We will be arriving at the Nice airport on a Saturday morning at 8:30 from Atlanta, GA. After reviewing all the train schedules, we do not feel we have time to make all the connections to arrive at CT at a reasonable time. We are considering picking up a rental car at the Nice airport and driving to CT - 3.75 to 4 hours. We have stayed many times at CT and understand the parking situation and no cars allowed. Has anyone made this drive and could share with us their experience. Thanks. Mary
Posted by
OP
Seneca, SC, USA
16 posts
We are flying in and out of Nice. We did look at all the other airports but unfortunately the sky miles was 35,000 more for all of the Italy locations(not enough miles-125,000 Italy/90,000 Nice). We are spending 6 nights in CT, 1 night in St Jeannet (Nice), 5 nights in Le Thor (Provence), and 3 nights in Antibes. As long as we pick up and drop off at the same location we are OK to go into Italy and back with the car. As Rick from WA said it could take up to seven hours on the train not to mention airport time, customs, and taxi ride to train station. Thank you to everyone who posted. It has been a big help in making our decision to take the train or rent a car.
Thanks Mary
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
175 posts
We've driven it a few times - as long as you are not too sleep deprived and you don't mind tunnels, truck traffic and Italian drivers you'll do fine. Actually, driving on the weekend is preferable because
the commercial vehicles are (slightly) fewer.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA
257 posts
Mary, I ride the train from CT to Nice, it took me over seven hours. One train change. If you are not staying in Nice, maybe you should look into flying into Pisa, or Milan.
Have a good day!
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
I understand that this drive can be a nightmare especially during the summer when a lot of French are vacationing in the area. It generally takes longer than 4 hours because of the amount of cars and the 30 tunnels that can get backed up. As a previous poster mentioned, there may be a flight going into Milan, or check out Genoa, italy which is closer to the CT. Pisa might also be a good possibility. If you do rent a car, are you going to be dropping it back off in France. If not, you will incur drop off charges when dropping it off in Italy. Have fun on your trip.
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
34 posts
Hi,
We will be leaving Nice on July 1st heading in that direction. We are looking to go to Florence and that area and then on to Rome before ending our 30 holiday. We found renting a car to be too expensive for us The "border crossing and drop off charges" were to much for our budget so we are training it. Enjoy your journey.