Nice Cote d'Azur Airport (NCE) NCE: Departure times and transfers

Flying from/to Nice Cote d'Azur Airport

Get straight from Nice Cote d'Azur Airport to the city centre without dither—booking your ticket in advance means you can zoom through the airport and be on your way to the city. We, at Omio, have collected information on the facilities that you have after landing, and the main places worth stopping at in the city centre to make planning your trip easier.

Travel from Nice city center to Nice Cote d'Azur Airport

Nice Cote d'Azur Airport (NCE) is the gateway to France's beautiful Cote d'Azur - one of the most exclusive stretches of coast in the entire Mediterranean region. The airport is a handy route to the Cannes Film Festival, rural villas in Provence and the city of Nice itself, and is well set up for arrivals from overseas. A major hub for low cost airline easyJet, the airport handles over 13 million passengers annually, and also serves as the official aviation hub for tiny Monaco - an independent principality on the Mediterranean coast.

What's the best way to the airport from Nice city center?

If travelers need to catch flights from Nice Cote d'Azur Airport, they will usually have a range of good options to choose from. In 2019, a new tram connection was added from Nice Central Station, the old town (Nice Ville), the Promenade des Anglais, and the cruise ship port. Services on tram line 2 run every 3-4 minutes, take 20-25 minutes, and run straight to the departure terminals. Trains also stop at Nice St-Augustin Station, and the transfer from Nice Gare takes 5 minutes. From there, passengers can walk to the terminals in 10-15 minutes. The 770 bus also runs from central Nice to the airport, and takes approximately 30 minutes, while taxis represent another popular option, especially for those staying in coastal resorts.

How far is it from the city center to Nice Cote d'Azur Airport?

Nice Airport is 4.6 miles (7.5 kilometers) southwest of Nice city center, so transfers generally don't take very long. Trams will take 20-25 minutes, buses take 30 minutes, while a combination of trains and walking can sometimes be even faster, reaching the departure terminals in 15-20 minutes. The airport is slightly further away from the cruise and ferry port in Nice (6.8 miles or 11 kilometers), so travelers changing from marine transport should factor in slightly longer journey times. And those coming from the Old Town (Vieux Nice) should add 5-10 minutes, as most journey times are calculated from the modern city center. Additionally, the airport is 16.7 miles (27 kilometers) from Cannes, 8.6 miles (14 kilometers) from Antibes, and 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) from Monte Carlo.

What facilities are there at the airport?

Nice Cote d'Azur Airport is a modern, well-appointed airport, which should meet the requirements of most travelers. Terminals 1 and 2 both feature a selection of dining spots, with Spanish, French, American fast food, British, and Italian food all represented. There are also stores to purchase snacks and duty free goods, along with bars and cafes where alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased, while other shops include places to purchase perfumes, apparel, and travel accessories. There are four "relaxation lounges", banking facilities, free WiFi internet, and even meeting rooms and workspaces for professionals to use. Parents will find childcare facilities on-site, while luggage porters are also on hand to help with bulky items, and to provide assistance for those with reduced mobility.

How accessible is the route for those with limited mobility?

The trams from Nice city center to Cote d'Azur Airport are designed to make life easier for those in a wheelchair or with other mobility issues. They tend to be readily accessible and spacious, offering a convenient route to both departure terminals. Buses and trains will usually be less suitable for those with limited mobility, due to the need for extended transfers on foot, and reduced space onboard city buses. Alternatively, passengers can always book accessible taxis designed expressly for disabled passengers. The airport site is fully accessible for wheelchairs. Personal assistance for boarding can also be arranged via Call Kiosks, which can be found across the airport site.

Local tips: how to travel to Nice Cote d'Azur Airport like a local

Since the opening of the new tram connection from Vieux Nice, the station, and the cruise ship port, the service has become the number one route from the city center to the airport. There's really no better option for most passengers, due to convenient tram stops, quick journeys and comfortable interiors. However, locals coming from further afield often rely on trains, which run to Nice St-Augustin. As long as they know the route from St-Augustin to the airport doors, this can often be a faster way to reach flights, very handy when departure times are tight.