Newbie Guide to Using the Bus and Tram Systems in France

If you’re like me, using a bus or tram is not part of everyday life.  Heck, I’d never stepped foot on a bus before I started traveling in Europe.  I used the subway once in New York and twice in DC.  That’s it. Public transportation was just not part of my daily life and this is true for many Americans.

Arriving in Europe, I looked at the bus like this big speeding object of stress that would make me feel like even more of an idiot in a country where I can’t even speak the language.

In my hope to help Americans traveling in France, I’ve put together a newbie guide to public transport.  While these tips are specifically for Nice, the bus and tram systems are similar throughout France and the rest of Europe.

Where to Purchase Tickets:

The first thing you need to know is that you will need coins (not bills), a credit/bank card, or Apple Pay to purchase a rechargeable card (la carte) from the tram kiosks.  You can tap your contactless credit card or insert your card into the slot. If your card doesn’t have a pin, hit the green ‘V’ button to bypass entering the pin.

If you need coins, make a small purchase or two at a local store with the idea of getting change back. Most banks have signs that say “No Change,” but the post office usually has coin machines if you’re in a pinch.

When purchasing from the kiosk located at the tram stations, don’t worry if you can’t speak the language.  Touch to select your country (US residents should choose the British flag), so you’ll be able to read the instructions in American, commonly referred to abroad as English. (That’s a joke).  You’ll either select that you don’t have a card or that you have a card to recharge (if previously purchased). The card costs 2€, but can be refunded from one of the participating tabacs. The refund option is not available at the airport.

You can also purchase tickets at the bus line office, many tabacs (newsstands) if they display the Lignes d’Azur sign, the train station, and the airport. Please see below for important airport information. In Nice, you can stop by Old Town to purchase tickets.  Public transport offices are usually centrally located in larger cities, so finding help isn’t too far away.

If you are traveling by bus, you can still purchase tickets on the bus from the driver. There are no ticket machines at bus stops. However, you’ll need to pay the 2€ for the rechargeable card plus the fare price increases to 2€ (instead of 1.70€).

Android phone users download the FREE Tram Tix app from the Google Store, sign up for a virtual rechargeable tram card (La Carte), charge a few trips onto your virtual card then wave your phone (app opened) over the ticket machine and you’re done. You’ll save the 2€ card fee and you can get everything set up from home before traveling, so you’ll be ready for the airport tram upon arrival. There is not an app for iPhone users, unfortunately.

Trams 101:

At the tram stops, purchase your ticket at the kiosk prior to boarding.  You can’t purchase tickets on the tram.  Once you board, tap your card at the validation machine. The machine will be beep, letting you know it’s been validated.

If using the same card for multiple people, tap once for each person. Don’t forget to wait for the beep after each tap, so you know it validated each passenger. If transferring to a different line during your 74 minute same-direction transfer, only tap the card once and this will validate the entire party. Ex. upon first boarding the tram, I would tap my card 4 times. Once per each member of my family. Then when we make a transfer, I only tap it once on the next tram. If you’ve purchased multi-day passes, everyone will have their own card so everyone will tap each time including the transfers.

If entering an underground tram station, you’ll tap at the gate before entering. Same rules apply for validation.

If the tram is crowded, don’t worry about immediately validating your ticket.  Make getting on your priority.  If you wait patiently outside while others validate, you may wind up staring at closed doors and the tram pulling away. Once you’re on board, validate your card(s) as soon as the machine is free.

Once on board, find a seat or a place to stand and hang on.  The jerking of the tram as it pulls away from the station can easily throw you off balance.  If traveling with little ones, fold up the stroller during peak times to avoid glares from other passengers.

When getting on or off the tram, it may be necessary to push the button on the door to open it.  The tram will always stop at each location, but the doors may not open automatically.

So, how do you know which tram to board and when the next tram will arrive?  At each tram station there will be a TV hanging overhead.  It will list the final destination (so you know which direction to head) and a countdown until the next tram arrival. 

