Getting to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) is easy from all major French Riviera destinations, including Nice, Monaco, Cannes, and Antibes. Fast and inexpensive public transportation options include tram and train, while airport buses, taxis, and private transfers offer more direct connections.
Best Way to Get to Nice Airport (Quick Guide)
Choose the best option depending on where you’re coming from and how much luggage you have:
- Tram (Nice only) – fastest & cheapest (€1.70, every 7–10 min)
- Train + tram – best overall from Monaco, Antibes, Cannes
- Express bus – direct, no transfer (~€11–€21)
- Private transfer – easiest with luggage or late arrivals
- Helicopter – fastest (7 min to Monaco), very expensive
No transport runs 24 hours — late-night arrivals usually require a taxi or private transfer.
Quick picks:
- Nice city → Tram 2
- Monaco → Train (fastest) or Bus 80 (direct)
- Cannes / Antibes → Train (best) or Bus 81 / 82
- Late night → Taxi or private transfer
- Heavy luggage → Private transfer
If you want more details on routes, tickets, and connections, the full guide below explains each option step by step, including how to take the train, where to catch the express bus, and when alternative options may be worth considering.
Getting to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) (Full Guide)
Aéroport Nice-Côte d’Azur (NCE) is very easy to reach by car, bus, tram, train, or helicopter from many other towns on the French Riviera and Monaco.
The tram is the best option from Nice city center and also to connect to Saint-Augustin, the closest train station to the airport. Trains are generally the fastest transport from many French Riviera towns and resorts, but many travelers prefer the convenience of no-transfer airport express buses from Monaco, Cannes, and Antibes. Regular buses are very cheap but slow and not recommended for travel to the airport.
Taxis and airport shuttle vans may be worth the splurge, especially at odd hours or when traveling as a small group or family with luggage.
Jump to: Tram • Train • Express Bus • Helicopter
Driving to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport in France
Nice-Côte d’Azur Aéroport (NCE) is conveniently located on the seafront just to the south of the city of Nice, allowing fast and easy access from many French Riviera towns. It is generally worth using the toll road highways to bypass Nice. Autoroute A8 exit 50 is right at the airport.
For groups, families, and travelers with luggage, taking a taxi or pre-booked airport shuttle van service may be a good idea and not that expensive.
🚖 Compare prices for private airport transfers.
Driving distance and times using the highway to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE):
- Nice Downtown – 9 km / 0:30
- Antibes – 17 km / 0:25
- Cannes – 30 km / 0:35
- Monaco – 32 km / 0:40
- Menton – 42 km / 0:45
- Saint Tropez – 110 km / 1:30
Travel by Tram 2 to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)
Tram 2 is the cheapest and best public transportation option to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport from Nice city center, old town, beaches, port, and Saint-Augustin train station.
Tram 2 runs from Airport Terminal 2 and Airport Terminal 1 along Avenue de Californie (parallel to Promenade des Anglais and the seafront), then via Jean Médicin and Garibaldi in Nice’s city center to the terminal at Port Lympia.
Tram 2 is the best public transportation to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) with high frequencies (every 7 to 10 minutes). Local buses are rarely of value to leisure travelers.
The “L’Aéro” card sold at the airport costs €10 for an airport return. Travelers with a “La Carte” pay only the standard €1.70 each way for the same journey.
Travel on the tram between the two airport terminals and to Grand Arénas (Saint-Augustin train station) is free and does not require a ticket.
→ See a full guide to Tram 2 to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport for more details on taking the tram and how to easily save on the airport surcharge.
By Train to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)
Trains do not stop directly at Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), but it is an easy, free tram ride to Saint-Augustin, the closest railway station to the airport.
From Saint-Augustin railway station to the airport is easy. Tramway stop Grand Arénas is directly outside the station. Take the free tram from here to the airport Terminal 1 (3 minutes) or Terminal 2 (7 minutes). It is also possible to walk to Terminal 1 in 10 minutes.
For most Riviera towns, the train + tram combination is the best overall option — it is fast, frequent, inexpensive, and the transfer at Grand Arénas is simple and well-signposted. For me, this is always the first choice.
Almost all regional TER ZOU trains stop at Nice Saint-Augustin. Frequent trains (3 to 5 per hour) go to most French Riviera resort towns, including Nice main station (5 minutes), Monaco (30 minutes), Antibes (20 minutes), and Cannes (35 minutes). (Transfer to TGV and intercity trains at Nice main station.)
Buy train tickets online or at vending machines before boarding trains.
→ See Travel by Train to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport for more details.
Airport Express Buses to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)
Airport express buses provide comfortable, no-transfer services from Cannes, Antibes, and Monaco to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE).
I personally prefer the train, but the airport express buses remain a sensible choice for many travelers. Airport express buses are comfortable, direct, air-conditioned, and fairly priced for individuals. Small groups receive discounts, but a private transfer is worth considering for small groups, heavy luggage, odd hours, and going directly to the hotel.
The three main airport express buses to Nice Airport are:
- Bus 80: Monaco (Monte Carlo) & Menton in 60 minutes (~€21)
- Bus 81: Cannes in 60 minutes (~€21)
- Bus 82: Antibes in 40 minutes), Juan-les-Pins and Vallauris in 60 minutes (~€11)
Airport express buses to Nice Airport often only stop at Terminal 2 — use the free tram to Terminal 1; walking between terminals is not possible.
Regular Municipal Buses to Nice Airport
Regular municipal buses do not stop at Nice Airport terminals, but it is possible to catch some at Aéroport / Promenade — in the main road, a few minutes’ walk from Terminal 1, or from the bus station at Grand Arénas tram stop.
Only two buses are of much interest to leisure travelers:
- Bus 12+ runs from the airport along Promenade des Anglais to the old town. It is a lovely ride, but the bus is without space for luggage and may be very slow. Tram 2 is almost always a better choice.
- Bus 620 to Cannes (via Antibes) is very cheap but also very slow. It is often crowded, gets stuck in traffic, and may stop over 50 times en route.
These buses are very cheap but often not worth the risk when heading to the airport.
By Helicopter to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)
Helicopters provide fast and glamorous transportation to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) to Monaco (several times per day) and in the summer season to top French Riviera destinations such as Cannes and Saint Tropez.
Helicopter flight times from Nice Airport are around 7 minutes to Monaco or Cannes. Expect to pay around €200 for a shared flight or €1,200+ for a private helicopter transfer.
No one arrives faster, and only super yachts arrive classier.