Nice Travel Guide

Backpacking Nice Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Nice, my suggested budget is about €69 EUR ($77 USD) per day. This budget will cover staying in a hostel dorm, cooking most of your meals, eating prix-fixe lunches, walking around, free tours, and taking public transit everywhere.

A mid-range budget of about €130 EUR ($145 USD) will cover a room at a two-star budget hotel or a private Airbnb room, eating out all your meals, cheap restaurants, a few glasses of wine each day, an occasional Uber, and a couple of paid attractions per day.

For a luxury budget of €285 EUR ($315 USD) or more, you will stay in a four-star hotel, eat at gourmet restaurants for all your meals, and enjoy plenty of wine. The sky is your limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in USD.

Nice Travel Guide: Money Saving Tips

Nice is definitely built for the luxury traveler. Being on the French Riviera and so close to many expensive destinations, it’s a city people visit to spend money. The summer crowds only increase prices further. If you want to lower your costs, here are some ways to save money in Nice:

• Do the free stuff – Take advantage of all of the free sights including the beach, Vieux Nice, Jardin Albert I (the city’s central park), and the Promenade des Anglais, which fills up at night with music and street performers.
• French Riviera Pass – Available at the Nice Tourism office and the Congress Centre, the French Riviera Pass is good for unlimited travel in a 24, 48, or 72-hour period. Passes are €30-68 ($34-76 USD). The pass also includes an Old Nice guided tour, free entry into museums, and Lascaris Palace.
• Get the set lunch menu – If you eat out, do so at lunch and get the prix-fixe menu (two- or three-course set menu). Restaurants throughout town offer this set menu during lunch, and with prices €10-20 ($11-22 USD), it’s a way better deal than the regular dinner menu!
• Take the free walking tours – Nice has a free walking tour of the old city that starts at Massena Square Fountain at 11:25am, and lasts for about 2 hours. At the end of the tour, you pay-what-you-can based on your budget.
• Couchsurf – Nothing’s cheaper than sleeping for free. Couchsurfing connects you with locals who will give you not only a free place to stay, but also a local tour guide who can introduce you to all the great places to see.
• Save money on rideshares – Uber is way cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to wait for a bus or pay for a taxi. The Uber Pool option is where can you share a ride to get even better savings (though you can get your own car too). You can save $15 off your first Uber ride with this code: jlx6v.

Where to Stay in Nice

There is a handful of fun hostels in Nice to choose from, most of which are quite close to the city center. Here are my recommended places to stay in Nice:

• Hostel Mayerbeer
• Hostel Ozz & Bar By HappyCulture
• Villa Saint Exupery Beach
• Antares Hostel

How to Get Around Nice

Bus and Tram – Tickets for the bus and the tram can be bought from machines near tram stops. A solo ticket costs €1 ($1.10 USD). You can also purchase 1-day and 7-day passes.

Nice has 5 night-time bus routes which run from 9:10 pm to 10:10 am each day, making it easier to get around if your out late at night.

Bicycle – Vélobleu is a public bike sharing system that lets you use bicycles around the city. There are 175 stations in the region, and over 1,700 bikes. To register the cost is €3 ($3.25 USD), after that it is €1.50 ($1.70 USD) per 30 minutes.

Taxi – Taxis are expensive in Nice, with a base rate of €3 ($3.25 USD) plus about €2.08 ($2.25 USD) per kilometer. This rate may increase in the evenings.

Ride-Sharing – Uber is available in Nice. You can save $15 off your first Uber ride with this code: jlx6v. For getting around the area (and the country!) you can also use the ride-sharing app BlaBlaCar. It is a great way to travel around Europe on a budget.

When to Go to Nice

The months between June and August are the hottest time for visiting Nice, with temperatures reaching an average of 86°F (30°C). This is when the south of France is packed with locals and tourists who want to soak up the sun and ambiance of Nice. Prices here are also the highest and you’ll need to book well in advance for things.

The crowds in summer can be quite large at times, especially close to the beaches, and Old Nice. Prices in restaurants and hotels increase as well. To avoid crowds, venture into some of the local neighbourhoods, such as Jean-Médecin or Carabacel.

