Air Travel: Menton

Airport Access

Major Airport & Airlines

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is the main international airport for Menton, about 25 miles (40 km) west. It functions as France's third busiest airport and a significant French Riviera hub.

Flight Information

NCE hosts many airlines: Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, easyJet, Ryanair, Transavia.
Routes connect Nice to major European cities like London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Amsterdam, Madrid. Non-European intercontinental flights also exist.
Direct flights to Nice (NCE) are available from many global hubs. Check Dollar Flight Club or Skyscanner for current availability.

Airport Facilities

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is a modern facility with two terminals, T1 and T2. A free shuttle bus connects the two terminals.

Services Available

Duty-free shops for last-minute souvenir purchases or international brands.
Restaurants and cafes offering a variety of dining options.
Car rental desks with major agencies located within or near the terminals.

Shopping & Dining

Duty-free shops for last-minute purchases. A variety of dining options from quick bites to sit-down meals.

Ground Transport

Car rental desks with major agencies. Currency exchange and ATMs for financial needs.

Connectivity & Comfort

Luggage storage and free Wi-Fi throughout the airport. Lounges for eligible travelers.

Airport to Menton Transfers

Public Transport Options

Train: From Nice Airport, take Tramway Line 2 (T2) to Nice-St-Augustin train station (free transfer, few minutes). Or T2 to Nice Ville (approx. €1.50 tram ticket, 30 min). From either, take a TER train to Menton (40-50 min, €5-€8). Trains run frequently.
Bus: Zou! Lignes Express Régionales (LER) bus #80 (formerly #110) operates direct services from Nice Airport Terminals 1 and 2 to Menton (approx. 1 hour, €22). Purchase tickets onboard or at airport bus station. A direct and simple option.
Train tickets are available at stations or via the SNCF Connect app.
Allow extra time during peak hours as traffic can extend journey times.

Private & Rental Options

Taxi/Ride-share: Taxis available outside terminals. A taxi to Menton costs €90-€120+, dependent on traffic/time/luggage. Uber operates in Nice, but Menton availability varies. Check app.
Private Transfer: Pre-booked private transfers convenience groups, families, or those with much luggage. Many companies online.
Car Rental: Rental car agencies at the airport. (DiscoverCars.com)
Pre-booking rental cars is advised, especially during peak season, for better rates and availability.

Seasonal Flight Availability & Prices

Summer Peak

Flight availability to Nice increases and prices peak during the summer high season (June-August). This period sees the most direct routes and highest demand, leading to higher fares. Prices also surge around major holidays.

Shoulder Season Value

The shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) offer a balance of flight availability and more moderate prices. You can often find better deals during these periods.

Low Season Savings

The low season (November-March, excluding the Lemon Festival period) generally has the lowest fares, but you might find fewer direct routes and reduced flight frequency. Booking well in advance for high season travel is recommended for better rates.

Land Transportation

Regional Connectivity

Menton boasts strong land links to the wider Riviera.

Train Services SNCF TER

Menton offers excellent regional train connections via SNCF TER. The main station is Menton Gare.
Frequent routes along the Côte d'Azur to Nice, Monaco, Èze-sur-Mer, Cannes, Ventimiglia (Italy), and Sanremo (Italy). These trains offer a convenient and scenic way to explore.
Trains run every 20-30 minutes during peak hours. Tickets purchased at stations or via the SNCF Connect app. Validate your ticket on the platform before boarding.

Long-Distance Buses

Bus connections are available for regional and longer-distance journeys.

Bus Options

Zou! Lignes Express Régionales (LER) connect Menton to Nice and other coastal towns (e.g., Bus #80 to Nice Airport). These are for regional travel.
FlixBus/BlaBlaCar Bus do not serve Menton directly but have routes to Nice. From Nice, connect to Menton by train or local bus.
Nice will likely be your transfer point for long-distance bus travel from other parts of France/Europe.

Driving Essentials

Requirements & Conditions

Requirements: Valid driver's license. International Driving Permit (IDP) recommended/required for non-EU licenses. Vehicle registration and insurance proof. Carry all documents.
Road Conditions: Côte d'Azur roads are well-maintained. The A8 autoroute (toll road) connects major cities. Coastal roads (Corniches) offer scenic views but are winding and busy.
Safety: Drive on the right. Seatbelts mandatory. Speed limits strictly enforced (50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, 110-130 km/h highways). Mobile phone use without hands-free is illegal.

