Travel to Nice France
By Marcus Reid
If you ask most people the best way to travel to Nice France, they’ll point you toward a budget airline or the expensive, grey ribbons of the French Autoroute. But as an ex-teacher who traded the staffroom for the open road, I’ve learned that the fastest way isn’t always the best way—especially when your wallet is involved.
For my latest expedition, I took my VW PHEV SUV on a 750-mile odyssey from the white cliffs of Dover to the azure waters of the Promenade des Anglais. The goal? To prove that you can experience the heart of France without selling a kidney to pay for motorway tolls.
The Early Bird Ferry Hack
The journey starts at Dover. Here is Marcus’s first rule of budget road-tripping: sleep is for the rich.
While midday sailings are packed and overpriced, the “hacker” move is the 04:45 or 05:30 crossing. By booking the very early morning ferry, I consistently find fares that are £30 to £40 cheaper than the late morning or midday slots. Not only do you save enough for a decent French lunch, but you also hit the French coast just as the bakeries are pulling fresh croissants out of the oven.
Ditching the Tolls: The Eastern Scenic Route
Most GPS units will screamingly insist you take the A6 Autoroute du Soleil. Ignore them. To truly travel to nice france, you want the “Route Nationale” lifestyle. By avoiding the major toll roads, I saved approximately €115 in fees one way.
Instead of the boring A6, I headed east toward Troyes and Dijon. This route takes you through the soul of Burgundy. I spent my “saved” toll money on a local bottle of Pinot Noir and a conversation with a village baker who was fascinated by the UK plates on my hybrid.
Scenic Stopovers:
- Troyes: A maze of half-timbered houses that feels like a film set.
- The Morvan Massif: Rolling hills and winding roads that were made for a high-torque electric motor.
- Vichy: Grand architecture and the perfect place to stretch your legs.
The PHEV Advantage
Driving a VW PHEV SUV is a cheat code for France. Using my VW Charging Card (Elli), I sought out high-speed chargers in scenic town squares rather than depressing motorway service stations.
Because I wasn’t rushing at 130km/h on the motorway, my battery range stretched much further. The regenerative braking through the hills of the Massif Central meant I was essentially creating “free” miles every time I descended a mountain pass.
The Final Descent: Route Napoléon
As you approach the South, the roads transform. I followed the N85 (Route Napoléon). This is arguably one of the most beautiful stretches of tarmac in the world. As you wind down through the limestone cliffs toward the Mediterranean, you realize that no airport terminal could ever offer this level of drama.
The Verdict
By the time I pulled into Nice, I had:
- Saved £40 on the ferry by waking up early.
- Saved €115 by avoiding tolls.
- Arrived with a fuel average that would make a city car blush. (132 mpg!)
The total savings paid for my first night of accommodation and a proper seafood feast in the Old Town. So, if you’re planning to travel to Nice France this summer, take the slow road. The locals are friendlier, the wine is better, and the view is infinitely superior to the back of a plane seat.
Enjoyed this road trip guide? Check out my other Road Trips for more budget-friendly adventure travel tips.