Nice car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Nice
The best car rental companies in Nice are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from €26/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 15%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Nice
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€25/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€25/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Nice
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €26 | Peugeot 208 | 5 |
| Compact | €30 | Renault Mégane | 5 |
| SUV | €44 | Peugeot 3008 | 5 |
| Convertible | €72 | Mini Cooper Cabrio | 4 |
| Luxury | €95 | Mercedes C-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Nice
Airport — Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE)
Terminal 1 has a Sixt desk on Level 0; most suppliers collect at the Car Rental Centre by Terminal 2, behind Car Park P5.
Downtown — Central Nice
Desks near Nice-Ville train station and along the Promenade des Anglais / Port area.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~15% of base rate | Any airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €25–35/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €8–13/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | €40–120 | Different drop-off location |
| Crit’Air sticker | €3–5 one-off | Driving in the Nice ZFE low-emission zone |
| A8 autoroute péage (toll) | ~€0.10/km | Motorway trips (e.g. €2.90 Nice–Cannes) |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Nice
- Drive on the right; many rentals are manual — request an automatic explicitly and book early.
- Nice has a ZFE low-emission zone: Crit’Air 5 and unclassified cars are banned; a missing sticker risks a €68 fine (rental cars are usually compliant).
- The A8 autoroute along the Riviera is a toll road (péage) — roughly €0.10/km, about €2.90 Nice to Cannes.
- A convertible is the classic Riviera choice — top-down along the Promenade des Anglais and the coastal Corniche roads.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21, with a young-driver surcharge for drivers under 25.
- Parking in central Nice is scarce and metered — many visitors collect the car when heading out of town toward Monaco or Cannes.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Nice
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Nice?
Most companies rent from age 21, though some premium and convertible categories require 25. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of €25–35/day.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in France?
EU, UK, US, Canadian and Australian licences are accepted for short stays — no IDP needed. If your licence is not in the Roman alphabet, an IDP or official translation is required alongside it.
What is the Crit’Air sticker and do I need one?
Nice runs a ZFE low-emission zone. A Crit’Air sticker (about €3–5, ordered from the official government site) classifies your car; most modern rental cars are compliant, but check with the desk. Driving without one in the zone risks a €68 fine.
Are the Riviera motorways toll roads?
Yes. The A8 autoroute that links Nice, Cannes and Monaco is a péage (toll) road costing roughly €0.10/km — about €2.90 from Nice to Cannes. Pay by card at the barriers as you go.
What insurance is included and what is the excess?
Base rates include third-party liability plus CDW/theft with an excess often above €1,000. A zero-excess top-up (or DiscoverCars Full Coverage) removes that risk.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly €250–300 is standard. It is a hold, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. At Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE), Sixt has a Terminal 1 desk and most suppliers collect at the Car Rental Centre behind Terminal 2’s Car Park P5. There are also central desks near Nice-Ville station and the Promenade des Anglais.
What is the cheapest car type in Nice?
Economy cars (e.g. Peugeot 208) start around €26/day. For the Riviera experience, a convertible starts around €72/day.
