Train from Villefranche to Monaco/Eze

[elin]

Hello,

I'm looking for advice on how difficult it is to take the train from Villefranche to Monaco & Eze.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

What is the name of the departing station in Villefranche and the arrival station in Monaco or Eze? (I tried looking online but there were a few stations in Villefranche and I couldn't figure out how to guess the right one.)

Is it walking distance from the ship?

Do trains run fairly regularly?

What is the approximate cost of a round trip ticket?

Is this fairly easy to do or am I being delusional thinking that I should be considering this with kids between 9 -16?

I will also be posting the same question about going from

Marseille to Aix en Provence if anyone has answers for that.

Many thanks.

Elin

[RHayes8793]

We did this last month without a problem. Go to http://www.sncf.com for train timetables. The train station in Villefranche is Villafranche sur Mer. It was 5 euros per person round trip from Villefranche to Monaco. The trains were running about once an hour each way, but it was on a Sunday. The timetables are a little frustrating because you have to put in each destination and the date. An easy walk from the ship-just go to the right when you get off the ship past the buildings on the left. The round trip allows you to stop in Eze sur Mer also on the way back.

[elin]

Thank you for your posting!

When you said it was $5 Euros return, do you buy a one day pass? Or is it just 3 2nd class tickets (Villefranche - Monaco; Monaco - Eze; Eze to Villefranche)?

Was it easy to purchase tickets at the station or did you buy them in advance?

How much time did you allow yourself for each stop?

I've been to Monaco and Eze before, but I will be travelling with my stepkids who have never been to Europe. I was thinking if we took the (for example) 8:42 train out we would arrive in Monaco at 8:59 (is this travel time right? It seems very quick!); we could then take the 3:34pm out of Monaco (spending 6 hours there) and be in Eze by 3:43 (again seems fast); spend 2 hours in Eze and take the 5:47 back to Villefranche for 5:53.

I will be travelling with children who range from 9 -16....is this insane thinking or is it pretty easy?

Also how far is the Monaco train station (and Eze train station for that matter) from the sights?

Thanks.

Elin

[betonic]

We also took the train to Monaco when we were there last week. It was easy to buy the tickets at the station, the girl even spoke English. I think if you buy a return ticket to Monaco you can get on and off in Eze since it's on the way back. Anyway no one ever checked our tickets. The times are right, it's really close, only 3 stops to Monaco. We didn't stay 6 hours in Monaco, for me it would be way too much time but that might just be me personally. Things are walking distance but it's a lot of walking so you can always get a bus. The bus to Monaco passed right in front of the train station and there were signs telling you were to go also. If you post the different options for the train stations in Villafrance I will remember which one it is. I think it's Villa (something) sur.

 

Have fun....

[elin]

Thanks Betonic!

From the looks of the schedule the trains run every hour. Did you find that to be the case?

I'm assuming that you bought a round trip ticket at the station.

Villefranche Sur Mer I believe is the train station in Villefranche. How far is the train station in Monaco from the Castle (as that is probably where we are headed to first) and the Casino (where we would go to last)?

For the stop in Eze, is it a quick walk to the fortress?

Thanks for the help.

Elin

[RHayes8793]

It is not a quick walk to the fortress in Eze. We took a taxi from the Eze train station to Eze Village-25 euros. The fortress is above the village- did not go up there. I agree 6 hours in Monaco is long. Probably want to take the bus or there is also a tourist trolley. The train is the bargain.