Are you planning to visit Monaco from Nice? Figuring out how to get from Nice to Monaco is the first step.
Monaco is located just 12.67 km or 7.87 mi from Nice, so it makes for an easy transfer.
Not all visitors stay in Monaco for the duration of their visit. Many choose to stay in Nice and add a day tour to Monaco as part of their itinerary.
Regardless of how long you’ll be staying in Monaco, you’ll need reliable transportation to get there from Nice.
In this article, I break down all the ways to get to Monaco from Nice and list the pros, cons, transfer times, and costs for each. This is the only guide you need to decide on the best route in line with your travel plans.
So, are you ready to plan your mini-adventure to the glitzy principality? Let’s go!
This article lays out all the ways to get to Monaco from Nice, includes travel times, and discusses the pros, cons, and costs of each option.
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Quick list of Nice to Monaco transportation options to book ahead of time
The following tours tend to sell out quickly, so be sure to secure your reservation.
Nice to Monaco round-trip ferry (with an independent visit)
Guided day tour of Monaco and Èze from Nice
If you’re visiting the principality from Nice, then be sure to read my Nice to Monaco day trip guide. It features the top attractions and some lesser-known sites and includes a map for visualization.
And for more add-on inspiration, check out the best day trip destinations from Nice.
Monte Carlo vs Monaco
Before we dive in, I just want to clarify the difference between Monte Carlo and Monaco.
Monaco is the name of the independent city-state and is divided into nine neighborhoods. One of those neighborhoods, the most emblematic one, is Monte Carlo. It’s often mistaken to be the name of the country or the country’s capital, but it’s not.
Monte Carlo is the location for the annual Formula One Grand Prix race and home to the legendary Monte Carlo Casino, the luxury boutiques of the Carré d’Or, and some of the most prestigious hotels in the world, such as the Hôtel de Paris and the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo.
However, while Monte Carlo may enjoy worldwide fame, it’s no more than an area within the Principality of Monaco. And since Monaco is only just over 2km² or 0.8 mi² in size, there’s no point in making a distinction on how to get from Nice to Monte Carlo vs Monaco.
Landing in Nice?
Staying in Monaco and flying into Nice Airport? The top transfer options are the taxi for €95 (day) or €110 (night), the direct Airport Express bus for the fixed price of €20,5 p.p., and the train from the Nice Saint-Augustin train station for €6.90 p.p.
Seven ways to get from Nice to Monaco
No matter which option you choose, you’ll see that getting from Nice to Monaco is a breeze. So, it’s more a matter of opting for the one that best fits your travel plans and the time you wish to set aside for your day trip.
Let’s zoom in on all the ways you can get from Nice to Monaco for the perfect jaunt.
1. By train: The best way to get from Nice to Monaco
The easiest way to get to Monaco from Nice is by train.
Nice-Ville is the train station closest to the city center of Nice. The train ride on the Regional Express Train (TER) from Nice-Ville to Monaco-Monte Carlo train station takes just over 20 minutes.
Pros are the scenic ride along the French Mediterranean coast and the low cost of €6 one-way.
One con is that the Nice-Ville train station may not be located near your accommodation in Nice. To tackle that, opt for a hotel closer to the station, like Hotel Apollinaire, Maison Lamartine, and Boutique Hotel Nice Côte d’Azur.
Another disadvantage is that the Monaco train station is a maze. It’s essentially an underground network with multiple entrances and exits. I always rely on this map to navigate the station.
Last but not least, during rush hour, the trains get packed with commuters heading home from work. As a result, you might end up waiting for a few trains before you can squeeze in. So, try to travel outside of rush hour.
Conclusion: It takes just over 20 minutes to get to Monaco from Nice by train and costs around €6 per person one-way.
2. By bus
Take Zou bus 602 from stop “Bavastro” or Zou bus 600 from stop “Port Lympia” in Nice to stop “Monte Carlo Casino” in Monaco. Getting from Nice to Monaco by bus takes between 50 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Bus 600 drives along the coast, while 602 takes the inland route. The latter is ideal if you plan to combine your trip to Monaco with a stop in Èze Village.
Pros are the scenic experience, the low cost of €2.10 one-way, the fact that you’ll hop off right in the heart of Monaco, and the possibility of exploring Èze Village as an add-on.
One con is that the bus stops in Nice, both near the Port, may not be located near your accommodation in Nice. To tackle that, opt for a hotel closer to Port Lympia, like Palais Ségurane Boutique Hotel, Mama Shelter Nice, or Nice Pam Hotel. Another disadvantage is that the bus ride takes a bit longer than the train.
Conclusion: It takes just under 1 hour to get to Monaco from Nice by bus and costs €2.10 per person one-way.
