Nice Airport (Nice Côte d’Azur) is about 7 km west of Nice city centre. Tram line 2 reaches the centre in under 30 minutes for €10, and the official taxi fare to central Nice is a fixed €32. For most European flights the airport asks you to arrive 2 hours before departure, or 3 hours for long-haul.
This guide answers the questions travellers ask most about Nice Airport, using the airport’s own pages and the official transport operators: opening hours, check-in times, getting into town, taxis, luggage, parking, lounges and more.
How big is Nice Airport?
Nice Airport handled 15.23 million commercial passengers in 2025, up 3.2% on 2024, according to the airport’s 2025 results. It is the third busiest airport in France, behind the two Paris airports.
The official airport website lists 127 destinations, and the airport now counts 18 long-haul routes. For a regional airport, that is a lot of choice, which is also why the terminals get busy in summer.
How far is Nice Airport from the city centre?
Nice Airport is about 7 km (4 miles) west of the city centre. By tram the trip to the centre takes under 30 minutes, and by car it depends mostly on traffic.
This short distance is one of the big advantages of flying into Nice. You can land, collect your bags and be at a hotel on the Promenade or in the old town in well under an hour on most days.
Which terminal does my airline use at Nice Airport?
The airport has two terminals, and your airline decides which one you use. According to the airport, Terminal 1 serves airlines including British Airways, Ryanair, Qatar Airways and United, while Terminal 2 serves airlines including Air France, easyJet, Emirates, KLM, Aer Lingus and Wizz Air.
Always check your booking, because airlines can move. Our detailed guide to Nice Airport Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2 explains the differences and where your driver meets you at each one.
How do I get between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2?
Moving between the two terminals is free. You can take tram lines 2 and B, which reach Terminal 2 in under 3 minutes, or the free electric shuttle bus, according to the airport’s shuttle page.
The shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 4:30 am until the last flight, and at the latest until 1:30 am. If you are connecting between terminals, allow extra time for security at the second terminal.
Is Nice Airport open 24 hours?
The airport does not publish 24-hour terminal opening on its official pages. Its free terminal shuttle runs from 4:30 am until the last flight, at the latest 1:30 am, which gives a good idea of the airport’s working day.
If you have a very early departure or a late arrival, check your flight time with your airline and plan your transport in advance. For flights very early or late in the day, a pre-booked transfer means you are not relying on the first or last tram.
Can you sleep at Nice Airport?
The airport’s official pages do not offer an overnight sleeping policy or rest areas for passengers. Since the terminal shuttle stops at the latest at 1:30 am and restarts at 4:30 am, plan on staying in a hotel near the airport if you land late and leave early.
A night in a hotel is usually the more comfortable choice anyway. A chauffeur can take you there and back at fixed times.
How early should I arrive at Nice Airport?
The airport recommends arriving 2 hours before departure for short- and medium-haul flights, and at least 3 hours before for long-haul flights. You should be at your boarding gate 30 minutes before take-off, according to the check-in guide.
The airport also advises going through security checks at least 1 hour before the boarding gates close. In summer and on busy weekends, give yourself a little more time, especially if you are travelling with children or checking bags.
How do I get from Nice Airport to Nice city centre?
The cheapest way from the airport to the centre is tram line 2, which takes under 30 minutes. A taxi costs a fixed €32 to central Nice, and a private chauffeur takes you door to door at a price agreed in advance.
Here is how the main options compare:
| Option | Time to Nice centre | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tram line 2 | Under 30 minutes | €10 AERO ticket | Light luggage, central hotels |
| Taxi | Depends on traffic | €32 fixed fare | Short notice, door to door |
| Private chauffeur | Door to door | Fixed price agreed in advance | Families, luggage, late arrivals |
| Train from Nice Saint-Augustin | A few minutes | TER fare | Travellers heading along the coast |
Tram details come from the airport and Lignes d’Azur, and taxi fares from the airport’s official taxi page.
Taking the tram from Nice Airport
Tram line 2 connects both terminals at the airport with the city centre at Jean Médecin station and the port at Port Lympia. It runs about every 8 minutes on weekdays, and the airport ticket costs €10.
The tram is fast and easy, but it has limits: you carry your own bags, you may need to change or walk at the other end, and it is less practical late at night or with children.
