Paris to Nice is France’s flagship domestic air route and the gateway to the Côte d’Azur, with dozens of nonstop flights a day and a flight time of about an hour and a half. It’s also one of the few domestic hops where the TGV is a genuine alternative. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return fare looks like in euros, and how the train stacks up.
Route: Paris (CDG / ORY) → Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE)
Distance: approximately 685 km (425 miles) by air
Non-stop flight time: about 1h 25m – 1h 35m
Direct flights: Yes — Air France flies nonstop from both Charles de Gaulle and Orly, while easyJet and Transavia fly nonstop from Orly. There are around 50+ direct departures a day between the two cities.
Fares from Paris to Nice (EUR)
Nice is busiest in summer and around the film-festival and event calendar in spring; winter (outside the holidays) is the quiet, cheap season. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Typical return (economy) | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low |
| February | — | low-medium |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium-high |
| May | — | high (events) |
| June | — | high |
| July | — | very high |
| August | — | very high |
| September | — | high |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | low |
| December | — | medium-high (holidays) |
Reference points from our own deal tracking: a genuinely good return lands around €50–70, a typical fair price is roughly €80–100, and anything under about €60 is worth booking quickly. The cheapest fares are low-cost, hand-baggage-only tickets from Orly.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 1½ hours):
- Air France — the most frequent carrier (around 90 flights a week), flying nonstop from both Charles de Gaulle and Orly; the best choice if you’re connecting from an international arrival.
- easyJet — nonstop from Orly, usually the cheapest headline fares; bags and seat selection cost extra.
- Transavia — nonstop from Orly, Air France–KLM’s low-cost arm; competitive fares with paid add-ons.
There’s no reason to take a connecting flight on such a short domestic route. Your real decision is airport and price — Orly’s low-cost flights win on fare, while Charles de Gaulle suits long-haul connections — or whether to take the train instead (see below).
When to book & how to save
- Book around 6 weeks ahead for the best domestic fares; prices to Nice climb sharply in the last fortnight, especially in summer.
- Consider the TGV. SNCF’s high-speed train runs city-centre to city-centre in about 5h 53m, with advance fares from around €29. It’s slower than flying but drops you in the middle of Nice with no airport transfer — often the better all-in deal for a short trip.
- Avoid July and August and the big spring events, when Côte d’Azur demand peaks. Autumn is warm, quieter and much cheaper.
- Travel midweek: Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday departures are often among the cheaper options.
- Total the extras on a low-cost fare — once you add a cabin bag and seat, an easyJet or Transavia ticket can land close to Air France’s fully-flexible price.
Arriving in Nice
You land at Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE), right on the coast just 7 km west of the city centre — one of France’s most conveniently located airports. Tram Line 2 runs directly from the terminals to the city centre and port in around 15–25 minutes for a flat €1.50, and continues toward Nice-Ville station for onward trains along the Riviera to Monaco, Antibes and Cannes. A taxi to the centre runs roughly €30–40.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Paris to Nice?
Nonstop flights take about 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes. The flight from Orly is marginally quicker than from Charles de Gaulle, but the difference is only a few minutes — both fly direct down the length of France to the coast.
Are there direct flights from Paris to Nice?
Yes, and lots of them. Air France flies nonstop from both Charles de Gaulle and Orly, while easyJet and Transavia fly nonstop from Orly. Together they operate well over 50 direct departures a day, so you’ll always find a convenient nonstop.
How much does it cost to fly from Paris to Nice?
A typical economy return runs about €70–130 depending on the season. The best low-cost deals from Orly dip to around €50–70 return in the quiet months, while July and August peaks push toward €180.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Paris to Nice?
January and November are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid July and August, the high-summer peak, along with the spring event season and the Christmas holidays, which are the busiest and priciest.
Which airlines fly from Paris to Nice?
Air France operates the most flights, nonstop from both Charles de Gaulle and Orly, while easyJet and Transavia fly nonstop from Orly. The low-cost carriers are often competitive on price; Air France is handiest if you’re connecting from a long-haul flight.
Is it faster to fly or take the train from Paris to Nice?
Flying is faster in the air (about 1h30 versus 5h53 on the fastest TGV), but once you add airport transfers and check-in, the door-to-door gap narrows. The TGV drops you in central Nice with no transfer and fares from around €29, so for a short trip it’s often the better all-in choice.
Which airport do I fly into in Nice?
You arrive at Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE), the only airport serving the city and the third-busiest in France. It sits right on the coast just 7 km from the centre, with a direct tram into town for €1.50.
How far in advance should I book Paris to Nice flights?
Aim to book around 6 weeks ahead. Domestic fares to Nice rise steeply close to departure, particularly in summer and around events, so early booking almost always saves money. If dates are flexible, compare the TGV at the same time.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
