Located on the Côte d’Azur (The French Riviera), Nice is a more affordable destination than the ultra-lux destinations of Monaco and Cannes. This Mediterranean city has a large beach (although it is rocky), beautiful weather, and a relaxed attitude. Prices for food and attractions are fairly reasonable by Western Europe standards but accommodation (especially hostels) can get expensive. The summers are the busiest and most expensive time of the year, so it’s smart to book your lodging early.
In this Nice travel price guide, we’ve outlined the estimated travel expenses for food, accommodation, attractions, alcohol, and other common expenses to help you budget your trip to Nice.
This article is part of our City Price Guide Series — Click here to see all our city price guides.
AVERAGE DAILY TRAVEL COSTS TO VISIT NICE, FRANCE
For budget-minded travelers, it costs around €42-€80/day to visit Nice. These prices are based on what you’ll need to visit the city comfortably as a budget traveler. If you want to upgrade your accommodations, add another €80-€120/night depending on your stay. These prices also don’t include things like big nights out at the bar/pub, club entry fees, souvenir/clothing shopping, tours, random purchases, nicer food, etc.
AVERAGE DAILY COSTS FOR BUDGET TRAVEL IN NICE: €70 (APPROX. $80)
- Attractions: €10 (one paid attraction + any free sights)
- Food: €28
- Breakfast: €4
- Lunch: €7
- Dinner: €14
- Treat (dessert/beer/wine): €3.50
- Transportation: €1.50
- Accommodation (Hostel): €33
DAILY COST OF FRUGAL TRAVEL IN NICE: €40 (APPROX. $50)
- Attractions: €5 (free walking tour + visit one of the free sights)
- Food: €19
- Breakfast: €2
- Lunch: €5 (street food or takeaway shop fare)
- Dinner: €10 (make your own meal in the hostel or grab something cheap)
- Beer: €1.5 (chill out at the beach and have a cold one)
- Transportation: €0 (walk)
- Accommodation (Cheap Hostel): €25
NICE ATTRACTION AND MUSEUM PRICES
Nice attractions are affordable with an average entry fee of €10 and the public beaches are always free. Want to learn more about visiting Nice? Check out our Nice, France On A Budget Travel Guide
- Marc Chagall Museum: €9
- National Museum of Sport: €7
- Museum of Contemporary Art: €10
- Matisse Museum: €10
- Nice Archeological Museum: €10
- Monument aux Morts: Free
- La Crypte Archeologique: €5
- Walking & Tours: Free- €100
Consider a bicycle tour along Nice’s coastline and through the city; €30 covers bicycle and helmet rental on a tour. Riviera and shore excursions are more expensive, but they offer the chance to see Nice and Cote d’Azure from the sea – expect to spend €90-€100 per person on a day trip in the French Riviera. You can also simply rent a bike for a few hours for about €10.
NICE FOOD PRICES
Traditional Nice cuisine is heavily influenced by Mediterranean cooking — with an emphasis on seafood, olive oil, and fresh vegetables. Try local favorites: socca, a chickpea flour, and olive oil crepe, and ratatouille, a tomato, eggplant, and zucchini dish. Cafés are more informal and have less expensive meal options than more formal restaurants. Read more of our strategies for Eating and Drinking in Europe on a Budget.
BUDGET BREAKFAST PRICES IN NICE: 2–€4
- Many hostels will offer a free simple breakfast that normally consists of cereal, bread/croissant, and maybe milk, coffee, tea, or juice (some hostels will offer more and some less). Hotel breakfasts tend to be overpriced, so skip those in most cases.
- A cup of coffee and pastry runs €1.75-€3.
- Kiosque TinTin is a popular local favorite that sells breakfast and lunch sandwiches. €2.50-€3.50
Budget-Friendly Breakfast Spots
- Workhouse Cafe: Excellent breakfast and brunch options including French toast, pancakes, fruit, eggs, bacon, etc.
- Hobo Coffee: Great coffee and a few other breakfast options.
- Pop-o-Thym: Crepes, pancakes, and super friendly service.
- Patisserie Chez Maitre Pierre: Pastries and coffee.
BUDGET LUNCH PRICES IN NICE: €4–€10
- Super budget travelers can make a super cheap lunch of bread, cheese, and fruit from any grocery store for a few euros.
- Socca from a stand in the city costs €2.50-€4.
- Kebabs or falafel from a stand run €2.50-€4.
- Mediterranean cafés and take-away are common, with Greek and Turkish food being most popular. Expect to pay €3-€6 for a meal.
- Pizza at a sit-down or takeaway pizzeria will run €4-€6.
BUDGET DINNER PRICES IN NICE: €6–€15
- Pretty much all the options from the ‘Budget Lunch’ section above will also apply for dinner.
- Niçoise salad, a cold salad with anchovies, shallots, tuna, and – sometimes – potatoes, is a Nice culinary staple. Expect to pay €8-€12 at a sit-down restaurant for this traditional favorite.
