Tucked away in the southeastern pocket of France, the French Riviera is a gorgeous section of Mediterranean coastline. It’s also high up on many travellers’ bucket lists, meaning its main airport—Nice-Côte d’Azur International Airport (NCE)—is a busy one. In fact, it’s the third-busiest in the country, behind two of the Parisian airports. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your arrival and departure go as smoothly as your Uber ride.

Resources for Nice Airport (NCE)

  • Uber Airport Page: Uber’s dedicated webpage for the Nice-Côte d’Azur airport explains how to access Uber at each of the two terminals, and about how much you’d expect to pay to get into Nice. You can also estimate your fare to other destinations. 
  • Terminals: There are two terminals at NCE. Terminal 1 has 25 gates, while Terminal 2—where EasyJet operates out of—has 29 gates. There is a free shuttle between terminals. 
  • Flight Info: Keep abreast of arrival and departure delays on the airport’s website. 
  • Busy Times: Getting through check-in and security can be very quick or very slow, depending on the time of year. High tourist season peaks between May and August. 
  • Fast-Track: NCE offers a fast-track service called NICE ACCESS. The pass, which passengers book online for €10, gets you priority security clearance. Combine it with a lounge pass and get a 30% discount. 
  • Lounges: There are a pair of lounges in each of the two terminals. Economy-class passengers can access the lounges at a cost through Priority Pass, or pay at the lounge entrance. 
  • Additional Amenities: Terminal 1 has a business center, a duty-free area, and a selection of shops. Terminal 2, the newer of the two, has a small high-end shopping area, as well as a playground for children. 
  • Wifi: Free wifi abounds in Nice, including at the airport. You can access it by choosing AirportFreeWiFi from your smartphone or tablet’s wireless options. In town, look for Spot WiFi Nice for free access. 
  • Uber Options at NCE: uberX, Berline, and VAN. Request your ride while picking up your luggage and then look for the Kiss-and-Fly section of your terminal, where your Uber will pick you up.

What to Do While You’re on the French Riviera

The French Riviera—known in French as the Côte d’Azur, or azure (blue) coast—hugs the edge of the Mediterranean, offering breathtaking views of the sea and the French Alps. Residents and tourists alike spend time enjoying the palm trees, delicious food, and moderate temperatures year-round.

  • Hit the Old Town: Nice was initially founded by the Greeks in 350 B.C., and in a previous life was part the Kingdom of Savoy before being annexed by France in 1860. With cobblestone streets, brightly painted, old buildings, terra cotta roofs, and open-air markets, a walk around Nice’s Vieille Ville, or Old Town, is a step back in time. For an extra-medieval time, head to the nearby Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a fortified hilltop village just 30 minutes or so from Nice. 
  • Get a whiff of Grasse: Many consider Grasse, an inland town in the Provence region just north of Cannes, the world perfume capital. As such, it’s also home to sprawling fields of lavender, orange blossoms, jasmine, and roses. Many growers don’t open their fields to the public, but you can visit the gardens of the International Perfume Museum. Keep an eye out for some colorful and sweeping views as you drive around the Provençal region, particularly in the late spring and early summer. Tell your Uber to head to the Abbaye de Sénanque for a once-in-a-lifetime lavender-viewing experience. 
  • Take a spin around the Monaco F1 street circuit: The Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monaco is one of the world’s most famous race-car circuits, but when racers aren’t whipping around the tight city streets at high speeds, the circuit is just another street in the sovereign city-state of Monaco. If you’d like to trade your Uber up for a Lamborghini for 30–60 minutes, plenty of companies advertise luxury sports-car rentals to drive on the circuit. Although traffic can become thick at certain times of day and prevent you from getting any real wind in your face, for racing fans the pilgrimage is unforgettable. Non-F1 devotees, for their part, can simply spend the day taking in the beautiful seaside views and old-town charm in Monte Carlo.

Enjoy!