Bordighera sits in a unique spot on the Italian Riviera, closer to France than to Genoa, served by a French airport, and connected to both countries by a coastal railway that has been running since 1872. This guide covers the practical details: how to get here, how to get around once you are here, what things cost, and answers to the questions most visitors ask. See our for more details. See our for more details. See our for more details. See our for more details. For more information, read our complete Bordighera travel guide.
Bordighera Travel Tips: Getting There
Nearest Airports
Nice Cote d’Azur Airport (NCE) in France is the closest major airport, 55 km west of Bordighera (about 45 minutes by car via the A8/A10 motorway). A bus (line 110) runs from Nice Airport to Menton; from Menton station, a train to Bordighera takes about 15 minutes (ticket about 3 EUR). Total journey time including transfers is about 1.5-2 hours. Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA) is 145 km east (about 1 hour 45 minutes by car or 2.5 hours by train with a change at Genoa Piazza Principe). Milan Malpensa (MXP) is 310 km northeast (about 3.5 hours by car). Most visitors from outside Europe use Nice as their gateway. See our for more details. See our for more details. See our for more details. Check our Bordighera weather guide for more details.
Train
Bordighera has its own station on the Genoa-Ventimiglia coastal line. Direct regional trains (Regionale) connect to Ventimiglia (5 min, 1.50 EUR), Sanremo (10 min, 2 EUR), Imperia (30 min, 4 EUR), and Genoa (about 2 hours, 12-16 EUR). InterCity trains to Milan and Rome require a change at Genoa. The station sits about 300 metres from the seafront and 500 metres from the centre, an easy walk. Tickets can be purchased from the Trenitalia machines at the station or via the Trenitalia app. See our for more details. See our for more details. See our for more details. See the best time to visit Bordighera for detailed information.
Car
Bordighera is on the A10 motorway (Autostrada dei Fiori), exit Bordighera. From the toll booth it is a 2 km drive down to the seafront. Driving in Bordighera itself is manageable, the seafront area and Corso Italia have paid parking (blue lines, 1-2 EUR per hour, free 20:00-08:00), and several larger car parks sit near the train station and the marina. Do not attempt to drive into Bordighera Alta; the lanes are too narrow for anything wider than a scooter. See our for more details. See our for more details. See our for more details. Our things to do in Bordighera has the full breakdown.
Bordighera Travel Tips: Getting Around
Bordighera is compact and walkable. You can cross the entire town on foot from the Marina in the east to the western edge in about 30 minutes along the flat Lungomare. For trips uphill to Sasso or the Pallanca Garden, the local bus line 2 runs 4-6 times daily (ticket about 1.50 EUR, buy at tobacconists or on the bus with a small surcharge). Taxis are available at the train station and the main piazza; a trip within town costs about 10-15 EUR. Bike rental shops on Corso Italia rent city bikes for about 15 EUR per day. The coastal train line makes day trips to Sanremo, Ventimiglia, and into France (Menton, Monaco, Nice) fast and cheap. See our for more details. See our for more details. See our for more details. Read the Bordighera events calendar for more.
Bordighera Travel Tips: Costs and Money
- Espresso at a bar: 1.20 EUR standing, 2.50 EUR seated
- Lunch (pizza or pasta + drink): 12-18 EUR
- Dinner for two (three courses with wine): 50-80 EUR
- Gelato (two scoops in a cone): 3-4 EUR
- Bus ticket (single, valid 90 min): 1.50 EUR
- Beach club sun lounger and umbrella (day): 15-25 EUR
- Museum entry (Bicknell Museum): 5 EUR
- Hotel (mid-range, summer): 100-180 EUR per night
- Hotel (budget, summer): 60-100 EUR per night
- Train Bordighera to Sanremo (one way): about 2 EUR
Bordighera Travel Tips: Frequently Asked Questions
Do people speak English in Bordighera?
English is less widely spoken here than in major Italian tourist cities like Rome or Florence. Hotel staff and younger people generally speak some English, but in smaller restaurants, bakeries, and shops you will get further with basic Italian phrases. French is widely understood due to the proximity to the border and the large number of French day-trippers and second-home owners. Learning “buongiorno” (good morning), “grazie” (thank you), “per favore” (please), and “il conto, per favore” (the bill, please) goes a long way. See our for more details. Check our Bordighera neighborhoods guide for more details.
Can I drink the tap water?
Yes, tap water in Bordighera is safe to drink. It comes from mountain sources in the Ligurian Alps and is tested regularly. In restaurants, you can ask for “acqua del rubinetto” (tap water), though some may bring bottled water by default. A 1.5-litre bottle of still water costs about 0.30-0.50 EUR at the Carrefour Express on Corso Italia. See our for more details. See the where to stay in Bordighera for detailed information.
Is Bordighera safe?
Bordighera is very safe by any standard. Violent crime is essentially zero. The main risks are petty theft (pickpocketing on crowded trains to Ventimiglia, especially on market days) and sunburn. Keep valuables out of sight on the beach, lock your car, and be aware on the train. Walking alone at night anywhere in town is fine, the Lungomare is lit and populated well past midnight in summer. See our for more details.
Do I need to tip?
Tipping is not required or expected in Italy the way it is in the US. Many restaurants include a “coperto” (cover charge) of 1-2 EUR per person, which covers bread and service. If service is excellent, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is appreciated but not expected. In bars, leaving small change on the counter after an espresso is a common gesture. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
What is the best way to get from Nice Airport to Bordighera?
The simplest route: take the Nice Airport Express tram (line 2) to Nice-Ville train station (about 25 minutes, 1.70 EUR), then a TER regional train to Ventimiglia (about 50 minutes, 8-10 EUR), and switch to a regional train to Bordighera (5 minutes, about 1.50 EUR). Total cost about 12-15 EUR per person. A faster but more expensive option: FlixBus or BlaBlaCar bus from Nice Airport to Ventimiglia (about 1 hour, 8-15 EUR), then the train or a taxi (about 15 EUR) to Bordighera. A private airport transfer from Nice to Bordighera costs 80-120 EUR and takes about 45 minutes.
Suggested Hotels in Bordighera
Grand Hotel Del Mare Resort and Spa
Five-star seafront resort with private beach, luxury spa, and heated saltwater pool set in 2 hectares of gardens 2 km west of the centre. Best for couples on a splurge trip and spa-focused travelers. Check rates and availability
Hotel Parigi and Spa
Four-star family-run hotel on the Lungomare with private beach area, rooftop terrace, and wellness spa. Air-conditioned rooms with sea-view balconies. Best for couples and older travelers who want central seafront location. Check rates and availability
Gold Hotel
Two-star hotel near the old town base with free parking, 24 rooms with private bathrooms, and year-round operation. The most affordable hotel option in Bordighera. Best for road-trippers and budget travelers. Check rates and availability
