How to Get to Monaco from Nice: Every Option Explained (2026)

I visited Monaco during my 3-day stay in Nice, where I used the city as my base to explore the French Riviera. One day I took the train to Menton, and on another I visited Monaco, my country 48/197.

If you’re wondering how to get to Monaco from Nice, the good news is that it’s probably one of the easiest international day trips you can do anywhere in Europe. Whether you’re planning to visit independently or thinking about booking a tour, in this guide I’ll compare every option, how much it costs, how long it takes, and which one I’d personally recommend after doing it myself.

How to Get to Monaco from Nice: Quick Answer

📍 Distance: Around 22 km

🚆 Best option: TER train

⏰ Travel time: Around 25 minutes

💰 Cheapest option: Bus (but only slightly)

🚗 Driving: Possible, but I wouldn’t recommend it

🚖 Airport transfer: Best if you’re going directly from Nice Airport

⭐ My recommendation: Take the train and explore Monaco on foot

How to Get to Monaco from Nice

When I visited Monaco, I was staying in Nice for three nights and decided to visit it as a day trip.

I took the train in the morning, spent the whole day exploring Monaco on foot, and got the train back to Nice in the afternoon. It was honestly one of the easiest day trips I’ve done while traveling.

The train was cheap, fast, arrived right in the centre of Monaco, and from there I simply walked everywhere. I never once wished I’d rented a car or booked a tour. If I went back tomorrow, I’d do exactly the same thing again.

How to Get to Monaco from Nice by Train (Best Option)

If you’re wondering how to get to Monaco from Nice, this is the option I’d recommend to almost everyone.

The TER train connects Nice and Monaco in around 25 minutes, making it one of the quickest and easiest day trips on the French Riviera. Trains run regularly throughout the day, so there’s no need to stress about missing one.

You’ll arrive at Monaco-Monte-Carlo Station, which is right in the centre of the country. From there, every major attraction is within walking distance. Monaco might look big on a map, but it’s actually very compact, and there are plenty of public elevators and escalators that make walking uphill much easier than you’d expect.

Tickets usually cost around €5–€7 each way, depending on the time and where you buy them.

A few tips:

• Buy your ticket before boarding.
• Avoid rush hour if possible.
• Sit on the left-hand side leaving Nice for the best coastal views.

→ Find train tickets here

How to Get to Monaco from Nice by Bus

If you’re travelling on a really tight budget, you can also take the bus from Nice to Monaco.

It’s usually a little cheaper than the train, but it also takes longer because it follows the coastal road and can get stuck in traffic, especially during summer.

The views are beautiful though, so if you’re not in a hurry and want to save a couple of euros, it’s still a good option.

How to Get to Monaco from Nice by Car

Technically, yes, you can drive from Nice to Monaco.

Personally, I wouldn’t.

Parking in Monaco is expensive, traffic can be frustrating, and once you arrive you’ll end up walking anyway because the country is so small.

The only time I’d rent a car is if you’re doing a bigger French Riviera road trip and planning to visit places further inland as well.

→ Compare car rental prices here

How to Get to Monaco from Nice by Taxi or Uber

Taking a taxi or Uber is the most convenient option, but also by far the most expensive.

I’d only really consider it if you’re travelling as a group, arriving late at night, or carrying a lot of luggage.

Otherwise, I’d save the money and just take the train.

How to Get to Monaco from Nice by Airport Transfer

If you’re landing at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport and heading straight to Monaco, booking an airport transfer can make things much easier.

Instead of taking the tram into Nice, changing to a train, and carrying your luggage around, you’ll be dropped directly at your hotel in Monaco.

It’s definitely not the cheapest option, but it’s the most comfortable one if you’re arriving after a long flight.

→ Book an airport transfer here

Transport	Time	Cost	Best for
Train	~25 min	€	Almost everyone
Bus	40–60 min	€	Budget travellers
Car	~40 min	€€€	Road trips
Taxi	~40 min	€€€€	Convenience
Airport transfer	~40 min	€€€	Direct airport travel

Monaco Tours from Nice

Even though I’d personally recommend visiting Monaco independently by train, I completely understand why some people prefer booking a tour instead.

