Nice Airport to City Centre: Tram, Bus, Taxi & Uber Compared

Nice airport (NCE) is 7 km from the city centre. You can be in Old Town in 15 minutes by car or 30 minutes by tram. There’s no train and no metro. But the tram works well, taxis have fixed rates, and Uber is active. Here’s every option, compared honestly.

In this guide

🧳 Which transport is best for you?

Which option is right for you?

💰 Filter by budget

Cheapest? Tram Line 2. €1.70, 30 minutes to Place Massena. Can’t beat it.

Under €10? Bus 98 or 99. €1.70 to the port or train station.

Under €30? Uber (€15-25) or taxi (€25 fixed rate to city centre).

Convenience first? Private transfer (pre-booked, driver with your name, ~€40-50).

🧳 Filter by situation

Solo with a backpack? Tram. No contest.

Couple with suitcases? Taxi (fixed rate, no hassle with luggage on the tram).

Family with kids? Taxi or Uber. Kids + luggage + tram = miserable.

Late night arrival (after midnight)? Taxi or Uber only. Tram stops at midnight.

Going to a hotel on the Promenade? Taxi (€35 fixed) or tram to “Grand Arenas” then walk.

All transport options

1 Tram Line 2

The best deal. €1.70 per ticket, runs every 6 to 10 minutes from 5am to midnight. Stops at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Takes you straight to Place Massena (city centre), Jean Medecin (main shopping street), Garibaldi, and Port Lympia. The ride takes 30 minutes to Place Massena. Buy your ticket at the machine on the platform (coins or card). Validate before boarding.

€1.70
🚋 Line 2 · Every 6-10 min · 5am to midnight
⏱️ 30 min to Place Massena
🎫 Buy at platform machines (coins/card) · Validate before boarding
🧳 Luggage allowed but crowded at peak hours

2 Airport bus (lines 98 & 99)

Line 98 goes to the Port (via Promenade des Anglais). Line 99 goes to Nice-Ville train station. Same price as the tram: €1.70. Runs less frequently (every 15-20 minutes). Slightly slower than the tram because of traffic. Useful if your hotel is on the Promenade or near the train station and you don’t want to change transport.

€1.70
🚌 Line 98 → Port · Line 99 → Train station
⏱️ 20-40 min depending on traffic
🎫 Same ticket as tram · Buy on board or at machines
🧳 Luggage space available

3 Taxi

Fixed rates, no surprises. €25 to Nice city centre (right bank, Old Town, Port). €35 to Nice west (Promenade des Anglais hotels, Negresco area). The taxi rank is right outside both terminals. Wait times are usually under 10 minutes. Don’t accept drivers who approach you inside the terminal. Only use the official rank outside.

€25-35 fixed
🚕 Official taxi rank outside both terminals
⏱️ 15-20 min to city centre
💰 Fixed: €25 (right bank) / €35 (Promenade west)
💳 Card accepted · No tips required

4 Uber / VTC

Works in Nice. Pickup at the designated rideshare area outside the terminals (follow signs). Usually €15 to €25 to the city centre, depending on time and demand. Can be cheaper than a taxi off-peak. Can be more expensive during surge. The app shows the price before you confirm. Book as soon as you land, because driver availability fluctuates.

€15-25
📱 Uber app · Pickup at designated rideshare area
⏱️ 15-20 min to city centre
💰 €15-25 (surge possible)
⚠️ Driver availability varies · Book immediately after landing

5 Private transfer (pre-booked)

A driver with your name on a sign, waiting at arrivals. €40 to €50 for a sedan, more for a minivan. Worth it if you’re arriving late, have lots of luggage, or just want zero stress. Book through your hotel or online (Welcome Pickups, Kiwitaxi). The driver tracks your flight and adjusts if you’re delayed. Overkill for a solo traveller. Good for families and groups.

€40-50
🚙 Pre-booked · Driver meets you at arrivals
⏱️ 15-20 min to city centre
💰 €40-50 sedan / €60-80 minivan
✅ Flight tracking, free cancellation, no surge

Quick comparison

OptionPriceTimeHoursBest for
Tram L2€1.7030 min5am-midnightSolo, budget
Bus 98/99€1.7020-40 min6am-9pmPromenade hotels
Taxi€25-3515-20 min24/7Couples, fixed price
Uber€15-2515-20 min24/7Off-peak savings
Private€40-5015-20 min24/7Families, groups

Practical tips

  • Late arrival (after midnight): Tram stops at midnight. Your only options are taxi or Uber. Taxis are always available at the rank. Uber depends on driver availability.
  • Early morning flight: The tram starts at 5am. If your flight is before 7am, take a taxi the night before or set an alarm and catch the first tram. The airport is small, 30 minutes before boarding is enough for domestic/Schengen flights.
  • Luggage on the tram: It works, but it’s not fun during rush hour (8-9am, 5-7pm). If you have more than a carry-on each, consider a taxi.
  • Terminal confusion: Nice airport has 2 terminals. Most international flights use Terminal 2. Budget airlines (easyJet) use Terminal 1. The tram stops at both. Check your terminal before leaving.
  • Car rental: All major agencies are at the airport. But parking in Nice is expensive (€20-30/day) and driving in Old Town is restricted. Unless you’re doing day trips, skip the car.

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Nice airport to the city centre?

Tram Line 2 is the cheapest (€1.70, 30 min). Taxi has fixed rates (€25 to city centre). Uber costs €15-25. All depart from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

How much is a taxi from Nice airport?

Fixed rate: €25 to Nice city centre (right bank), €35 to Promenade des Anglais west. No surge pricing. Don’t accept unofficial drivers inside the terminal.

Is there a train from Nice airport?

No train. But Tram Line 2 connects the airport to the city centre in 30 minutes. Runs from 5am to midnight, every 6-10 minutes.

How long from Nice airport to Old Town?

By tram: 30 minutes. By taxi: 15-20 minutes. The airport is only 7 km from the city centre.

Does Uber work at Nice airport?

Yes. Pickup at the designated rideshare area outside terminals. Expect €15-25 to city centre. Surge pricing can apply during peak hours.

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Thomas

I’m Thomas, founder of Nice Party Life. We share the best tips, from hidden gems to must-sees, to make your stay in Nice unforgettable. Whether you’re seeking nightlife or city adventures, we’re here to guide you! 🌴✨