NICE
How to get to Nice
Nice is a wonderfully easy destination to reach from almost anywhere in the world. It is a central transit hub for this part of Europe and so there are plenty of options to choose from that will get you here. Nice is well serviced by road, rail, air and sea links.
Getting to nice by airNice airport is the second busiest airport in France after Paris, with almost ten million passengers passing through its doors last year. There are daily direct flights from North, South and Central Europe as well as North Africa, the Middle East, the United States and Canada. Once you arrive in Nice the airport is located right on the edge of the city centre, at the end of the 7km stretch of sea-front that runs the length of this coastal town making it one of the most conveniently located city airports in Europe.
Getting to nice by railWhile Nice doe not have a direct high speed rail link from Paris, there is TGV service that operates between Paris and Nice, which usually travels via Marseille but does not require a change or stop off. A high speed link is under discussion and may be on the cards in the future which would just serve to make the journey time from Paris quicker but the local trains are regular and prompt.
Paris is the spoke from which most of Frances rail network spans out from so this may be a change point from many destinations, particularly if you are coming from more northern destinations. However if you are travelling on high speed trains from parts of spain you will also have to connect through Paris. it's best to look online at the train operators before planning your journey.
There are multiple high speed train services that criss cross Europe and knowing which ones operate in which country and between which destinations can be tricky information to find out. There are several online European rail agents who offer help with planning journeys, finding timetables and booking tickets and country passess. Look in the RG Directory, to find the contact details of these sites, in any area section under 'Transport'.
Getting to nice by roadFrance has one of the best road networks in Western Europe. The Motorway system is signposted with blue signs and are often marked 'Peáge'. This means that you are entering a section of road that is tolled and therefore has a charge attached to using it. You can find out in advance how much these charges will be by looking at the road network's website, for which you will find details of in the RG directory in any area under 'Transport'.
The tolls may seem expensive, especially if you are travelling from a country that doesn't have toll roads but there is also the option of using the 'Route National' roads. These are marked by green signs and the road numbers are pre fixed with the letters 'RN'. These roads are free to travel but you will find that they take significantly longer and you will use more fuel. The 'Peáge' routes may cost but they will save you money on fuel and time. So choose your route according to your desire. Scenic or fast.
The Cote d'Azur is facilitated by the A8 motorway which runs from east to west along the southern coast, its route is dictated by the mountains and the curve of the land. Nice has five different exits begining at junction 50 signposted for the Promenade and ending with junction 55 which is signposted Nice Est and La Trinité. Coming from the west, take the first exit, junction 50, to bring you onto the Promenade. This runs along by the sea and, aprt from being very scenic, will help you to get your bearings very quickly.
Driving from the east on the A8 motorway take the first Nice junction, 55, and follow signs for 'Nice direct' or 'Nice centre'. This approach will bring you down into Nice's main square, Place Massena, parallel to the Old town and the Promenade des Anglais on the sea to your left. You can also easily reach the port area from this junction.
Look in our RG directory to find useful websites to use to help you plan your route. Also you can pick up Nice street maps free from the tourist offices. These are situated on the Promenade des Anglais, in Nice train station and at the airport.
Getting to nice by seaGetting to Nice via the sea will depend on your point of departure. The main ferry routes into France are in the more northerly ports of France like Calais and Le Havre, from there you can immediately link up to the exceptionally good road network or rail links.
There are few large scale commercial ferry operators in Nice as this part of the Med is largely used by cruise liners and pleasure boaters. Corsica ferries operate from Nice port with limited journeys to several destinations in Corsica. It maybe possible to reach Nice by ferry from Sardinia or Genoa in Italy but only by using Corsica as a connection point. Larger ports are Marseille(France) and Genoa(Italy) but both are several hours drive from Nice.
Nice port also has visitor berths for private motorboats and yachts. Space is at a premium however and booking your space in advance is absolutely essential. you'll find contact details for Nice capitanerie and marina in the RG Directory.
