See the French Riviera from an open-top double-decker bus.
Quick Guide
Nice Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
Explore Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer from a red open-top bus with 12 stops along the coast.
- Choose between 1-day or 2-day pass for unlimited rides.
- Get audio commentary in 9 languages and a map with local discounts.
- The full loop takes 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Buses run every hour from Promenade des Anglais.
- Hop off at any stop, explore as long as you want, then catch the next bus.
Book your tickets » Cancel free up to 24 hours before.
Highlights
Tickets & Prices
Nice Le Grand Tour offers two ticket durations. Both give you unlimited hop-on hop-off access to all 12 stops covering Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer.
- The 1-day pass lets you explore for one full service day.
- The 2-day pass must be used on two consecutive days (not a full 48 hours, but two calendar days of service).
Pricing Table
| 1-Day | 2-Day Best Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €24.00 | €28.00 (€14.00 per day) |
| Child (4-11) | €8.00 | €8.00 (€4.00 per day) |
Children under 4 ride free with valid ID.
Tips for Choosing Your Ticket
- Go for the 2-day pass if you want to explore at a relaxed pace. It’s only €4 more than the 1-day option, at only €14 per day instead of €24. You’ll have time to visit both Nice and Villefranche without rushing.
- The 1-day pass works well if you’re short on time. You can see the main highlights in one day by staying on for the full loop first, then hopping off at your favorite spots on the second round.
- Book online before you arrive. You’ll save time and can show your ticket directly from your phone when you board. Plus you get free cancellation until 24 hours before your visit.
- Remember these are service days, not 24-hour periods. If you buy a 1-day pass at 15:00, it’s valid until the last bus that same day (not until 15:00 the next day).
- Children’s tickets must be purchased with an adult ticket. You can’t buy a child-only pass.
FAQs about Ticketing & Pricing
Where can I buy tickets for Nice tours?
You can buy tickets online or directly on the bus. We recommend booking online so you can skip the queue and guarantee your spot. Use the booking module on this page to secure your tickets.
Do children get discounts?
Yes, children aged 4 to 11 pay €8 for either the 1-day or 2-day pass. Kids under 4 ride free with valid ID. Child tickets must be purchased together with an adult ticket.
Can I change my booking date?
Yes, you can reschedule until 24 hours before your visit date. You can also cancel for free until 24 hours before and get a full refund.
Are combo tickets with other experiences available?
Yes, check this page for combo tickets that include the Nice hop-on hop-off bus with other attractions and experiences.
Route Map & Stops
Nice Le Grand Tour operates a single route with 12 stops covering the best of Nice and the neighboring village of Villefranche-sur-Mer. The full loop takes 1 hour and 15 minutes without hopping off.
- Download the latest Hop-on Hop-off route map here (PDF)
- Download the latest timetable here (PDF)
- Track buses in real time using the live bus tracker
Nice & Villefranche Route
| Info | Detail |
|---|---|
| Start Point | 99 Quai des Etats-Unis |
| Operating Hours | Wednesday: 10:00-17:00 Thursday-Tuesday: 11:00-16:00 |
| Full Loop | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Frequency | Every hour |
Complete Stop List:
- Promenade des Anglais / Max Gallo (starting point)
- Massenet / Promenade des Anglais (Nord)
- Congres / Promenade des Anglais (Nord)
- Eglise Russe / Gambetta (Russian Church)
- Gare SNCF / Poste Thiers (Train Station)
- Congres / Promenade des Anglais (Sud)
- Cathédrale / Vielle Ville (Cathedral and Old Town)
- Port Lympia / Carnot
- Villefranche Octroi (Sud)
- Villefranche Citadelle (Citadel)
- Villefranche Octroi (Nord)
- Ile de Beauté / Port (Nord)
Route Highlights:
- The Promenade des Anglais runs along Nice’s famous waterfront where you’ll see the Mediterranean stretching out in front of elegant Belle Époque buildings. The bus stops at three different points along this iconic promenade.
- The Russian Cathedral (Eglise Russe) is one of Nice’s most photographed landmarks with its colorful onion domes. It’s the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe.
- Old Town (Vieille Ville) is where you’ll find narrow streets, local markets, and authentic Niçoise restaurants. The cathedral sits at the edge of this historic quarter.
- Villefranche-sur-Mer gives you three stops in this picturesque fishing village. Visit the 16th-century citadel, stroll the colorful harbor, and explore the steep streets that lead down to the sea.
- Port Lympia is Nice’s working port where you can watch boats coming and going while enjoying the lively waterfront atmosphere.
