How to Get from Nice to Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is located about 62 miles (100 km) from Nice, traveling southwest along the French Riviera. The iconic fishing village's location on a rocky peninsula—with no train station and infamous traffic—means that reaching the resort's colorful port and famous beaches can take a little extra planning.

Driving via rental car or private transfer is the most direct choice and offers flexibility to explore the coastline, countryside, and towns along the way. Taking the train involves two steps: a quick hour’s ride to the seaside town of Saint-Raphäel, then a choice of bus, taxi, or ferry for the remainder. During summer, a ferry also runs daily from Nice to Saint-Tropez, avoiding traffic entirely as it sails down the Cote d'Azur.

Further ideas for routes and stopovers can be found in other 7-day and 10-day Riviera and Provence itineraries.

By Rental Car 

Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours plus traffic

Driving is the most direct way to reach Saint-Tropez from Nice, but the last stretch entering the resort can be gridlock in July and August, so plan to travel on weekdays and early mornings to avoid the worst of the traffic. Once in Saint-Tropez, it's easiest to park in the paid public lots near the port or on the outskirts, then walk toward Vieux Port and the center.

The fastest route from Nice is to follow the major A8 toll autoroute westward and inland before turning south to the coast on the D25 toward Sainte-Maxime and the final leg of the D559/D98A to Saint-Tropez. The trip takes about 2 hours without traffic.

For a slower, more scenic drive, take the A8 past Cannes, then link up with the narrow and winding D559, traveling along the coast on a spectacular route known as the Corniche d'Or. Drivers pass through charming, smaller Riviera resorts like Théoule-sur-Mer, Antheor, and La Dramont before turning onto the D98A for the last 10 miles into Saint-Tropez. 

An excellent alternative to avoid traffic and enjoy a picturesque arrival is to drive as only far as the town of Sainte-Maxime, which sits directly across the small gulf from Saint-Tropez. This neighboring resort has a wider variety of parking options, and it’s easy to catch the 15-minute Bateaux Verts ferry across to Saint-Tropez’s port. The ferry runs every 30 minutes during high season. At the busiest times, this option ends up faster and easier than attempting to drive the last leg of the D98A.

By Private Transfer

Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours plus traffic

Arranging for private transfer between the towns is the most expensive option, but also the most comfortable, without the added stress of navigating or parking. The fastest route takes two hours without traffic, but custom scenic itineraries and stopovers can be arranged ahead of time to take in highlights along the way.

By Train and Bus/Taxi/Ferry

Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours without traffic

Direct high-speed TGV InOui and regional TER trains travel from Nice Ville to Saint-Raphäel-Valescure station in about an hour. It's a quick, easy journey that gets travelers halfway to Saint-Tropez. 

Upon arrival, there's the choice of continuing the rest of the way via bus, taxi, or ferry.

The bus (#7601 Varlib) takes 1.5 hours sans traffic, departing from behind the train station and arriving at the Gare Routièr de Saint-Tropez, a quick walk from the central Place des Lices and the Vieux Port.

Alternatively, travel by taxi takes 45 minutes to an hour, but prices are high, and traffic can still be an issue.

The ferry from Saint-Raphäel takes about an hour, is much cheaper than a taxi or private transfer, and offers a particularly scenic way to reach Saint-Tropez. It's a five-minute walk from the Saint-Raphäel-Valescure train station to the town's Old Port, from which Les Bateaux des Saint-Raphäel ferries sail to Saint-Tropez from April through November. This is a good choice on days when road traffic is particularly heavy, such as weekends in July and August. 

By Ferry

Duration: 2.5 hours

For those that enjoy getting on the water, making the trip entirely by ferry is a memorable way to experience the Riviera's red cliffs and glittering coastline. Trans Côte d'Azur ferries run from Nice Port to Saint-Tropez from May through October, leaving once daily at 9 am, with the return journey departing at 7 pm. The 2.5-hour sail can feel long on windy or overcast days, but with bright summer weather, it's an enjoyable and scenic change of pace.