17 Best Day Trips From Nice: See the Entire French Riviera
There are tons of stunning towns along the French Riviera. Use this list of the best day trips from Nice to guarantee you'll see all the riviera has to offer!
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Thanks to my South of France addiction, and the fact I was dating a local for a year, I’ve traveled through Nice Airport at least 30 times or more over the last decade.
During that time, I’ve conquered every method of transportation from Nice airport to city center.
I still remember one of my very first solo trips in the summer of 2019 when I was on a tight budget, with too much luggage, and a of excitement carrying me through my jetlag.
I’d heard from my hotel that taking the tram into Nice was the easiest and cheapest way to get there, but was worried because my French wasn’t great.
Thankfully, the airport makes it super easy, since the tram only goes one direction, it’s pretty hard to mess up.
My only regret was having to lug all my luggage about 15 minutes up the road from the station in Nice.
If it’s your first time in the French Riviera, Nice is the perfect place to base yourself out of because of how easy it is to get to from the airport.
Just keep reading to find out how accessible the airport is from downtown Nice.
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Upon your arrival at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, you’re greeted by the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera.
The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Terminal 1 is your starting point for a variety of international flights, streamlined by amenities designed to cater to your comfort.
If your journey begins or ends here, you can find convenient parking options and a range of transport facilities.
Moving to Terminal 2, also known as Aéroport Terminal 2, serves a mix of both domestic and international flights.
From the moment you step off your plane to grabbing your luggage, signs clearly guide you through (as well as an English recording, with a hilarious pronunciation of “Nice”).
Both terminals have vending machines where you can purchase tickets for public transport, making your onward journey as seamless as possible.
Between terminals 1 and 2, swift and reliable transport options are available, including shuttle services that connect the two hubs efficiently.
Whether you’re just landing or embarking on your next adventure, Nice Airport is quite easy to navigate with its organized layout and helpful signage.
Remember, always check which terminal your flight is associated with to make your travel hassle-free. Welcome and Bon Voyage!
Tram Line 2 offers a direct route to the city center with stops including Jean Médecin and Place Masséna.
This is normally what I use to get into Nice when I stay there. It’s super easy and basically impossible to mess up too badly, because the tram only goes one direction into the city.
You just need to decide if you want to connect to the Jean Médecin station, or with the port via the Port Lympia station.
The tram costs €1.50 per person and is is valid for 74 minutes. You can buy your ticket from the vending machines outside the terminals or online.
It runs roughly every 8 minutes during the week.
The tramway gives you a cheap and a quick eco-friendly way to reach key locations.
It is worth noting, that it’s good to see what the distance from your tram stop to your hotel will be.
I’ve had one trip where I was lucky and it was super walkable, and another, where my hotel was off the beaten path and which meant I took an Uber part of the way once I made it into the city.
Since the tram opened, there’s only one bus that goes between from Nice Airport to Nice centre – Bus Line 12.
To catch it, head to the main road in front of Terminal 1.
The ride will cost you cost you €1.50 and take roughly 20 minutes.
Besides stopping at the airport’s Terminal 1, it also stops at the Promenade des Anglais, the Place Masséna (Masséna square) and the Vieille Ville (Old Town).
Right outside the terminals, there are taxis and private transfer services available.
You’ll want to make sure you’re in a taxi with an official license plate because prices can vary.
Typically, instead of queuing for a cab, I’ll just call for an Uber as I’m grabbing my luggage, since I mostly stay in Antibes these days.
It’s worth noting, you’ll be meeting your rideshare in a parking lot designated at the time of connection.
If you prefer driving, car rentals are available at Nice Airport.
Depending on which country you’re coming from, you may need an International License.
As an American, I was able to quickly swing by AAA before departing to get one for $20.
Fair warning, they take your photo, so go photo read.
If you’re debating walking, don’t.
I’m an avid walker, and there’s no way I would choose to walk unless my hotel was across the street.
Trust me, it’s not worth it, especially dragging. Hop on the bus or tram if you’re trying to save money.
The SNCF train network doesn’t directly connect to Nice Airport.
There is a stop somewhat close by, Nice St-Augustin, that you could take a brief car ride to.
You could also walk, but honestly, it’s a pain and all my local friends say it’s not worth the 20+ minute walk of navigating the streets to get there.
If you’re heading to Nice, just hop on the airport tram.
The only time I’d ever head to the train station would be to hop on a train to one of the other cities along the French Riviera.
Trams and buses run frequently, with reduced schedules on Sundays and holidays.
You’ll want to check the latest schedules, especially you’re traveling during events like football matches where traffic is going to be much heavier (I’ve been there, trust me, you’ll want to know early).
My favorite way to get to Nice from the airport is to hop on the tram. It only takes about 30 minutes and is super affordable and easy to navigate.
There’s also a bus that connects to the city, taking about 20 minutes.
Or, hop in a taxi or Uber for a quicker private journey.
Choosing a local Nice taxi will typically cost you a flat rate of €32, taking around 10-15 minutes to reach the city center.
You can only use the free airport shuttle to move between terminals, but for direct transportation to the city center, buses, trams, and taxis are your go-to options.
Yes, Tram 2 connects Nice Airport to the city center. The Lignes d’Azur website gives timetables and a map of the tram route.
The tram fare from Nice Airport to the city center is quite economical, costing only €1.50 for the journey.
Yes, you can easily book an Uber from Nice Airport to the city center, with the fare dependent on the time of day and demand.
It’s also the easiest way to get to other towns along the Riviera. I always either have friends pick me up or hop in an Uber these days because my favorite place to stay in the South of France is Antibes.
I won’t even deny it, I’m already antsy to plan my next trip to the South of France after writing this.
In fact, there’s a very good chance I’m about to book one of my flights for my annual visit to the French Riviera this summer.
Let me know in the comments below which transport option you’re picking when going from the airport to Nice!
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