What to See & Do
Listen to Commentary in Your Language
Put on your earphones and choose from 9 languages for the audio guide: English, Mandarin, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish. The commentary tells you about Nice’s history and shares local stories as you pass each landmark.
Some tours also have live guides speaking in 8 languages (all except Mandarin). They answer questions and point out details you might miss.
Cruise Along the Promenade des Anglais
Watch the Mediterranean sparkle below as you ride along Nice’s most famous street. You’ll pass grand hotels, the Negresco with its pink dome, and locals rollerblading along the seafront. The open-top bus sits over 4 meters high, giving you perfect views of the Bay of Angels.
Explore Nice’s Old Town
Hop off at the Cathedral stop and walk into the maze of narrow streets that make up Vieille Ville. You’ll find the Cours Saleya market (open most days), colorful buildings with green shutters, and small squares where locals gather. This is where to try socca (chickpea pancake) and see Nice as it’s been for centuries.
Visit the Russian Cathedral
Get off at the Gambetta stop to see this stunning cathedral with its six onion domes covered in glazed tiles. Built in the early 1900s when Russian aristocrats spent winters in Nice, it’s one of the finest examples of Russian religious architecture outside Russia.
Discover Villefranche-sur-Mer
The bus takes you beyond Nice to this charming fishing village. Hop off at the Citadel stop to explore the 16th-century fortress and walk down to the harbor. The waterfront is lined with pastel-colored houses and seafood restaurants. The steep streets are perfect for wandering.
See Port Lympia
Nice’s harbor is less touristy than the Promenade but just as interesting. You’ll see fishing boats, yachts, and the daily life of a working Mediterranean port. The area around the port has good restaurants where locals actually eat.
Stay On for the Full Loop
If you want to get your bearings first, just stay seated for the complete 1 hour 15 minute ride. You’ll see everything once, then you can decide where to hop off on your next round. The commentary continues throughout, so you’ll learn about Nice and Villefranche as you ride.
FAQs
How long is the hop-on hop-off tour in Nice?
The full loop takes 1 hour and 15 minutes if you stay on the bus without hopping off. Your ticket lets you ride all day (1-day pass) or for two consecutive days (2-day pass).
How often do the buses run?
Buses depart every hour from the starting point at 99 Quai des Etats-Unis. On Wednesdays, service runs from 10:00 to 17:00. Thursday through Tuesday, buses run from 11:00 to 16:00.
How many stops are on the Nice hop-on hop-off bus tour?
There are 12 stops on the route covering both Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer. You can hop on and off at any of these stops throughout the day.
Is the Nice hop-on hop-off bus worth it?
Yes, especially if you want to see both Nice and Villefranche without dealing with parking or figuring out local buses. The route covers all the main sights, the audio guide teaches you about the area, and you can explore at your own pace. The 2-day pass gives you excellent value at €14 per day.
Where does the Nice hop-on hop-off bus start?
The tour starts at 99 Quai des Etats-Unis on the Promenade des Anglais. This is Stop 1 (Promenade des Anglais / Max Gallo), but you can board at any of the 12 stops along the route.
Does the Nice hop-on hop-off bus go to Villefranche-sur-Mer?
Yes, the route includes three stops in Villefranche-sur-Mer: Villefranche Octroi (Sud), Villefranche Citadelle, and Villefranche Octroi (Nord). This gives you time to explore this beautiful fishing village.
Are the buses wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the buses are accessible to people with reduced mobility.
What languages are available on the audio guide?
The audio guide is available in 9 languages: English, Mandarin, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Some buses also have live guides speaking in 8 of these languages (all except Mandarin).
Can you stay on the bus for the full loop?
Yes, you can stay on for the complete circuit without hopping off. The full loop takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.
What time does the first/last bus depart?
On Wednesdays, the first bus leaves at 10:00 and the last at 17:00. Thursday through Tuesday, the first departure is at 11:00 and the last is at 16:00. All times are from the starting point at 99 Quai des Etats-Unis.
Is the Nice hop-on hop-off bus open-top?
Yes, the buses are open-top double-deckers that give you unobstructed views of the coastline and city from over 4 meters high.
Does the bus go to the Russian Cathedral?
Yes, Stop 4 (Eglise Russe / Gambetta) takes you directly to the Russian Cathedral, one of Nice’s most famous landmarks.
How long should I wait between buses?
Buses run every hour, so the maximum wait time is 60 minutes. You can track buses in real time using the live bus tracker to see when the next one is arriving at your stop.