Nice, France: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Yes, Nice, France has an airport called Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE). It is located on the Mediterranean coastline, about 7 km southwest of the city centre. The airport is a popular destination, serving more than 100 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and North America. It is the third busiest airport in France, handling over 14 million passengers annually. The airport has two terminals with various dining and shopping options, and it provides easy access to nearby cities such as Monaco, St. Tropez, and Cannes.

Location and transport links

Nice, France, is located on the Mediterranean coastline, in the Provence region, otherwise known as the French Riviera. The city offers a wealth of history and natural beauty, including the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Sainte Reparate Cathedral, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Saint-Paul-de-Vence Museum of International Art. It is also known for its annual 'carnaval' celebrations in February and its Jazz Festival in July.

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is an international airport located 3.2 NM (5.9 km; 3.7 mi) southwest of Nice, in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It is the third busiest airport in France and serves as a hub for Air France and easyJet. The airport is positioned about 7 km (4 mi) west of the city centre and is easily accessible by various means of transportation.

The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are linked by a tram service. The tram route connects the airport with the city centre, with trams running approximately every 8 minutes during the week and a journey time of around 30 minutes. The airport is also served by bus routes, including the express service number 82, which departs from Terminal 2 and takes around 35 minutes to reach Antibes/Golfe Juan.

For those seeking a more direct route, taxi cabs are available at a fixed rate to downtown Nice and other local destinations such as Cannes, Monaco, Antibes, Menton, and St. Tropez. Helicopter transfers are also available for those travelling to Monaco.

In addition to these options, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport offers automobile rental services from companies such as Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, and Sixt. While it is possible to arrange vehicle hire on arrival, it is recommended to reserve in advance during peak times.

Airlines and destinations

Nice, France, is served by the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, located 3.2 NM (5.9 km; 3.7 mi) southwest of the city. It is France's third-busiest airport, serving as a focus city for Air France and an operating base for easyJet. The airport features two terminals with a combined capacity of 13 million passengers per year.

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is served by a variety of airlines, including both full-service and low-cost carriers. Some of the major airlines offering flights to and from the airport include:

• Air France: Air France utilizes Nice as a hub, offering flights to and from destinations such as New York (JFK), Ajaccio, and various locations across the United States. They offer fares as low as $500 round trip from all over the US during the off-season, especially in November.
• Delta: Delta Airlines operates in conjunction with Air France to provide direct flights to Nice from New York (JFK), with a travel time of around 6 hours.
• EasyJet: EasyJet, a low-cost carrier, offers flights to and from Nice, providing service to various destinations. They often have similar price points to Air France, but with lower service and additional fees.
• British Airways: This airline offers flights to Nice but may include a long layover at London Heathrow's Terminal 5.
• United Airlines: United Airlines provides flights to Nice from various US cities, including Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, and more. Their fares typically start at $637 for round-trip business-class tickets.

In addition to these major airlines, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is also served by several other low-cost carriers, such as Baboo, Ryan Air, and TranSavia. These carriers provide a popular and affordable way to travel within Europe.

When searching for flights to Nice, it is recommended to use platforms like Google Flights, which includes all airlines and provides suggestions and tips for finding the best fares. Additionally, travel search engines like Wego can help compare booking options across multiple airlines.

Terminals and facilities

Nice, France, has an international airport called Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, located 3.2 NM (5.9 km; 3.7 mi) southwest of the city. It is the third busiest airport in France and serves as a focus city for Air France and an operating base for easyJet. The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are linked by a free shuttle bus and a tram service. Terminal 1 has 25 gates across a space of 52,000 m2 (560,000 sq ft) and a capacity of 4.5 million passengers per year. It features flights to domestic, Schengen, and non-Schengen destinations. Terminal 1 offers a variety of facilities, including a business centre, boutiques, restaurants, a traditional restaurant, self-service dining options, bars, cafes, and takeaway options.

