The regional train lines, Trains Express Regionaux (TER), are operated by the French state-run monopoly SNCF. These express trains allow for rapid connections between the major coastal cities in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d`Azur area. Trains are available every 30 minutes at certain times of the day and most of the stations are within walking distance of the town center, or offer a bus service from the station. Tickets can be purchased from machines at each station, just make sure to validate the ticket onboard. If the tickets are not validated they are not valid and you will need to pay a fine. Prices on local trains are flat and vary according to the distance.

TER trains are generally faster than buses and stop at most French Riviera resort towns including Mandelieu, Cannes, Antibes, Nice-Saint Augustin, Nice-Ville, Saint Raphael, Toulon, and Menton. Intercity and TGV trains depart only from Nice Ville. Important bus and tram lines always start at, or pass near, the train station in cities and towns with municipal bus and tram systems.

Services: www.sncf.com/fr/trains/ter

From June to September, the Trains des Merveilles offers guided voyages on the Provence-Alpes-Cote d`Azur region. A qualified guide will talk you along the route and tell you about the traditions, the culture and the landscapes of the villages you pass through.

The bus services in the Gulf of Saint Tropez are run by Varlib (www.varlib.fr). The routes are extensive (248 routes between Var municipalities) and links to most of the towns, villages and resorts around Saint Tropez.

From Sainte Tropez`s station on Avenuede General de Gaulle, VarLib buses travel to and from St Raphael, the town with the nearest railway station, about 1 ½ hours, depending on traffic.

Tickets can be purchased at the bus station or on the bus. The costs is about €3 for a single journey, the ticket covers any required changes on a journey up to 90 minutes. You can also buy a 10 trip ticket (which is a better value). The services are regular if not frequent, and times will vary depending on the season. Timetables are available on the Varlib website for the lines listed below, the routes in the area and for onward journeys from Saint Raphael or Toulon.

Bus 7601: Saint Tropez - Saint Raphael
Bus 7701: Saint Tropez - Gassin -Cogolin - Grimaud - La Garde Freinet
Bus 7703: Saint Tropez - Pampelonne Beaches - Ramatuelle
Bus 7705: Saint Tropez - Pampelonne Beaches - Ramatuelle
Bus 7801: Saint Tropez - La CroixValmer - Le Lavandou - Bormes - Toulon

In order to request a stop while riding the bus, you will need to use the red button, `Arret demande,` to alert the driver. If you do not push the button to stop and there are no passengers waiting at that particular stop then the bus will not stop.

Luggage is accepted onboard the buses although bigger suitcases and strollers must be placed in the baggage hold.

Taxi ranks in town are indicated by a blue panel. To reserve a taxi, central booking services are available in the Rivera`s main towns. It is important to note that taxi`s can be expensive on the Riviera.

One of the most convenient ways to get around the Riviera is by car. All of France and Europe`s major car rental companies have branches at Nice Airport. You typically have to pay for parking from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm. In the summer months, traffic conditions may prove to be difficult along the coast.

A8 motorway crosses the whole French Riviera region and provides swift, easy access to Frejus and other towns along the coast. To reach resorts along the Esterel, you must follow the coastal highway N98 east. To get to Saint Tropez and the resorts at the foot of the Massif des Maures, follow N98 southwest from Frejus. To explore the hill towns and the Gorges du Verdon, slow and scenic roads lead north and west from Frejus and Cannes. N98 can be very slow at times, but is the most scenic route and connects you to coastal resorts in between your journey.

There are Boats from Nice to Saint Tropez that run from the end of May to the end of September. The views of the red cliffs of the Esterel are magnificent. From the port of Saint Raphael, a boat runs daily to/from Saint Tropez. The trip is about 1 hour and costs around €25 return.

The shuttle boats are operated by Les Bateaux Verts (www.bateauxverts.com). Another shuttle service, Trans Cote d`Azur (www.trans-cote-azur.com) departs from Nice and Cannes and goes to Corniche de l`Esterel and Saint Tropez. Some of these routes are only offered from May to early October.

Uber is available throughout most of the Riviera and is a much easier option than calling a cab or waiting for one at a designated taxi stand.

All of the towns in the French Riviera are best explored on foot. Every town has a tourist office where you can pick up a map (tourist information offices are usually located within a short distance of the train station). In many of the hill towns and villages, you will find charming little alleyways and plenty of narrow, hilly streets but not to worry, it is surprisingly difficult to get disoriented!