During our recent trip to the Côte d’Azur, we arrived at Nice Airport and planned to spend a few days in Saint-Tropez. It seemed simple: take a train or bus and be strolling along the promenade in a couple of hours.
In reality, the journey to Saint-Tropez turned out to be one of the most confusing parts of the trip.
The first thing we thought about was the train. French trains are usually comfortable, so it seemed like an obvious option. We were sure there was a direct connection between Nice and Saint-Tropez.
It turned out that wasn’t the case.
There are no trains to Saint-Tropez at all. The nearest stations are in the Fréjus or Saint-Raphaël area, and from there you’d still have to find a bus, taxi, or other means of transportation.
And then our original plan began to fall apart.
So we decided to look at the buses. In terms of cost, the bus seemed like the most cost-effective option. If you choose the right routes and transfers, the journey could cost around 20-25 euros per person. For budget travelers, this sounds great.
But when we started comparing bus schedules with arrival times, complications arose.
After landing, we had to wait a long time for the first bus. Then another transfer, and more waiting. With luggage, after a long flight, and a lack of understanding of local transportation, such a trip easily turns into a test of patience.
We had three large suitcases, and it gradually became clear that we could lose almost half a day just on the road.
Then we decided to check taxi prices.
At first glance, it seemed convenient: you pick up near the airport and go directly. But the cost was an unpleasant surprise. We found information that a trip for three passengers could cost around 400 euros, and sometimes more – a lot depends on the season, time of day, and traffic.
We didn’t want to pay that much just for a transfer to the hotel.
We continued looking for options and began comparing private transfers. And then came the unexpected: some offers were significantly cheaper than a regular taxi. We found a fixed price of around 180 euros. Among the options was even a Tesla Model S with a large trunk that easily fit three suitcases.
Honestly, we were more interested in the fixed price than in the car.
No surprises.
No meter.
No worries that traffic would add another 100 euros to the fare.
You can compare prices for official taxis and private transfers from Nice Airport to Saint-Tropez, as of this year; the difference is truly noticeable.
Since we weren’t traveling during the busiest summer period, there were almost no serious traffic jams, and the journey from Nice Airport to Saint-Tropez took about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
After comparing buses, trains, and taxis, the difference was noticeable. Instead of several transfers and waiting, we arrived relatively rested and even managed to stroll around the port in the evening.
Saint-Tropez itself turned out to be completely different from what we imagined. It’s quiet in the morning, with small cafes and markets opening, and the atmosphere is more reminiscent of a cozy seaside town than a destination exclusively for expensive yachts. We’ll likely travel back the same way.
Not because it was the cheapest option.
But because after a long flight, convenience was more important than saving a few dozen euros.
After this trip, we realized one thing: getting to Saint-Tropez is not difficult, but choosing the wrong transportation can turn the first day of your vacation into the most tiring.
What surprised us most was Saint-Tropez itself.
Before our trip, we had imagined it quite differently: exclusively expensive yachts, luxury boutiques, and a place people come to just for beautiful photos. This is partly true, especially near the port. But in reality, the city turned out to be much quieter and more cozy than we expected.
In the morning, the atmosphere is completely different from the usual image of Saint-Tropez from social media. Small cafes open, locals walk their dogs along the waterfront, and the markets begin to open. The old part of the city is quiet: narrow streets, colorful shutters on the windows, small bakeries, and almost no tourist bustle.
One evening, we simply sat by the port and watched the setting sun change the color of the water and people return on their yachts. Unexpectedly, this became one of the most memorable moments of the trip. Not the expensive restaurants or luxury cars, but the simple feeling of tranquility by the sea.
We also realized that Saint-Tropez is much more pleasant to visit outside of the peak tourist season. There’s less traffic, easier access to restaurants, quieter streets, and the opportunity to see the city as it lives every day, not just in the height of summer.
By the end of the trip, it became clear why so many people return again and again. Saint-Tropez isn’t just parties, yachts, and expensive vacations. It’s largely about the atmosphere: the smell of the sea in the morning, long walks along the port, small cafes, and the feeling that time moves a little slower here.
Perhaps this is precisely why the drive here becomes an important part of the trip. Because when, after a flight and a long drive, you finally see the first streets of Saint-Tropez, you realize that the trip was truly worth it.
