Getting to the French Riviera: Trains, Flights, and Arrival

Nice is the French Riviera’s main arrival point, and it is well served by air, rail, and road from across Europe. Whether you are flying from London, taking the TGV from Paris, or driving down from the north, the journey is manageable and the options are clear. This guide covers the three main routes in and explains what to expect on arrival.

By Air: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (IATA: NCE) is France’s second-busiest airport and the region’s primary international gateway. For summer 2026, it serves around 130 destinations, with direct routes from across the UK, continental Europe, and North America. Airlines using the airport include Air France, easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, Volotea, KLM, and Lufthansa, among others.

The airport has two separate terminals:

• Terminal 1 handles most low-cost carriers, including easyJet and Ryanair, along with some full-service airlines. It is the older of the two buildings.
• Terminal 2 is the larger and newer terminal, used by Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, and most long-haul flights. A Terminal 2 extension opened in spring 2026, increasing capacity for the growing number of passengers and routes.

The terminals are 1.5 kilometres apart. A free airport shuttle (Navette Aéroport) connects them 24 hours a day and takes around 10 minutes. Check which terminal your airline uses before you leave for the airport — arriving at the wrong one wastes time.

From the Airport to Nice City Centre

The airport sits 6.5 kilometres west of Nice city centre, along the Promenade des Anglais. Getting into the city is uncomplicated.

By tram (Tram Line 2): The simplest and cheapest option. Tram Line 2 stops at both terminals and runs directly into Nice, including stops at Jean Médecin and the Port (Lympia). Journey time from the airport to the city centre is around 30 minutes. The standard fare is €1.70 per journey, loaded onto a reusable La Carte card.

One ticket quirk worth knowing: the machines at the airport terminals sell only a round-trip airport ticket for €10, not the standard €1.70 single. To buy a single fare, use the Lignes d’Azur app (Android) before you board, or travel first to Grand Arénas — the stop immediately after Terminal 1, which is free to reach — and load a La Carte card there.

By taxi or rideshare: Taxis queue outside both terminals and take around 15–20 minutes to the city centre in normal traffic. The fare runs roughly €25–€35. Uber and Bolt also operate from the airport and are typically a few euros cheaper than a metered taxi.

By Train: The TGV from Paris and Elsewhere

TGV high-speed trains run directly from Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice-Ville, the city’s main station. The fastest services cover the 975-kilometre journey in around 5 hours 40 minutes. Advance fares start from around €19 with SNCF or OUIGO; last-minute prices are considerably higher. SNCF’s standard TGV INOUI service is the more comfortable option; OUIGO trains are cheaper but enforce strict baggage allowances and have fewer onboard amenities.

Nice-Ville is also well connected to other major cities:

• Lyon — approximately 3 hours 30 minutes by TGV
• Marseille — approximately 2 hours 30 minutes by TGV
• Cannes — approximately 30–37 minutes by TER regional train
• Monaco — approximately 22 minutes by TER regional train

Nice-Ville station sits in the northern part of the city centre, roughly 1.5 kilometres from Vieux Nice and the seafront. Tram Line 1 connects the station to the heart of the city.

By Car: Driving the A8

The main motorway route into Nice from the west is the A8 (La Provençale), which runs east from the Marseille area along the coast through Aix-en-Provence, Fréjus, and Cannes before reaching Nice. From Paris or Lyon, you join the A8 via the A7 Autoroute du Soleil heading south.

Tolls apply throughout the A8; payment is by card or cash at each toll booth. Costs accumulate on a long drive from the north, so factor tolls and fuel into your journey planning.

Once you are based in Nice, a car is generally more hindrance than help. Parking in the city centre is limited and expensive in summer. The coastal towns — Cannes, Monaco, Antibes, and Menton — are all quick and easy by train, making a car unnecessary for most day trips. A car becomes more useful if you plan to explore the inland villages and the arrière-pays, where train access does not reach.

During the Monaco Grand Prix (late May or early June), road access around Monaco is heavily restricted. If you are arriving by car for race weekend, consult the official Automobile Club de Monaco guidance well in advance.

Practical Tips

• Book TGV tickets early. Advance fares are substantially lower than last-minute prices. SNCF Connect, Trainline, and Omio all sell tickets; OUIGO offers the lowest fares if your luggage fits their limits.
• Confirm your terminal. Nice has two separate terminals with no shared check-in hall. Arriving at the wrong one costs you the shuttle time.
• Use the tram from the airport. It is reliable, frequent, and runs directly into the heart of Nice. The ticket process is a minor inconvenience (see above) but straightforward once you know it.
• Allow extra time during events. If you are travelling for the Cannes Film Festival, Monaco Grand Prix, or Carnaval de Nice, flights and TGV trains fill up well in advance. Book travel early.
• From Nice, you do not need a car. The coastal TER train puts Cannes, Monaco, Antibes, and Menton within 40 minutes. For the full local transport picture once you arrive, see Getting Around the French Riviera.