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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Nice Carnival & The Côte d'Azur by First Class Rail

London to Nice by Eurostar and TGV for carnival and Côte d'Azur

Illustration of Nice Carnival & The Côte d'Azur by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's Nice Carnival and Côte d'Azur holiday is a 5-day independent rail journey from London to the Mediterranean coast. You depart London St Pancras on Eurostar in Standard Premier class, with an at-seat meal, then change in Paris for the TGV that winds south along the Mediterranean shore to Nice. You stay 4 nights at Le Palais de la Méditerranée, a 4-star hotel with daily breakfast included. Days 2, 3, and 4 are yours to structure: attend the world-famous Nice Carnival with its elaborate floats and flower festival, stroll the Promenade des Anglais, explore the historic Old Town with its Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicolas and its golden cupolas, and visit the Matisse and Chagall museums. The itinerary also gives you the option to day-trip by local rail to the glamorous coastal towns of Cannes, Monte Carlo, or St Tropez. On day 5, you return to London by TGV and Eurostar, with a light meal and drinks served en route. This package suits independent travellers and couples who want the experience of European first-class rail without a guide, and who enjoy a flexible pace to discover a Mediterranean destination.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement from £195 applies for solo travellers, nearly doubling the base price per person for some bookings
  • The carnival and exact seasonal availability are not confirmed in the operator's listing; confirm dates with Planet Rail before booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Nice (Palais de la Méditerranée)

    London through France to Nice

    Begin at London St Pancras International station and board the Eurostar, travelling at speeds of up to 300km/h through South-East England and into France, with an at-seat meal and drinks. On arrival in Paris, a taxi driver takes you across the city from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon to board the TGV south, winding along the Mediterranean shore to Nice. From the Gare de Nice-Ville, a short transfer takes you to the Promenade des Anglais, home to your hotel for the next 4 nights, the Palais de la Méditerranée (5 star).

  2. Day 2overnight: Nice (Palais de la Méditerranée)

    Nice Carnival and the Côte d'Azur

    Take the opportunity to experience the world-famous Nice Carnival and admire the elaborate floats and flower festival.

  3. Day 3overnight: Nice (Palais de la Méditerranée)

    Nice Carnival and the Côte d'Azur

    A tour of the historic Old Town, a wander along the Promenade des Anglais, and visits to the Matisse and Chagall museums. Visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicolas, with its six cupolas and golden bulbs, a symbol of the Russian colony on the Côte d'Azur.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Nice (Palais de la Méditerranée)

    Nice Carnival and the Côte d'Azur

    Take advantage of the excellent rail links along the Côte d'Azur to visit the glamorous coastal towns of Cannes, Monte Carlo or St Tropez.

  5. Day 5rail

    Nice to London

    After breakfast, make your way back to the Gare de Nice-Ville for the journey on board the TGV to Paris. A private taxi transfers you across the city for the connecting Eurostar service to London, with a light meal and drinks served in Standard Premier Class on the journey north through the Eurotunnel to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar at London St Pancras and travel at up to 300 km/h through South-East England and France, with an at-seat meal, then switch to the TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon south along the Mediterranean shore to Nice
  • Day 2Experience the world-famous Nice Carnival with its elaborate floats and flower festival
  • Day 3Tour the historic Old Town, walk the Promenade des Anglais, visit the Matisse and Chagall museums, and see the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicolas with its six golden cupolas
  • Day 4Use the excellent rail links along the Côte d'Azur to day-trip to Cannes, Monte Carlo, or St Tropez

Included

  • First Class return rail travel from London to Nice (Standard Premier service on Eurostar)
  • 4 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast each day
  • Private taxi transfer in Paris

Not included

  • Single supplement (solo travellers) from £195
  • Cancellation, medical and travel insurance (contact Planet Rail for details and prices)

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes first-class return rail travel from London to Nice: Eurostar in Standard Premier class and the TGV south from Paris
Is this an escorted tour?
No. This is an independent, tailor-made holiday. You navigate Nice and day-trips on your own; only the Paris transfer is arranged by Planet Rail
What hotel is included?
Le Palais de la Méditerranée in Nice for all 4 nights, with breakfast each day
What is the travel time and route?
London St Pancras to Paris by Eurostar, then Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice by TGV, travelling along the Mediterranean coast. Return follows the same route
What happens on the free days?
Days 2, 3, and 4 are unguided. You can visit the Nice Carnival, explore the Old Town and museums, walk the Promenade des Anglais, and use the local rail to day-trip to Cannes, Monte Carlo, or St Tropez
What is not included?
Travel insurance, meals other than hotel breakfasts, and attractions or local transport beyond the provided taxi transfer in Paris

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