Note: In Strasbourg, France tickets for the tram are validated at the tram stations before boarding.  These validation machines were usually located next to the ticket sales machine.  A 2nd was usually further down the platform.

Buses 101:

 

Bus routes and schedules can be obtained from the bus line office, tourism office, online and at the bus stops.  I’m sure many of you are familiar with bus stops, even if you don’t typically ride on buses.  These stops are located throughout the city.  Simply look on the side of the enclosure to find the bus stop name and bus numbers serving that location. The bus route number and destination will be displayed on the front of buses, so you know which to board.

It’s a good idea to lift your hand for a slight wave at the driver to let him or her know you would like to board.  The buses usually stop when people are milling around the bus stop, but that isn’t always the case.

If you don’t have a ticket from the transportation office or tram kiosk, you can purchase a ticket on the bus. Holding up fingers works well! As mentioned above, you’ll need to pay the 2€ for the rechargeable card plus the fare price increases to 2€ (instead of 1.70€).

You may also be asked your destination depending on the bus line.  Exact change is preferred but the driver should have change.

Once you have paid your way, head back and find a seat if one is available.  If your traveling during peak hours, you may have to stand.  Hold on to one of the bars and prepare to be jostled.  Passengers will pack onto the bus – even when you don’t think there is room for more.  Seating is reserved for the elderly and disabled, so be prepared to give up your seat if necessary.

Each bus has a pre-determined route that can be found on the bus schedule.  Most buses buses now have screens announcing the stops, but it’s still important to keep a bus schedule handy. The Lignes dAzur app is good for knowing the routes.  As you approach each stop, check the name on the enclosure with the name on your schedule.  Buses will have the routes posted overheard, but you may not be able to view the route from your seat.

Once the bus leaves the stop just before yours, push the “stop” button.  These buttons can be found throughout the bus.  This will alert the driver to stop at your destination.  Sometimes you will here a “ding” sound after pushing.  Other times only a sign will light up in the front of the bus stating “arrêt demandé“. If there isn’t anyone waiting and if no one has pushed the button, the bus driver will usually just drive past the stop.

Exit the bus from the door in the middle of the bus.  This door is for exiting while the front door, by the driver, is for boarding.  If the bus is extremely crowded and you happen to be at the front of the bus, you can exit using the front door.

Reading a Bus Schedule:

For those of you who have never traveled by bus, those schedules can be confusing! Please note that this is an older schedule just for use as an example.

Once you have determined which bus line you need, based on your destination, it’s time to figure out when the bus will arrive at your stop.  Each stop will be listed on the schedule.  Pay attention to the interval times listed sideways off the far right side of the schedule.  This will tell you how long it takes for the bus to travel between 2 destinations.  From that point, you can get an estimate of the time the bus will arrive.  I suggest arriving early – it’s not fun to miss the bus and be stuck for another 30 minutes to an hour waiting for another bus.

A bit more detail:

The stops on the left are the more popular stops such as the airport or the train station along with the beginning and the end of the route.   You  can use the times from the chart on the right to figure when the bus is going to be at the other stops you might need. The chart on the right is a list of the stops within the villages. If you look above you will see 12:50 circled which is Aéroport T1. If you chose this departure time then you would be at Le Tunnel at 11:15 or (25 minutes later).

Times vary depending on the day of the week.  Monday – Friday (Lundi à Vendredi), Saturday (Samedi) and Sunday (Dimanche.)  You may also find special schedules for holiday’s.

Types of Passes:

The price of a fare will vary depending on your location.  The passes and fees listed below are the current prices in Nice using the Lignes d’Azur.  You will likely find similar passes throughout Europe, just for different rates.