How to get around nice
Once you arrive in Nice getting around is easy with plenty of Buses, local trains and easily navigable roads. The French Riviera is the jewel in France's tourism crown and so visitors are well catered for. The tourist offices have plenty of information and are centrally located in Nice airport terminals, Nice railway station and on the Promenade des Anglais as well as online. Read on for more information on getting around in Nice.
 | A taxi is probably only viable if you have just arrived at Nice Cote d'Azur airport. There is a rank just outside the door of the arrivals halls at Nice Cote D'Azur airport. You can expect your journey to cost between €30 and €50, depending on the time of day and where your summer rental is located.
Expect to pay more during the evening time, most likely because taxis have a monopoly on public transport then. During the daytime, best to take a bus from the airport to Nice Ville. |
Tip: the meter should always be on view and running.
For contact details of Nice's Taxi got to the RG directory. |
 | Nice Cote d'Azur airport does not have a rail link but you can take a bus from outside the door of either terminal into the main station, Nice Ville. The train runs right along the seafront and is the main rail link for everywhere in the region.
The SNCF website can be confusing but there is an information bureau in most stations if you are having problems, or simply go to the station and use the ticket machines in the main hall. |
Tip: use the web to pre-book tickets
For contact details of the national railway and timetables go to the Riviera Rental Guide directory and look under 'Nice'. |
Book onlineThe SNCF website, for all the train information into and out of Nice is not a particularly easy website to use. There are no translations available into other languages and you can only see the timetables when you go to book a ticket which means that you can miss out on train times. Look for websites in your own language with European train information or use the Tourist information offices in Nice.
Buses run from the Nice Cote d'Azur into Nice Ville and Nice train station. The main bus terminus in Nice Ville is the Gare Routiere Semiacs on Boulevard Jean Jaures. Fares have been standardised across the region in order to simplify things for tourists.
Your fare should cost €1. You can also buy a one day bus pass with unlimited travel, called Pass 1 Jour, for €4. Buy your tickets at the Caisse/Parking Bus at arrivals in Terminal 1. Or purchase tickets from Tabacs, kiosks or on the bus. |  |
Tip: nice airport website has useful info.
The airport website has great information for all transport. For web addresses go to the RG directory and look under 'Nice'. |
If you want more freedom for your holiday and have plenty of parking space at your rented villa then you may choose to hire a car. There are lots of companies to choose from. Driving in the region couldn't be simpler, with constant directional reference from both the sea and the mountains.
There are four main arterial roads that run from East to West, between Nice and Italy. The A8 motorway, the Grande Corniche, the Moyenne Corniche and the Basse Corniche. |  |
Tip: don't leave anything of value on sight in your car.
Signposting in France is excellent and reliable, you'll hardly need a road map.
|
motorways and mapsMost motorway services and bookshops sell road maps and maps of the region. Look out for the blue motorway signs marked 'Péage' as these are quite heavily tolled along this stretch of the Cote d'Azur. The national routes are marked with green signposts and while they are a slower route to choose, they are free and usually more scenic.
 | If you want to do things in style you can hop in a helicopter from Nice airport and be whisked off to your holiday property location in the blink of an eye. There are several companies that operate from Nice airport. Contact them directly for flight information, rates and your nearest heliport.
Don't be scared off by how glamorous it sounds, you might just find that's it's an easier, cheaper and more exciting way to get to see the area than you thought. Rates to St Tropez can be competitive with taxi fares. |
Tip: Have your camera handy.
Look out for tourist brochures displayed on the information desk in the airport, they often have money off flight vouchers.
|
 | Nice Port is right in the centre of town, at the opposite end of the Promenade des Anglais to Nice Cote d'Azur airport. Traditionally a fishing port, it now services the community with private berths, for up to and over 75ft/23metres.
Nice Port also services commercial routes along the coast, including in and out of Corsica (journey time 2h55) and transfers to Cannes and St Tropez. Facilities also include a slipway for launching your own boat. For contact details of the Port, where you'll find a full list of services, consult the Riviera Rental Guide directory. |
Tip: VHF channel 12 for the harbour master.
