How to Get to Cannes Lions?
An international airport, a business aviation airfield, the helicopter and staggered arrivals: the logistics of a delegation on the Croisette.
Last updated 5 October 2026 · 3 min read
To reach Cannes Lions, most delegates arrive at Nice Côte d'Azur airport, about 27 km from Cannes, served by many flights from Paris and Europe; the road often takes around forty minutes, longer at the week's peak hours. By private jet, Cannes-Mandelieu airport, reserved for business aviation, receives aircraft of a compatible size, with heavier aircraft landing in Nice. The helicopter links Nice to Cannes in a few minutes of flight, weather permitting. Cannes station, in the town centre, has a direct TGV connection to Paris. For a delegation, the key is a single itinerary: staggered arrivals, dedicated chauffeurs and shuttles, returns kept on schedule.
Arriving: the options
Nice Côte d'Azur airport is the natural gateway: flights arrive there from Paris and many European cities. From there, Cannes is reached by road, by helicopter or by train. Cannes-Mandelieu airport, west of Cannes, is reserved for business aviation: it receives jets whose size is compatible with its limitations, with heavier aircraft landing in Nice.
From Paris, the TGV serves Cannes station directly, right in the town centre, a few minutes from the Palais: an option worth considering for part of the delegation.
| Arrival | For whom | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|
| Nice Côte d'Azur airport | Commercial flights and private aviation | About 27 km from Cannes; a longer drive at peak hours |
| Cannes-Mandelieu airport | Business aviation | Aircraft of a compatible size only; slots to be booked early |
| Helicopter from Nice | Those who want to save time | A few minutes of flight, depending on weather and authorisations |
| Cannes station | Delegates coming from Paris by TGV | In the town centre, a few minutes from the Palais |
A delegation's arrivals
A delegation rarely arrives all at once: some the day before, others on the first morning, a few for just two days. We keep each person's itinerary — flight, arrival time, vehicle, address — and position the welcome, chauffeurs or shuttles accordingly.
Luggage follows its own route when useful, straight to the villa or hotel, so that delegates can go to a first meeting without a detour.
Getting around during the week
On the Croisette, walking is often the reliable option: a few hundred metres separate the Palais from the beaches and hotels, and traffic is heavy at peak hours. For the villas in the hills, the Cap d'Antibes or dinners in the hinterland, a dedicated chauffeur or a delegation shuttle makes the difference.
We put together a day-by-day transport plan: rotations between the villa and the Palais, vehicles on standby for executives, night-time returns after the dinners. Around the Palais, stopping is often restricted: drop-off and pick-up points are prepared in advance.
By sea
Cannes is also experienced from the water. A tender can link a yacht at anchor to the port, and a crewed boat can take your guests from a lunch on a beach to a dinner on the Cap d'Antibes or on the Lérins Islands, depending on sailing conditions and docking authorisations.
We look into it case by case, without making it a promise: the sea sets its own timetable, and a fallback plan by road is always in place.
Departures
Departures are often concentrated at the end of the week, with Friday evening and Saturday flights in high demand. We book private aviation slots early, position the vehicles and organise the return of luggage, so that the week ends as simply as it began.
Frequently asked questions
Nice Côte d'Azur for commercial flights, about 27 km from Cannes. By private jet, Cannes-Mandelieu receives aircraft of a compatible size; heavier aircraft land in Nice.
By road, often around forty minutes, longer at the week's peak hours. The helicopter cuts the journey to a few minutes of flight, depending on weather and authorisations.
For those staying on the Croisette, walking is often enough. For a villa in the hills, the Cap d'Antibes or dinners in the hinterland, a dedicated chauffeur or a delegation shuttle is strongly recommended.
Yes: the TGV links Paris directly to Cannes station, right in the town centre, a few minutes' walk from the Palais des Festivals.
As soon as possible. Late June is a busy period on the Côte d'Azur, and slots at Cannes-Mandelieu as well as Nice are booked early. We compare aircraft and airfields according to your delegation and your schedule, on quote.
Yes: staggered arrivals, welcome, shuttles and dedicated chauffeurs, luggage delivered to the address, night-time returns and departures. A single point of contact keeps each delegate's itinerary.
Take it further
Let us organise your delegation's arrivals
Tell us where your delegates are leaving from, when they arrive and where they are staying: flights or private jet, helicopter, chauffeurs and shuttles — we build the week's logistics, on quote and subject to availability.