Nice Vacation Budget

Updated on 27 September 2026

The short answer: for a stay in Nice in 2026, allow €60 per day per person on a budget, €110 for classic comfort and €170 to €250 depending on your expectations. A week (7 days) therefore comes to between €420 and €1,750 per person, excluding travel to Nice.

Nice remains one of the most expensive cities in the south of France, but the differences come down mainly to three items: the room for the night, restaurants and paid entrances. Here are the prices checked in September 2026, item by item, with the tips that make a difference.

Budget table: what a day in Nice costs

These amounts are given per person, based on a trip for two: a double room at €90 works out at €45 per person. Add the cost of getting here (train, plane or coach) and, if you come by car, the parking.

Accommodation: how much does a night in Nice cost?

Rates vary enormously with the season: 30 to 50% more in August and during the Carnival than in November. Typical prices observed in September 2026:

• Youth hostel: from €35 a night in a dormitory;
• 1 to 2 star hotel: €60 to €75;
• 3 star hotel: €75 to €100;
• 4 star hotel: €100 to €150;
• Furnished flat or short-term rental: €95 to €160 on average, depending on the neighbourhood.

By neighbourhood, the gap is clear: Promenade des Anglais €140 to €200, Vieux-Nice €120 to €180, Carré d'Or €100 to €150, Cimiez €90 to €130, Musiciens €80 to €120, north of the city €55 to €80. Staying 15 minutes by tram from the centre often saves a third. See where to stay in Nice.

Eating out: how much will you spend on food?

Nice is very good value for food, especially at lunchtime:

• Street food: socca €3.50, pan bagnat €5.90, pissaladière €2.50 at the stalls on the Cours Saleya;
• Fast food: €14 to €20 for a main, €10 to €12 for a meal deal at McDonald's;
• Lunch menu (menu du jour): €16 to €22 for a starter and main or main and dessert in the streets of the Vieux-Nice;
• Mid-range restaurant: €35 to €50 per person in the evening, €70 for a full meal for two;
• Drinks on a terrace: draught beer €7, cappuccino €2.80 to €3.40, Coca-Cola €2.70.

Local tip: the lunch menu is almost always cheaper than the evening menu, and many restaurants in the centre display a simple set menu in the window. Find ideas for the day in our guide to activities.

Transport: tram, bus and airport

The Lignes d'Azur network is easy to understand in five minutes, and trams and buses charge the same fare:

• Single ticket: €1.70, valid for 74 minutes with unlimited transfers;
• 1-day pass: €7, 7-day pass: €20, 30-day pass: €60;
• Airport to city centre: line 2 in under 30 minutes, €10 return with the airport ticket;
• Taxi: flag fall around €3.67, then about €2.20 per kilometre.

A 7-day pass at €20 pays for itself from the third day of heavy use. Full details in our guide to the tram and buses, and for arriving by air, our airport guide.

Culture: what visits cost

• Municipal museums (Matisse, Masséna, Fine Arts, Palais Lascaris…): €10 per entry, or €15 for the 4-day pass valid in 9 museums;
• Free entry: under-18s enter all municipal museums free of charge;
• Musée national Marc Chagall: around €10, free for under-26s who are citizens of the European Union;
• Good to know in 2026: the MAMAC is closed for renovation and the Terra Amata museum has been closed since 15 April 2026;
• Outdoors: the Château hill, markets and beaches remain free.

The 4-day pass at €15 pays off from the second visit. See guided tours and things to do in Nice.

Groceries and market: the daily budget

For a stay in an apartment or a home-made breakfast, September 2026 price checks give: milk €1.82 per litre, bread €3.35 per kilo, 12 eggs €4.38, tomatoes €3.53 per kilo, 1.5-litre bottle of water €0.95, table wine €8.56.

Markets remain the best deal for fruit and vegetables: see the markets of Nice and the Cours Saleya.

Tourist tax, tips and extras

• Tourist tax: for unclassified furnished accommodation, 3% of the pre-tax nightly price, with a minimum of €0.70 and a maximum of €4.20 per night per person. Booking.com and Airbnb collect it automatically;
• Hotels: the displayed rates exclude tourist tax, which is added to your bill;
• Tips: optional, 5 to 10% in restaurants if service is not included;
• Parking: an important cost if you drive, see Nice car parks.

Payment: cash, cards and good habits

In France, prices displayed to individual customers are all taxes included: no surcharge can be added at the time of payment. Two exceptions to know about: restaurant bills may mention “service not included”, and many establishments charge a supplement for drinks on the terrace when the indoor area is also open.

Bank cards are accepted almost everywhere, including cafés and supermarkets; however, some very small shops and market stalls impose a minimum purchase (often between €8 and €15) or prefer cash. A cash machine is therefore useful, especially for markets and small purchases. France still largely uses cash for small amounts, so always carry €20 to €50 on you.

A few benchmarks to get your bearings

• Museum entry: €10 · 4-day pass: €15;
• Quick meal: €14 · restaurant in the evening: €35 to €50;
• Night in a 3 star hotel: €75 to €100;
• 7-day tram pass: €20;
• Airport transfer by tram: €10 return.

Use these benchmarks to build your own budget: add up the night, the meals and the transport pass, then add the visits according to your plans.

FAQ

Reducing your accommodation bill

• Where to sleep in Nice: neighbourhoods and the 2026 tourist tax line by line;
• Campsites near Nice: the cheapest option for sleeping 20 minutes from the city.

Reducing your phone bill

Avoid roaming charges outside your plan and SIM cards sold at inflated prices: the guide eSIM France and Europe compares options for getting connected for a few euros.