€5 | Medieval perched village, panoramic views |
| Ventimiglia | 1h 15min | ~€12 | Italian markets, authentic dining |
Day Trip 1: Cannes — 9 Minutes West
The closest day trip from Antibes is also one of the most rewarding. Cannes is 9 minutes by TER regional train. The fare is between €1 and €4 depending on the booking platform. For that price, you get La Croisette, the Palais des Festivals, sandy beaches, and one of the best markets on the Côte d’Azur.
The Marché Forville operates Tuesday through Sunday mornings — Provençal produce, local cheese, fresh fish. For those who want historical context alongside the sightseeing, this guided full-day tour covers Cannes alongside Monaco and Eze.
The Palais des Festivals red carpet is always there — not just during the Film Festival. You can walk it any day of the year.
I arrived in Cannes assuming I’d spend the afternoon on the beach. Instead I ended up in the Lérins Islands — a 15-minute ferry from the old port. Île Saint-Honorat has a working monastery producing wine you can buy directly from the monks. The beach can wait. Search ferry if you want to same for the full Cannes day trip.
Day Trip 2: Nice — 25 Minutes East
Nice is the most complete day trip from Antibes by train. The journey takes 25 minutes and the standard fare is €5.20. At Nice-Ville station, you arrive in the largest city on the French Riviera — with a completely different pace from Antibes.
The Vieille Ville is the most rewarding part of Nice for a day visit. The covered Cours Saleya market runs Tuesday through Sunday and is one of the best flower and produce markets in France. The Promenade des Anglais runs 7 kilometers along the seafront. The Musée Matisse and the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain are both worth a half-day if modern art is a priority.
This full French Riviera day tour departs from Nice and covers Cannes, Monaco, Eze, and Saint-Paul de Vence in a single structured day — useful if you want to cover the whole coast without planning each connection yourself.
Note: The Cours Saleya flower market closes on Mondays. Plan accordingly.
Day Trip 3: Monaco and Eze — 45 Minutes East
Monaco is 45 minutes from Antibes by train, with a change at Nice-Ville. The fare is approximately €8 one-way. Monaco is compact and easy to cover on foot. The Casino Square, the Prince’s Palace, and the old town of Monaco-Ville all sit within 30 minutes of each other.
The highlight for most visitors is the Oceanographic Museum — an aquarium and marine science museum founded in 1910 by Prince Albert I, perched on the cliff above the sea. Show your same-day paper train ticket at the ticket counter for a €2 discount on standard admission.
For the full peninsula experience closer to Antibes, Cap d’Antibes Luxury Guide: Best Secluded Villas & High-End Hotels covers the Cap in detail.
Eze village pairs naturally with Monaco. The medieval perched village sits 427 meters above the sea on the Moyenne Corniche. Vieux Eze is one of the most photographed villages on the Riviera. The Jardin Exotique d’Eze at the top costs €10 for adults and delivers the best panoramic views on the coast. Arrive before 9am to have it to yourself.
This guided half-day tour covers Monaco, Monte-Carlo, and Eze Village — a good option if you want historical context at both stops.
Day Trip 4: Ventimiglia, Italy — 1 Hour 15 Minutes East
Ventimiglia is the first Italian town across the French border, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Antibes by regional train with a change at Nice-Ville. The fare is around €12 one-way.
The draw is simple: authentic Italian atmosphere, a Friday open-air market along the seafront, and restaurant prices that drop noticeably as soon as you cross the border. The train ride itself is scenic — the line runs along the coast through tunnels and viaducts with continuous sea views.
Note: Standard TER regional tickets are not valid for the full Ventimiglia journey. You’ll need a separate ticket for the French-Italian cross-border section. Check connections and book the correct ticket in advance to avoid complications at the station.
Practical Tips for Day Trips from Antibes (2026)
Validate paper tickets. The yellow composteur machines beside the platform entrance must be used before boarding. Unvalidated tickets result in fines. Digital tickets with barcode PDFs don’t require validation.
The Antibes train station is central. It’s a 10-minute walk from the Old Town and a 3-minute train ride to Juan-les-Pins. Both bases work equally well for all these day trips. Still deciding between them? Antibes vs Juan-les-Pins: Which Is Better for You? breaks it down.
Monaco is compact — one day is enough. It covers just 2 square kilometers. The Casino, Palace, Oceanographic Museum, and old town are all walkable. Don’t over-schedule it.
Eze and Monaco combine well. Take the train to Monaco in the morning, walk the principality, then take a bus up to Eze for the afternoon. Return to Antibes by train from Eze-sur-Mer station — the lower village, 30 minutes from Eze Village on foot downhill.
Activate your eSIM before departure. Activate an eSIM before your flight — roaming costs apply as soon as you cross into Monaco or Italy, even briefly.
For getting from Nice to Antibes in the first place, How to Get from Nice to Antibes: Train, Bus & Driving Guide covers every transport option. Once you’ve arrived, Where to Stay in Antibes: Best Areas & Handpicked Hotels covers every neighborhood by location and budget. Back from a day trip and heading to the water? The Best Beaches in Antibes: Public Sands vs Private Beach Clubs covers everything.
FAQ
What is the easiest day trip from Antibes? Cannes — 9 minutes by train, fares from €1, no planning required. La Croisette, Marché Forville, and the Lérins Islands ferry are all walkable from Cannes station.
Can you do Monaco as a day trip from Antibes? Yes. The journey takes 45 minutes by train. Monaco is compact enough to cover the main highlights — Casino Square, the Palace, and the Oceanographic Museum — in a single day without rushing.
Do I need a car for day trips from Antibes? No. All destinations in this guide are reachable by regional train. A car becomes useful only for Cap d’Antibes or inland villages not on the rail line.
How do I get from Antibes to Eze? Take the TER train to Eze-sur-Mer station, then bus 83 up to Eze Village. Alternatively, approach Eze from Monaco after a morning in the principality.
