Is the Petit Train in Nice Worth It?

The petit train is a 50-minute narrated loop that starts near the Promenade des Anglais, winds up through the old town, climbs the Colline du Château, stops for about 10 minutes at the top for 360° views of the Baie des Anges, then heads back down. It's genuinely easy if you're mobility-limited or traveling with small kids. The commentary is usually in several languages and tells you what you're looking at, though it's fairly basic. Expect a slow, slightly bumpy ride in a bright little road train that feels a bit touristy but does the job of getting you up the hill without walking.

Best from April to early June or September-October when the light is good and crowds are lighter. Summer evenings can be pleasant but the train gets packed and you may wait longer to board. Expect to pay around €12-18 per adult and roughly half for children; some operators offer family tickets. It's not a huge splurge but also not cheap for what it is.

Honest tip: take the train only if you specifically want the elevated viewpoint and don't feel like climbing on foot. Otherwise skip it and get a hop-on hop-off bus ticket instead – you'll see more of Nice, can get on and off, and most people who do both say the bus gives better value. If you do ride the train, sit on the right side going up for the better views.