The Best International Girls Trip Destination To Relax in Luxury
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Planning an international girls’ trip can be exciting but stressful. Deciding where to go can get overwhelming. Maybe a city like Paris, or a quiet countryside vacation like Bordeaux, but what about a beach vacation on the French Riviera (CĂ´te d’Azur)? That’s right Nice, France on a budget can be done.
Now I know what you’re thinking – girl, Nice, France is expensive. Yes, this is true, but it can also be budget-friendly. How do I know? Because I like to live a lavish lifestyle even if my bank account says otherwise.
Before you jet-set off to Nice, France, make sure to check out my ultimate packing list for carry on travel. A key strategy for saving money on any trip is to pack smart and resist checking in a bag.
The next thing you’ll want to do is make sure you have the proper travel toiletries and travel makeup. Beauty essentials can take up a lot of room in your carry-on. Check out these articles so you know what to pack and get ready for an amazing trip.
Is Nice, France Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! If you’re planning on a trip to France and want to see several parts of the country, then Nice has to be on your travel itinerary. The French Riviera ( CĂ´te d’Azur) is the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France. Nice is famous for its luxury beaches such as Saint-Tropez and Cannes, and Monaco. There’s so much to see and do from food, shopping, sightseeing, and lounging at one of Nice’s premier private beaches, which makes it an ideal location for a girls’ trip.
Best Time To Visit Nice On A Budget
If you’re looking to not max out your credit cards, then avoid high season May-August. The high season is crowded, hot, humid, and expensive. You have to fight for everything from dinner reservations to beach spots. Save yourself some sanity and cash, go on the off-season September – October. Early to mid-September is perfect for budget travelers. Prices start dropping and tourists start leaving. The weather is still hot during the day, perfect for swimming in the French Riviera and cool at night. If you’re looking for the best values, lowest prices, and budget hotels, then this is the time to go.
How Long To Stay in Nice
Nice is always a great idea, whether it’s for a stopover in Europe/France or the main destination. You could easily do 3-4 days in Nice and get a taste of everything it has to offer. However, if you would like to extend your stay there’s a lot to check out. Nice offers day tours to so many incredible destinations in the South of France, such as Cannes, Provence, Monaco, and St. Tropez. Keep reading to find out which day tours are the best for booking.
How Much To Budget For Nice
The best way to save time and money when traveling to an expensive destination is to plan properly. By planning efficiently you save time and money on transportation. Check out my post on how to plan a stress-free trip with Google Maps. It’s a step-by-step guide showing you how to create easy itineraries within google. It’s fantastic for group travel, everyone can have their own color code and add and edit as they like.
The biggest cost in Nice will be the airfare and accommodations. Here was my budget below.
- Airfare $600
- Airbnb: $185/person
- Transportation: $40/person
- Beach Club: 20 euros
- Food: $300/person (I love food)
- Parasailing: $47/person
Getting To Nice
Flying
Direct flights from the USA to Nice can cost upwards of $1,000. Chances are that’s out of your budget. The most affable way to get to Nice is by way of Paris. You can find cheap flight tickets to Paris on Skyscanner and Norewign Air, they are always my go to’s.
Once you have a flight to Paris, look for a domestic ticket to Nice CĂ´te d’Azur Airport via Air France. The flight is only an hour and a half and you can find one-way tickets as low as $40 if you book well in advance. Just make sure to pick yourself plenty of time to transfer between flights!
Train
You can also take the TGV train from the Paris train station to Nice. The train ride is a bit long at around 7 hours but a great way to see France and its many landscapes. The price of a train ticket fluctuates depending on surge prices and season, kind of like Uber. Try to buy sooner rather than later and you can get a ticket as cheap as 30 euros. Tickets are available for purchase up to 90 days in advance.
How To Get Around Nice
Once you land in Nice, you can either take public transportation like the bus, a taxi, or an uber. Regardless of what you choose, the airport to Nice Center is only a 15-minute ride.
Bus
The cheapest way to get around Nice is by bus and tram. The bus fare is 1.50 euros and goes from the airport to Nice city center.
Taxi/Uber
If you’re looking to take a taxi from Nice airport to Nice center, I highly advise taking an Uber for a girls’ trip. A one-way trip will cost around 20 euros and is safe and efficient for multiple travelers. If you choose to rent a car, just to advised that there isn’t a lot of free parking.
Where To Stay In Nice On A budget
The best areas to stay in Nice are Vieille Ville (old town) and Promenade des Anglais on the water. Nice hotels are notorious for costing an arm and a leg, especially with an ocean view. Chances are you’ll be out and about all day soaking in the French Riveria sun, so get an Airbnb. There are a ton of Airbnbs in Nice that are in the center of it all and affordable. See my recommendations below. Although Nice is a very walkable city, I caution you about booking a hotel further away from the Promenade and Vieille Ville. Your Nice travel itinerary will most likely involve activities in these areas, to save time and money on transportation it’s best to stay closer to town so you can walk.
