Nice Côte d’Azur Airport
Also known as: Nice Airport, Aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur. Formerly Nice-Le Var Airport.
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Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is the airport for Nice and the French Riviera in southeast France. It sits on the seafront about 7 km west of Nice city center and handled about 15.2 million passengers in 2025.
The busiest routes are to Paris, at both Orly and Charles de Gaulle, followed by London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Geneva. easyJet has a base here, and Air France links Nice with Paris and Lyon. British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Swiss, Wizz Air and Norwegian also fly to Nice.
There are two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and both handle domestic, European and international flights. A free shuttle bus links them, and tram line 2 stops at both on its way into central Nice and on to the port.
From the airport, most travelers head along the coast: into Nice itself, west to Antibes and Cannes, or east to Monaco and Menton. Express buses run in both directions, and helicopter shuttles fly to Monaco, about 20 km to the northeast.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Aéroports de la Côte d'Azur, owned by Mundys
- Runways
Two parallel runways of 2,570 m and 2,960 m
- Passengers per year
About 15.2 million in 2025
- Busiest route
Paris–Orly, about 1.66 million passengers in 2023
- Opened to airline traffic
1946, as Nice-Le Var; renamed Nice Côte d'Azur in 1955
Arrival tips for Nice Côte d'Azur Airport
If you fly in from outside the Schengen area, including the UK, the US and the Gulf, you pass border police before baggage claim. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens with biometric passports can often use the PARAFE automated gates. Non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) on their first entry, which takes fingerprints and a facial photo, so allow extra time. Flights from Schengen countries skip passport control.
Collect your bags from the carousel shown for your flight. Report missing or damaged luggage at your airline's desk before you leave the baggage hall, then walk through customs: the green channel if you have nothing to declare, the red channel if you do.
Each terminal has its own arrivals hall, so check whether you landed at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 before meeting anyone. The tram stop, the taxi rank and the bus stops are outside both terminals. Turn down ride offers made inside the building.
Ground transportation
Tram line 2 is the easy way into Nice; for Monaco, Cannes and the rest of the coast, a bus, taxi or private transfer saves changes.
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Book a transfer from NCETram line 2 to central Nice
Stops at both terminals and runs into central Nice and on to the port, every 8 minutes or so during the day. Good for light luggage; it gets busy in summer.
Express buses to Monaco and Cannes
Express lines run east to Monaco and Menton and west to Cannes and Antibes. Check the current line numbers and timetable before you travel, as they change.
Helicopter to Monaco
Helicopter shuttles run between the airport and Monaco many times a day. It is the fastest way to Monaco and the most expensive.
Train from Nice Saint-Augustin
Nice Saint-Augustin station is about 400 m from the airport, for regional trains along the coast. You walk the last stretch with your bags.
Taxis
Official taxis wait at the ranks outside both terminals. Handy for central Nice; longer trips along the coast cost more.
Private transfer
A pre-booked driver meets you in your terminal's arrivals hall and takes you to Nice, Cannes, Monaco or a villa along the Riviera.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Free shuttle bus
Runs between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 every 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the time of day and the season. It also stops at the Lindbergh bus station and the car parks.
- 2
Tram line 2
Stops at both terminals, so you can also ride it between them.
Terminals
Both terminals handle domestic, Schengen and non-Schengen flights, so check the terminal on your boarding pass.
Terminal 1
The smaller terminal, with about 25 gates.
Terminal 2
The larger terminal, with 29 gates. Emirates flights board here, and the business aviation terminal is next door.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Emirates
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Nice airport from the city center?
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is about 7 km west of Nice city center, on the seafront. Tram line 2 links both terminals with central Nice and the port, running about every 8 minutes during the day. Taxis and private transfers go by road.
How many terminals does Nice airport have?
Two: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Both handle domestic, European and international flights, so check your boarding pass. A free shuttle bus runs between them every 5 to 10 minutes, and tram line 2 also stops at both terminals.
How do I get from Nice airport to Monaco?
Monaco is about 20 km northeast of the airport. You can take an express bus along the coast, a helicopter shuttle, which is the fastest and most expensive option, or a taxi or private transfer by road.
How do I get from Nice airport to Cannes?
Cannes is west of the airport along the coast. Express buses run to Cannes and Antibes from outside the terminals, and taxis and private transfers go by road. Regional trains also run along the coast from Nice Saint-Augustin station, about 400 m from the airport.
Is there a train station at Nice airport?
Nice Saint-Augustin station is about 400 m from the airport, with regional trains along the coast. The airport itself is served by tram line 2, which stops at both terminals and runs into central Nice.
Which airlines fly to Nice?
easyJet has a base at Nice, and Air France flies to Paris and Lyon. British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Swiss, Wizz Air and Norwegian also fly here, and many more airlines add routes in summer. The busiest routes are to Paris, London and Geneva.