Taking a taxi from Nice Airport
Official taxis wait at entrance A3 of both terminals, and fares to the main destinations are fixed. The airport lists €32 to Nice centre, €72 to Antibes or Juan-les-Pins, €85 to Cannes and €95 to Monaco, according to its taxi page.
For more detail, see our guide to how much a taxi from Nice Airport to the city centre costs, and our comparison of Uber and taxis in Nice.
Is there a train station at Nice Airport?
Yes. Nice Saint-Augustin station is less than 500 metres from the airport, and a dedicated pedestrian walkway gets you there from Terminal 1 (exit door A0) in about 7 minutes, according to the airport’s train page.
From there, TER trains run along the coast towards Nice, Antibes, Cannes, Monaco and Menton. It is a good option if you travel light and are staying near a station.
What happens when I land at Nice Airport?
Arriving is straightforward once you know the order of things. Here is what to expect from the moment the doors open:
- Passport control. Flights from outside the Schengen area, including the UK, go through passport control; flights from inside Schengen usually do not.
- Baggage claim. Screens in the hall show which belt your flight is on.
- Arrivals hall. This is where meet-and-greet drivers wait with a name sign, and where you find the service centre.
- Onward transport. Follow signs to the tram, the taxi rank at entrance A3, or the car parks.
If you have booked a chauffeur, switch your phone on as soon as you land and connect to the free wifi. Your driver will already know whether your flight is on time.
How do I get from Nice Airport to Monaco or Cannes?
From the airport, ZOU! express bus 80 runs to Monaco and Menton, and line 81 runs to Cannes. Line 80 costs €21.40 one way and runs every 30 minutes to and from Monaco, according to Nice Airport Xpress.
A taxi costs €85 to Cannes and €95 to Monaco at the fixed airport rate. For door-to-door travel with luggage, see our guides to getting from Nice Airport to Monaco and Nice Airport to Cannes.
Can I reach the rest of the Riviera by public transport?
Yes, for the coastal towns. Tram line 2 takes you into Nice, the TER train from Nice Saint-Augustin runs along the coast, and ZOU! express buses go to Monaco, Menton and Cannes.
What public transport does not do well is door-to-door travel with luggage, hill villages such as Eze or Saint-Paul-de-Vence, or late-night arrivals. For those, a taxi or a pre-booked chauffeur is simpler. A good rule: if your hotel is next to a tram stop or station and you travel light, public transport works well; otherwise, book a car.
Is there left luggage at Nice Airport?
Yes. Luggage storage at the airport is at the service centres in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, before security, and costs €19 per bag for 24 hours, or €21 for oversized items such as bikes, golf clubs and skis, according to the airport’s luggage page.
The airport lists the service as open every day from 8 am to 9 pm, though its service centre page shows 7 am to 9 pm. If your timing is tight, check on the day.
Where can I park at Nice Airport?
The airport has several car parks at each terminal, sorted by price and distance. According to the airport’s parking page, P8 (Terminal 1) and P9 (Terminal 2) are the economy car parks, described as the best deal for 3 days or more.
P4 and P6 are within walking distance, P2, P3 and P5 give direct access to the terminals, and G1 and G2 are premium options. The airport advertises special weekend rates from €49 for 3 days; other prices depend on dates, so book online to compare.
Is there free wifi at Nice Airport?
Yes. Wifi at the airport is free and unlimited on the network “NiceAirportFreeWifi”, according to the airport’s wifi page. You simply connect and accept the terms.
It is useful to message your driver or check your transfer once you land, before you reach the arrivals hall.
Are there lounges at Nice Airport?
Yes. There are four VIP lounges, and they are open to all passengers regardless of airline or class of travel, according to the airport’s lounge page. In Terminal 1, The Library serves Schengen flights and The Canopy non-Schengen flights.
In Terminal 2, The Infinity serves Schengen flights and The Levity non-Schengen flights. UK flights are outside the Schengen area, so check which lounge matches your gate before you pay.
Can I go straight from the airport to Antibes, Grasse or the ski resorts?
Yes. Many visitors never stop in Nice at all. The Antibes tourist office puts Antibes about 20 km from the airport, a drive of 20 to 40 minutes, and the regional tourist board puts Grasse around 35 minutes away.