Terminal 2 is the newer and larger facility, capable of handling flights to all destinations. It has 29 gates and covers an area of 57,800 m2 (622,000 sq ft), with a capacity of 8.5 million passengers annually. The Business Aviation Terminal is located next to Terminal 2 and covers 1,500 m2 (16,000 sq ft). It features operations rooms, VIP lounges, crew lounges, and offices for several business aviation companies. Terminal 2 offers a range of facilities, including a gastronomic restaurant, snacks, bars, takeaway options, shopping for luggage, handbags, jewellery, gifts, fine foods, lingerie, optical items, perfume, make-up, local crafts, wines, books, and magazines.

The airport provides easy access to the city centre and the port of Nice (Lympia Port) via the Grand Arénas interchange, where the Nice tramway line 2 and the train station Nice Saint Augustin are located. Additionally, bus route 12 connects the airport to the Promenade des Artes through the old town. The airport also offers helicopter services to Monaco, located 20 km (12 mi) away.

Dining and shopping

Nice does indeed have an airport: the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, located 3.2 NM (5.9 km; 3.7 mi) southwest of the city. The airport is France's third busiest and serves as a hub for Air France and easyJet.

Dining

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport offers a wide range of dining options for travellers, including:

• La Paillote, which offers gourmet dining with a local atmosphere in the boarding area of Terminal 2.
• Pan Garni in Terminal 1, where Chef Thierry Marx presents Nice specialities with a unique twist.
• Jamie's Deli, also in Terminal 2, offers fresh, healthy, and responsibly-sourced dishes created by British chef Jamie Oliver.
• Joe & The Juice, a coffee shop and fast food experience, can be found in the airport as well.
• La Tarte Tropézienne, located in the arrivals and check-in area of Terminal 1, offers a range of indulgent treats.
• For something more substantial, Lobsta in Terminal 1's public area is known for its lobster rolls, salads, desserts, and signature cocktails.
• Saleya, a restaurant-cafeteria in Terminal 2, offers balanced meals at reasonable prices, with a great view of the runways.

Shopping

The airport also has a variety of shops, including:

• Hermès, the famous French luxury brand, has a store in Terminal 1.
• The Gallery in Nice, located in the departure lounges, features high-street fashion and luxury accessory brands.
• Longchamp, also in Terminal 1, offers expert creations in luggage and leather goods.
• The Italian shoemaker Salvatore Ferragamo has a presence at the airport, offering a range of footwear.
• For men's fashion, the Zegna fashion house boutique in Terminal 1 offers a sophisticated shopping experience.
• The Dufry Multibrand Fashion Store, with locations in both terminals, offers a wide range of fashion, jewellery, accessories, and more.

History and accidents

The Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, located 3.2 NM (5.9 km; 3.7 mi) southwest of Nice, has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s. In 1910, an air show was held at the Nice hippodrome, attracting large crowds and sparking an interest in aviation in the region. Postal flights between Nice and nearby Corsica began in 1918, and after a series of air shows, the Cote d'Azur Airport was established in the late 1920s by the Air Ministry for use by the Nice Flying Club. During World War II, the airport was utilised by the military and Air Force.

Significant improvements were made to the airport starting in 1944, including the construction of a hard-surface runway. Soon after, Air France initiated flights between Nice and Paris, which quickly gained popularity. By 1950, annual passenger numbers had soared to 200,000, surpassing one million in 1964 and reaching two million by 1972, fuelled by terminal expansions and runway extensions.

However, the airport's history is also marred by several accidents. On April 9, 1949, an Air France aircraft overran the runway and was damaged beyond repair. On March 3, 1952, another Air France flight crashed shortly after takeoff due to jammed aileron controls, resulting in the tragic death of all 38 people on board. On September 11, 1968, Air France Flight 1611, en route to Nice from Corsica, crashed into the Mediterranean Sea, claiming the lives of all 95 passengers and crew. A memorial commemorating this tragic incident is located near the airport. On September 3, 1979, Sterling Airways Flight 4133 crashed into the sea just 1 km (0.62 mi) south of the airport, bound for Nice from Coventry Airport.

Frequently asked questions