At the eastern end of the Côte d’Azur, the pretty town of Menton nestles between the mountains and the sea, just a few kilometers from the Italian border. An ancient colourful port, a city of gardens and light, it’s well worth a visit!
Here we have compiled all the practical options for getting to Menton. For each means of transport, find all our practical recommendations to help you make your choice.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Summary: How to get to Menton
If you want the essentials at a glance:
- Located at the eastern end of the Côte d’Azur, on the Italian border
- 25min from Monaco by car (A8 freeway or D6007 road)
- 40min from Nice by freeway, plus or minus 1h by seaside depending on traffic – rent a car
- Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE) airport, approx. 45min drive – see flights
- Private transfer to and from Menton from Nice Airport – book now
- Direct trains from Nice, Marseille and the Italian border (Ventimiglia 15 minutes away)
See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.
WHERE TO STAY IN Menton
Option 1: Downtown
Enjoy the charm of the old town and all its restaurants.
We recommend..:
- Hotel de Londres – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Riva Art – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Villa Genesis – prices, pictures and availability
Option 2: Port side
Easy access to the center and beautiful views of the old town.
- Hotel Napoleon with swimming pool – view prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: Beachside
15 to 30 minutes’ walk from the center between Roquebrune and downtown, to enjoy the sea.
- Best Western Premier Hotel Prince de Galles – view prices, pictures and availability
- Résidence Pierre & Vacances Premium Julia Augusta – see prices, photos and availability
Where is Menton and map
Menton is located at the eastern tip of the Côte d’Azur, in the Alpes-Maritimes department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The town borders the Mediterranean Sea and backs onto the first heights of the Alpes-Maritimes. This geographical location gives it a mild microclimate in all seasons.
By road, it’s 40 minutes from Nice on the A8 freeway, 25 minutes from Monaco, and just 15 minutes from Ventimiglia in Italy. These points of reference will help you understand that Menton is a natural stopover on your stay on the French-Italian Riviera.
The A8 freeway runs along the coast from Menton to Nice and Cannes. In summer, allow extra time as traffic can become significantly heavier.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Option 1: by car
A car is the best way to get to Menton, especially if you want to explore the hilltop villages of the hinterland or drive along the corniche. We enjoy the seaside road between Nice and Menton, whose panoramic views of the Mediterranean make the journey worthwhile in itself, provided you’re not in a hurry.
From major cities:
- From Nice: 35min on the A8 freeway, 1h10 on the Grande Corniche or Moyenne Corniche.
- From Monaco: 30min
- From Cannes: approx. 1h15 on the A8 motorway
- From Marseille: approx. 2h45 via the A8 motorway
- From Ventimiglia (Italy): 15min
In high season, parking in Menton can be difficult. The city offers several public pay parking lots. We recommend the Parking Vieille Ville – Sablettes, underground and open 24 hours a day. The partially shaded Parking Pinède du Bastion and the Parking Fornari on the old town side are also good options. It’s best to arrive early in July and August!
More information on parking in Menton on the city’s official website here.
If you’re renting a car, there are several agencies operating at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport and in the center of Nice. Read our car rental tips here
Compare offers
Option 2: by train
The train is our preferred option for getting to Menton from Nice or Marseille, especially in summer. Gare de Menton is on the line from Marseille to Ventimiglia, via Toulon, Cannes, Antibes, Nice and Monaco. The station can be reached on foot from the town center in around ten minutes. Regional TER trains are frequent and regular.
- From Nice: between 35min and 50min depending on the type of train
- From Marseille-Saint-Charles: around 2h30 to 3h
- From Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (Nice Airport stop): more than 1 hour
See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.
We recommend the train as a priority for summer holidays: it avoids traffic jams on the A8 and parking difficulties on arrival. In addition, several sections of the line run alongside the sea. A real pleasure to travel at any time of year!
A LITTLE MORE patience
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Option 3: by plane via Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is the nearest international airport to Menton. Just a 45-minute drive away, flights operate year-round from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Brussels, Geneva, London, Frankfurt and many other international destinations.
Compare available flights to Nice.
From the airport, there are several options for getting to Menton:
- By train: the Nice-Aéroport train station (accessible from the terminal) is on the Marseille-Vintimille line. Get off at Gare de Menton. Duration: approx. 1 hour (most economical solution).
- By rental car: numerous agencies (Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Europcar, as well as local rental companies) have counters in the terminals. The route via the A8 is direct and well signposted. We recommend booking as early as possible. See the options
- By cab or private transfer: comfortable and non-stop. This option is particularly interesting for groups or families, as the price is per vehicle. Check availability
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Option 4: from neighboring Côte d’Azur towns
If you’re already staying in the region, Menton is easily reached on day trips from several points on the Côte d’Azur.
From Nice
Nice is the ideal starting point. By car, allow 35 minutes on the freeway or 1h10 via the corniches. By train, the TER connects the two towns in 35 to 50 minutes from Nice-Ville station, with frequent departures throughout the day. We recommend taking the train in summer for its convenience.
Combine a guided tour of Menton and San Remo on the Italian border!
From Monaco
Monaco is only a 30-minute drive from Menton. You can easily visit both destinations in the same day. The train also links Monaco to Menton in less than 15 minutes. Consult train timetables
From Cannes or Antibes
From Cannes or Antibes, allow around 1h10 by freeway. The train links Cannes and Antibes to Menton, for a total journey time of around 1h10 from Antibes and 1h20 from Cannes.
The Corniche route is a slower but pleasant alternative, provided you have enough time, especially in summer. If there are at least two of you, it’s best to book a private tour to make it easier to visit in peace!
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
Cassis to the calanques - Helicopter flight from Cannes
- Shuttle service along the coast between Nice and Saint-Tropez
- Bike tours: eBike in Nice – Mountain biking in the Esterel massif
Getting around Menton once you’re here
Once in Menton, walking is the best way to explore the old town, the steep streets and the seafront.
- On foot: our top recommendation for the old town, Saint-Michel ramps, seafront and central gardens. The city is compact and distances are reasonable.
- By free electric shuttle: “La Navette”, green in color, runs daily in the city center. It has around 20 places and requires no subscription. Read more about his career here.
- By bus: the ZestBus bus network covers Menton and the surrounding area, including the heights and nearby villages. Timetables are available on the official ZestBus website here.
- By electric bike: self-service bicycles are available throughout the city. Find out more about the service here.
- By car: useful for reaching the higher gardens(Jardin Serre de la Madone, Jardin Botanique du Val Rahmeh) or inland villages such as Sainte-Agnès. On the other hand, we don’t recommend using a car to get around the city center and the old town, whose streets are narrow and often pedestrianized.
Our tips for renting a car
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And once in Menton…
Menton has many surprises in store for those who take the time to stop off. The old town, port and gardens are enough to fill an entire day. To help you organize your stay, here are our resources:
- Plage des Sablettes, at the foot of the old town
- Saint-Michel Archange Basilica and Saint-Michel ramps
- The Jean Cocteau Museum at the Bastion
- The Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden and the Madonna Greenhouse Garden
- Les Halles de Menton and citrus gastronomy
- An excursion to the villages of Sainte-Agnès and Roquebrune
See our full article on the best things to do in Menton.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO provence
- Inspiration
Best things to do in Provence
Provence’s most beautiful towns
Most beautiful villages
Most beautiful castles
Best destinations
- Practical advice
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days (coming soon)
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual (coming soon)
- Where to stay
Where to stay in Provence
Best luxury hotels
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