- Farcis, hollowed-out zucchini or eggplant stuffed with meat, garlic, and breadcrumbs, is another local dish. €7-€11.
- Take-away sandwiches, burgers, and kebabs run €3-€6 for a cheap dinner.
- Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich) is a popular local choice and runs €3-€5.
Budget-Friendly Lunch and Dinner Spots:
- Illia Pasta: It’s a small barebones restaurant but the owner/chef serves up fresh, affordable, and tasty pasta. There isn’t much ambiance inside so snag one of the outdoor tables for some lovely alfresco dining. You can also get your pasta to go. Great Old Town location.
- Chez Palmyre: An excellent place to get traditional, home-style French cooking. We recommend their €18 three-course menu. Reservations encouraged.
- Creperie Le Trimaran: A nice little crepes place. You can get a savory and dessert crepe for under €10.
- L’Atelier de Julien: Friendly pizza joint but it’s a bit outside Old Town.
- Made in Sud Pizzeria: Neopolitan pizza place near the Port.
- Chez Pipo: The most popular place to get socca.
- A Buteghinn: A small restaurant in the middle of Old Town serving up traditional “certification Cuisine Nissarde” dishes. The restaurant is run/owned by three sweet French women. Mostly outdoor seating. They also have preprepared takeaway food if you’re on the go. Reservations recommended. Cash only.
- Lou Pilha Leva: Outdoor picnic-style seating at this takeaway restaurant in the heart of Old Town. Stop by for a quick traditional snack and cold beer. The chicken and fries for €8.50 is a solid deal.
- Chez Rene Socca: A chaotic and no-frills place in Old Town that serves up local street food at affordable prices. There are tables outside available but you’re required to buy a drink. There is always a line but service is quick.
- Badaboom Bistro And BeJuice Bar: Hip hole-in-the-wall restaurant serving organic vegan food and juices. Nice owners. It’s a bit expensive but the quality is solid.
- Tartine et Galinette: Another fairly barebones spot serving up cheap but tasty pizza, sandwiches, and other simple meals.
- Le Falafel: An authentic family-run middle eastern restaurant serving up fresh falafel and shawarma dishes. Quick and friendly service.
- Farmers Market: The Farmers Market is a great place to get all kinds of fresh produce and prepared food — from cheese and bread to bruschetta and fruit. Open every day, from 6 am to 5.30 pm except Mondays, Sunday afternoons, and public holidays.
DRINKS AND ALCOHOL PRICES IN NICE
- Expect to pay €4-€5.50 for a beer out.
- At a grocery, beer runs €.90-€1.75, and a bottle of wine about €6.
NICE TRANSPORTATION PRICES
Public transit in Nice is served by bus and trams throughout the city. The city’s trams run every 4 minutes, starting at 4:25 am.
Public Transportation:
- One ticket: €1.50
- 10 journeys: €10
- 7-day unlimited pass: €15
Airport transit from city center:
- via Tram: €6 (line 98 and 99)
- via bus: AERO line, €6
- via taxi: €25-€30
Bicycle rental: VeloBleu bicycles are available for 1 day/week/month rentals (€1/€5/€10) throughout the city.
NICE HOSTEL, HOTEL, & RENTAL APARTMENT PRICES
Accommodation in Nice is pretty pricey — especially in the summer since Nice is a beach destination. Expect to pay a premium on the weekends, so visit during the early week if you want to save. Furthermore, you may want to book ahead in the summer since demand is high.
Hostel Prices in Nice: €20-€35
You should budget about 25€/night per person for a decent hostel — although many hostels raise their prices significantly on the weekend. Remember, these prices are for a bed in a shared dorm room. If you want a private room, expect to pay €75-€110 total (for two people). Check out the latest hostel prices at Hostelworld.
The Best-Rated Hostels in Nice:
- Hostel Meyerbeer Beach
- Villa Saint Exupery Beach
- Antares Hostel
- Hostel Baccarat
- Hostel OZZ By Happyculture
Check out our guide to the best hostels in Nice for more in-depth recommendations.
Budget Hotel Prices in Nice: €80-€150
A decent budget hotel near the city center will cost around €100-€130/night. You can find cheaper hotels if you want to stay farther away from the center of the city or if you don’t mind staying in a super low-budget place.
We suggest checking out Booking.com to see hotel prices for your dates since they’re always changing.
Rental Apartment Prices in Nice: €70-€120/night
You’ll find quite a few apartment rentals in Nice. They can be a good option for large groups or travelers who want a little more space (and a kitchen). On the other hand, you may also have to deal with inconvenient check-in processes and things like extra cleaning fees and service charges. For short stays, we prefer hotels/hostels but rental apartments can be a nice option for longer stays.
Airbnb is always popular but you can sometimes find cheaper/better options on our list of Airbnb Alternatives.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COST TO VISIT EUROPE
Check out our guide on How Much It Costs To Backpack Europe to learn more about budgeting your entire trip (including many more city price guides).
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