Hire Car Nice Tips, Experiences & Comparison

Exploring Nice by Hire Car

A city of contrasts awaits the traveller in Nice.

The rich and the beautiful flock to the splendid beach boulevard, but on the outskirts of the city you’ll find ugly tenements and social hotspots.

It is precisely these contrasts that make Nice such an interesting destination.

It’s not just a sophisticated art world that awaits here, but a diverse big city. And there are also other places on the Côte d’Azur that want to be discovered.

From Nice, the world-famous coastal resorts such as Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Monaco are easy to reach. The easiest and most beautiful way to do this is by hire car.

We have put together a few tips for booking and travelling.

Receiving the hire car

Most hire car customers arrive in Nice by plane. If you arrive after 06:00 and before 22:00, it is no problem to get the hire car. In Terminal 1, you will find the rental agencies at Gate A1/A2 to the right of the information desk. In Terminal 2, you can pick up the key for your hire car between gates A2 and A3.

It gets a little more complicated if you arrive before 06:00 in the morning or after 22:00 in the evening. Then you’ll need to take the shuttle to Terminal 2. You can find it at gate A0 on the arrivals level. Once you arrive at Terminal 2, you need to choose entrance A3 and then follow the signs that say “Location de voitures / Hire Car Center”.

Finding the right hire car

It’s not entirely easy to decide on the right hire car. Of course, it is fun to cruise along the Boulevard d'Anglais in fashionable Nice in a large luxury convertible. But at the latest when you are on the road the next day in the mountainous hinterland, you will wish for a smaller and more manoeuvrable car. The best thing to do is to decide on a compromise and take a stylish small car, such as a Mini or Lancia. Only if you’re travelling with really big luggage or a golf bag will you need to take a larger car.

Hire car prices

Since there are many rental companies competing in Nice, hire car prices are comparatively moderate. Only in the high season can there be shortages of hire cars and thus higher prices. You can be on the safe side if you reserve the hire car well in advance of your trip. Then you can freely choose your desired vehicle and get a good price.

hire car price comparison Nice

Insurance

In the hinterland of Nice there are many narrow and very winding roads. There is quickly once an accident happened. You are best insured if you have a comprehensive insurance without deductible. And pay attention to the amount of coverage in the liability insurance. If people are injured in an accident, it can be very expensive for you if the insurance does not pay. You can find more tips on the subject of insurance in our special.

age limit

Many rental companies only rent their vehicles to drivers older than 21. For higher-end cars, the age limit may even be 25. Check with your rental company before renting the car to be safe from any nasty surprises.

Accessories

You may need accessories such as a navigation device or child seat for your hire car trip. If this is the case, you should check with your rental company to see if they have these items in stock and how much they cost.

Free kilometers

If you want to make big tours through the Provence with the hire car, you should definitely make sure when renting that you can drive an unlimited number of kilometers without paying additional fees. If only small tours in the surrounding area of Nice are planned, you can opt for a contract with mileage limit. This is then often cheaper.

Customer Review Hire Car

Most of the customers are satisfied with the hire car in Nice. However, some complain about dirty and scratched vehicles. It is best to read reviews on this portal before renting and then decide on a provider. If your rental vehicle has scratches or other defects, you should have them confirmed in a fault report.

Safety vehicles

Although sometimes the exterior condition leaves something to be desired, hire cars in Nice are usually in roadworthy condition. However, to be on the safe side, you should check lights, including brake lights, and the operation of the brakes before your first trip.

Bail

For many customers, it is an annoyance when the hire car company charges the deposit to the credit card and then delays returning it after the car is returned. Most rental companies just block the amount so that it is available immediately after the car is returned. Find out how your rental company of choice handles this before you rent.

Sights in Nice

Bolulevard d'Anglais: Magnificent beach promenade
The Boulevard d’Anglais is where the city stroll could begin. The beach promenade is lined with historic houses, many from the Belle Epoque, but also newer buildings that fit in well with the ensemble. On the beach, you can enjoy the exclusive pleasure of renting a sun lounger on one of the private sections. The loungers are upholstered with thick cushions, the waiter serves champagne and fresh seafood is served to satisfy a small appetite. For the less well-heeled, there’s also the option of spreading out your towel on the public sections of the beach.

Musée des Beaux-Arts: From Fragonard to Chagall
A delightful art collection of works by Van Loo, Fragonard, Chagall or Chéret awaits you if you then visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice. The museum is open every day except Mondays from 10:00 to 18:00. Afterwards, it is worth visiting the Musée Matisse, where you can experience numerous works by the artist. The museum is open every day except Tuesday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Musée d'Archéologie: Journey into the past
The Romans already appreciated the charms of the area and settled in Nice. At that time, the city was called Cemenlum. If you visit the ancient amphitheater with over 5,000 seats, built in the second century AD, you can see the remains of the settlement to this day. Right next door is the Musée d’Archéologie, which displays more finds from the period. The museum is open daily except Mondays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission is free.

Cours Saleya: Colourful market hustle
In the picturesque old town of Nice, it is wonderful to stroll. to stroll. The heart of the old town is the Cours Saleya, where a colourful, typical Provencal market takes place regularly. The square is lined with numerous cafes where you can recover from the exertions of walking.

Find a good restaurant

Sophisticated Nice offers a variety of good restaurants. We recommend the “Flaveur”. A modern, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine is served in a stylishly furnished dining room. This interpretation was worth one star to the testers of the Guide Michelin.

Discover a good hotel

A grand hotel awaits you when you book a room at the legendary “Negresco”. Located right on the Boulevard d’Anglais, it has been offering luxurious rooms and Belle Époque charm since 1912.

A worthwhile destination in the area

A delightful city can be experienced if you steer the hire car to Antibes. You can be there in half an hour. The Antibes market has countless stalls selling the delicacies of the region.

The old town awaits with picturesque alleys, nice restaurants and original little shops. And on the beach you can enjoy a cool swim in the sea and the sun. While you listen to the sound of the waves, you can plan other destinations around Nice.

Suggestion for a round trip

Menton: Experience the magic of the Belle Èpoque
Perhaps you will first drive your hire car to Menton near the Italian border. In three quarters of an hour, you will have covered the 30 kilometres. In this once fashionable town you can admire beautiful villas from the Belle Époque period. A highlight of the town is the Musée des Beaux Arts in the Palais Carnolés. There you can admire works of art from the 13th century to the present day. The museum is open daily except Tuesdays from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00. It is only closed on public holidays.

Saorge: Small village in wild mountain country
An enchanting mountain village can be discovered if you now continue to Saorge. For the 46 kilometres you will need about an hour’s drive through wild and romantic mountain country. In Saorge, it is above all the charming market square that captivates visitors.

Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines: Impressive frescoes and healing springs
Dramatic frescoes await you when you steer your hire car to the pilgrimage chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines at the end of a first round trip. You can reach the site from Saorge in half an hour. The chapel is also the source of healing springs. The frescoes were painted from 1491 to 1492 and were created by artists Giovanni Canavesio and Giovanni Baleison.

If you prefer the drive through the mountains, it will take you another two hours back to Nice, where you can review the day’s experiences. You can save yourself half an hour by heading back via Menton and then along the coast.