In September and October, the average high temperature is 75°F (24°C), and an ideal time to visit Nice. The crowds are considerably less, making it an ideal time to relax on the beach and wander through the streets of Old Nice and other popular areas.

December to April is considered the winter season and temperatures average around 55ºF (12ºC). Carnaval de Nice takes place for 14 days each February/March. A tradition since 1873, this is one of the best carnivals in Europe, known for its over-the-top colorful float parades during the day and parade of lights at night, as well as a beautiful flower parade. Prices during this time are lower, and the streets are quieter, it is an ideal time to visit Nice.

Of course, one cannot forget the Nice International Film Festival each May when the city is flooded with celebrities and more glitz and glamor than one can handle.

How to Stay Safe in Nice

Nice is very safe, and the risk of violent crime is very low. Like anywhere else, avoid walking through unfamiliar areas alone at night and beware of pick-pocketing and petty theft. Pick pocketing is common in markets, on buses and trains and other crowded areas. Thieves have been known to rob people by reaching into stopped cars or while riding by on motorcycles.

There’s also a number of tourist scams here. Avoid bringing valuables to the beach, as theft while you’re in the water is a popular scam. Grabbing valuables from chairs on a sidewalk café. The petition scam is quite popular, where someone asks you to sign a paper and while you’re distracted with the clipboard, they’ll pick your pockets.

If you’re worried about getting scammed, you can read about the 14 travel scams to avoid right here.

People are generally friendly and helpful, and you’re unlikely to get into trouble.

Always trust your gut instinct. Avoid isolated areas at night, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

If you don’t do it at home, don’t do it in Nice! Follow that rule, and you’ll be fine.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Nice Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel to Nice. They are included here because they consistently find deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the ones I use the most and are always the starting points in my search for travel deals.

• Momondo – This is my favorite booking site. I never book a flight without checking here first.
• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is another great flight search engline which searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that larger sites miss. While I always start with Momondo, I use this site too as a way to compare prices.
• Airbnb – Airbnb is a great accommodation alternative for connecting with homeowners who rent out their homes or apartments.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there, with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Couchsurfing – This website allows you to stay on people’s couches or spare rooms for free. It’s a great way to save money while meeting locals who can tell you the ins and outs of their city. The site also lists events you can attend to meet people (even if you’re not staying with someone).
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have a no money down policy, great interface, and the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Rail Europe – If you are going to Europe and taking a lot of high speed or long distance trains, get a rail pass. I’ve used a rail pass three times and saved hundreds of dollars each time. The math just works.
• Intrepid Travel – If you want to do a group tour around Europe, go with Intrepid Travel. They offer good small group tours that use local operators and leave a small environmental footprint. If you go on a tour with anyone, go with them. And, as a reader of this site, you’ll get a discount when you click the link!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome 2 Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – German based Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low €5 ($6 USD)! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, and up to three 3 free bags.
• Bla Bla Car – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way travel than by bus or train!
• World Nomads – I buy all my travel insurance from World Nomads. They have great customer service, competitive prices, and in-depth coverage. I’ve been using them since I started traveling in 2003. Don’t leave home without it!
• EatWith – This website allows you to eat home cooked meal with locals. Locals post listings for dinner parties and specialty meals that you can sign up for. There is a fee (everyone sets their own price) but this is a great way to do something different, pick a local’s brain, and make a new friend.

Nice Gear and Packing Guide

If you’re heading on the road and need some gear suggestions, here are my tips for the best travel backpack and for what to pack!

The Best Backpack for Travelers

What’s the best backpack for traveling long-term? I recommend the REI Flash 45 Pack. It’s light and comfy, front loading, and fits perfectly in an airplane’s overhead bin.
Size: 45-47L
Straps: Thick and cushy with compression technology that pulls the pack’s load up and inwards so it doesn’t feel as heavy.
Features: Removable top lid, large pocket at the front, hydration compatible, contoured hip belt

If you want something different, refer to my article on how to choose the best travel backpack for tips on picking a pack and other backpack suggestions.

