Nice Airport Which Terminal

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport divides its operations across two adjacent terminals separated by approximately 300 meters. Terminal 1 opened in 1987 and underwent expansion in 2018 to accommodate the airport's growth as a major Mediterranean gateway. Terminal 2, the older structure dating to 1946, now serves primarily domestic French routes alongside a handful of European connections. The nice airport which terminal question matters most during check-in and arrival. Airlines assign terminals based on operational agreements and gate availability, not passenger preference. Terminal 1 processes the bulk of international traffic with 24 check-in desks and dedicated security screening for non-Schengen flights. Terminal 2 operates 12 check-in positions and shares its security checkpoint with Terminal 1 passengers through the central connector. Both terminals feed into a unified departures area with shared gates 1 through 30, meaning your boarding gate may differ from your check-in terminal. Airside, the two terminals merge completely. After clearing security from either terminal, passengers access the same duty-free shopping arcade, restaurant concourse, and gate lounges. This unified layout means connecting passengers rarely need to verify terminal assignments for onward flights. The airport's single runway serves all departures equally, and baggage claim operates separately for each terminal on the arrivals level. Domestic arrivals in Terminal 2 bypass passport control entirely, while international arrivals in Terminal 1 clear French border checks before reaching baggage reclaim. Ground transportation departs from the same forecourt serving both terminals. The airport's bus services to central Nice, Cannes, and Monaco board from stops directly outside Terminal 1, while taxis queue at a shared rank between the two buildings. Private transfer vehicles meet passengers at designated pickup zones marked clearly in both terminal exit halls.