French Riviera on a Budget – how we did it for 4 of us!

French Riviera on a Budget – how we did it for 4 of us!

When you think of the French Riviera, you probably imagine mega yachts, red carpets, and eye-watering prices. But our family of four spent 10 nights here for about the same cost as a high-end package holiday to Mayorca. And we never once felt like we were compromising on quality. Yes, the Riviera has its glitzy side, [Music] but step away from the celebrity hotspots and you’ll discover clean public beaches, bakeries selling fresh baguettes for just €120, and an affordable transport network of buses and trains. The key is choosing the right base, using the right travel passes, and balancing self-catering with the occasional meal out. Here’s what we actually spent. Flights with EasyJet for four £1,15684. [Music] 10 nights in a high-end sea view in Villanov Bay near Nice. Airbnb cost £1,362 54 worth every penny. Sudazour 7-day passes for unlimited trains, trams, and buses. €180 in total. A taxi from the airport, €45. An Uber back to the airport, €20. And that’s it. No costly excursions, unlike the expensive trips often sold with package holidays. If you’ve read my Turkish blog, you’ll know exactly what I mean. That’s the entire trip, around £2,500 in total for 10 nights on one of the most famous coastlines in the world. Our days were filled with free or lowcost activities. All of them were accessible with that €180 travel pass. We enjoyed beaches, markets, hilltop villages, and even a day trip to Italy. All for the price of a single excursion on a typical package holiday. Now, let’s compare that to a premium family package to Morca. A week in a five-star hotel such as the Zapiro Palace Alcudia can easily cost between £2,000,300 and £4,000 for four people. And that’s before adding the price of excursions or upgrades. Our Riviera trip, just over £2,500 for 10 nights with high-end accommodation and the freedom to explore a new town every day. [Music] So, the Riviera isn’t automatically more expensive. It’s just a different kind of holiday. [Music] Instead of being tied to one resort, we had the freedom to explore an entire coastline. [Music] Riviera pros, variety, beautiful scenery, a safe and clean environment, and outstanding food. Cons: You’ll need to self-cater some meals and learn a little French. Spain package pros, an all-in-one price, pools and kids clubs. Cons: less variety unless you hire a car. For us, the Riviera isn’t just a holiday, it’s personal. My parents brought me here as a child, and their ashes are in on. This year, we recreated a family photo from 1968 in Boat with our boys. I go from child to dad. And thanks to careful planning, we could afford to do it without a millionaire’s budget.

When you think of the French Riviera, you picture yachts, red carpets, and sky-high prices. But our family of four spent 10 nights here for about the same as a high-end package holiday to Majorca — during the UK school summer holidays.

Basing ourselves in a sea-view Airbnb in Villeneuve-Loubet, we explored Nice, Cannes, Antibes, St Paul de Vence, Biot, Monaco, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Èze, and even Ventimiglia in Italy. Using the affordable Sud Azur travel pass, we enjoyed unlimited trains, trams, and buses — giving us access to beaches, hilltop villages, and markets without hiring a car.

We’ll show you exactly what we spent on flights, accommodation, transport, and meals, and compare it to the price of a premium Majorca package holiday.

If you’re wondering whether the Riviera can be affordable — the answer is yes. It just takes the right base, smart transport choices, and a mix of self-catering and eating out.

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