Is it expensive to vacation on the Cote d'Azur? Tourists have been flocking to the French Riviera for about a hundred years now and it was never because of the low prices. Au contraire! The Cote d'Azur was a luxury destination for moneyed European aristocrats long before mass tourism gained a foothold in the mid-20th century. Even though it is not a cheap destination, you can get good value for money if you're cagey.

Accommodation Prices

Accommodation costs are the largest slice of any travel budget. As in any resort destination, there are three seasons on the Cote d'Azur: high season from June to September, mid-season from March to May and October; low season from November through February. Naturally, prices are at the highest in high season as well as certain festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival, Monaco Grand Prix and Nice Carnival. Families and those travelling in small groups may well do better renting an apartment.

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The cheapest destination on the French Riviera is Nice which has a very competitive accommodation scene covering everything from youth hostels to five-star hotels. In high season you can pay around €120 for a double in a three-star hotel and about €600 for a standard double in a five-star hotel. For hostels expect to pay about €45 per person for a bed in a dorm.

See where to stay on the French Riviera

Accommodation in Cannes, Monaco and Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat is more expensive and more geared to the high-end traveller although there are a sprinkling of budget options.

Food Costs

Although you can get a light lunch at an excellent restaurant for only €25 (without wine), you can triple that price at dinner. One good budget tip is to check special lunch menus in your favorite restaurant. The daily lunch special (plat du jour) usually runs about €20.

Many towns on the Cote d'Azur have a good selection of Lebanese, Indian, Vietnamese and Asian restaurants that offer good food at a reasonable price. Pizza is also inexpensive and well-prepared in the region. A pizza at a good pizzeria runs from €12 to €16.

Restaurants on Riviera beaches are pricey at all hours; salads start at €21; mains start €25. One way to save on food is to grab a sandwich at a boulangerie. A pan bagnat is a filling sandwich of tuna, egg, radish, tomato and lettuce that costs around €6. Boulangeries also serve up a variety of quiches and onion pies (pissaladières) in addition to bread and pastries. Or try a socca, a pancake made with chick pea flour that costs around €3 a portion. It's a local specialty.

Attractions

Admission prices for museums in the region are more than reasonable. Prices range from €5 at the tiny Jean Cocteau Museum in Menton to €18 to visit the prestigious Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Most museums charge around €10. Depending on your interests it might be worthwhile to invest in a French Riviera Pass which costs €28/40/59 for a 24/48/72-hour pass.

Beaches

The overwhelming majority of Riviera beaches are public. Free to access; free to use. Private beach clubs are another story. A day on a rented sun lounger under a parasol at a private beach/restaurant will cost anywhere from €30 to €100 depending on the location. Beach clubs are cheapest in Nice and most expensive in Cannes.

Transport Costs

Renting a car on the French Riviera is the most expensive way to get around but it's also the most convenient for reaching remote hilltop villages. Rates start at about €45/day for a sub-compact with a stick shift.

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Taxis are also expensive and to be avoided if possible. A transfer from the airport to Nice town center is €30; to Cannes it's about €100. I recommend using Uber.

Public transport on the French Riviera is much cheaper. It's a fast and efficient way to get around. The price of a local bus ride in Nice is €1.70 and €2.50 will get you a bus ride from one end of the department to the other.

See more about buses on the French Riviera

Trains are also relatively inexpensive and ply the tracks along the coast. As an example, the train from Nice to Cannes costs €8.40

See more about trains on the French Riviera