Monaco is an independent Principality landlocked between France and Italy, on the Côte d’Azur. Built into the side of a cliff on the Mediterranean coast, we were fascinated by its density, its history and its extraordinary atmosphere. It’s an ideal destination for a weekend or longer vacation.
Here we share all the practical options for getting to Monaco, whether you arrive by plane, train, car or ferry from the sea.
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 Monaco
If you don’t want to read the whole article:
- Independent principality on the Côte d’Azur, on the French-Italian border
- 40min drive from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) – nearest airport, flights from all over Europe – opt for a private transfer
- 20min by TER from Nice station, with TGV connections from Paris (6h30), Lyon (5h30), Marseille (3h30) – book tickets in advance
- Less than 1 hour from Nice by ferry – seasonal connections. See available crossings
- Day trips available from Nice or Cannes
- Less than 10 minutes from Nice by helicopter (Héli Air Monaco) – seasonal option (details here)
WHERE TO STAY IN Monaco
Option 1: In Monte Carlo
Discover luxury palaces in Monaco’s most sought-after district:
- Hotel de Paris – see prices, pictures and availability
- Hermitage Hotel – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Métropole – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: Larvotto
Close to Larvotto beach, you’ll find some splendid resort hotels.
We recommend..:
- Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort – view prices, pictures and availability
- Le Méridien Beach Plaza – view prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: At Port-Hercule
Boutique hotels, with superb views of the port and the Rock.
- Hotel Miramar – prices, pictures and availability
- Port Palace – see prices, photos and availability
Where is Monaco and Map
Monaco is an independent Principality of 2km², nestled on the Côte d’Azur between Nice to the west and Menton to the east, a few kilometers from the Italian border. The town backs onto the foothills of the Alpes-Maritimes and borders directly on the Mediterranean. This position gives it a double advantage: a coastline sheltered from northerly winds on the one hand, and rapid access to the mountain passes and hilltop villages of the hinterland on the other.
Here’s a map to help you locate Monaco on the Côte d’Azur:
The A8 freeway runs along the coast, linking Nice to the Italian border via Monaco. The journey times shown apply to normal traffic conditions. In summer, allow extra time, especially between Nice and Monaco at the end of the day, when traffic can be 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: Day trips to other Côte d’Azur towns
If you would like to travel to Monaco for a complete vacation (by plane or train), please see the following sections.
But if you’re already staying on the Côte d’Azur and want to head to Monaco for the day, here are our answers:
From Nice or Antibes
From Nice, the coastal road is quick: 30min by car or 30min by TER. This is the option we recommend most often, as the train avoids the frequent summer traffic jams. From Antibes, about 50 minutes by car.
Or take a guided tour and enjoy the scenery and explanations of a local guide without having to drive:
- See options from Nice (Monaco, Menton, Italian Riviera)
- Côte d’Azur day trip in a small group (Monaco, Èze, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Cannes)
From Cannes
From Cannes, allow around 1 hour’s drive depending on traffic. Day trips are also possible, provided you leave early. We recommend combining your visit to Monaco with a stopover in Èze or Menton to make the most of your trip.
- See options from Cannes (Monaco, Antibes, Èze)
From the east: Menton or the Italian Riviera
From Menton, Monaco can be reached in just 25 minutes by car (and 15 minutes by train). If you’re staying in Ventimiglia, allow around 40min depending on the route you take. And a 1-hour drive from Sanremo. The short distance makes the day trip very accessible from these towns.
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Option 2: by plane
Monaco by plane via Nice
Monaco has no airport. The nearest air gateway is Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, about a 40-minute drive to the west of the Principality. It is France’s second busiest airport in terms of international traffic, with numerous direct connections from all over Europe. From the terminal, Monaco can be reached in 30 minutes by car via the A8 motorway.
Nice airport is open all year round, making it the ideal gateway to the region whatever the season.
Main flight connections to Nice (NCE)
- From France: Paris (Air France, easyJet, Transavia), Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nantes – year-round flights from major cities, seasonal connections from regional airports.
- From Switzerland: Geneva, Zurich (Swiss, easyJet)
- From Belgium: Brussels-Zaventem, Brussels-Charleroi (Brussels Airlines, Ryanair, TUI fly)
- From Germany: Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf (Lufthansa, Eurowings)
- From the UK: London Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham (British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair)
- From Scandinavia: Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo (SAS, Norwegian)
Nice benefits from year-round flights from major European capitals. The seasonal offer (April-October) is much broader, and includes many medium-sized cities.
Compare available flights to Nice.
Options from Nice Airport to Monaco (NCE)
From Nice, Monaco is about a 40-minute drive to the east. The route takes the A8 freeway, a road in good condition that runs along the Côte d’Azur coastline.
- By rental car: this is the most flexible option for getting to Monaco from the airport, especially if you plan to explore the region at your own pace. The major agencies (Hertz, Avis, Sixt, as well as local rental companies) have counters in the arrivals hall. We advise you to book as early as possible. Compare car rental offers.
