Car Rental at Nice Airport

Airport travel guide

One of the main hubs of the French Riviera, Nice is the epitome of an idyllic Mediterranean holiday. But while the virtues of the beaches that surround the city are well-known, Nice also has plenty to offer in terms of history, culture, and fun day-trips. With that in mind, here are six of the most interesting attractions in and around Nice:

• Old Nice. Known as Vieux Nice in French, the oldest part of the city is a fascinating place to explore. Many of the city’s historical and architectural landmarks can be found here, including a number of beautiful churches, villas, and other heritage buildings. The old town is also home to a fruit and flower market that is open every day.
• Museums. While the weather in Nice is usually too splendid to want to spend any time indoors, the city’s selection of museums might make you choose otherwise, if only for a few hours. Some of the highlights include the Chagall and Matisse Museums dedicated to the famous French painters who were connected to Nice during their lifetimes, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (or MAMAC), and the Museum of Asian Art. History lovers will no doubt appreciate the Nice Museum of Archaeology which houses many Greek and Roman artifacts from the city’s 2,300 year-long history.
• The cuisine of Nice. Nice has several dishes it is famous for, which are a must for any Nice bucket list! Savor socca, a thin, savory crepe-like dish made from chickpea flour and cooked in a wood-fire oven. Try the classic salade nicoise, a salad made from lettuce, tomatoes, tuna, potatoes, olives, green beans, anchovies, and boiled eggs. Or try a pan bagnat, which is basically the sandwich version of a Nicoise salad.
• Mercantour National Park. Representing something of a middle ground between the sea coast in the south and the Alp summits in the north, Mercantour is one of the nicest scenic areas near Nice. Made up of long valleys (including the famous Valley of Marvels), scenic lakes, and a network of 600 km (372 miles) of hiking trails, the area is home to animals like ibex, red deer, eagles, and buzzards. Located just 50 km (31 miles) north of Nice, Mercantour can be reached in one hour or less.
• Villefranche-sur-Mer. A small coastal village and popular resort, Villefranche is one of the most popular day trips from Nice. Known for its beautiful beaches that many visitors prefer to the ones found in Nice proper, it also boasts lovely waterfront restaurants and a relaxed overall atmosphere. Villefranche is just 10 km (6 miles) east of Nice city center, a drive that takes about 20 minutes.
• Cannes. Home to one of the most famous (and most glamorous) film festivals in Europe, Cannes is a popular day trip from Nice for locals and foreign visitors alike. The feel is definitely upscale, and though the beaches are mostly private and have an entrance fee, Cannes is nonetheless worth a visit, if only for its charming, elevated Old Town, or Le Suquet, which offers lovely views of the city and the sea below.

Top international routes

• Paris
• London
• Amsterdam
• Geneva
• Rome
• Barcelona
• Munich
• Frankfurt

Main airlines

easyJet, Air France, Transavia, Volotea, Wizz Air, Eurowings, and British Airways

Terminals

The two passenger terminals are Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. They are connected via a free shuttle bus.

Location

Nice Airport is 7 km (4.3 miles) west of the city center. Promenade des Anglais is the main street connecting the airport to Nice.

Most popular types of rental car

• Medium cars - from $28 per day
• Large cars - from $45 per day
• Small cars - from $23 per day
• SUVs - from $60 per day
• Premium cars - from $91 per day
• Vans - from $68 per day
• Station wagons - from $79 per day

Car rental desks

Many are located in the arrivals hall of Terminal 1 and between Gates A2 and A3 of Terminal 2.

Services and facilities

There are many restaurants and bars, shops and stores, ATMs, and four lounges. A luggage storage service, Safe Bag, is located in Terminal 2 at entrance D3. The service is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. The airport offers help to passengers with reduced mobility. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

Total is located at Nice Airport. It’s open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. There are many other gas stations in and around Nice.

Popular one-way rentals

• Marseille (200 km / 124 mi). Larger, more industrial, and less touristy than Nice, the largest city of Southern France is nonetheless a great travel destination if you give it a chance. Visitors love its old harbour, the historic Le Panier area, and the Marseille Cathedral.
• Milan (328 km / 204 mi). The largest city in Northern Italy, Milan is a well-known powerhouse of arts, fashion, business, and cuisine. The city is home to some of the best museums in Italy and landmarks like the La Scala opera house.
• Barcelona (657 km / 408 mi). One of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, Spain’s second city has plenty for a traveler to enjoy. The city’s main claim to world fame is the architecture of Antoni Gaudi that includes the immense Sagrada Familia, La Rambla area, and the city’s football team. The rest of Catalonia, a fascinating and picturesque region, can be easily explored from here.
• Rome (702 km / 436 mi). The eternal city is home to probably more world-famous historic landmarks than any other place on the planet. From sites dating back to the Ancient Rome to the medieval and Renaissance heritage, there’s plenty to choose from. The city’s great restaurants that blend the best of Northern and Southern Italian traditions are also not to be missed.
• Geneva (611 km / 379 mi). The largest city of French-speaking Switzerland, Geneva is so much more than just a diplomatic and political powerhouse. Located on the beautiful lake of the same name, Geneva is home to historic city quarters, countless galleries, and large green spaces.
• Toulouse (554 km / 344 mi). Known as the Pink city thanks to its distinct architecture, the capital of the Occitanie region is a great place to visit. Some of the attractions are the Saint-Sernin Basilica, a contemporary art museum, and walks along the Canal du Midi. Toulouse is also a great place for accessing the nearby Pyrenees.
• Moûtiers (500 km / 311 mi)