Car Rental in Nice 2026: Where to Rent, Prices and Driving Tips

in short

Nice Airport has all the rental companies in one building, and this is the point that confuses most travelers. I've summarized here where exactly you pick up a car, when it's best to rent one, and what the rules are for the ZFE area.

Where to collect: All companies are located in the Car Rental Center behind the P5 parking lot, opposite Terminal 2. Those who land at Terminal 1 also pick up their car there.
Hours: Terminal 1 counters are open until 22:00 PM. After that time, go directly to the rental center.
Who is it for: Those who stay in Nice and Cannes don't need a car. A car is worthwhile for those who go out to the villages, Monaco, and Saint-Tropez.
Crit'Air sticker: Mandatory in the ZFE zone of Nice, fine 68 euros. In a rental car it is usually already affixed.
Where is cheaper: Rental at the city's train stations is cheaper than at the airport.
Minimum age: Usually 21, and under 25, a young driver surcharge is usually charged.

You've decided that this year you're vacationing on the French Riviera, in Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, and of course Monaco. You've seen so many movies about Alain Delon , Belmondo, and Louis de Pins' policemen, and you want to rub shoulders with the who's who of the world.

The French Riviera, with its beautiful cities and villages, spreads over a large area. There is public transportation and trains from city to city, but most tourists use taxi services in the city or rent a car.

Who should rent a car in the Riviera?

If you want to base yourself in Nice or Cannes and go down to the sea and the promenade, you don't need a car. Taxis or walking will suffice. Renting a car in Nice is suitable for those who want to travel throughout the area to the ancient villages, Monaco, Saint-Tropez, etc., without being limited to public transportation or certain hours.

Recommended sites for renting a car in Nice

Booking.com

Personally, the first site I look for a rental car is… Booking.com . No, I wasn’t mistaken, it turns out that for several years now, this site has been offering not only hotels and apartments, but also car rental services. I like this site because it is very, very user-friendly, the prices are not bad at all, and they can even become even more friendly if you are a VIP customer of Booking.com. So if you are looking for a rental car, this is the site where I would start.

Click here to rent a car from Booking.com

Car rental through rentalcars.com

Rentalcars.com is owned by the well-known travel company booking.com, so you know it’s a reliable car rental service. In fact, this site connects you to different car rental companies with the click of a button, so you can review the offers and take the car that best suits your style, budget, and stay on the Riviera.

The car rental booking terms are flexible, and you can cancel or change most types of bookings for free up to 48 hours before picking up the car. Among the companies from which you can rent a car through the website: Avis, Sixt, Europcar and more.

Click here to rent a car in Nice from rentalcars.com

Car rental in Nice with Economy Bookings

A large website that allows you to compare prices between well-known (and lesser-known) car rental companies, and find the best deal for renting a car in Nice. The website offers car rental through 800 different companies, so you can probably find something that suits your needs. Economy Bookings offers car rental in more than 180 countries around the world. Among the car rental companies here you can find Hertz, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Sixt and more.

Click here to rent a car in Nice through Economy Bookings

Other car rental companies

Over the years, I have rented a car quite a few times in France (and in Paris, of course) and over the years I have created a sort of “toolbox” of websites where I check rental prices from different companies.

I have compiled all of these sites on the Francophile's Toolbox page and I highly recommend going to each of these sites and checking, as there are often differences between the prices you get on each site.

Where do you rent a car in Nice?

Most tourists who arrive on the Riviera arrive through Nice's airport or through its train stations, so the rental companies are all concentrated at these points.

Nice Airport (Aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur) is located about 6 km from the city center and is the third largest in France. The important point for car renters: all rental companies are now concentrated in one building, the Car Rental Center, located behind the P5 parking lot opposite Terminal 2.

Those landing at Terminal 2 exit at gates A2 or A3 and cross the P5 parking lot on foot according to the signs, a short walk through a covered walkway and no shuttle. Those landing at Terminal 1 will find the rental counters in the landing area, to the right of the information desk and next to gates A1 and A2, until 22:00 PM. After 22:00 PM, these counters close and go directly to the Car Rental Center. A free tram runs between the two terminals.

In any case, the car itself is always picked up and returned at the Car Rental Center, even if you signed the documents at Terminal 1. It's worth taking a look at the opening hours of the specific company you've chosen before booking, as some of them close earlier than the building itself.

Car rental in Nice – tips

In the summer, the lines at the rental company counters are long, take this into account and be patient.
The cost of renting at the airport is more expensive than the cost of renting at train stations.
Check with the rental company representative where you can fill up with fuel in the airport area, so that you don't have to pay an exorbitant price to the rental company.
Carefully inspect the vehicle inside and out before signing the document in the parking lot.
Getting in and out of the airport and parking is not as complicated as at the airports in Paris. Be sure to follow the signs for the parking lot, then the signs for the car rental parking lot, and finally the signs for the car company you rented from.
Train stations – There are two main train stations in Nice: Nice Ville and Nice Côte d'Azur. Check your train ticket and make sure to board a train that arrives and stops at the station where you are renting a car.
Car rental companies are open from 8 am to 8 pm.
The car park is located under the station. Train stations in Nice are generally unpleasant at night, as are the car parks. Therefore, if you decide to return the car in the middle of the night, it is worth checking if it is possible to return it to another destination in the city.

