Compare cheap 7 seater car hire at Nice Airport. Monaco by car, the Verdon Route des Crêtes, Nice’s low emission zone and the French under-10 child seat rule.
Planning a day in Monaco? Avoid the Grand Prix weekend, when central roads close for days. Read the section below before you set off.
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport handled a record 15.23 million passengers in 2025 (Hello Monaco).
For UK families, it is the gateway to the Riviera coast and the hills behind it. A 7 seater suits villa holidays in the hinterland well. Monaco and the gorges inland both come with their own rules.
Monaco by car
Monaco is a short drive along the coast from Nice. It is easy to reach, but hard to drive around, with steep streets and limited parking.
During the Grand Prix, the principality closes major roads and tunnels for several days, and suspends street parking. In recent years, vehicles not registered in Monaco have also been kept off some streets in Monaco-Ville, while buses ran free all week (Monaco Life).
If your trip overlaps with race week, leave the 7 seater at your villa and take the train or bus in. The rest of the year, use one of Monaco’s public car parks and walk.
The Route des Crêtes in a big car
The Gorges du Verdon are a popular day trip inland. The Route des Crêtes along the rim runs for 24 km, and its central section is one-way, so you must drive it clockwise (Verdon Tourisme).
That central stretch is very narrow, with gradients of 15%. The road closes from late November to March because of frost.
The busiest weeks run from mid-July to the end of August. The tourist office advises driving before 10am or after 6pm in summer, which is also the easiest time to stop at the viewpoints with a car full of children.
Riviera 7 Seaters, compared at Nice
One search shows the 7 seaters at Nice Airport with fuel terms and the excess for each.
Nice’s low emission zone
Nice has a low emission zone in the city centre. Only vehicles with a Crit’Air 5 sticker, or no classification at all, are banned. The fine for a car is about £58 (€68) (Leocare).
A modern French hire car will be Crit’Air 1 or 2 and can drive in freely. GOV.UK notes that some French cities require the sticker on the windscreen, so check it is there at pickup (GOV.UK).
French rules for families
France requires a child seat for every child under 10, whatever their height. Drivers who break the rule face a fine of up to about £641 (€750) (Sécurité routière).
That catches out UK families with tall eight and nine year olds who have left the booster at home. Pack it, or book one with the car.
The motorway limit is 130 km/h in dry weather, dropping to 110 km/h in rain (Justice.fr). GOV.UK says the drink-drive limit is a third lower than in England and Wales.
France is in the Schengen area, so the EU Entry/Exit System applies at the airport (GOV.UK).
Seven people, seven cases
A large suitcase holds 80 to 110 litres. With all seven seats in use, the roomiest common 7 seaters manage about 340 to 350 litres of boot.
For a full family with a big case each, look for the ACRISS FV class, meaning seven or more seats plus more space, or book an 8 or 9 seater. On the narrow lanes up to hill villages, a smaller 7 seater is easier than the largest people carrier.
Heading for the Alps instead? Our Geneva Airport guide explains its Swiss and French sides. For Languedoc and the Cathar country, see our Carcassonne Airport guide.
Getting a better price on a Riviera 7 Seater
- Compare the total, not the daily rate. Fuel policy, deposit, insurance excess and extra driver charges all sit outside the headline price.
- Leave the car for Monaco. Parking is limited and race week closes the centre. The train is easier.
- Count child seats against French rules. Children under 10 need one, so you may need more seats than at home.
- Book early with free cancellation. July and August see the highest demand. Lock in a cancellable rate, then search again nearer the date and rebook if prices fall.
Check Nice 7 Seater rates for your trip
Add your dates to compare cheap rates from both terminals and nearby depots.
Questions people ask
Can I drive into Monaco in a hire car?
Yes, except on some streets during the Grand Prix. For most of the year, use a public car park and walk.
Which way do I drive the Route des Crêtes?
Clockwise. The central section is one-way, and the road closes from late November to March.
Can a hire car enter Nice’s low emission zone?
Yes. Only Crit’Air 5 and unclassified vehicles are banned, and modern hire cars are well inside that.
Does my child need a car seat in France?
Yes, if they are under 10, whatever their height.
Where can I compare cheap 7 Seater deals at Nice Airport?
Compare several hire firms at once. Our search shows 7 seaters from the firms at Nice Côte d’Azur in one list, with the total price for each. Prices move with demand, so the earlier you search, the more choice you get.
