Train from London to Nice

Overview

Route: London St Pancras International to Nice via Paris (day or sleeper) or Lille

Journey time: From 8 hours 50 minutes

Carbon emissions: Train 12.4 kg per person; Plane 139 kg per person

Journey highlights:

Taking the sleeper train is worth it just to be woken up by the sun as you hit the Cote d'Azur. Wake up early so that you can follow the coast as the sun comes up, admiring the rich and famous' back gardens as you head to Nice.

Return journey:

Detailed itinerary

Option 1: via Paris
Sample itinerary: Take the 0727 from St Pancras and you'll arrive in Paris in enough time to get the 1146 TGV down to Nice, where you'll arrive in good time to unpack and head out for dinner. Price: from £111 return Book your train ticket to Nice
Leg 1:	London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord in the heart of Paris. Don't forget check-in time for Eurostar is at least 30 mins before departure.	Frequency of service: About 15 trains a day Operator: Eurostar Journey time: From 2 hrs 15 mins
Transfer	A relatively quick train trip from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon. From the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow the signs for RER ligne D (which will be signposted 'direction' 'Melun', 'Malesherbes' or 'Corbeil Essonnes'). It's just 2 stops from Gare de Nord to Gare de Lyon and takes a little over 10 minutes (plus there's a short 5 minute walk to the connecting TGV departure platforms), but we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer.	Short hop Transfer time: Allow 50 minutes. Book a hotel near Gare du Nord Book a hotel near Gare de Lyon
Leg 2:	Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice Ville. Departs 0746, 0942, 1146, 1346, 1742.	Frequency of service: About 5 times a day. Operator: TGV Journey time: From 5 hours 38 minutes.
Destination	Bienvenue à Nice	Book a hotel near Nice Ville train station

Option 2: via Paris (sleeper)
Sample itinerary: Take any Eurostar to Paris in time to catch the 2225 from Paris Austerlitz, which arrives Nice at 0854. Price: from £135 return Book your train ticket to Nice
Leg 1:	London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord in the heart of Paris. Don't forget check-in time for Eurostar is at least 30 mins before departure.	Frequency of service: About 15 trains a day Operator: Eurostar Journey time: From 2 hrs 15 mins
Transfer	Cross the centre of Paris by metro from Gare du Nord to Gare d'Austeritz. From the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow the signs for Metro line M5 to Gare d'Austerlitz (which is signposted 'direction Place d'Italie'). It's 9 stops from Gare de Nord to Gare d'Austerlitz and takes 20-30 minutes, but we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer.	Long hop Transfer time: Allow 50 mins. Book a hotel near Gare du Nord Book a hotel near Gare d'Austerlitz
Leg 2:	Paris Austerlitz to Nice Ville by sleeper. Departs 2225 arrives Nice Ville 0854 (next day).	Frequency of service: Daily Operator: Linéa Journey time: 10 hours 29 minutes.
Destination	Bienvenue à Nice	Book a hotel near Nice Ville train station

Option 3: via Lille
Sample itinerary: Leave London on the 0620 Eurostar service (0659 Saturday) and you'll arrive in Lille with plenty of time to make the 1030 TGV to Nice, which arrives at 1803, with time to check in before your evening meal. Price: from £119 return Book your train ticket to Nice
Leg 1:	London St Pancras to Lille Europe First train 0620 (Mon-Fri), 0659 (Sat), 0857 (Sun). Last train 1934 (every day).	Frequency of service: About 7 trains a day. Operator: Eurostar Journey time: From 1 hour 20 minutes.
Transfer	A quick same-station change of platform at Lille Europe station to catch the onward connection. From the Eurostar platform, go up the stairs (or lift) to the main concourse from where the onward TGV trains depart.	Change of platform Transfer time: Allow 20 minutes. Book a hotel near Lille Europe/Lille Flanders
Leg 2:	Lille Europe to Nice Trains depart Lille Europe at 0559 and 1030 daily.	Frequency of service: 2 trains a day Operator: TGV Journey time: 7 hours 33 minutes
Destination	Bienvenue à Nice	Book a hotel near Nice Ville train station