Everything you need to know about airport transportation, from taxis, the Airport Express Buses, local buses, airport shuttle services, and even motorcycle taxis and helicopters!
The Airport Express Bus costs 6€ a person and you can either buy your ticket from the bus desk or from the driver as you board, and you can catch the bus from either terminal. Take Bus #98 if you want to go to the beach hotels, Old Nice or the Port: it leaves every 20 minutes and goes along the seaside, turning inland at the Old Town (at about 30 minutes), going through the Port, and then finishing at the Nice Riquier train station. Take Bus #99 ’Gare SNCF’ if you want to go to the main Train Station: it leaves every 30 minutes and takes the seaside to Gambetta, then turns inland to finish at the main Nice-Ville Train Station. By the way, this new ‘aero’ bus ticket is good for just 74 minutes for transfers on any bus or tram in Nice (no longer 24-hours…).
- Insider bus tip: Click on the schedules for bus #98 and #99 above or here where you can check for the specific day. Notice which stop comes before yours… then once on the bus, you’ll know when to push the red button to request a stop (you’ll see ‘Arret demande’ in red above the driver), otherwise he’ll keep on going…
To get back to the airport by bus, know that you have to flag the bus down at the bus stop, otherwise it will blow right by you, even if you are standing there with luggage!
- Insider tip: Nice Airport is the only airport in the world (that I know of) that doesn’t post which airlines are in which terminals. It’s not on any signage as you drive in, nor is it listed on the airport bus (and often the driver doesn’t know, “not my job!”) Look on your airline ticket ahead of time to see which terminal you need to get off at or check this list of which airline is in which terminal. The Express Bus stops first at terminal 2, then terminal 1.
You can also walk out to the Promenade des Anglais and catch a local bus for 1.50€. From terminal 1 just walk through the parking lot to the Promenade des Anglais, then look for the bus stop; from terminal 2 take the free Navette to terminal 1, the follow the instructions above. Here is a map of your local bus choices to zoom in on …the airport is in the lower left corner.
TAXIS
A Taxi into Nice will cost you about 25-35€ for up to 4 people (depending on luggage) and will take about 20 minutes. Tip a euro or two, about 5% …or nothing if it seems too high. For the way back, here is a list of taxi stations, or call to reserve at 04 93 13 78 78 (from a non-French phone, it’s 0033 4 93 13 78 78), and they do speak English.
- Insider taxi advice: Nice taxi drivers are getting much better, but they have the worst reputation in France, so before you get in ask the driver how much it will cost, tell him you will need a receipt, and then check that the meter is set correctly to day (jour) or night (soir - which is also legitimately used on Sundays and French holidays). If the meter is obscured he is probably overcharging. Click here for more tips on using Nice Taxis.
Shuttle Services: There are several services which can cost as much or more than a taxi, but eliminate the aggravation of a surly driver or getting overcharged, as the price is fixed when you book the transfer. The hotels will often book you with one of these because they get a commission. I have not used them, but the Trip Advisor Nice Forum is full of good and bad stories about them, often about the same company, so I am loathe to make a recommendation here.
The Moto-Taxi is another option which could be fun if you don’t have much luggage. The motorcycles have saddlebag-style metal luggage racks, passenger helmet and gloves, and… full insurance. Doesn’t really cost less that a regular taxi but is certainly more fun!
To get to Monaco from the Nice Airport
- Express Bus: The Monaco Express Bus #110 leaves the airport every 30 minutes, costs 19€ (or 30€ round trip), takes the freeway and gets you there in about 35 minutes.
- Taxi: A taxi from the airport to Monaco will run you about 80-90€ for up to 4 people (depending on luggage) and takes 45 minutes (ask the driver to take the lower road for a wonderfully scenic drive). A 5€ tip is appropriate, but since it’s Monaco, many tip 10€.
Helicopter: If you are only one person, you could take it up a notch and arrive in style for almost the same price as a taxi! The gorgeous 7-minute trip costs just 125€ one way, but if you book a round trip at 220€, it’s barely more than a taxi with tip. They leave every 30 minutes, and upon your landing at the Monaco helipad, they take you to your hotel by shuttle (included in the price).
To get to Antibes from the Nice Airport
- Express Bus: The Antibes/Golf Juan Express Bus #250 leaves the airport every 35 minutes, costs 8.50€ (or 16€ round trip), and gets you there in about 35 minutes. The drop off point of ’Antibes Vautrin’ is just across the overpass from the Antibes Train Station.
- Local Bus: If you want to save a little money, you can also take the Bus #200 for just 1.50€, which leaves every 15 minutes and takes only 20 minutes longer than the Express Bus. From terminal 1 just walk through the parking lot to the Promenade des Anglais, cross the street using the underpass, and look for the stop; from terminal 2 take the free Navette to terminal 1, the follow the instructions above.
- Taxi: A taxi from the airport to Antibes will run you about 50-60€ for up to 4 people (depending on luggage and traffic) and takes about 30 minutes. A 2-3€ tip is appropriate.
To get to Cannes from the Nice Airport:
- Express Bus: The Cannes Express Bus #210 leaves the airport every 30 minutes, costs 16.50€ (or 26.50€ round trip), takes the freeway and gets you there in about 45 minutes, dropping you off at the Port.
- Local Bus: If you are long on time and short on money, you can also take the Bus #200 for just 1.50€, which leaves every 15 minutes and takes about 90 minutes as it winds along the coast. From terminal 1 just cross through the parking lot to the Promenade des Anglais, cross the street (use the underpass) and look for the stop; from terminal 2 take the free Navette to terminal 1.
- Taxi: A taxi from the airport to Cannes will run you about 80-90€ for up to 4 people (depending on luggage and traffic) and takes about 50 minutes. A 5€ tip is appropriate.
- Helicopter: Taking a ‘copter to Cannes is another possibility… the 15 minute flight lands in Palm Beach and then shuttle you to your hotel. But since they don’t offer this route as a regular service (except during some conventions and festivals, like the Cannes Film Festival) it could cost quite a bit.
Photo Credits: Nice Airport from the Air by LaFrance, Helicopter over Monaco by Elizabeth Klimesch, both licenses under Creative Commons. Airport Taxis from Aeroport Nice Cote d’Azur, Nice Airport Bus from Flickriver.com
See Related Pages: Flying into Nice, Taking the Bus in Nice, and Taxis in Nice
See Related Blog Post: Nice Transport Transformed – A Peek into the Future
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