Daily costs per person in EUR. Nice is more affordable than you'd expect from the Côte d'Azur — street food, free museums, and €1.50 buses make it surprisingly accessible.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: EUR (Euro) (1 USD ≈ €0.92)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €25–45 | €90–160 | €250+ | Hostels → boutique hotels → seafront luxury |
| Food | €15–25 | €35–55 | €80+ | Street food & socca → bistros → Michelin restaurants |
| Transport | €3–5 | €10–20 | €40+ | Bus day pass → taxi/train → private driver |
| Activities | €0–10 | €15–30 | €50+ | Free museums & beach → paid museums → boat tours |
| Drinks | €5–10 | €15–25 | €40+ | Supermarket rosé → terrace cafés → rooftop cocktails |
| Daily Total | €48–95 | €165–290 | €460+ | $52–103 → $180–316 → $500+ |
Money-saving tips
Free experiences
Promenade des Anglais, Castle Hill (free elevator too), public beaches, Cours Saleya market browsing, MAMAC museum, Musée Matisse, Promenade du Paillon, and the old town churches.
Niçois street food
Socca (€3), pan bagnat (€5–7), pissaladière (€3–4), and farcis (€4–6) at Lou Pilha Leva and Chez Pipo. A full Niçois lunch for under €10 is easy from street stalls.
Transport card
Lignes d'Azur single ticket: €1.50 (valid 74 min, includes transfers). 10-trip pass: €10. All city buses, trams, and even buses to Èze, Monaco, and hilltop villages for €1.50.
Cheap Côte d'Azur
TER trains along the coast are cheap — Nice to Monaco (€4.10), to Antibes (€5.40), to Cannes (€7.80). Buy at SNCF machines. The €1.50 bus to Èze and Saint-Paul is extraordinary value.
Wine savings
Rosé by the carafe (pichet) at local restaurants: €5–8 for 50cl. Supermarket rosé from €3–5 for a full bottle — Provence rosé from a supermarket beats most countries' restaurant wines.
Beach budget
Public beaches are free — the sections between private beach clubs are the same sea and views. Bring your own towel. Water shoes (€5–10) save your feet on the pebbles.
