Travelling from London to the South of France can be dreamy… until you land and realise hiring a car isn’t always as simple as it sounds. But don’t worry — I’ve been through it, learned the lessons (a few the hard way), and here’s everything you need to know if you’re flying into Nice Airport and picking up your car from OK Mobility, booked via DiscoverCars.
This guide will help you avoid the usual faff, get straight on the road, and make the most of your trip — whether you’re headed to Monaco, Cannes, or into the hills of Provence.
🛫 My Journey: London Heathrow T5 to Nice T1
I flew out from Heathrow Terminal 5 with British Airways and landed at Terminal 1 in Nice. It was a smooth flight and I was off the plane and through passport control in no time.
🚋 Transferring to Terminal 2: Catching the Free Tram
To pick up your rental car from OK Mobility, you first need to get to Terminal 2, even if you land at T1 like I did.
Here’s what to do:
- Exit Terminal 1 and head outside.
- Look for the free airport tram — it runs regularly and takes about 5–7 minutes.
- Hop off at Terminal 2.
🅿️ Where to Wait: Gate A1 & the Hotel Shuttle Point
Once at Terminal 2, you need to go out through Gate A1. Just outside you’ll spot signs for hotel shuttles. That’s where the OK Mobility shuttle picks you up.
The shuttle runs approximately every 15 minutes (quarter past and quarter to), but keep in mind — it’s just one driver going back and forth, so there might be a short wait.
🚌 OK Mobility Shuttle Pickup Point:
- Location: Terminal 2, Gate A1
- Sign: “HÔTELS / Navettes”
- Service: Free, comes every 15 mins
🎥 How to find the OK Mobility shuttle + full walkthrough
Coming Soon
📍 Arriving at OK Mobility (34 Boulevard des Jardiniers)
After a quick 10-minute ride, you’ll be dropped at the OK Mobility branch at 34 Boulevard des Jardiniers. It’s tucked just outside the airport zone but easy to get to via shuttle.
The staff there were incredibly helpful — especially Jean Robert, who personally assisted us through everything. He was clear, professional, and went above and beyond to explain how things work.
🔐 Insurance Advice: Here’s What I Wish I Knew
So, this bit is important — if you’re booking your car through DiscoverCars (or any third-party site), you might be tempted to take the online insurance. We did which I later realise was waste of money as we had to re-do it there
But here’s the truth:
- The insurance bought online was not accepted by OK Mobility when we got there.
- Jean Robert explained it very well — they only recognise their own insurance.
- We ended up getting theirs for peace of mind.
👉 My advice? Skip the online insurance. Just get it directly from OK Mobility. Yes, it may cost slightly more, but you’re covered and won’t face any drama if anything goes wrong.
🧾 Must-Carry Documents
Here’s everything you absolutely need on the day:
- Passport
- Driver’s licence (make sure it’s valid for driving in France)
- Credit card (in the name of the main driver)
- Booking confirmation (print + digital just in case)
💡 Don’t leave any of these behind — you’ll just waste time, as you’ll have to take the shuttle back and forth to collect them.
📍 International Travel Tips: Nice to Monaco & Beyond
We were planning to drive from Nice to Monaco, which is only about 45 minutes (roughly 45 km). BUT — you must declare this upfront.
Why?
- Monaco is technically another country.
- Crossing international borders without informing the rental company can lead to fines or voided insurance. If I am not wrong there is a penalty if around 900 Euro’s
- Same applies if you plan to drive into Italy or Spain — always let them know.
📋 Mileage Limits
Ask about your daily mileage allowance. Many contracts cap it at 300km per day, and anything above that can be charged at a steep rate.
✔️ Jean Robert made sure we understood this before we hit the road, and I really appreciated the transparency.
✅ Summary Checklist
Here’s a quick summary of everything you need to remember:
- ✅ Catch the free tram from T1 to T2
- ✅ Go to Gate A1 and wait at the “Hôtels” sign
- ✅ Wait for the OK Mobility shuttle (every 15 minutes)
- ✅ Bring your passport, driver’s licence, credit card, and booking
- ✅ Tell them your full travel route (France only? Italy? Monaco?)
- ✅ Ask about insurance — and buy it there, not online
- ✅ Confirm your daily mileage limit
- ✅ Budget 1–2 hours total for shuttle + pickup, just in case ( Based on the Traffic )
- ✅ Also I forgot to take the picture of the car make sure you do – just for peace of mind
📸 Car Ready
📝 Final Thoughts
If you’re planning to explore the South of France by road, OK Mobility in Nice is a solid choice. The shuttle service is reliable, the staff were professional, and the car was in great condition. Huge thanks again to Jean Robert for making everything crystal clear.
Hopefully, this guide helps make your travel day smoother and saves you a few mistakes I made so you can hit the road faster.