Traveling from Cannes to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) is easy, with frequent trains, direct airport buses 81, and private transfer options available throughout the day.
The fastest and cheapest way from Cannes to Nice Airport is the train with a free tram connection.
Cannes → Nice Airport (NCE): Best Options
Best for most travelers: Train + tram (fastest, cheapest, most frequent)
- Simplest (no transfers): Airport Express Bus 81
- Cheapest: Train — €8 (tram transfer required)
- Most convenient: Private transfer direct to hotel (groups, luggage)
- Typical travel time: 40–60 minutes
Typical prices: Train €8 • Bus €21 • Taxi €90 • Private transfer €50+
Train vs Bus: The train is cheaper and runs more frequently, while Bus 81 is easier with luggage as it requires no transfer.
- 🚖 Check private transfer prices — best for late arrivals, heavy luggage, or groups of 3–4.
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 from Cannes to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (Full Guide)
Getting to Cannes from Aéroport Nice-Côte d’Azur is possible by bus, train, helicopter, and private transfers.
The direct Zou! Airport Express Bus 81 remains for many the best public transportation choice for traveling between Nice Airport and Cannes. The TER Zou regional train is cheaper, but always requires a transfer. The total travel time for the airport express bus or train from the airport to Cannes is just under an hour.
Cannes is around half an hour by car from Nice Airport. Private transfers cost €50+, making it a good choice for small groups, with the added benefit of going directly to your hotel. Taxi rates are fixed at around €90 (tip included).
Jump to: Express Bus — Train — Helicopter
By Train from Cannes to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)
For most travelers, the train is the best way to get from Cannes to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE). Trains are cheap, fast, and run very frequently, with a simple and free tram connection to the airport terminals.
Direct TER regional trains connect Cannes and Nice Saint-Augustin station (the closest station to the airport) up to five times per hour, with a journey time of around 25 to 35 minutes. From there, it’s a short and free tram ride to both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
In total, allow around 45 to 60 minutes for the full journey, including the transfer. The high frequency and reliability of trains make this option particularly attractive compared to road transport, which can be affected by traffic delays.
How to Travel from Cannes to Nice Airport by Train
Follow these simple steps when traveling from Cannes to Nice Airport by train:
- Take any TER ZOU train from Cannes to Nice Saint-Augustin (direction Nice / Ventimiglia).
- Exit the station and walk a few steps to the Grand Arénas tram stop.
- Take the free tram to the airport — 3 minutes to Terminal 1 or 7 minutes to Terminal 2.
- Walking is possible to Terminal 1 only (10 minutes, well-signposted route).
- Total travel time is typically under one hour.
Buy train tickets online, from ticket machines, or at the station. Seat reservations are not possible on these very frequent regional trains — up to five per hour.
The standard one-way fare is around €8.20 in second class and €12.30 in first class. First-class seating is available on fewer trains and is rarely worth waiting for on this short journey.
Tip: The train is usually the fastest and most reliable option, especially during rush hours when road traffic between Cannes and Nice can be heavy. See how to use trains to and from Nice Airport for more detailed guidance and connections along the French Riviera.
- 🚖 Check private transfer prices — best for late arrivals, heavy luggage, or small groups of 3–4 with the convenience of going directly to your hotel.
By Zou! Express Bus 81 (previously 210) from Cannes to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport
The Zou! Airport Express Bus 81 (previously 210) is the simplest way to travel from Cannes to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, as it offers a direct, no-transfer connection between Cannes and Airport Terminal 2.
This makes it a good option for travelers with heavy luggage or anyone who prefers to avoid changing between the train and tram. However, compared to the train, it is less frequent and more expensive.
Express Bus 81 generally runs every 45 minutes with the first (last) departure from Cannes around 5:00 (19:45) and the first (last) departure from the airport Terminal 2 at 7:30 (22:00). Travel time is around 50 to 60 minutes.
Where Airport Express Bus 81 Stops
Airport Express bus 81 from Cannes to Nice Airport stops only at Terminal 2 — use the free tram to Terminal 1!)
On journeys from Nice Airport to Cannes, Express bus 81 departs from Terminal 2 and calls a few minutes later at Terminal 1.
In Cannes, the bus stops at Le Cannet (Place Benidorm / Office de Tourisme) and at Cannes Gare SNCF (train station).
Tickets and Prices for Airport Express Bus 81
The basic single one-way ticket is €20.50. Discounted tickets for small groups, e.g. €50 for a group of 4, are good savings.
