Nice airport: location, destinations, and services
Thinking of spending your summer vacation at the French Riviera? The biggest city of this marvellous region, Nice, could be a good starting point.
The Promenade des Anglais, the charming Old Town, the Matisse and the Marc Chagall Museum, the Cours Saleya flower market, and last but not least the infamous Blue Beach are all must-see landmarks!
If you decide to visit Nice by plane, you will most likely land at Nice Côte d'Azur (IATA code: NCE) airport. Here is what you should know about the airport, its services and the transportation options.
Location
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (in French: Aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur) is the main international airport serving the French Riviera. NCE is located about 8 km southwest of Nice, the capital of the French Alpes-Maritimes départment, and also serves the city-state Principality of Monaco (which is only about 30 km away).
Nice Airport is the third busiest airport in France, after Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly, and serves as a focus city for Air France and an operating base for easyJet.
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Terminals
The airport has two passenger terminals: Terminal 1 serves mainly domestic flights, as well as flights to other European destinations, while Terminal 2 handles long-haul international flights to other continents. The two terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus service.
Transport
If you are travelling to or from Nice Cote d' Azur Airport, there are several transportation options available, including taxis, buses, and trains.
Private transfer / own car / car rental
If you hire a private transfer or you have your own car, you can reach the city within 20-30 minutes. Renting a car from agencies like Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt is also an option at Nice Airport. Their desks are open until 10 p.m. - if you arrive later than that, you should go to the Car Rental centre next to Terminal 2.
Public parking can be a little tricky in Nice, so if your accommodation is in the city centre, especially in the Old Town, you should make sure that your hotel or apartment has a private parking lot.
Taxi
Taxi fares from the airport to the city centre mostly come at a fixed rate of €32 but there might be some surcharges (for example a night rate), so we advise you to speak to the driver first to avoid unpleasant surprises.
As a reference, a taxi ride to Monaco costs about €95, and to Cannes - €85.
Public transport
The Nice airport is well connected to the city with both trams and buses, which can take you to the centre quickly and at a cheap price (a single ticket costs €1.50).
Train
The rail station St. Augustin is located at a 20-minute walking distance from Terminal 1. Here, you can find convenient train connections to destinations along the French Riviera like Cannes, Antibes, Grasse, Monaco, Menton, and Saint Tropez.
Airlines and destinations
As the third busiest French airport, NCE serves numerous airlines and various destinations. Carriers like Air France, Lufthansa, and British Airways mainly fly from Terminal 1, while Terminal 2 serves low-cost airlines such as EasyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air.
If you choose to fly from Nice Airport you can easily reach other French cities or choose from destinations all over Europe (some of them seasonal) and selected destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, and North America.
| Notice Given | Arrival at Final Destination |
| 14 Days or More |
No compensation |
| 7-13 Days | A delay of more than 4 hours |
| Less than 7 Days | A delay of more than 2 hours |
Services
At Nice Airport, you can find restaurants with various food and drinks, cafes, duty-free shops, ATMs, currency exchange offices, and luggage storage.
The airport also offers free Wi-FI access in both terminals and cosy lounges like the Club Airport Premier Lounge and the Canopy Lounge.
We hope that your flights to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport go smoothly and you enjoy your stay at the French Riviera!
However, in the event of any flight disruptions, don’t forget that you might be entitled to financial compensation of up to €600. If you experience a flight delay, cancellation, or denied boarding at NCE, you can check your eligibility and submit your claim for compensation with SkyRefund in only a few minutes.
Did you have a delayed flight in the last 3 years?
Check your compensation for delayed flights for free!