Car hires in Nice: practical information
Where to rent a car in Nice
Most hoping to spend their summer holidays in the French Riviera will make Nice their first stop. The Promenade des Anglais is waiting and if you hope to hop from one city to the next then a one way car hire is a great solution. If you arrive at Nice Airport, you can easily pick up a low cost car hire from any of the companies represented there. Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, National as well as Libertans, a local car hire company, are all located in Arrivals in Terminal 2.
It's best to book your rental car at the same time as your tickets from London to Nice, so as to avoid disappointment when you arrive. Car hires are especially popular among visitors to Nice in the summer, as it's the best and fastest way to scoot around the coast. If you want to find the cheapest car rental in Nice, make sure you book it at least 3 months in advance.
Parking in Nice: what you should know
You won't have a hard time finding a place to park in central Nice, there are 60+ car parks, at least 15 within very close proximity to the beach and along Quai des États-Unis. It's not cheap to park in Nice, prices start at €2.00/hour and can cost as much as €35/day. Car jackings are also not uncommon, so always lock your car doors when you park your rental car in Nice.
The most ideal is if your hotel in Nice offers free parking, just make sure you reserve a spot in their lot in advance. In all cases, make sure you are parked properly before leaving your vehicle, Nice is using CCTV video cameras to patrol and issue parking tickets.
Road trips from Nice: what to do, what to see
Nice is right along the A8, which takes you to either to Cannes and Aix-en-Provence or to Italy very quickly. Plus, the drive along the coast is amazing! The Riviera however is known for its crazy drivers, so just keep your road rage under wraps and follow the speed signs.
- A stone's throw away: Haute de Cagnes, located just west of Nice is a small maritime city with an interesting medieval history. It's set around a castle which was once owned by the Royal family of Monaco. Today, it's a charming spot to spend a few hours if you get tired of the "Riviera scene." Cagnes-sur-Mer is 6 miles from Nice.
- A little further: Monaco is just a hop, skip and a jump away. From Nice, it'll take little more than 30 minutes to get there. Nestled between the Italian and the French Rivieras, Monaca makes a great trip out. Take a walk through Monaco-Ville, then to the Palais Princier. La Condamine is the second oldest part of Monaco, full of historical buildings and quaint coffee shops. Watch your wallet though, Monaco isn't exactly for the budget traveller!
- A proper day-trip: Saint-Tropez makes a great day trip, especially since the motorway takes you all the way along the coast. It's a beautiful trip with many opportunities to stop along the way. Keep heading towards Spain and you'll find this little coastal gem. It's not too likely you'll run into Brigitte Bardot, but it's not uncommon to run into someone famous in the summer time on the beach.
For more things to do in Nice, check out Mini-guide: Nice.
