Cannes - Transportation for hire from the pier

[pyrogy girl]

Our family group of 8 (seniors- 11yr olds) is arriving on RCL Independence of the Seas. We are wondering if there will be transportation for hire at the pier. We'd love to book an English speaking driver with van for the day. Vans with drivers were plentiful and very reasonably priced at ports in Mexico and in the Caribbean. I realize the situation could be totally different in Europe. I've looked into 3 private tour companies in Cannes, and for a van with a guide for the 8 of us would cost app 720 Euros. We are hoping that less expensive alternatives might be available. If not, we may have to "bite the bullet" and join the rest of the masses on one of the ship's excursions.

[Hlitner]

You need to realize that this is not anything like Mexico or third world islands. It is France where taxi drivers will often ignore passengers if it would interfere with their coffee break. There will possibly be a few taxis at the tender pier area (the parking lot outside the tender pier) but we have also tendered into Cannes when there was not a single taxi (we later saw about 6 taxis parked a few blocks away where the drivers were having breakfast). As to a Van, that is very unlikely to be found at the pier. With gasoline costing over $8 a gallon folks are just not sitting around with large vans (or vehicles). The 720 Euros for a private large van/driver is actually pretty typical for this part of Europe. At one time those 720 Euros would have been equal to $650, but now its over $1000 thanks to our government who continues to spend money we do not have. Unless you are willing to do thing on your own via public transit you will need to pay the price. If you really want that van/driver for the day you need to arrange it in advance and pay the big bucks.

 

Hank