Flights to Nice from the UK 2026: Cheapest Airlines & Booking Tips

The cheapest flights to Nice from the UK in 2026 are on easyJet, with off-peak returns sometimes from £29-£55 hand-luggage only — and easyJet has expanded its France network for summer 2026, including a new Birmingham-Nice route. British Airways flies from Heathrow and Gatwick, and Jet2 serves Nice from Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds Bradford with baggage included. Nice is the gateway to the whole Côte d'Azur — Monaco, Cannes, Antibes and Menton are all a short train ride away.

This guide compares the airlines, tells you which UK airport is cheapest, gives honest price bands by month, and covers the fast tram from the airport. For the official destination view, Explore Nice Côte d'Azur is the tourism site, and the UK government's France travel advice covers entry rules. Already planning where to stay? Our best Nice hotels 2026 guide covers real, bookable stays across the city.

Jump to: Quick answers · Airline comparison · UK airport comparison · Price bands by month · Riviera events · Nice as a Riviera base · Baggage compared · Booking windows · Entry rules for UK travellers · Airport to the city · Common mistakes · How to search · FAQ

Quick answers

What's the cheapest airline to Nice? easyJet — the lowest headline fares (from ~£29-£55 off-peak), with a growing France network for 2026. BA from Heathrow/Gatwick; Jet2 from the regions with baggage included.

How long is the flight? About 2 hours from London, similar from the Midlands, a little more from the north.

Which UK airport is cheapest? Usually a London airport on easyJet, but Nice flies direct from Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds too — flying local is often cheapest.

When should I book? 4-8 weeks ahead most months; 8-12 weeks for summer and the May event weekends.

Do I need a visa? No — 90 days visa-free in Schengen. Check ETIAS status before you travel.

Airline-by-airline comparison (2026)

easyJet — the price and network leader

Typical fare 2026: £29-£70 return off-peak, hand-luggage only. UK airports: Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and, new for summer 2026, Birmingham; plus regional bases. Pros: The lowest headline fares and a growing France network for 2026. Frequent flights, regular sales, ideal for a hand-luggage Riviera weekend. Cons: Hold bag, allocated seat and speedy boarding all cost extra.

British Airways — full-service

Typical fare 2026: £75-£150 return; cheapest "Basic" fares are cabin-only. Pros: From Heathrow and Gatwick, Avios earning, a bag on standard fares. Cons: Pricier than easyJet; check the fare type for baggage.

Jet2 — the baggage-included regional option

Typical fare 2026: £70-£140 return, usually with a generous baggage allowance. UK airports: Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford. Pros: Baggage often included, friendly leisure service, strong regional coverage — frequently the best all-in value if you're checking a bag. Cons: Higher headline fare; fewer London departures.

The honest read: hand-luggage only, easyJet wins on price. Checking a bag or flying from the north, Jet2's all-in fare is often better value. BA suits Avios collectors from Heathrow.

UK airport comparison — fly local

Nice is served from a good spread of UK airports, so the cheapest option is often your nearest one. London (Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, Heathrow) has the most choice, but Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds Bradford all have direct service on Jet2, and easyJet adds Birmingham for summer 2026. For regional travellers, always price your local direct flight before assuming a cheap London fare wins once the London trek is added.

Price bands by month for 2026

Round-trip economy, UK to Nice, one adult. Representative ranges to plan against, not live quotes.

The pattern follows the usual UK-holiday shape — see our cheapest month to fly from the UK roundup — with the Riviera's May event weekends and peak summer the priciest, and spring and September the value sweet spot.

Riviera events that spike Nice fares

Nice is the nearest major airport to both Cannes and Monaco, so the Riviera's big events lift fares and hotels across the whole coast:

• Cannes Film Festival (May) — huge international demand; the entire coast fills.
• Monaco Grand Prix (May) — one of the priciest weekends of the year for Nice flights and hotels.
• Nice Carnival (February) — a major local draw that lifts mid-February demand.

If you're attending any of these, book well ahead. If you're not, check the dates and avoid those specific weeks — fares fall straight back to normal outside them.

Nice as a base for the Côte d'Azur

One reason Nice is the most-searched Riviera flight destination is how easy it is to explore the coast from there without a car. Frequent trains and buses run along the Côte d'Azur:

• Monaco — about 20-25 minutes by train.
• Cannes — about 30 minutes by train.
• Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Menton, Èze — all a short hop along the coastal line.

Fly into Nice, base yourself in the city (see our best Nice hotels 2026 guide), and day-trip the whole Riviera on public transport.

Baggage compared, honestly

The rule that saves the most: add any hold bag at booking, never at the airport, and compare the all-in price. An easyJet fare at £40 plus a £45 return hold bag is £85 — which from the north can be beaten by a Jet2 fare that already includes baggage. For a weekend, travel hand-luggage only.

The booking windows that actually save money

• Off-peak months (Jan, Feb, Nov): Book 4-8 weeks out.
• Summer (Jul-Aug): Book 8-12 weeks out — peak Riviera demand.
• May event weekends (Cannes, Monaco GP): Book as early as possible — the priciest dates of the year.
• Weekend breaks: A Thursday or Saturday departure often undercuts the Friday-evening rush.

Set a price alert for your dates and book when easyJet drops a sale fare.

Entry rules for UK travellers in 2026

• No visa for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area.
• A passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from Schengen — both enforced at the border.
• ETIAS travel authorisation once the scheme launches in 2026 — check the current status before you travel.
• UK travellers use the e-gates at Nice where available.

Always check the UK government's France travel advice shortly before you fly.

Nice Airport to the city centre

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is only about 7km from the centre and superbly connected. Tramway line 2 runs from the airport to the city centre and the port in about 15-25 minutes for a few euros, very frequently. Buses serve the city and the wider Riviera, and a taxi takes 15-20 minutes. The tram is the best value for most travellers. Once you've sorted the flight and transfer, our best Nice hotels 2026 guide covers where to base yourself.

Common mistakes UK-Nice travellers make

1. Booking a May weekend by accident. Cannes Film Festival and Monaco GP spike the whole coast — check the dates.
2. Routing through London unnecessarily. Nice flies direct from Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds too — your local one may be cheapest.
3. Judging easyJet on the headline fare. Add a hold bag and a Jet2 fare that includes baggage can win from the north.
4. Missing the spring/September value window. Lovely Riviera weather at below peak-summer prices.
5. Renting a car unnecessarily. The coastal train reaches Monaco, Cannes and Menton — you rarely need a car.
6. Adding baggage at the airport. Always add it online at booking.
7. Assuming an old passport is fine. The Schengen 10-year issue rule catches UK travellers out.

How to find the cheapest UK-Nice fare

Run the search three ways on JetMeAway Flights:

1. Your local airport, specific dates — Nice flies direct from several UK airports; check yours first.
2. Date range ± 3 days — shifting off a Friday-evening or peak date often drops the fare.
3. Price alerts — set one and book when easyJet or Jet2 drops a sale fare.

JetMeAway compares easyJet, BA, Jet2 and more from 20+ UK airports on live inventory, with zero markup — the price you see is the price the airline charges. Once your flight is booked, read our best Nice hotels 2026 guide for where to stay, and our cheap flights from the UK guide for the wider booking tricks.

Bon voyage.