In winter, the ski resorts of the Alpes-Maritimes are also within reach: the Métropole places Isola 2000 about 1 hour 30 minutes from the coast and the airport. Our guides to Antibes, Grasse and the best day trips from Nice cover each route in detail.
What if my flight is delayed?
If your flight is delayed, a pre-booked chauffeur who tracks your flight simply adjusts the pickup time. You do not need to call anyone or rebook, and the price stays the price you agreed.
With the tram, delays matter less during the day, but a late-night arrival can leave you with fewer options. With a taxi, you join the queue at whatever time you land. This is one of the main reasons families and business travellers book in advance.
If you are connecting to a train, a ferry or a dinner reservation, build a buffer into your plans on arrival day. A delayed flight is much less stressful when the last part of the journey is already taken care of.
Can I bring skis, golf clubs or a bike?
Yes. The airport’s left-luggage service accepts oversized items such as bikes, golf clubs and skis at €21 per item for 24 hours, which is useful if you arrive before your accommodation is ready.
For the onward journey, tell us about your equipment when you ask for a quote. Our Mercedes V-Class takes up to 7 passengers and 7 bags, and we will confirm what fits before you travel.
When should I leave my hotel for the airport?
Work backwards from the airport’s advice: be at the terminal 2 hours before a short- or medium-haul flight, or 3 hours before a long-haul one, then add the journey time from your hotel. From central Nice the distance is short, but from Cannes, Monaco or a hillside villa, allow for traffic.
In summer, on Friday evenings and during big events such as the Cannes film festival or the Monaco Grand Prix, the coast road and the motorway can be much slower. If in doubt, leave earlier: waiting at the gate is better than running to it.
When you book a departure with us, we suggest a pickup time based on your flight, your starting point and the season.
If you are returning a hire car first, add time for the car park and the walk or shuttle to your terminal. And if you are flying with a group, agree on one meeting point and time the evening before, so nobody is still packing when the car arrives.
Where does my chauffeur meet me?
Your chauffeur meets you in the arrivals hall of your terminal with a name sign, after baggage claim. If you cannot see them straight away, message or call the number in your booking confirmation; you can use the free airport wifi to do so.
Because the two terminals are separate buildings, always tell us which one you are landing at. If your airline changes terminal, let us know and we will be at the right door.
Is a private chauffeur worth it from Nice Airport?
A private chauffeur is worth it from the airport when you have luggage, travel as a family or group, land late, or are heading beyond Nice to Cannes, Monaco or Saint-Tropez. You get a fixed price agreed in advance and no queue for a taxi.
With Luxotica, your chauffeur tracks your flight, meets you in the arrivals hall and helps with your bags. We drive the Mercedes S-Class for up to 3 passengers and 3 bags, and the Mercedes V-Class for up to 7 passengers and 7 bags.
Compared with a taxi or an Uber, you know the price before you fly, and your driver adjusts if your flight is early or late. See our private chauffeur service in Nice and our transfers from Nice to Cannes.
What to send when you book a Nice Airport transfer
To make your arrival at the airport smooth, send us your flight number, arrival time, terminal, number of passengers and bags, and your destination. We confirm a fixed price and share your chauffeur’s details before you travel.
For departures, tell us your flight time and we will suggest a pickup time that leaves enough margin for check-in and security.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Nice Airport from Nice city centre?
About 7 km. Tram line 2 takes under 30 minutes, and a taxi costs a fixed €32.
How early should I get to Nice Airport?
The airport recommends 2 hours before short- and medium-haul flights, and at least 3 hours before long-haul flights.
How much is a taxi from Nice Airport?
The official fixed fares are €32 to Nice centre, €72 to Antibes, €85 to Cannes and €95 to Monaco.
Is there a train station near Nice Airport?
Yes. Nice Saint-Augustin station is a 7-minute walk from Terminal 1 along a dedicated walkway.
How do I get between the terminals at Nice Airport?
Take tram line 2 or B, or the free electric shuttle bus. Both are free, and the tram takes under 3 minutes.
How much is left luggage at Nice Airport?
€19 per bag for 24 hours, or €21 for oversized items such as skis and golf bags.
How do I book a transfer from Nice Airport?
Send us your flight details, the number of passengers and bags, and where you are going, and we will reply with a fixed price. We cover arrivals and departures at both terminals of the airport, day and night.
Written by The Luxotica Team, licensed VTC chauffeurs based in Nice.