I will be dropping off a rental car in Nice and wonder if anyone has any insight what location is easier and less hassle. Airport or train station downtown?. We will be staying in the downtown area not far from the market area. Is it hard to maneuver through the Nice downtown area in late afternoon to drop off a rental car?

I've never rented a car there, but have been to both locations and would just choose which one was closest. I presume that would be the airport. I'd check to see if fees differ, but usually those are for the pickup location, I think, not drop off. But I don't understand where you are going afterward. Are you dropping off the rental car before staying in Nice or after? Because then it could be affected by your route into town, whichever was easier. I would still think probably the airport if you are coming from the west. The train station is in the center of the city.

Not sure what time of year you'll be there but traffic in Nice can be crazy (we've been there in June/July/Sept). We've always dropped our car at the airport and taken a taxi into town. A taxi from the train station to old town would be cheaper, I'd imagine. If you're renting from Sixt, they have a location on the edge of the old town (we noticed that <i> after </i> we dropped at the airport).

I've been in Nice in August and the traffic is not so bad you can't at least drive into the city to drop your car. Keeping a car to travel once *in* the city would be a hassle but it's no big deal to drive into the heart of the city for a drop off.

The last place I'd drop a car is the airport as then you need a cab or bus ride. Simply drive the car for 10 more minutes along the famous Promenade des Anglais and drop your car at one of the rental offices on Avenue de Suede right beside the Meridien Hotel. Europcar, Hertz, Budget and Sixt are all right there within feet of each other and Avis is just across the park. Couldn't be easier... and then you can stroll to your hotel.

Here's a link to a Google Streetview... just zoom it out to see the map. http://g.co/maps/vd2ka Or walk up the street to see how close the 4 agencies are!

I picked up a rental in Nice at the station a couple of years ago... dumb move. I'd have saved nearly 40 euros (no surcharge to drop at a station but there is to pick up) and been closer to our hotel if I'd picked up at Europcar above.

Thanks for all the info!! We are picking up car in Avignon and touring Provence before heading to Nice for 3 days. We will not need car after getting to Nice. We are arriving in Nice in mid June 2012.

Agree with ParisAms.

You'll be fine at the Ave de Suede rental offices then.

We did the reverse of your trip in October and picked up the rental from Avis downtown Nice and had no trouble navigating out of the city. Enjoy!

Thnak you again for all the insights and reassurance!