Just landed at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) and wondering how to get into the city or along the French Riviera without spending a fortune on taxis? Good news, Nice has a genuinely easy and affordable public transport setup that can get you where you need to go in under 30 minutes. This guide covers everything you need to know about Tram Line 2 and regional buses, written in plain English so there’s no guesswork involved.
Getting Your Bearings at Nice Airport
Nice Airport has two main terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and both are well connected to public transport. The star of the show is Tram Line 2, which links both terminals directly to Nice city center. For destinations further along the Riviera like Cannes, Monaco, or Antibes, you’ll be looking at Zou! regional buses or a quick train connection nearby.
Option 1: Tram Line 2
Tram Line 2 is hands down the most convenient public transport option at Nice Airport. It runs directly from both terminals all the way to Port Lympia (the port area) and through Jean Médecin (the main shopping street in the city center), taking less than 30 minutes door to door.
Key Details:
- Journey time: Under 30 minutes to the city center
- Frequency: Every 7–8 minutes on weekdays
- Operating hours: Around 5:30am to just after midnight, every day except May 1
- Direction to follow: Toward “Port Lympia”
Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have direct, clearly signed access to the tram. You really can’t miss it.
How Much Does It Cost?
Here’s where it gets a little interesting. There are a few different ticket options:
- €10 round-trip (L’Aéro ticket): The special airport ticket available at tram station machines. It includes a free return journey, making it solid value if you’re coming back to the airport later.
- €1.70 single trip (with La Carte): The cheapest per-journey option. You’ll need to buy a reusable La Carte card for €2 first, then load single trips onto it at €1.70 each. This means your first trip costs €3.70 total, but the card can be reused and even shared between passengers.
- Day passes: €7 for one day, €13 for two days, €20 for seven days, all valid on trams and buses across Nice.
Each single ticket is valid for 74 minutes of transfers within the network, so if you need to change to a bus after the tram, you’re covered within that window.
The Free Section, Worth Knowing
Here’s a handy little detail: travel between Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Grand Arénas is completely free on Tram Line 2. Grand Arénas is the first full tram station outside the airport zone, and this is where you can buy your La Carte and load tickets before continuing your journey into the city. So if you want to save money, ride free to Grand Arénas, hop off, buy your card and ticket, then board the next tram.
Don’t Forget to Validate
Always validate your ticket when boarding, even if you’re just transferring. Ticket inspections are common and skipping validation can land you with a fine. If you’re using the Lignes d’Azur app (available on Android and iOS), you validate directly through the app.
Option 2: Tram Line B
Less talked about but worth a mention: Tram Line B runs from both terminals to the CADAM Administrative Centre, with a tram approximately every 10 minutes on weekdays. It’s also free between the terminals and Grand Arénas. At Grand Arénas, both Lines 2 and B connect with Tram Line 3, which serves the Saint-Isidore and Allianz Riviera Stadium area.
Option 3: Zou! Regional Buses
If you’re heading beyond Nice, to Cannes, Monaco, Antibes, or Menton, the Zou! regional bus network is your most affordable option. These buses depart from the airport and cover a wide stretch of the Riviera coast.
Main Routes from Nice Airport:
| Line | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Monaco / Menton | Coastal route |
| 81 | Cannes | Express, may cost more |
| 82 | Antibes / Vallauris | Express, may cost more |
| 90 | Saint-Raphaël | Longer journey |
| 650 | Grasse | Via Grand Arénas |
| 400 | Vence | Via Grand Arénas |
Lines 80, 81, and 82 depart from Terminal 1 (arrival level, exit door A0) and stop at Terminal 2 upon request, just signal the driver. Lines serving Grasse and Vence are accessed from Grand Arénas, which you can reach for free on the tram.
How Much Do Zou! Buses Cost?
Standard regional fares start at €2.50, with an additional €0.40 if you buy on board. Express lines like 81 (Cannes) and 82 (Antibes) can cost between €9 and €19 depending on the route. Buy tickets through the Zou! app, the airport service center, or online before you travel, there are no ticket sales on board some lines, so it’s worth planning ahead.
Option 4: Getting to the Riviera by Train
Prefer the train? Take Tram Line 2 (free!) to Grand Arénas, then walk about 5 minutes to Nice-Saint-Augustin train station. From there, TER regional trains run along the coast to Cannes, Antibes, Monaco, and beyond. It’s a great option if you want flexibility and speed on the coastal stretch.
Option 5: Bus Line 12+
For a different route into Nice, Bus Line 12+ stops about 150 meters from Terminal 1 at the Aéroport/Promenade stop on the Promenade des Anglais. Key stops along the route include Place Masséna, the old town, Place Garibaldi, and more. Note that tickets are not sold on the bus, buy them at the machine at the stop before boarding.
Pro Tips Before You Go
- Arriving late or leaving early? Tram Line 2 runs until just after midnight and starts around 5:30am, so most flights are covered.
- Traveling with luggage? Zou! buses have luggage space, which makes them more comfortable for longer Riviera journeys.
- Sharing with a group? The La Carte reusable card is anonymous and can be used by multiple people, just reload it with enough trips.
- Heading to Monaco? Bus Line 80 is the most direct and affordable option straight from the airport.
- Avoid carrying cash: Most ticket machines accept credit cards, and the Lignes d’Azur and Zou! apps mean you can go fully cashless.
- Strike awareness: Like all French public transport, trams and buses can be affected by strikes. Check local news or the operator’s website before travel, especially during industrial action periods.
People Discussion on Facebook
Frequently Asked Questions
Partially. Travel between Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Grand Arénas is free. Beyond Grand Arénas, you need a valid ticket.
Buy a La Carte reusable card (€2) at Grand Arénas and load a single trip (€1.70) for a total of €3.70 on your first journey. After that, it’s just €1.70 per trip.
Yes. A standard €1.70 ticket is valid on both trams and buses within Nice for up to 74 minutes of transfers.
It’s strongly recommended. Some lines don’t sell tickets on board, so use the Zou! app or buy online before you travel.
You have two options: take Zou! Bus Line 81 directly from Terminal 1, or take the free tram to Grand Arénas, walk to Nice-Saint-Augustin station, and catch a TER coastal train.
Yes. The SUD AZUR EXPLORE PASS offers unlimited travel across the Alpes-Maritimes region and Monaco for 3, 7, or 14 days. Available at tram station ticket machines.
Getting around from Nice Airport doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. Tram Line 2 makes the city center genuinely accessible in under 30 minutes for less than €4, and the Zou! bus network opens up the whole French Riviera at budget-friendly prices. A little planning goes a long way, download the apps, grab a La Carte, and you’re good to go. The Riviera awaits!
