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Cannes is one of the gems of the French Riviera. Here, you’ll find luxury hotels, world-class restaurants, and beautiful sandy beaches. You might also recognize it as the home of the annual Cannes Film Festival, one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. The rich and famous have flocked to Cannes for years, but you don’t need a private jet to explore everything this city offers.
With around 16 trains a day between Paris and Cannes, you can travel from the City of Lights to the sunlight of the Mediterranean in just over 5 hours on the fastest direct high-speed trains.
Head up to our Journey Planner above to find and book train tickets. Just enter the dates and times you’re looking for and we’ll show you the fastest and cheapest trains on this route.
Or continue reading our guide for everything you need to know about getting from Paris to Cannes by train:
TGV is the high-speed train service of the SNCF company. It connects the major cities of France at speeds of up to 200 mph (320 km/h). All TGV trains are equipped with a food carriage, a free WiFi connection, power sockets and fold-down tables. Two comfort classes are offered – First Class and Second Class, with flexible fare options available and access to the Grand Voyageur lounge in some stations.
OUIGO is the low-cost, high-speed train service operated by the French national train company SNCF. Despite having only one class on board, OUIGO trains offer the same comfort as Second Class seats on TGV trains, although OUIGO tickets are only available to purchase online. To make your journey as smooth as possible, arrive at least 30 minutes before departure and bear in mind that there's an additional fee for bringing a suitcase with you, having a seat with power sockets and travelling with a stroller/buggy.
Intercités is the classic service of SNCF. The Intercités lines are an important part of the French rail network. Trains make more stops and are cheaper than TGVs, and run at speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h). Two comfort classes are offered aboard Intercités – First Class and Second Class. Intercités by night allows you to travel at night on certain routes, in sleeper cars.
SNCF is the national train operator of France. It operates all domestic trains and routes across France, as well as international services to Spain and Germany. There are three different types of domestic trains that operate under the SNCF banner – TGV (high-speed, full-service trains that connect the major cities in France), Intercités (usually a more frequent stopping service, but with all the amenities), and TER (regional train services with basic onboard facilities).
In Second Class, TGV INOUI allows you to travel comfortably while enjoying the onboard services, such as free WiFi, power outlets and more.
Prefer to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Second Class as well as some additional extras.
OUIGO comes with only one class, Standard Class, which is the equivalent of TGV's Second Class. On board you'll find WiFi and a café-bar (on services in Spain). There may be a trolley service on Train Classique services in France. You can pay extra to guarantee a seat with a power outlet, as not all seats currently have one.
If you're travelling in Second Class, you'll enjoy at-seat power sockets, free WiFi and a catering service offering snacks and drinks.
In addition to all the amenities available in Standard Class, you'll find more legroom, adjustable seats and individual tables in First Class.
On board TGV INOUI trains, you can take up to 2 pieces of luggage measuring no more than 70 x 90 x 50 cm (27.5 x 35.4 x 19.6 inches), plus one hand luggage measuring no more than 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches). If you are bringing an XL baggage (maximum 90 x 130 cm or 35.4 x 51.1 inches), it will replace one of the two 70 x 90 x 50 cm (27.5 x 35.4 x 19.6 inches) pieces of luggage authorised.
All your luggage must be labelled before entering the train.
All TGV INOUI trains are equipped with a café-bar car offering a range of food and drink to suit you at any time of day. The Bar is always situated in car 4 or 14 of the train. There's a range of local and responsibly sourced products on offer.
TGV INOUI trains have free WiFi on board for you to use throughout your journey, allowing you to stay connected, reply to emails or even relax and enjoy what's offered on the TGV INOUI entertainment portal.
Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap.
If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand baggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket. Bike tickets cost €10 per bike, per journey.
Small pets are allowed on board TGV INOUI trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on TGV INOUI services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a leash. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains.
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
One piece of hand baggage (36 x 27 x 15 cm) and one piece of cabin baggage (55 x 35 x 25 cm) can be taken onboard. You can take additional or larger bags with you (max. 30kg) for an extra fee or by paying for OUIGO Plus.
On OUIGO trains in France: an at-seat service of snacks is available on Train classique services. This service is not available on high-speed OUIGO trains.
On OUIGO trains in Spain: OUIBAR is located in car 4 of each train and offers a selection of hot and cold drinks, plus snacks.
WiFi (OUIFI) and an entertainment portal (OUIFUN) are available at an additional cost.
For OUIGO trains in France: Passengers under 12 years old pay a fixed price for tickets all year round - €5 for journeys on Train classique services, and €8 for high speed services.
For OUIGO trains in Spain: Passengers under 12 pay €5 for all journeys.
