Travel guide
Nice airport: Terminal 1 or Terminal 2?
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) has two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, about 1 km apart. Your terminal depends on your airline and sometimes on the flight, so the only reliable check is your booking confirmation or the airport’s live departures and arrivals board.
How to find your terminal
- Your e-ticketMost airlines print the terminal on the booking confirmation or boarding pass.
- The airport websiteThe official Nice airport site lists arrivals and departures with the terminal for each flight.
- The airline appUseful on the day, especially if a flight is moved.
- Your driverIf you have booked a transfer, the meeting point in your confirmation already matches your terminal.
| Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Which airlines | Your terminal is printed on your booking; the airport lists every airline by terminal on nice.aeroport.fr | |
| Long-haul flights (USA, Canada, Gulf) | Delta and Emirates use Terminal 2; check your booking for other airlines | |
| Tram stop | Yes, line 2 | Yes, line 2 |
Several stops, a group or an odd hour? Ask us for a quote.
Leaving the airport
Your options into Nice and along the coast
| Option | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Tram line 2 | Stops at both terminals; reaches the city centre (Jean Médecin) and the port in under 30 minutes. Buy your ticket at the machine before boarding. | Light luggage, a hotel near a tram stop |
| Train from Nice Saint-Augustin | Regional TER station in the Grand Arénas district next to the airport, open since September 2022, reached by tram. Trains run along the coast towards Cannes, Antibes, Monaco and Menton. | A hotel close to a station on the coastal line |
| Licensed taxi | Available outside both terminals; the fare follows the meter and local taxi regulations. | A short ride without booking ahead |
| Pre-booked private transfer | A driver follows your flight and waits in Arrivals with your name; the price is quoted before you travel. | Families, groups, lots of luggage, villas and hotels away from stations |
Tram and train fares change regularly; check the current tickets on the Lignes d’Azur and SNCF websites before you fly. Allow more time for any option in July and August, when the roads, trams and trains along the coast are at their busiest.
Moving between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2
If you arrive at one terminal and need the other, for a connection, a rental car or a meeting, the tram links the two terminals free of charge, about every 7 to 8 minutes on weekdays. Allow extra time with luggage, and more during summer peaks.
Walking between the terminals is possible but not pleasant with suitcases.
Where to meet a pre-booked driver
Drivers with a name sign wait at the arrivals exit of each terminal, after baggage claim and customs. If you have booked a private transfer, your confirmation gives the exact meeting point and a phone number to message once you have your bags.
Before you leave the arrivals hall, switch on your phone and check for a message from your driver: if your flight was early or late, it may contain an updated meeting point.
Quick facts
| Airport code | NCE (IATA), LFMN (ICAO) |
|---|---|
| Terminals | 2: T1 and T2 |
| Distance between them | A few minutes by the free tram |
| To central Nice | About 11 km by road to Place Masséna |
| Passengers in 2025 | 15.23 million (airport figures) |
| Business aviation | Separate terminal; see private jet transfers |
Terminal questions
Is my departure terminal the same as my arrival terminal?
Usually yes for the same airline, but not always. Check your return flight separately.
How early should I get to Nice airport?
Follow your airline’s advice. In July and August, security queues can be long; leave a margin for traffic on the Promenade des Anglais and the motorway too.
Can a driver meet me inside the terminal?
Yes, in the public arrivals hall, after customs. Drivers cannot go beyond the arrivals doors.
Where do private jet passengers arrive?
At the business aviation terminal, separate from T1 and T2.
How long from landing to the arrivals hall?
It depends on the flight. Arrivals from inside the Schengen area usually come out quickly. From the United States, the United Kingdom, the Gulf or Asia, passport control adds time, and the wait for checked bags varies. A driver who follows your flight adjusts to the real landing time.
Can I take the tram with large suitcases?
Yes, there is space for luggage, but trams can be crowded at busy times and in summer. With several large cases, children or a long way to walk at the other end, a door-to-door ride is easier.
Is there a train station at the airport?
Nice Saint-Augustin station is in the Grand Arénas district, next to the airport, and is served by regional trains along the coast. From the terminals you reach it by tram.
Arriving soon?
A driver can be waiting at your terminal when you come out.