If you don’t want to think about train schedules, planning your route, or you’d rather have someone explain what you’re seeing, a guided tour can be a really good option.

The most popular choices are:

• Monaco & Monte Carlo tours, focusing entirely on Monaco’s highlights.
• Monaco & Èze tours, which are probably the best value since Èze is much more difficult to visit independently than Monaco.

If you only want to visit Monaco, I’d save the money and take the train. But if you’re planning to combine Monaco with Èze or simply want a stress-free day, I’d definitely look at the tour options.

→ Find the best Monaco tours here

Which Option Should You Choose?

Option Time Cost My Rating

🚆 Train ~25 min € ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best overall
🚌 Bus 40–60 min € ⭐⭐⭐ Budget option
🚗 Car ~40 min €€€ ⭐⭐ Only if road tripping
🚖 Taxi / Uber ~40 min €€€€ ⭐⭐ Convenient but expensive
🚌 Guided Tour Half / Full day €€ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great if you don’t want to plan

Practical Information

Where to Stay

Unless you’re travelling with an unlimited budget, I’d stay in Nice.

Monaco is one of the most expensive countries in the world, and accommodation prices reflect that. Nice, on the other hand, has everything from backpacker hostels to boutique hotels and apartments, making it a much better base for exploring the French Riviera.

It’s also where I stayed during my visit, and I genuinely think it’s the smartest option. You can easily visit Monaco, Menton, Villefranche-sur-Mer and even Èze without constantly changing accommodation.

Here are 4 great accommodations for Nice depending on your budget:

• Backpacker: SLO Hostel Nice 
• Budget: Best Western Alba
• Mid-Range: Best Western Plus Hotel Brice Garden Nice
• Luxury: Hotel Le Negresco

→ Check hotels in Nice here

Stay Connected

Even though Monaco is a separate country, most people visit it together with France, so having a Europe eSIM makes much more sense than buying separate plans.

It also saves you from accidentally losing connection when crossing the border.

→ Get a Europe eSIM here

Travel Insurance

Even for a simple day trip, I never travel without insurance.

I personally recommend SafetyWing, especially if you’re travelling through several countries around Europe.

→ Get SafetyWing here

FAQs about How to Get to Monaco from Nice

What is the easiest way to get to Monaco from Nice?

The easiest way to get to Monaco from Nice is by taking the TER train. The journey takes around 25 minutes, trains run frequently throughout the day, and the station is right in the centre of Monaco, making it by far the simplest option.

Is there a direct train from Nice to Monaco?

Yes. There are direct TER trains between Nice-Ville and Monaco-Monte-Carlo throughout the day, with no changes required.

How much is the train from Nice to Monaco?

Train tickets usually cost around €5–€7 each way, depending on the time of day and where you buy them. It’s one of the cheapest international train journeys you’ll probably ever take.

How long is the train from Nice to Monaco?

The train takes approximately 25 minutes, making it one of the quickest day trips you can do from Nice.

Can you do a day trip from Nice to Monaco?

Absolutely. In fact, that’s exactly how I visited Monaco. One day is enough to explore the country’s main attractions before heading back to Nice in the evening.

Is it better to take the train or book a Monaco tour from Nice?

If you’re only planning to visit Monaco, I’d take the train. It’s cheaper, faster and gives you complete freedom to explore at your own pace. Tours make more sense if you also want to visit places like Èze or simply don’t want to organise anything yourself.

What is the cheapest way to get from Nice to Monaco?

The cheapest option is usually the bus, although the train is only slightly more expensive and much faster, making it the better value overall.

Can you get to Monaco directly from Nice Airport?

Yes. You can either take the tram into Nice and continue by train or book a private airport transfer if you’re heading directly to Monaco with luggage.

Final Thoughts: How to Get to Monaco from Nice

If you’re wondering how to get to Monaco from Nice, I’d honestly recommend taking the train. It’s cheap, fast, reliable, and exactly how I visited Monaco myself.

If you’d rather not think about planning your route or want to combine Monaco with places like Èze, then a guided tour is definitely worth considering. But for most travellers, the train is easily the best option.

Read my Monaco Guides

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