Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport
The nearest international airport is Nice-Côte d'Azur (20km). Nice International Airport (NCE), is the third busiest airport in France and hosts more than 50 airline companies that serve destinations across Europe, the Middle East
Regular shuttles from the airport (Terminal 1 and 2) to Sophia Antipolis by bus: Line 230 - bus stop "Les Templiers" (Fare ticket: 1,5€)
Please see the transportation options below so you can plan your trip to and from the conference.
Taxi
From Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, about 20 minutes, (appr. 50-60€)
Taxi Sophia +33 (0) 6 09 58 32 47 (http://taxisophiaantipolis.fr/)
Central Taxi Riviera Nice: 04 93 13 78 78
see also: http://www.cote-azur.com.fr
Rental Car
GPS 43.615218 (43°36'54.8"N) 7.071200 (7°04'16.3"E)
From Marseille-Aix by the A8 motorway, take the exit Antibes-Grasse-Sophia Antipolis, direction Sophia Antipolis.
From Nice by the A8 motorway, take the exit Antibes-Sophia Antipolis, direction Sophia Antipolis (the road on the right just after the toll).
Rental cars are available at the airport for around 45 € a day. Nice Cote d'Azur Airport offers a choice of several car rental companies (Terminal 1 or 2)
Train
- The closest railway station is located in Antibes.
- Regular shuttles from Antibes SNCF railway station to Sophia Antipolis by bus with Envibus:
- Lines 1 - 11 - Bus stop "Les Templiers"
- Line 9 – Bus stop "IUT"
- Express line: 100 - Bus stop "Templiers" (5mn walking distance from Forum Building)
- Fare ticket: 1€
Public Transport
Regular shuttle during weekend from Airport
- From Nice Airport (Terminal 1 or Terminal 2), take the 250 bus to go to Antibes station (fare ticket : 10€).
- Then to go to Sophia Antipolis (and according to your hotel),
- From “Dugommer” or “Pôle Echanges” stations in Antibes, then take Envibus line 1 or 9 (fare ticket : 1€).\
- View the map of Antibes city center. The “Dugommer” or “Pole Echanges” bus stops (1, 9) are closed to Antibes station (5 min by walk).
Regular shuttle during weekdays from Airport
- From Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport: Line 230 - Bus stop "Les Templiers" (Fare ticket: 1,5€)
- From Nice-Ville: Line 230 - Bus stop " Les Templiers "
- From Antibes:
- Envibus Lines 1 - Bus stop " Les Templiers"
- Line 9 – Bus stop " Templiers"
- Express line 100 - Bus stop "Les Templiers" (5mn walking distance from Forum building)
Bus Information Bus Map Line 1 Line 100 Line 230 Line 250 Line 9
Things to know
Below is information concerning trip duration (by bus or car) to SophiaTech campus, Sophia Antipolis:
- From Nice airport: from 20 to 45 minutes (according to traffic)
- From Nice downtown: from 30 min to 1h (according to traffic)
- From Antibes: from 30 min to 1h (according to traffic)
Opening/closing hours, public holidays, currency, areas codes for France, Emergency phone numbers, advice for a trouble-free stay...
Climate
The French Riviera benefits from a Mediterranean-type climate, characterized by exceptional sunshine almost 300 days a year and mild temperatures for most of the year.
It rains heavily but infrequently mostly in March/April and October/November. In winter, freezing temperatures are rare, but sweaters are advised.
Opening hours
Shops are usually open from 9 am to 7 pm from Monday to Saturday. Department stores may stay open until 9 pm. Banks are open from 8.30 to 12 noon and 2 to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday, with some branches opening on Saturday mornings and during lunch time.
Money/currency
Credit cards are accepted in many shops, hotels and restaurants (there is usually a minimum amount of between €7 and €15). For cash, you will find cash-points on just about every street corner (24 hours a day). Bank branches, exchange offices and some post offices handle currency exchange transactions and traveller's cheques. Whatever you are buying, prices are net.
Emergency phone numbers
Dial the following numbers (toll-free):
SAMU (medical emergencies): 15
Police emergency: 17
Fire-brigade: 18
European emergency call: 112
Calling
To call France in France: 0 + area number + number
To call France from abroad: 00 + 33 + number
To call abroad: 00 + country exchange number + number
Electric standards
220 Volts - 380 Volts / 50 Hertz
A few tips for a pleasant trouble-free holiday
- You are strongly recommended to respect smoking/no smoking signs in public places.
- It is always useful to have a little cash on you at all times for little out-of-pocket expenses like taxi fares to the airport, drinks, etc.
- A service charge is included in the price of each item on the menu in any cafe or restaurant as required by French law. In theory, no further tipping is expected. However, it is pretty common to leave something after a bite to eat or drink. But it’s never expected and is only given for good or attentive service, or at a place you habituate frequently. Extra generosity will never hurt.
- If you are driving, park only where authorized and respect speed limits on highways and motorways.
