Nice to Monte Carlo and back in one day

[MelJI]

We are arriving at the port in Nice at 10:00AM and want to go to Monte Carlo and then back to Nice. Best way to travel and what to do in each city? Travel time between places? We can spend most of the day until returning to ship by 6:00PM.

[Susan-M]

It takes about 20 minutes each way by train. Here's the schedule. The top pages are the schedules from Nice to Monaco, and the rest of the pages are the reverse direction. Note that some trains only run on certain days (indicated at the top of the column, but unfortunately in French, so if you plan to use this schedule and need help please advise the date that you'll be there.) I'm not sure of the exact fare...perhaps 3-4 euros each way.

 

Bus would be the least expensive @ 1 euro each way, but will take about twice as long as the train.

 

Rick Steves' guidebook, Provence and the French Riviera, is worth having for this area.

[Hlitner]

We doubt you are arriving "at the port of Nice" since it is almost unheard of for any cruise ship to go into Nice (very small cruise ships used to sometimes dock in Nice). The probability is that you will be tendering into the port of Villefranche which is several miles east of Nice. As has been posted, there is a TER (regional) rail line that spans most of the Cote d'Azur and whiich does run between Nice, Villefranche and Monte Carlo. The train station is within walking distance of the tender pier in Villefranche as long as you can climb a long flight of steps. In addition, there is a regional bus line )bus #100) that also connects Nice to Monte Carlo (with several stops in Villefranche). The bus runs more often then the train, the stops in Monte Carlo are more convenient then the train station and the bus only costs 1 Euro (not sure of the current train fare but it is higher).

 

Hank

[Dorset Cruiser]

We are docking in Nice on Ocean Princess (600+ passengers) in October.

[Hlitner]

We are docking in Nice on Ocean Princess (600+ passengers) in October.

 

Yeah, we did notice that the Ocean Princess shows "Nice" as their port on several cruises. It will be interesting to see if that is truly where they go or if they end-up tendering into Villefranche. We have docked in Nice on a few cruises, but the ships were quite small (about 300 passengers) and could make it to the pier. The Ocean Princess is relatively small, but about twice that size. We have often seen large ferries in the Nice port so perhaps they are going to squeeze the Ocean Princess into one of the two ferry terminals. If so, you will be located on the east side of Nice which is within walking distance to the old town (and newer town) if you like long walks. This location is more convenient to the Nice Gare Routiere bus station then to the main train station. We are wondering (thinking out loud to stimulate some other opinions) if the #100 bus has a stop relatively close to the Nice Port. If so, for the price of 1 Euro you can jump on the bus and ride along the coast to Monte Carlo. I was going to take a close look the #100 stops in Nice, but the Ligne d'Azure web site has that function down at the time. Keep in mind that with both trains and buses you are talking about the same routes (and lines) that connect Nice - Villefrance - Monte Carlo.....so not to worry.

 

Hank

[MelJI]

Spoke to "Princess" and they said the port shows: "Old Harbor, Town Center" which they said is in Nice itself.(Anyone Know for sure?) We ARE on the Ocean Princess and would like to take the bus to Monte Carlo -heard it was very scenic, though a little longer than train. And want to spend time in Monte Carlo and Nice. Enough time?? Any special ideas for spending given time on our own in each place?

[Hlitner]

The old harbor (Vieux Port) is that area I mentioned which is around the large hill/rock on the eastern side of Nice. You can read my post above for some more info on this small harbor.

 

Hank

[Nebr.cruiser]

I haven't done this by bus or train (we were on a tour) but Nice and Monaco are not very far apart; I don't think you'd have any problem seeing both in one day.

[KnoxvilleSam]

We spent a week in a condo in St. Jean Cap Ferrat in 2009 and found lots to do and see on the Cote d'Azur. To hit the high points in both Nice and Monte Carlo, you really are pretty much restricted, I'd think, to Cours Selaya (the old market) in Nice (and pretty close to where it appears you are docking), and then train or bus to Monte Carlo. I'd pick train for the simple reason that although the two cities are pretty close together, there can be traffic backups - there was quite a bit of construction going on when we were there, and it appeared that there was much more to come.

 

In Monte Carlo, I'd opt for lots of walking around, including the Palace, changing of the guard, the cathedral (where the Princess Grace and Prince Ranier are entombed), and the gardens - very beautiful! We drove by the casino and decided not to go in - during the day, it's pretty much nothing but tourists, there's an entrance fee to see a relatively small part of the casino, you can gamble at slots only (I believe).

 

There are other places to go and see in the area if you're so inclined. The first time we were there (on a cruise docked at Villefranche), we joined a small group to hit the highlights in Nice, Eze, St. Paul de Vence, and Monte Carlo. It costs more that way, but really did maximize our ability to see lots. When we were there for the week, we had a car and saw and did things on our own schedule.

 

Have a great time!