You can take your bicycle on board OUIGO trains if you add the 'Bike' option onto your ticket for an additional fee of at least €5. Your bike must be folded or dismantled and placed in a storage bag for transport.
Pets are only allowed on board OUIGO trains if the 'Pets' option is added to your ticket at the time of booking. (1 pet per adult, per booking, €10 per pet.)
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
You can take as much baggage as you want on INTERCITÉS trains, whether that's a suitcase, overnight bag or a backpack - just make sure that each piece of baggage is no taller than 130cm and no wider than 90cm. You must be able to carry all your baggage yourself. All baggage must be labelled before you hop on board the train.
You can treat yourself without leaving your seat on INTERCITÉS trains, as there's an at-seat food and drink service. Discover the INTERCITÉS menu 'Nos Territoires Gourmands' and enjoy high-quality, local products. This service is only available on the following routes: Paris - Clermont-Ferrance, Paris - Toulouse, Bordeaux - Marseille, Paris - Briançon (night INTERCITÉS train), Paris - Toulouse (night train), Paris - Lourdes (night train), Paris - Nice (night train).
Free WiFi is available on some INTERCITÉS services. Kick back and relax with free WiFi on the following routes: Paris-Clermont-Ferrand, Paris-Limoges-Toulouse, Marseille-Bordeaux and Paris-Briançon. On overnight trains, you can connect to free WiFi on the Paris - Nice and Paris - Briançon routes.
Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap.
If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand luggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket for an additional fee.
Small pets are allowed on board INTERCITÉS trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on INTERCITÉS services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a lead. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains.
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Paris to Cannes by booking early.§
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
Here’s how to get from all three of Paris’ airports to the city center.
Your train from Paris to Cannes leaves from Gare de Lyon. Here’s how to get there!
Gare de Lyon station is located in eastern Paris and easily accessed due to the city’s public transport system. If you’re hoping to take the train to Cannes and need to get to Paris Gare de Lyon train station, you can get there by:
Using public transport in Paris
Paris Métro is the best way to travel around the city quickly, cheaply and easily. If you’re planning to travel around Paris and France, we recommend you buy a T+ ticket – it allows connections between the Métro and RER trains in central Paris and will take you to all the main stations in Paris where you can catch a connecting TGV high-speed train to other French cities.
Kids under 4 can travel for free on the Métro, RER, bus, and tramway services, provided they sit on your lap and don’t occupy a seat. Children under 10 get 50% off the ticket price.
This is what you can find at Gare de Lyon, and what to expect when you board your train.
No stress once you arrive! Enjoy the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle immediately.
After just over 5 hours on the train, you can take it easy in Cannes. The train station is right in the middle of the city and only 0.2 miles from the famous Promenade de la Croisette and its picture-perfect beach. There are also 13 regular bus routes (operated by Palm Bus) departing from outside of the station.
Le Suquet: Hit up the Medieval heart of Cannes in the Le Suquet neighborhood. Head west from the station on foot for 12 minutes or catch a No. 7 bus from just outside the station.
Old Port and Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes: Take in the yachts in the harbor or follow in the footsteps of your favorite movie stars at the location of the Cannes Film Festival. Walk south from the station for 10 minutes or catch a bus (2, 4, 6B, 7 or A) from just outside the station.
La Croisette: Cannes’ most famous beach, overlooked by the promenade. A 12-minute walk southeast of the station.
Forget cars! You can get around Cannes on foot or by bike—or even by segway!
The center of Cannes is small and easily walkable from the station. But different public transport and rental options are environmentally friendly:
Where to visit and where to stay while you’re on the Côte d’Azur? We can’t answer those questions for you, but here’s some inspiration from our travel blog.
The whole Côte d’Azur is easily accessible by train from Cannes. Here are some of the top destinations nearby.
Unless you have a private jet, you probably won’t be flying out of Cannes Airport. But don’t worry! Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is less than an hour away by train. Here’s how to get there.
From Cannes station, take the train east along the coast to Nice Saint-Augustin station. The journey takes around 30 minutes on average.
Once you arrive, you can either walk for 7 minutes along the dedicated pedestrian walkway to Terminal 1, or you can take Tramway Lines 2 or 3 from the Grand-Arénas tram station (right next to the train station) directly to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2—the tram is free for this journey.
After visiting Marseille, why not continue exploring Europe by train? With a Eurail Pass, you can travel across 33 European countries as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of travel days.
You can use a Eurail Pass if you’re not a European citizen or resident. If you're a European citizen or a non-European who is an official legal resident of a European country, you can use an Interrail Pass instead.