• Solo 1 Voyage (1 ride, unlimited same-direction transfers for 74 minutes) 1.70€
• Pass 1 Jour (ride unlimited 24 hours, tram and bus) 7€
• Pass 2 Jour (ride unlimited 48 hours, tram and bus) 13€
• Pass 7 Jour (7 consecutive days of unlimited travel) 20€
• Multi 12 voyages (12 rides, several passengers may use this ticket at the same time) 18€ (1.50€ each)
• Children under 4 accompanied by a parent travel for free

**If purchasing the multi-day passes, everyone in your party will need their own card. If you purchase the single or multi voyages pass, then you only need 1 rechargeable card and can tap for each person.

Some bus routes have special pricing, so be aware when purchasing your tickets. If you are traveling outside of the Lignes d’Azur area you will need to purchase tickets on the bus for 2.50€ in cash only.  These buses can be a little confusing and the driver will usually ask for your destination to know which ticket you need to purchase.

In Nice, there are 2 bus lines.  One for around the Cote d’Azur and are part of the Lignes d’Azur.  If you are traveling outside of the Cote d’Azur, you are using the Alpes-Martitimes.  These are bus #’s from 100+ and are grey colored on the bus stop signs.  They start with stops along the Cote d’Azur then move out to other villages.

For instance, if you are taking bus 500 and plan to go to Grasse, you will need to purchase your ticket on the bus.  If you are only going as far as Cagnes Sur Mer, you can travel with your Lignes d’Azur ticket.  Why? Grasse is outside of the Cote d’Azur.  Alpes-Martitimes gets your money, not Lignes d’Azur.  Make sense?

If you look at the bus schedule above, you can see the arrow which points to the end of the bold blue line ending at Le Tunnel.  This is the last stop of the Lignes d’Azur.  The bus continues on uninterrupted just like any other bus.  No changing busses or driver, the only difference is what ticket you purchase.

I mention this because the best value for a family or those making multiple trips is the multi 12 voyages ticket. There are additional multi-voyage options as well if you’ll be in Nice longer. If you plan to visit places like Grasse on bus 500, Cannes on bus 200 or Vence on bus 400, you can’t use that Lignes d’Azur multi 12 voyages ticket.  You’ll need to purchase a Alpes-Martitimes ticket on the bus for those locations.

Airport Tram Trick:

Sadly, there is a huge tourist rip-off taking the tram from the airport. The ticket machines at the airport don’t sell the rechargeable card. They only sell a round-trip airport paper ticket for 10€! Now, considering the cost of a taxi or Uber, this isn’t bad. However, the tram to/from the airport only costs 1.70€.  If you have time and aren’t too jet legged, try this trick. Board the tram at the airport without purchasing a ticket and get off at the first stop, Grand Arenas. Note that the tram is FREE to Grand Arenas, so you’re not risking getting caught without a valid ticket on this short ride. Use the ticket machine at the Grand Arenas stop just like the typical machines mentioned above. The cost for 1 person will be 3.70€ but this includes the 2€ rechargeable card (la carte) that you’ll use during your entire trip! That way the cost of the airport tram ride is only the standard 1.70€ plus the card can be used for multiple people. If you’re a family of 4 like me, that is a huge savings! I’d pay 8.80€ total (1.70€ x 4 people plus the 2€ rechargeable card fee) instead of 40€!!

If you do end up purchasing the 10€ airport tram ticket, don’t lose it. You’ve already paid a return fare. Additionally, don’t fold the ticket! You can’t insert it properly into the ticket machine on the tram to be validated if it’s bent.

Keep Your Ticket:

Always keep your card handy during your bus/tram ride.  There is a hefty fee for not paying your way.  Your validated ticket or a dated receipt will provide proof of purchase.

There was a random stop during one of our travels.  The bus stopped and 2 men came aboard checking tickets.  We witnessed one women being sent up to pay her fare and another received a fine.  I’m not sure what the difference between the 2 women was, but the point is you can be caught.  I’d much pay for a 1.70€ fare than be fined 50€. We did see ticket checks countless times during our almost 4 years in Nice.

Hopefully this will help newbies learn tips for using the bus and tram systems in France.  What are your tips for navigating public transport in Europe?