The official currency of Nice is the Euro. People who come to Nice from outside the European Union who are not familiar with this currency should learn coins refer to 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and to 1 and 2 euro coins. Banknotes range from 5 to 500 euro bills.
The so-called bureuax de change can be resorted to by people who want to exchange money in Nice. Banks too can be spotted throughout Nice, and, as usual, they offer the most convenient exchange rates. As a rule, banks open weekdays between 8.30am and 4.30pm, with an approximately 2-hour lunch break in the middle of the program.
People tend to believe traveler’s checks have turned into an obsolete tourist tool, given credit cards and ATMs seem to come in handy and to replace the use of traveler’s checks. More and more tourism-related establishments accept credit cards and gradually reject traveler’s checks, which is why tourists should learn about the policy of such venues apply before heading for a certain destination. In Nice there are plenty of ATMs from where visitors can withdraw cash, and most of the top restaurants, shopping centers, boutiques, guided tour companies, hotels and the like accept credit cards.
In France the power plugs and sockets are of type E. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in France, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 – 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa). Manufacturers take these small deviations into account. If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V – 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries), you need a voltage converter in France. You can also consider a combined power plug adapter/voltage converter.
Visitors are strongly advised to make sure they have health insurance cover before travelling to France. If you recieve treatment at a hospital as an in-patient, the cost of the stay and associated treatment will be billed as an emergency abroad and can be extremely expensive. Therefore travel insurance of some kind is essential, whether that is through a private company, your bank or just the EHIC scheme. European visitors should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which enables them to get state healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.
If you require a visa to visit France, proof of health insurance coverage is mandatory before you even apply. And non EU visitors should ensure that they have private health insurance before they travel in order to benefit from the French state healthcare service.
Located a little over 3 kilometers southwest of Nice, Nice Cote d’Azur Airport is the third busiest airport in France, only after the two airports which service Paris. It is the main airport on the French Riviera, and this statute is reflected on its busy flight schedule.
Almost 40 airline companies operate at Terminal 1, whereas Terminal 2 is where other 13 airline companies coordinate their flight operations. These companies offer both low-cost and business-class flights to and from Nice, some of the most resonant names referring to Blue Air, Ryanair, Luxair, Air France, Alitalia, Finnair and Tarom, just to give a few examples.
These companies link Nice to destinations throughout Europe, but they also transport passengers from Canada, the Middle East and Africa, may it be seasonally or all the year round.
Nice-Ville train station is located on Avenue Thiers, between the Vernier district and the Thiers quarter of the city. Nice-Ville train station is the city’s main train station, although the city is also served by Nice-Riquier. There are 154 connections running every day. High-speed TGV trains connect Nice to Paris in 5h30, whilst Lyon can be reached in 4h30. Intercity trains carry passengers to cities in the South of France, such as Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier and Marseille.
International trains also run to and from this station, including Milan-Nice in 4h40. After arriving at Nice-Ville train station, many visitors walk to the nearby city center. Once there, it’s easy to get around — simply hop on the Azur bus line or the number 1 tram line. If travelers need to get to the airport, it can be easily accessed by the number 99 shuttle bus.
The best way to get around Nice is on foot, especially if you plan on sticking close to the city’s center. Like many other French cities, Nice is equipped with a reliable and convenient public transportation system. Buses serve all major tourist attractions as well as the Nice-Ville train station and the Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport (NCE).
Ride-hailing services, such as Uber, are also a popular option now because they are much cheaper and convenient than the traditional taxis. If you decide to take a taxi from the airport to the center of Nice, expect to pay a flat rate of 32 euros (around $39). Driving is not recommended as traffic can be frustrating and parking limited.
With a concern for environmental conservation and a quality lifestyle, non-polluting transport methods have been favored in Nice.
- Bus and tramway
- Vélo Bleu & Auto Bleu
- Car sharing