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Door steps from the French Riviera , this Airbnb is an 18th century historic building. Stay in this one full studio with a large living room with fully equipped kitchen and two pull-out sofa beds, welcomes up to 4 guests.
$138/night
This charming Airbnb is located in a fisherman’s house, on the seafront, and built up against the Cours Saleya. You can even request breakfast that’s prepared with local farmer’s market ingredients. 2 bed/ 1 bath.
$137/night
This light and airy loft sits atop an old building with tons of French character. Apartments don’t get more French than this architect’s loft. Located in Old Town, it’s walking distance from everything in town.
$80/night
Located steps from the Promenade, this boho studio is in the center of it all. I’ve personally stayed here and was highly pleased at how central it was to everything you would need and all amenities like free wifi. A short walk from private beaches and some of the best restaurants in Nice.
$123/night
Top Things To Do In Nice And Budget Tips
So now that you’ve gotten your affordable plane ticket and affordable Airbnb in a killer location for you and the girls, what is there to do?
Old Town (Vieux Nice)
First, let me caution you with visiting any European town on the weekends. Sunday is the day of rest and most European cities completely close. Therefore, if you are staying in Nice over a weekend be prepared to know what’s opened and closed. Sunday is a great day to explore Old Town in Nice. There are tons of shops, cafes, and tiny streets to go down and wander. You’ll definitely be able to spend hours here with your friends. It’s a great spot for Instagram photos too.
Castle Hill
One of the best views of the French Riviera but make sure to bring comfortable shoes. Located off of the Promenade des Anglais, take the staircase all the way up for an unforgettable view of Nice. If you’ve ever seen photos of Nice, this is the spot they were probably taken. Best of all climbing Castle Hill is free.
Plage Beau Rivage Beach Club
The French Riviera is famous for its private beach clubs. There are public parts of the beaches, but trust me, you’ll want to indulge and opt for the private option. Plage Beau Rivage is located on the Promenade des Anglais and offers lounge chairs, umbrellas, lockers, and restaurants. Beds cost 20 euros and an extra five to be in the front row; umbrellas and towels are five euros. Arrive when they first open at 10 a.m., have lunch at their restaurant, and just relax.
For the ultimate girls’ beach day, make sure to email and make reservations at least 2-3 months in advance. Private beach clubs fill up fast, you’ll want to make sure all of you are able to be accommodated.
For lunch make a reservation at the club’s restaurant. This ensures you won’t lose your lounge chairs and you can leisurely go to lunch with no worries. Split a bottle of Rose and enjoy the catch of the day while you gaze at the Mediterranean sea. I recommend always splitting meals, food portions are large and it’s always more fun to try a couple of things.
Travel Tip:
In case you’re not familiar with Meditteranean beaches, they’re not soft sand beaches, they’re pebble rock beaches. I HIGHLY recommend investing in water shoes for when you want to go in the water. Your feet will thank you for the purchase and you won’t have sore feet the next day. Plus walking on rocks really hurts, trust me.
Walking Tour of Nice
I love going on walking tours in cities with locals. There’s so much history to learn about and hidden streets to discover that you would otherwise not know about. Viator always has the best and affordable group activities for any location in the world.
Parasail Over The Bay of Angels
If you’re an adventure seeker, seeing Nice from 165 feet in the air is a must. Book a 7-minute ride solo or with a partner for an exhilarating experience. If you’re looking to create once in a lifetime memories with the girls, this is definitely it.
Where To Eat In Nice On A Budget
Since Nice is close to Italy, there are a lot of Italian food influences in the region. The city is also very multicultural so you’ll be able to find authentic and great value restaurants in Nice. Some of my personal favorites are below.
Breakfast
La Femme du Boulanger: Order the bread and pastry basket with a variety of jams, honey, and butter with a cup of coffee.
Lunch
Il Vicoletto: This Italian and Mediterranean restaurant serves some of the best pasta dishes. I highly recommend the Gnocchetti (Gnocchi with gorgonzola, walnuts, and arugula) and a nice glass of wine. The food is amazing and filled with friendly staff.
Dinner
Le Plongeoir: Looking to splurge on a one-of-a-kind dinner? Take a 15-minute drive east from the center of Promenade des Anglais and you’ll discover a Mediterranean restaurant situated on a rock offshore, which you can access via a walkway. Make a dinner reservation to watch the sunset over the French Riviera while waves crash against the rock while you toast to friendship and an epic trip to Nice, French. The restaurant is booked up fast, so make dinner reservations well in advance of your trip.
Budget Tip:
The restaurant also offers a lounge bar, which is not on the rock but still on the water. Grab a drink at sunset for an equally unique experience.
Nice Day Trips
If you’re planning on spending more than three days in Nice, definitely check to explore day trips. Check out the small group tours below with great prices. They’re the best and easiest way to see part of Southern France without having to plan an itinerary yourself. Depending on how large your girls’ trip is you could also book private tours. Just reach out by email to each vendor and see if they’ll accommodate you.
Cannes to Monte Carlo
Monaco and Eze
Provence Wine Tour
Monaco
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Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links. I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love.