Important tips for driving in Nice and Cannes

“In Nice, the traffic signs are only a recommendation” – a phrase you will hear from anyone who has driven in Nice and Cannes.

You are probably thinking now, “Well, it’s like driving in Israel, everyone drives like that here too.” In Israel, impudent people are pushed and overtaken, but in Nice the main problem is ignoring traffic signs. A sign to give way or stop, entering and exiting traffic circles – drivers in Nice drive however they please and you need to be alert, and not think that if there is a sign or traffic light everything is fine.

Rush hours in Nice are like anywhere else. During the summer, many tourists in rental cars arrive in the city, and indeed the city is crowded even outside of rush hours, especially in the area of the White Promenade.

Parking in the city costs money everywhere, so it's worth checking whether the hotel or apartment you're renting allows you free or paid parking.

In tourist areas in Nice and Cannes, and in the beach area, people tend to break into the roads and walk on the road, be vigilant.

There are endless bicycles and scooters in Tel Aviv, and although there are many cycling routes, they prefer to zigzag between cars.

Nice's ZFE area: what to check before picking up a car

Nice is one of the cities in France that has implemented a low-emissions zone (ZFE, short for Zone à Faibles Émissions). In practice, this means that every vehicle entering the zone must carry a Crit'Air sticker on the windshield, bottom right, and the fine for driving without a sticker is 68 euros.

The good news for those renting a car: Almost every car rented from a French company comes with the sticker already affixed, as the fleet is relatively new. It's still worth taking a look at the windshield before leaving the parking lot, and if the sticker is missing, ask for another car.

Those arriving in a private vehicle from Europe order the sticker exclusively from the government website certificat-air.gouv.fr, for about 4 euros. Private websites sell the same sticker for tens of euros, and there is no reason to pay them.

Recommended places for trips on the French Riviera

The Riviera offers sparkling cities like Cannes , picturesque villages with ports and ancient castles, magical hiking trails, the young and vibrant Nice and royal Monaco.

Villages worth visiting:

Bellevue-sur-Mar – an ancient and preserved village where the Villa Carlius is located, a restored Greek building from the fifth century AD.

Saint-Jean-de-Pré – The village is located on a mountain and is very suitable for nature lovers and hiking trails.

Saint-Paul-de-Vence – the artists' village where Chagall and Matisse and many other artists worked

Monaco – a luxurious and luxurious city, royal casinos, the royal palace, charming gardens and excellent restaurants

Cannes – the city of glamour and luxurious chic, luxury brand stores and cars you've only seen in movies, a wonderful beach and a visit to the old city.

Nice is now considered one of the most visited cities in France, often ranked second only to Paris. It brings with it the perfect summer vacation, but it also serves as a great jumping-off point for car trips to a variety of other tourist locations in France.

FAQs about renting a car in Nice

Where do you pick up a rental car at Nice Airport?

All rental companies are concentrated in the Car Rental Center, a building located behind the P5 parking lot opposite Terminal 2. From Terminal 2, exit at gates A2 or A3 and walk through a covered walkway. Those who landed at Terminal 1 can sign the documents at the counter next to gates A1 and A2 until 22:00 PM, but the car itself will be picked up at the same center.

Do I need a Crit'Air sticker to drive in Nice?

Yes. Nice operates a low emission zone (ZFE), and entry into it requires a Crit'Air sticker on the windshield. The fine for driving without a sticker is 68 euros. In a car rented from a French company, the sticker is usually already affixed, and it is worth checking this before leaving the parking lot.

Should I rent a car at the airport or train station?

It's cheaper at the train station. The cost of renting at the airport includes an airport surcharge, so those who start their trip in the city itself can save if they pick up the car at one of the two central train stations. On the other hand, picking up at the airport is more convenient for those who land and immediately set off.

Do you need a car if you only stay in Nice?

No. Nice itself is excellent to navigate on foot, by tram, and by taxi, and parking in the city costs money everywhere. The car starts to pay off once you leave the city for the ancient villages, Monaco, and Saint-Tropez.

From what age can you rent a car in France?

Usually from the age of 21, but drivers under 25 almost always pay a young driver surcharge. In addition, a credit card in the registered driver's name is required for the deposit, and debit cards are usually not accepted.

When is it cheapest to rent a car in Riviera?

Off-season. July and August are the peak months on the Riviera, and that's when rental prices peak. The surrounding months, April to June and September to October, offer good weather with much lower prices.