What to Pack for Your Trip

Clothes

• 1 pair of jeans (heavy and not easily dried, but I like them; a good alternative is khaki pants)
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 bathing suit
• 5 T-shirts (Unbound Merino is my preferred company. If you’re a member of NM+, you can get 15% off your purchase)
• 1 long-sleeved T-shirt
• 1 pair of flip-flops
• 1 pair of sneakers
• 6 pairs of socks (I always end up losing half)
• 5 pairs of boxer shorts (I’m not a briefs guy!)
• 1 toothbrush
• 1 tube of toothpaste
• 1 razor
• 1 package of dental floss
• 1 small bottle of shampoo
• 1 small bottle of shower gel
• 1 towel
• Deodorant

Small Medical Kit (safety is important!!!)

• Band-Aids
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibacterial cream
• Earplugs
• Tylenol
• Hand sanitizer (germs = sick = bad holiday)

Miscellaneous

• A key or combination lock (safety first)
• Zip-lock bags (keeps things from leaking or exploding)
• Plastic bags (great for laundry)
• Universal charger/adaptor (this applies to everyone)
• LifeStraw (A water bottle with a purifier)

Female Travel Packing List
I’m not a woman, so I don’t know what a woman wears, but Kristin Addis, our solo female travel guru, wrote this list as an addition to the basics above:

Clothing

• 1 swimsuit
• 1 sarong
• 1 pair of stretchy jeans (they wash and dry easily)
• 1 pair of leggings (if it’s cold, they can go under your jeans, otherwise with a dress or shirt)
• 2-3 long-sleeve tops
• 2-3 T-shirts
• 3-4 spaghetti tops
• 1 light cardigan

Toiletries

• 1 dry shampoo spray & talc powder (keeps long hair grease-free in between washes)
• 1 hairbrush
• Makeup you use
• Hair bands & hair clips
• Feminine hygiene products (you can opt to buy there too, but I prefer not to count on it, and most people have their preferred products)

For more on packing, check out these posts:

• What I Pack For My Travels
• The Ultimate List For Female Travelers
• How to Choose and Buy the Right Backpack

Nice Travel Guide: Suggested Reading

Les Misérables, by Victor Hugo
This one is a classic you can’t pass up! Jean Valjean, a peasant imprisoned for stealing bread, is one of the most famous literary characters in history. Victor Hugo takes us through 19th century Parisian life, and the uprising of 1832. It follows the story of Valjean and his persecution by Inspector Javert, the struggles of prostitute Fantine, and the immoral behavior of miscreant Thénardier. It’s a clear criticism of the French political and legal systems.
 
 
 
 
A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway
If there is one era I’d want to visit more than any other, it’s Paris in the 1920s. Hemingway’s memoir is the next best thing. It was published after Hemingway’s death, and recalls the time he spent living in Paris where he developed his writing career. Broke but happy, he spent his time writing in cafes along with other notorious authors like Zelda Fitzgerald and James Joyce.
 
 
 
 
 
The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas
First published in the 1840s, this classic French novel is about Edmond Dantes, a man thrown into prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s confined to the fortress of If, and it’s there that he learns about the treasure hidden under the Isle of Monte Cristo. He becomes obsessed with unearthing the treasure and seeking his revenge on the men responsible for his imprisonment. This book was actually inspired by real events.
 
 
 
A Year in Provence, by Peter Mayle
I’d heard of this book before but never bothered to pick it up until multiple readers recommended it to me. I’m glad I finally read it — it was incredible. An autobiographical novel following the author Peter Mayle’s year living in Provence, it details the struggles and joys of adapting to a new culture. I loved the interesting characters he meets and his description of the slow pace of life in France (which was a clear departure from his previous life in England). As a Francophile, this book makes me want to move to France even more. Wonderfully and wistfully written, I can understand why it continues to be such a classic.
 
Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris, by Sarah Turnbull
Sarah Turnbull’s visit to the City of Light was supposed to last a week, but she ends up staying permanently with the guy she had traveled to Paris to visit (Paris has that effect on people). This book follows Turnbull’s life in the city as she navigates the highs and lows of trying to fit into a foreign culture while slowly falling more and more in love with it. Its a fish-out-of-water tale and clichéd at many times, but it offers lessons on embracing life in a foreign culture that will never really accept you as one of its own. Funny and witty, I found it to be a fun pager turner.