Arrival & Transport
Arrival by Plane
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)
The Aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur is the third largest airport in France and is located just 6 km west of the city center — right by the sea. From landing to the Promenade des Anglais can take less than 20 minutes. Two terminals, well organized.
Flight connections from Germany
- Lufthansa / Swiss / Austrian — From Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna. Flight time: 1.5–2 hours.
- easyJet — From Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Basel. Often from 30€ one-way.
- Eurowings — From Düsseldorf, Cologne, Stuttgart. Affordable direct connections.
- Air France / Transavia — Via Paris or directly from German cities.
From the airport to the center
| Option | Price | Duration | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tram L2 | 1.50€ | 25–30 Min. | Direct from the airport to the center (Jean Médecin, Port Lympia). Best option! |
| Bus 98 (Aéroport Express) | 6€ | 30 Min. | To the old port and Garibaldi. Every 15 Min. |
| Taxi | 32€ (fixed price) | 15–20 Min. | Fixed price to the center since 2023. |
| Uber/Bolt | 20–30€ | 15–20 Min. | Uber works well in Nice. |
Arrival by Train
TGV from Germany
The TGV connects Paris with Nice in 5.5 hours — one of the most beautiful train routes in France, especially the last 90 minutes along the coast. From Frankfurt, there are direct TGV/ICE connections to Strasbourg, from there continue with the TGV to Nice. Prices: from 59€ with early booking via SNCF Connect.
Trains along the coast
The TER regional line along the Côte d'Azur is one of the best and cheapest ways to explore the coast:
| Route | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nice → Monaco | 20 Min. | 4.10€ |
| Nice → Menton | 35 Min. | 5.80€ |
| Nice → Antibes | 25 Min. | 5.40€ |
| Nice → Cannes | 35 Min. | 7.90€ |
| Cannes → Saint-Raphaël | 25 Min. | 7.50€ |
The trains run every 15–30 minutes and the route runs directly along the sea — breathtaking. No traffic jams, no parking stress. The best way to get around along the coast.
Tipp
There is no train station for Saint-Tropez — the nearest is Saint-Raphaël (Fréjus). From there, buses (line 7601, approx. 1.5 hours) or boats (Les Bateaux Verts, 1 hour, 16€ return) go to Saint-Tropez. The boat is the more beautiful and stress-free option.
Local Transport
Tram & Bus in Nice
Nice's tram lines (L1 and L2) connect the main points of the city: airport, center, port, Cimiez (Matisse Museum). Single ride: 1.50€, day pass: 5€. The buses (Ligne d'Azur) also cost 1.50€ and cover the entire city area.
Rental Car
For the coastal cities, you don't need a rental car — the trains are better. But for the hinterland (Gorges du Verdon, mountain villages, Grasse, lavender fields), a car is indispensable. Rental cars from Nice Airport: from 30€/day. Note: Parking in the coastal cities is expensive (2–4€/hour) and almost impossible in summer.
Bicycle & E-Scooter
Nice has a good bike-sharing system (Vélo Bleu): 1€ + 1€/30 Min. The Promenade des Anglais has a continuous bike path. E-scooters (Lime, Dott) are available everywhere in Nice and Cannes — practical for short distances, but be careful in the old town area.
Boats & Ferries
Various boat lines connect the coastal cities over the water — often the more beautiful (and traffic-free) alternative:
- Trans Côte d'Azur: Nice → Monaco, Nice → Saint-Tropez, Cannes → Îles de Lérins
- Les Bateaux Verts: Sainte-Maxime → Saint-Tropez (15 Min., 8€ one-way)
- Corsica Ferries: Nice → Corsica (Bastia, Ajaccio, Calvi) — day trip possible
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