How to Get from Nice to Monaco • Happily Ever Travels

If you’re traveling to the French Riviera, the chances are you’ll be flying into the beautiful coastal city of Nice. From there, you can get up and down the Mediterranean coast, visiting cities and towns like Cannes, Marseille, Menton, and even the principality of Monaco. So, how can you get from Nice to Monaco? Let’s find out.

How Far is it From Nice to Monaco?

Nice and Monaco are really close with it only being around 20km between the two of them. It’s a straight route along the Mediterranean coastline which means you get stunning views along the entire journey.

How to Get from Nice to Monaco? 5 Different Ways

So with it being such a short distance between Nice and Monaco, there are plenty of transport options to choose from depending on your budget, convenience level, and time.

1. Bus

The LR100 bus from the Nice city center to Monaco is definitely the cheapest option if you’re looking to save your money for spending at the destination itself. That being said, it is one of the longest journeys, ranging anywhere from 30-45 minutes depending on traffic, and can be crowded at peak times.

It’s only twenty minutes longer than the train each way, and it costs around $2 each way, making it a great option if time is on your side.

If you’re coming straight from the airport, the LR110 bus goes direct to Monaco and takes around 50 minutes, again costing around $2 each way.

2. Train

Probably the most popular option for traveling between Nice and Monaco is the train. The TER trains depart from train stations all over Nice every 30 minutes and it takes under 25 minutes to get to Monte Carlo.

It’s definitely one of the most efficient ways to get around, but, like the bus, can get crowded at peak times.

Even though the train is more expensive than the bus, it’s still pretty affordable with tickets ranging from $4-$15 depending on the time of day and rail class that you choose.

You can’t get a direct train from Nice airport to Monaco. Instead, you need to get a tram into Nice itself and get the TER back out, taking around 1h20. If you’re coming from the airport to Monaco on a budget, the bus is actually the more efficient option.

3. Helicopter

Yep, I’m not joking, if you want to get to Monaco in style, there are frequent helicopter transfers from Nice airport to Monte Carlo. It only takes 10 minutes and a shared journey starts at around $130 per person.

So, while it’s not the cheapest transfer, if you’re looking to treat yourself, it’s a definite possibility.

4. Uber

So, it’s important to know upfront that Uber is not allowed in Monaco, however, you can be dropped off there, but you just can’t be picked up. So, if you’re looking for a one-way option, Uber can still work for you.

A standard UberX from the Nice city center to Monaco costs anywhere between €37-48 depending on the time of day and surge rates. If you’re coming from Nice airport to Monaco via Uber, you can expect to spend between €56-73.

Ubers are both a time-sapping and expensive option when you’re traveling between Nice and Monaco, but if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling in a larger group, it might be the convenient option for you.

5. Rent a Car

If you’re visiting Monaco as part of a larger trip around the French Riviera, you might opt for renting a car. Realistically, this is an expensive option and not super convenient for driving around older-style towns and cities.

Parking is at a premium in both Nice and Monaco, so ensure your accommodation includes it if you’re road-tripping.

Travel time between Nice and Monaco is around 40-50 minutes depending on traffic and you can add on another 15 minutes at least if you’re coming from the airport.

Car rentals from Nice or Nice Airport start at around $75 a day but often run up to $200 a day. Definitely not the cheapest option and not necessarily the most convenient.

Only hire a car if you really need it to get to hard-to-reach locations. In between the two cities, there really isn’t much of a point.

What’s the Cheapest Way to Get from Nice to Monaco?

The cheapest way to get from Nice to Monaco is by bus. Both the LR100 from the city center and LR110 from the airport cost just $2 each way and are direct routes.

Travel time from the city center is around 30-45 minutes and from the airport, it’s around 50 minutes. This largely depends on the time of day and traffic levels.

What’s the Fastest Way to Get from Nice to Monaco?

The fastest way to get from the Nice city center to Monaco is by taking the TER train. It takes under 25 minutes and is one of the most popular ways to travel. Depending on the time of day and travel class you’re in, tickets cost between $4-15.

If you’re traveling from Nice airport to Monaco, the fastest way to travel is by helicopter. It only takes 10 minutes but will set you back $130 per person for a shared helicopter ride.

Do You Need a Passport to Get into Monaco?

Although Monaco is in fact a different country to France, you shouldn’t need to show your passport to enter or exit if you’re going to or from France. This is because there is a free border agreement between the two countries that extends to visitors.

A Little About Monaco

Monaco is a small principality that’s surrounded by France, but near the border with Italy. It’s well known as a playground for the rich and famous, so don’t be surprised to see superyachts, supercars, and designer shops on every corner.

As it’s quite an expensive place to spend your time, most visitors tend to stay in Nice and travel to the capital, (and main city) Monte Carlo, for the day. This is really easy to do thanks to the abundance of transport options and the short distance between the two cities.