NiceImage:Port_Nice.jpg|thumb|right|320px|Harbour of Nice, France '''Nice''' is a large city in France, situated on the French Riviera. ==Understand== ==Get in== ===By plane=== [http://www.nice.aeroport.fr/include_en/ Nice Airport] is one of the busiest in France and has direct flights to most major cities in Europe as well New York and a number of destinations in North Africa and the Middle East. The Airport is located at the western end of Nice on landfill. Arrival and departure in good weather often provides beautiful views of the French Riviera. Most airlines use Terminal 1 (the older terminal) with Terminal 2 used primarily by Air France (and partners) and Easyjet. There is a free shuttle bus between the terminals. Various bus lines depart from the airport. To get to the downtown bus depot, take line 98 (departing at bus stop 1 every 30 minutes, on the hour). The fare to the terminus is 4 Euros per person. The airport website has a [http://www.nice.aeroport.fr/acces_stationnement_en/bus/default.asp page with timetables]. Some hotels offer shuttle buses from the airport - inquire at your hotel before or upon arrival. ===By train=== Nice is connected to the rest of France via the SNCF train network. A direct TGV train from Paris to Nice takes about 6 hours, fare for an adult is about 100 Euros. The train arrives in Nice at the central station (called simply "Gare SNCF"). ===By car=== ===By bus=== ===By boat=== ==Get around== ===By car=== Best access is by car from the A8 autoroute. The Airport is well signed from the A8 and the A8 well signed from the airport. Just make sure that you know which direction you need to go when getting on the A8 and which terminal when leaving. Especially in the morning and evening rush hour do allow extra time to deal with accidents and traffic jams. The A8 has a ferocious bend just by the airport and accidents are frequent. Driving a car on the Riviera is only for the brave, the region has one of the worst accident records in France (which is saying something) and every local has his or her favourite story about a mad driver. However all major car rental firms, as well as some less well known ones such as easycar and ADA, are present. Most are located by terminal 2 however easycar is located just off site near terminal 1. If you have a choice try to pick a car that is already well dinged so that no one notices the new dings and scratches you will add. ===By taxi=== Nice taxi drivers are notorious for ripping off foreigners. Insist on the meter being on the whole time and try and sit where you can see it so that you can immediately query the driver when/if it goes off "accidentally". Taxi fares within Nice should be less than €20, Antibes €50 and Monaco or Cannes should result in fares of approximately €70. ===By bus=== A number of public buses crisscross Nice. When taking the bus, you must be aware of the somewhat odd way the bus schedules are laid out. They list the departure time at the first bus station - not the one you are currently at (unless the two coincide, naturally). At the right hand side of the bus schedule, you have a list of stations, and next to some you will find the time listed it will take the bus to get there (+20', for example). This means that you will have to do a lot of guessing. Best ask a native and leave some extra padding time (30 minutes or more depending on the complexity of your bus trip) if you plan to take a bus to any scheduled event that you really do not want to miss (airport, train, etc). ===By foot=== Nice isn't very big. Unless you want to reach the very outlying areas, you can probably get away with walking your entire stay. ==See== The ruined '''castle''' overlooking the harbour is a nice vantage point overlooking the city. Not much is left besides crumbling walls. Still, climbing up the stairs to reach the platforms 90m above Nice is well worth the view. Be aware that the castle "park" closes at 8:00 in the evening. Expect to be escorted outside if you stay longer. ==Do== ===Beaches=== If you go to Nice for bathing or generally lounging on the beach, you may wish to think again. The beaches of Nice consist entirely of gravel and rocks - much nicer beaches exist in other cities around the Mediterranean. A few private beaches have added a layer of sand, but the free public beaches are a stony experience. Besides towels or mats you should definitely bring sandals (walking on the rocks can be painful) and cushions (if you want to sit). Showers are provided (for free) on all public beaches, as well. Private beaches offer various services from restaurants / bars to the rental of lounge chairs and towels. ==Learn== ==Work== ==Buy== Most stores and restaurants in Nice will accept the major credit cards, as well as debit cards from major banks (anything carrying the EC or MAESTRO labels). If this fails you can always get money from any of the numerous ATM machines. Postcards (as many other things) vary greatly in price. Do some comparison shopping as the price range is between 20 cents and 1 Euro per normal postcard. ==Eat== A food called "socca" is a local speciality. Check out the daily market in the Vieux Nice for fresh, local produce. ===Budget=== ===Mid-range=== ===Splurge=== ==Drink== You can save a lot of money by buying drinks and such in a normal supermarket instead of the vendors geared towards tourists. With the hot Nicoise summers, carrying a bottle of water is almost a must. ==Sleep== There are a number of hotels within walking distance of terminal 1 of the Airport and a special hotel shuttle bus serves other hotels within Nice itself. ===Budget=== It would seem that the simplest solution is to stay at a youth hostel. There are two in Nice: * '''Mont-Boron''', Route Forestière du Mont-Alban. [http://www.fuaj.org/fra/auberges/aj_fiche.php?aj_id=141 Site internet]. Situated 4 kms from Nice in a forest. * '''Les Camélias''', 3, rue Spitalieri. [http://www.fuaj.org/fra/auberges/aj_fiche.php?aj_id=182 Site internet]. Situated near the shopping center Nice Etoile, in the heart of the city center. ===Mid-range=== Being a heavily touristed city, it's easy to find a number of small hotels which are perfectly acceptable, and usually at a decent rate. ===Splurge=== Holiday palaces are numerous in Nice: there are 14 four-star hotels of which these are a sampling: * '''Negresco''' * '''Radisson''' * '''Four Points Elysée Palace''' * '''Ruhl''' ==Contact== ==Stay safe== ==Cope== ==Get out== ===By train=== If you're getting out of Nice, consider taking the TGV. Cruising at 300 km/h is quite fun and the train has a nice route with plenty of views of the coast. Be sure to ask for a seat on the left-hand side of the train. ===By bus=== There are coaches from Nice Airport to most places between Marseilles and Genoa. ===Helicopter=== There are a number of [http://www.nice.aeroport.fr/acces_stationnement_en/helico/ helicopter services] available with regular flights to St Tropez, Cannes and Monaco. The price is quite competitive with a taxi fare and the views are stunning. ==External links== fr:Nice ro:Nisa WikiPedia:Nice, France {{msg:stub}} First page | Prev | Next | Last page |

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