There is very good information available on the web for Nice Port. Search the Riviera Rental Guide directory, under Nice, for listings. |
Nice TramwayThe tram system in Nice is a relatively new affair. Work started on the system in 2003 and was concluded in 2007 with the opening of line 1. There are plans to extend the service to other routes but for now there is one line. It runs for 8.7 kilometres with stops every 300 metres through the centre of Nice linking Pont Michel in the Eastern side of the city with Las Planas in the centre towards Nice Nord.
It by passes land marks such as the exhibition centre the Acropolis, Palaid exposition, the Museum of Modern art, Gare Routiere the main bus station in Nice as well as Place Massena, main shopping district Ave Jean Medicin and Gare Thiers the train station in Nice.
A second line is planned that will connect the city from East to West and provide a much needed alternative access route to Nice Cote d'Azur airport. There have been objections to the proposed routing along the Promenade des Anglais but the line will go ahead.
The cost of a trip on Nice's new tramway is €1 per journey. There are trams every 5 minutes during peak hours and every 8 minutes at off peak times.
The first tram leaves the terminus at 4.26am from Las Planas and the last departure reaches it's destination in Michel Pont at 1.36am. There are 3 park and ride points on the route, one at each terminus and one at the three quarter point of Saint-Jean d'Angely University. The tramway has been a huge success and is part of an ongoing project to improve transport in Nice. |  |
Use it as a hop on hop off
The tram is very useful for traversing the long length of Ave Jean Médicin, making shopping a whole lot easier. |
Public Bike system in NiceThe city of Nice recently introduced public bicycle stations in an attempt to extend the public transport system and encourage the public to adopt a more eco friendly mode of transport. The system has been prototyped in Paris with some success and has now been adopted by the city of Nice.
It is proving to be a very useful service for tourists too as the stations are highly visible and located in convenient spots around the city. There is a plan to implement more cycle lanes and increase the number of bikes available.
There are currently 1200 "Blue Bikes" in operation and more than 120 stations dotted around the streets, this is hoped to be increased to 1750 bikes, 175 stations and 125 miles of bicycle lanes in the near futre.
The Blue bikes or Velo Bleus, are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are self service and each station has an information point that will take you through the steps of registration.
If you are not a regular user then you call the number given on the screen and register by giving them your credit card. You are then able to freely use the bikes and when you return the bicycle to the docking station after your journey the cost is deducted from your credit card.
 | Get cycling using the public bike system in Nice called 'Vélo Bleu'. Sign up for a day at a time or a week at a time if you are just a casual user or nip around for free in allocated free first half hour.
You can register online at www.velobleu.org, or at the bike station with your mobile phone and a credit card or at the Ligne d'Azur agency in Place Massena in central Nice. Prices if you register are €1 per day, €5 per week, €10 per month and €25 per year. |
Website information in French and English
Make sure you register or the charges are a lot higher, €2 per hour. |
Renting holiday Accommodation in Nice
Getting around in Nice couldn't be easier. For all the contact details and websites relevant to transport information please use the RG directory and look under 'Nice'. If you are ready to rent a holiday villa or apartment in Nice then please use the search facility below or go straight to 'Browse Rentals' on the menu on the left. To learn more about Nice please continue on to the next section.
|
|
| |
A selection of our holiday rentals in Nice |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beautiful large two bedroomed apartment in the heart of Old Nice. This is the perfect apartment for visiting this famously exciting and romantic city. The apartment is newly fitted out and delightfully appointed.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A beautifully appointed large studio in a gated art deco haven with direct access to the Promenade des Anglais. Enjoy al fresco dining on the balcony with sea views overlooking the private gardens.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charming four-bedroom apartment, ideally located in the old town of Nice, overlooking the Flower Market. Within walking distance of shops, restaurants, cafés, beaches and the famous promenade des Anglais.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Find your holiday rental in Nice |
|
|
|
| |
| |
Immediate Area |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
Tools:
 | | | |
| |
| |
|
Bedrooms: 1
