Getting To Monaco

There are several ways to reach Monaco. The nearest airport is 22kms away in Nice and runs regular buses to the principality and major hotels. An extensive train service also runs through Monaco on its way to other destinations, with daily and overnight trains. The European motorway network is only eight kilometres away, which links Monaco with the rest of Europe, while you can even arrive by boat at either of the two harbours. A number of buses run to Monaco from Nice and Cannes, from where you can get connections to larger cities.
 

By car

Getting to Monaco by car is easy, as it’s just eight kilometres from the massive European motorway network along the A8. If you are arriving from anywhere in Europe or the UK, you will have to take the motorway to get to this end of the continent. To get to the principality, you must pass through either Nice to the west or Menton to the east. The French/Italian border is just 12kms to the east of Monaco and no special formalities are required to cross between France and Monaco. Most drivers will likely come from the west and there are three lovely roads to choose from between Nice and Monaco: highway 98 (Basse Corniche), highway 7 (Moyenne Corniche) and the amazing Great Coastal road (Grande Corniche). Driving around this part of Europe really is beautiful, so it’s a great idea to rent a car and explore some of the countryside and coastline along the way. You can rent cars directly from the airport in Nice, but it’s a better idea to book your car hire online ahead of time to avoid any problems and to save money on the rental rate.

By rail

The French railway system runs an extensive train service through the principality to all the neighbouring towns in the region. The Monaco-Monte Carlo (SNCF) railway station, located in the heart of town, is the stop for all international trains passing through. The TGV Mediterranee line runs trains between Paris and Monaco every day and the trip takes about 6 hours. High-speed trains also run through the Burgundy and Provençal countryside along this same route, so there are several choices for train travel. Contact Rail Europe for more information (tel: +33 08 70 830 2000). If you are arriving from a closer city, the Regional Express Trains (TER) connect Monaco with all the towns along the Riviera. SNCF Metrazur has a summer train service which runs every 30 minutes and stops at all the towns along the Côte d’Azur between Cannes and Vintimille on the French border. Contact French Railways for more information (tel: +33 08 3635 3535). 

By bus

There are reliable, regular bus services between Monaco and the surrounding towns. From Nice or Cannes, there are connecting buses to most major cities in France and beyond. The buses stop at the central train station area in Monaco, from where you can catch local buses to all the major hotels and sites.

By air

As Monaco has no airport, visitors will fly into Nice-Côte d’Azur International Airport, which is located 22kms away. There is direct bus service from the airport to Monaco, which stops at all the main hotels. The SNCF railway stops at the Gare Nice St Augustin, situated 500 metres from Terminal 1, on its way to Monaco and there are plenty of taxis willing to drive you into the principality 24 hours. The best way to travel by a long shot is to take a helicopter from the airport straight into Monaco. The flight takes seven minutes and isn’t as expensive as you’d expect.

By ferry

There is no ferry service into Monaco; however, the principality has two harbours - Hercules Harbour and Fontvieille - which are large enough to handle yachts of any size. Intercontinental cruise liners can anchor out in the bay of Monaco.

Nice Airport

Visitors flying into Monaco will arrive at Nice International Airport, which is seven kilometres west of Nice and 22kms west of Monaco. As France’s second busiest airport, this modern airport handles millions of passengers every year at its two terminals. Terminal 1 is strictly for international flights and Terminal 2 is used for European and French domestic flights. A shuttle bus connects the two terminals. Nice Airport has direct flights to most European cities, North Africa and America as well as almost every French city. Both terminals have ATMs, banks and currency exchange offices. There is also a post office and a pharmacy in Terminal 1. Airport information desks are located in the Arrivals and Departures areas of Terminal 1 and in the Arrivals area of Terminal 2 (tel: +33 04 9713 4410). 

Transportation from Nice Airport

The efficient SNCF regional train service (tel: +33 08 9235 3535) stops at Gare Nice St Augustin, which is just 500 metres from Terminal 1. This route continues on to Monaco and leaves several times throughout the day. There is also a direct bus which runs from the airport to Monaco, stopping at most of the major hotels. The trip takes about 45 minutes and departs from outside Arrivals.

Taxis are waiting at stands outside the Arrivals area of both terminals 24 hours. If you hire a car, it is easy to navigate your way to Monaco by taking the Promenade des Anglais, which links Nice with the principality.

By far the most exotic way to travel from the airport to Monaco is by helicopter. Heli-Air Monaco will fly you there in just seven minutes. Several other companies offer helicopter services leaving from both terminals. Detailed information can be found at the airport’s information desks.