- By bus: From Nice airport, express bus 80 links the terminal to Nice city center, from where TER trains leave regularly for Monaco in 50 minutes (more info here).
- By train: The Monaco-Monte-Carlo station is set into the rock in the heart of the Principality: once you’re there, you don’t have to worry about the last mile. In high season, there is a train every 30 minutes. See routes and timetables
- By cab: available in front of the Nice airport arrivals terminal. The fare depends on the meter; we advise you to check that the driver switches it on at the start. At night and on Sundays, a surcharge generally applies.
- Organized transport: For greater convenience, private transfers can be booked in advance. A driver will meet you at the terminal exit and take you directly to your accommodation. This option is ideal for families or groups, as the price is set per vehicle and not per person. See options
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Option 3: Helicopter flight from Nice
Monaco by helicopter from Nice Airport
Monaco is one of the few destinations in the world to offer a regular helicopter service from a major international airport. Héli Air Monaco operates between Nice Côte d’Azur and the Fontvieille heliport in just 7 minutes. The view of the coast, the cliffs and the Principality from the air is breathtaking.
We find this option particularly interesting for travelers in groups or on a budget. The fare is high, but the time saved and the view more than make up for the extra cost compared with a cab. Book in advance: places go fast in high season. Find out more here.
Note that rotations run mainly from April to October. Outside this period, frequency is considerably reduced.
Option 4: By train from France and Italy
The train is our preferred option for getting to Monaco from France. The Monaco-Monte-Carlo station is set into the rock, right in the heart of the Principality, so there’s no need to make an extra trip on arrival. It is served by TER trains on the Nice-Ventimiglia line.
From major French cities – TGV + TER
TGV high-speed trains take you to Nice, before connecting with the TER to Monaco (30min). In high season, TER trains are frequent on this coastal route. We advise you to plan several trains in advance for your connections, especially for the return journey.
- From Paris: approx. 6h30 (TGV to Nice + TER)
- From Lyon: approx. 5h30 (TGV to Nice + TER)
- From Marseille: approx. 3h30 (TGV to Nice + TER)
See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.
From Italy
The same TER line serves Italy’s coastal towns. From Ventimiglia, the journey to Monaco takes around 30 minutes. This is a convenient option if you’re arriving from Genoa or northern Italy; the cross-border rail network is reliable on this stretch.
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Option 5: By car and ferry from Nice
The car and the ferry are two useful alternatives to the train, depending on your point of departure and travel preferences.
By car – the most freedom
Monaco is accessible from both France and Italy via the A8 freeway. The road is well maintained and the signs are clear. In summer, traffic jams can be heavy between Nice and Monaco, especially at the end of the day.
Read our tips for renting a car in Nice here.
Parking in Monaco is difficult and expensive. Underground pay parking is the rule. Find out more here if you’re looking for a parking lot.
A few alternatives:
- Leave your car at the ZAC Saint-Antoine parking lot in Cap d’Ail, right on the French border, and walk or take the bus to Monaco in just a few minutes. We like this option, as it avoids the hassle of parking while still being a stone’s throw from the center.
- Choose accommodation in Monaco with parking included
By ferry from Nice – the most original
In high season, sea links connect Nice to Monaco in less than 1 hour. This is an original option, allowing you to avoid coastal traffic jams while enjoying an exceptional panorama of the Mediterranean.
Seasonal ferries operate mainly from April to October. Book in advance in high season.
See ferry schedules and availability.
Getting around Monaco
The Principality is built into the side of a cliff, so you need to be in good physical condition to visit it on foot. Although there are public elevators to get from one road to another, they’re generally pretty slow, which is why we mostly took the stairs. We advise you to wear good walking shoes if you want to go to the heights of Monaco, as the climbs are steep. The city is very dense, built around main roads with many curves, and has few crosswalks. Although cars easily let walkers pass, take care when crossing. Finally, because of this particular layout, it’s easy to get lost.
We recommend downloading the city map here, which shows the location of escalators, public elevators and staircases.
Information is also available here on how to make your stay in Monaco easier for people with reduced mobility.
You can also opt for public transport. Several bus lines serve Monaco’s different districts, and you can even check traffic in real time on the official website here! Choose to pay by contactless credit card or via the Monapass application. If you wish to pay in cash, the rate will be more expensive and you’ll need to top up!
Cab fares are fixed. For more information, visit the official Monaco cab website here.
And once in Monaco…
Once you’re in Monaco, there’s a lot to discover!
Find all our favorite attractions in Monaco in this article. To give you an idea of what you can see:
- The Rocher district and its preserved alleyways
- The Prince’s Palace and the changing of the guard at 11:55 a.m.
- The Oceanographic Museum, built into the side of a cliff
- The Casino de Monte-Carlo, Charles Garnier’s Belle Époque masterpiece
- The Japanese Garden and the Princess Grace Rose Garden
- The legendary Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
SHE MADE THE TRIP Fanny
