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Transportation
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Air
Nice - Côte d'Azur international airport is situated 7 kilometers (4 miles) west of Nice. Over 40 national and international airlines fly in and out of Nice, and services to Paris are very frequent. Nice airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 for international flights and Terminal 2 for European and French flights. A free shuttle bus connects the two terminals. The shuttle bus runs approximately every 15 minutes. Buses operate between the airport and the city center approximately every 20 minutes. A half-hourly bus service runs from the airport to Nice train station (journey time 10 to 15 minutes). A helicopter service is provided from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to various locations, including Cannes, Monaco and St. Tropez.
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Public Transport
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Train
The main train station (Gare SNCF - Nice-Ville) is situated in the center of Nice. The main Paris-Marseille-Nice-Italy rail line connects the coastal towns and villages along the Mediterranean coast, and travels east to Monaco, Menton, Italy and the rest of Europe. To the west, the line heads to Marseilles, Lyon and Paris. The Train des Pignes, running between Nice and Digne (journey time about 3 hours), follows river valleys, passing by tiny villages, and has spectacular scenery. The Nice-Breil-Tende-Cuneo train, departing from the main Nice train station, follows the Roya valley to cross the Alps into Italy.
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Bus
The central bus station, Gare Routiere, is located on square General Leclerc. Several bus companies link Nice with French and international destinations. In addition to city-wide buses, service is provided to the surrounding towns and villages, including Antibes, Cannes, Grasse and Vence.
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Taxi
Taxis can be hailed at airports, stations and at taxi ranks (arrêts taxis). A yellow light displayed on the roof shows that the taxi is available for hire; an orange light means that the taxi is in use. Taxi's have three diffrent rates: Tarif A for daytime journeys; Tarif B for journeys after 19.00, on Sundays.
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Car
The autoroute, indicated by blue signs, runs along the coast between Italy in the east and Marseilles and Aix-en-Provence in the west, where it continues on north to Lyon and Paris. The main highways (routes nationales), directed by the green signs, connect the principal towns. The autoroute speed limit is 130 kph in good weather; 110 kph in rain or other bad weather. Speed limits on highways and open roads is 90 kph and in towns 50 kph. The autoroutes in France are toll (peage) roads. Tolls can be paid by cash, cheque, or credit card (including Carte Bleue, Visa, Eurocard, MasterCard, and most private credit cards).
The N202, Route de Grenoble, heads north up the Var river, just west of Nice. The N85 highway from Cannes leads to Grasse, where it continues northwest to Castellane, Barreme, Digne, and then via Sisteron to Gap and Grenoble.
Gas stations are located an average of every 40 km. Gas prices are reasonably high on the autoroutes. Large supermarkets sell gasoline at prices about 10 to 20 percent less than the normal gas-station prices. Paying with credit card is possible (VISA cards and Master cards are accepted everywhere, American Express is almost never accepted).
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Weather
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Nice is famous for its long, hot summers and mild winters. In August temperatures range from 20 to 27 degrees Celsius (68 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit). In summer the water temperature is 20 to 25 degrees Celsius (68-77°F). Winters are mild along the Mediterranean coast. In January, the temperatures usually fall between 6 and 13 degrees Celsius (43 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit).
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Banks |
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Banks can be found on
almost every corner in Nice. Normal business hours are 9am to 16.00pm Monday to Friday. |
Currency
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The currency used in France is the Euro. Notes come in denominations of €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5 and the coins in use are €2, €1, 0.50C, 0.20C, 0.10C, 0.05C, 0.02C and 0.01C.
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Tipping
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Service charges are included on all restaurant bills. However, it is standard to tip according to the level of service given. It is common practice to give a small tip to chambermaids and porters.
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