Monaco Grand Tour Bus vs Walking

[cleobella]

I have heard about a HOHO Bus that is now running in Monaco. At 17 Euros pp this seems expensive for a total 1 hour tour? Is it possible to get around Monaco/Monte Carlo by walking-we would want to see the exotic gardens, the Palace, Car Museum and Casino, shopping? It would be fun to walk the whole town-is that possible?

[aohkay]

I have heard about a HOHO Bus that is now running in Monaco. At 17 Euros pp this seems expensive for a total 1 hour tour? Is it possible to get around Monaco/Monte Carlo by walking-we would want to see the exotic gardens, the Palace, Car Museum and Casino, shopping? It would be fun to walk the whole town-is that possible?

 

You can use the HOHO bus as much as you like for the day. First, we did the complete tour on the HOHO and then went around a second time, getting off at stops that we wanted to spend some time at. Then we jumped back on and got off again at a different stop. We did this for the whole day! :D

 

Monaco is quite hilly and I wouldn't advise trying to walk to all of the sites.

[flip]

You can use the HOHO bus as much as you like for the day. First, we did the complete tour on the HOHO and then went around a second time, getting off at stops that we wanted to spend some time at. Then we jumped back on and got off again at a different stop. We did this for the whole day! :D

 

Monaco is quite hilly and I wouldn't advise trying to walk to all of the sites.

 

Where do you catch this HOHO bus?

[aohkay]

Where do you catch this HOHO bus?

 

It is called "Monaco Le Grand Tour", stops at 12 different places, and the one-day-pass is € 17. Children between 4 and 11 pay € 7, senior citizens € 15.

The explanations are done in 8 different languages. (They provide each person with a pair of earphones that you keep.)

 

On cruise ship days, the bus stops close to the cruise ship pier in front of the Yacht Club.

 

If you want to see the Exotic Garden of Monaco, you still have to take the local bus line # 2 (€ 1 per trip), which runs every 8 minutes weekdays and every 20 minutes on Sundays.

[higgib]

For anyone considering usin g these little open topped tour buses in Monaco, I would say don't bother.

 

We tried this on 22/7/12, and after a short wait in the port, we were picked up. We went around about half the route, and then got off at the palace to watch the changing of the guard. After this we had a walk around the palace area, did some souvenir shopping and had some gelato.

 

On our return to the palace to rejoin the tour, we were confronted with an enormous queue, in hot conditions with no shade.

 

We joined the queue, and after about 10 mins a bus turned up. Too full to take anyone. We waited about 90 mins before we were able to get a bus, and jjust completed the rest of the tour without getting off to get us back to the port.

 

Afte a break for lunch, as the tickets were valid for the day, we went out again for another try. Again we got on a bus at the port, and again all the stops were very busy, so we didn't dare get off in case we didn't make it back to the port for our ship's departure.

 

I wish we had just walked around, and if we ever vivit this port again, will not bother with this bus. Very disappointing and poor value for money.

[Hlitner]

We love to walk and generally dislike HoHos since they are quite expensive and you end up spending a good part of your day just waiting for the next bus (assuming you do get off and on). In Monte Carlo, because of the hills it does make sense to use some kind of public transit (or a taxi) to get up to the Palace. From there you can generally walk everywhere since you would be going downhill most of the time. The city also has quite a few public escaltors and elevators to help deal with some of the hilly areas near the center of town.

 

Hank

[lamchops]

The city also has quite a few public escaltors and elevators to help deal with some of the hilly areas near the center of town.

 

Hank

 

We didn't know about them until after our day in Monaco.:)

We walked from the subway station to the Palace and back and enjoyed it a lot. If you are in reasonable shape (which some would say I'm not) you can do the walk. I found it enjoyable because I could see the "exotic cars", small shops, fancy buildings, and locals along the way.

[b_cruise]

I'm looking for things to do at this port. From what I've read I am assuming this is an easy to do on your own port? Am I correct?

[cleobella]

Very correct. If you enjoy a good walk you can walk along the harbor to the old city and see the palace, famous cathedral, gawk at some gorgeous yachts. Then hop on a bus to go over to the Monte Carlo part and see the casino, some really high end shops and nice restaurants (or if you are on a budget-you can get a gelato, sit outside the casino and just people watch!) If you read up a bit about Princess Grace and the history of this small country you really won't need a tour.

[b_cruise]

Thank you! What about nice, should I go there or just stay in Monaco? I am doing so many tours in other ports, I need to cut the budget some where. Also, when you get off the ship, you just keep walking?or do I take a taxi to start my own walking tour?

[Cornishpastyman1]

I'm looking for things to do at this port. From what I've read I am assuming this is an easy to do on your own port? Am I correct?

As cleobella says, it's a gawker's paradise :) This shows some of the things she mentions

[b_cruise]

That was a great video. Thanks

[Job Coach]

We've just returned from Monaco, and for a second time used the Land Train. It does much the same as a HO HO however as with previous messages I would just sit tight for the whole journey, get a flavour of the town and see where you fancy walking back to. It takes around 40mins round trip. 8 euros for an adult and 4 euro for a child. It takes in all the sights as the town is so compact.