Parking & Traffic

Considerations

Parking: Challenging and expensive in Menton town center. Underground garages (Hôtel de Ville, Saint-Roch) and paid street parking zones available. Less restricted outside immediate center.
Traffic: Can be heavy, especially in summer, holidays, and around Nice/Monaco. Allow extra travel time.
Motos/Scooters: Many motorcycles/scooters, especially in urban/coastal areas. Weave through traffic. Maintain vigilance, check blind spots.

Border Crossings & Departures

Border Crossing: Menton is near the Italian border (Ventimiglia, 6 miles/10 km). France and Italy are Schengen Area members. EU/Schengen citizens typically have seamless crossings.
Non-Schengen citizens clear passport control at first entry into Schengen. Subsequent internal crossings (France to Italy) are generally free of routine checks.
Exit Fees: No specific exit fees or taxes for departing France. Costs are usually included in airfare or train ticket price.

Departure Procedures (Nice Airport): Arrive 2-3 hours before scheduled international flights; 1.5-2 hours for Schengen flights. Factor in travel time from Menton.
Departure Procedures (Train/Bus): Arrive 15-30 minutes before departure for platform/bus stop location, ticket validation, boarding.
Airport/Station Facilities: Nice Airport offers lounges, duty-free, restaurants, currency exchange, VAT refund, car rental returns. Menton Train Station provides basic facilities.

Sea/River Arrivals

Maritime Transport

Menton is a coastal town but does not serve as a major port for large passenger vessels.

Ferry & Cruise

Menton lacks a major cruise port or regular ferry services for passenger arrival/departure.
Smaller cruise lines anchor offshore, offering tender services to Port de Menton Garavan or Old Port.
These are typically part of larger cruise itineraries.

River Transportation & Immigration

Details on river transport and immigration at seaports.

Important Notes

River Transportation: Not applicable. Menton is a coastal town with no significant rivers for passenger transportation. Its charm lies in its seaside location and Mediterranean proximity.
Immigration at Seaports: Not typically relevant for Menton. Cruise passengers tendering ashore will have had immigration checks at a previous Schengen entry port.
Private boats from non-Schengen countries clear customs/immigration at the first designated entry port.

Departure Preparation

Plan airport arrival time carefully, especially during peak travel periods. Confirm flight status.

Station Departure

Arrive at Menton train or bus station 15-30 minutes before departure. Locate platform or bus stop.

Travel Essentials

Remember ticket validation and checking for any last-minute advisories.

Departure Information

Exit Fees & Procedures

No specific exit fees or taxes are typically levied on passengers departing from France. These costs are usually included in your airfare or train ticket price when you purchase them.

Departure Guidelines

Flights from Nice Airport (NCE): Arrive at least 2-3 hours before scheduled departure for international flights (non-Schengen). For flights within Schengen, 1.5-2 hours is usually sufficient.
Allow extra time if you need to check in luggage, navigate security, or complete VAT refund procedures.
Factor in travel time from Menton to Nice Airport, which can take 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes by public transport or up to 2 hours by car during heavy traffic.

Airport/Station Facilities for Departing Travelers

Nice Airport offers comprehensive services for departing passengers.

Departure Comforts

Nice Airport: Lounges, duty-free shopping to purchase last-minute souvenirs or goods.
Restaurants and cafes for a meal or snack before your flight.
Currency exchange to convert any remaining Euros and VAT refund facilities.

Airport & Train Station Features

Nice Airport Services

Car rental returns are clearly marked. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport. These amenities make departing travel smooth.

Menton Train Station

Menton Train Station provides basic facilities, including ticket machines, a waiting area, and usually a small kiosk for drinks or snacks. It is a smaller station, so do not expect extensive amenities.

Departure Logistics

Arrive at Menton train station or bus station 15-30 minutes before your departure time. This allows enough time to locate your platform or bus stop, validate your ticket, and board without rushing.

Smooth Departure

Plan your airport arrival time carefully, especially during peak travel periods. Confirm your flight status before heading to Nice Airport.

Air Travel