3. By ferry
Another way to reach Monaco from Nice is by ferry. It leaves from Quai Lunel in Nice, the side of Port Lympia closest to Castle Hill. Palais Ségurane Boutique Hotel, Mama Shelter Nice, and Nice Pam Hotel are wonderful hotel options nearby.
Note that the Nice-Monaco ferry only operates from May to October on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. It leaves Nice at 9.30 AM and returns at 6 PM. You can enjoy Monaco at your own pace from 10.15 AM to 4 PM. The transfer takes anywhere between 45 and 60 minutes.
Pros are the convenient location of the point of departure and the scenic cruise along the stunning French Riviera coastline.
Cons are the seasonality and the cost of €50 per person (€44 for children between the ages of 4 and 10). Another disadvantage is the early return and the fact that you can’t spend the evening in Monaco. Also, the journey takes a bit longer than other options on this list, and you need to book your ticket in advance.
You can check for availability here:
Conclusion: It takes under an hour to get to Monaco from Nice by ferry and costs €48 for a return ticket.
4. By car (self-drive)
If you have a car available in Nice, you can easily drive to Monaco yourself. The drive along the highway, from reference point Place Masséna, takes 30 minutes without accounting for traffic and costs €2.40 one-way in tolls. The scenic coastal road takes about 50 minutes and has no toll.
When it comes to car rental, I highly recommend Discover Cars with its wide selection of cars and agencies. The booking process is effortless, and there’s an option to pay later that comes with free cancellation.
Parking in Monaco isn’t any more expensive than elsewhere on the French Riviera. Street parking is limited, but there are plenty of underground parking facilities in Monaco.
The last time I visited, I even managed to find a parking spot during the Formula One Grand Prix. The Monapass app, available for download from the App Store or Google Play, will help you find availability.
Pros are the flexibility in schedule and the liberty to add other destinations like Èze or Menton to your day trip itinerary.
Cons are the extra cost of toll and parking, the traffic, and the need to look for a parking spot.
Conclusion: It takes 30 minutes to get to Monaco from Nice by car (20 minutes more if you take the scenic coastal route) and you’ll have to pay extra for toll and parking.
5. By taxi (or ride-sharing)
If you don’t have a car available but like the flexibility of the road, then you can rely on a taxi. The drive from Place Masséna in Nice takes 30 minutes without accounting for traffic, and the rate varies between €85-95 one-way during the daytime.
A pro is the door-to-door service. Cons are the cost, the traffic, and the need to book in advance during the high season.
Can you get to Monaco by Uber or Bolt? Yes, you can, and for less than half the cost of an official taxi ride. Last time I checked, it cost around €40 to go to Monaco by Bolt.
However, you can’t return from Monaco to Nice by ride-share since pick-ups aren’t allowed in Monaco. But, there’s a workaround: Order your ride from Beausoleil, a French town across the street from Monte Carlo, to return to Nice.
Conclusion: It takes 30 minutes to get to Monaco from Nice by taxi and costs €85-95 one-way. Bolt, the alternative for Uber, is much cheaper but does require a creative workaround for the return trip.
6. By helicopter
How about matching your transportation to your destination? The helicopter offers a quick and unique way to reach Monaco. The transfer from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport takes just 7 minutes and starts at €195 one-way per person for a shared transfer and €700 for a private transfer.
The Monaco heliport is located in the Fontvieille neighborhood. Upon landing, a valet driver will await you to drive you to your hotel in Monaco. This service is included in the price of your helicopter ride.
Here are two ways to book your helicopter ride:
Pros are the fast transfer, the panorama, and the chauffeur service to your accommodation in Monaco.
Cons are the cost and the fact that this option is only available from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport.
Conclusion: It takes 7 minutes to get to Monaco from Nice Airport by helicopter and costs onwards of €195 one-way.
7. By tour
If you prefer a guided visit to Monaco, then an excursion is the way to go. You’ll be driving to and from Monaco in a minivan accompanied by a tour guide and other travelers. A tour costs around €100 per person.
There are several options available from Nice, but this is the one I’d choose. It offers a carefree way to visit both Èze and Monaco in a small group with an attentive guide. The glowing reviews speak for themselves.
Pros are the hotel pick-up, the flexible cancellation conditions, the small group, and the proximity of a guide. Cons are the tight schedule and the cost.
You can check for availability here:
FAQ on how to get from Nice to Monaco
How will you travel from Nice to Monaco?
That’s it for this detailed guide on getting to Monaco from Nice. Now all that’s left for you to do is set a date and read up on the best things to do in Monaco in one day before experiencing this city-state for yourself.
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