Buy tickets from agencies (Safebag shop at Terminal 2 between gates A1 and A2; Zou kiosk at Cannes station) or directly on the bus. (Add €0.40 to any ticket bought on the bus.) Children 4 to 11 pay half fare, and those under 4 travel for free.
When to Choose Bus 81
The airport express bus is a good choice if:
- You want a simple, direct journey with no transfers
- You are traveling with large suitcases
However, for most travelers, the train remains the better option due to its lower cost, higher frequency, and more predictable travel times.
Tip: The ticket is valid for a particular day and does not guarantee a place on a specific bus. At busy times, it may be sensible for arrivals at Terminal 1 to take the free tram to Terminal 2 to more easily get a free seat on the bus.
Personally, I always favor the train when traveling between Cannes and Nice Airport, especially for flights departing from Terminal 1, when a tram transfer is even required for bus passengers. Trains are cheaper, far more frequent, and, even at busy times, rarely have capacity constraints.
- 🚖 Check private transfer prices — best for late arrivals, heavy luggage, or small groups of 3–4 with the convenience of going directly to your hotel.
By Helicopter to Cannes from Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport in France
Helicopters allow well-heeled travelers to be whisked between fashionable Cannes and Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport in seven minutes. Several companies offer scheduled helicopter flights in summer between Cannes Airport (CEQ) and Nice Airport (NCE), with further flights available to Saint Tropez and Monaco.
Prices for shared scheduled helicopter transfers in summer are around €200 per person. A private helicopter with 5/6 seats costs around €1200 to Cannes Mandelieu Airport (just outside town) and a bit pricier to arrive at Cannes Heliport closer to the town center.
The fares usually include transportation from the heliport or Cannes Airport to the final destination.
By Bus 620 (ex-200) from Cannes to Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport
Bus 620 is not recommended for traveling to Nice Airport.
The budget alternative for the cheapest travel between Cannes and Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport is bus 620 operated by Zou! (previously bus 200 by Lignes d’Azur), which connects Cannes and Park Phoenix in Nice generally twice per hour.
Granted, bus 620 is very cheap (€2.10!), but slow, with journey times impossible to know in advance. The route has over 50 bus stops between Cannes and the airport. Unlike bus 600 (Nice to Monaco), this is not a particularly scenic ride. The train from Nice to Riviera towns is almost always a better choice.
Anyway, here are the details for Bus 620 from Nice Airport to Cannes:
Bus 620 does not stop directly at the airport terminals but at Aéroport/ Promenade on the main street outside the airport near the Sheraton Hotel. From here, walk to Terminal 1 (and use the tram to Terminal 2).
Bus 620 is a standard municipal bus with no special space for luggage. At busy times, the bus gets crowded fast and won’t pick up additional passengers. At times, it may be full with travelers from Nice even before it reaches the airport.
Travel time very much depends on traffic. Early morning or late night, it can be as fast as an hour, but at peak traffic, it can take closer to two hours.
Bus 620 runs mostly three times per hour on Sundays and every fifteen minutes on weekdays and Saturdays. First buses from Nice city pass by the airport around 6:10 (7:00 on Sunday).
The standard fare in 2026 is €2.10 (€2.50 if bought on the bus). A second piece of hand luggage adds €1, and a suitcase incurs a hefty €5 charge, which makes the train the cheaper (and faster) option.
More on Travel to Nice Airport (NCE)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way from Cannes to Nice Airport?
The cheapest way is by train with the free tram connection, with tickets from around €8. This option is also the most frequent and usually the fastest overall.
Is there a direct bus from Cannes to Nice Airport?
Yes, the Zou! Airport Express Bus 81 runs directly between Cannes and Nice Airport Terminal 2. It requires no transfers but is more expensive and less frequent than the train.
How long does it take to get from Cannes to Nice Airport?
Travel time is typically 45 to 60 minutes by train or express bus. By car or taxi, the journey can take around 30 minutes in light traffic but longer during busy periods.
Do trains go directly to Nice Airport?
No, trains stop at Nice Saint-Augustin station. From there, a short free tram ride connects to both airport terminals in a few minutes. It is possible to walk to Terminal 1 (10 minutes) but not to Terminal 2.
Is a taxi or private transfer worth it?
Taxis and private transfers are convenient, especially for groups, heavy luggage, or late arrivals. Prices start from around €50 for transfers and about €90 for taxis.