Cannes to Monte Carlo

[viperlarsen]

My friend will be on the Celebrity cruise in September stopping in Cannes for about 12 hours. They would like to explore Monte Carlo for the day. They do not like the ship sponsored excursion. Is there a guide recommendation, tour, or even how to do it on thier own?

 

Thanks!

[HeinBloed]

My friend will be on the Celebrity cruise in September stopping in Cannes for about 12 hours. They would like to explore Monte Carlo for the day. They do not like the ship sponsored excursion. Is there a guide recommendation, tour, or even how to do it on thier own?

 

Thanks!

 

We rented a car and drove to ourselves to Monte Carlo...

 

Second option:

 

Take the train:

 

http://www.ter-sncf.com/Images/FH06-Marseille-Ventimiglia_hiver_v2_tcm21-59344.pdf

 

And you can take the coastal bus back:

 

http://www.rca.tm.fr/horaires/index.asp?rub_code=11&thm_id=296

 

http://www.rca.tm.fr/ftp/lignes/100%20FINALE.pdf

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[viperlarsen]

Thanks for the information, do you know of any tours since her mom is a little older she was thinking that would be less stressful of a day.

[Hlitner]

Although we usually rent cars in the South of France (and Italy) it makes no sense to rent a car if you only want to go to Monte Carlo from Cannes. This is one of those very simply point A to point B trips and a car is more trouble than its worth since you have to get to the rental car dealer (a bit further than the train station), wait to rent your car, and than deal with the parking hassles in MC and try not to get lost getting back into downtown Cannes to drop your car. In this case, the train is a very easy option and there are normally about 2 trains per hour. Simply walk to the train station from the tender pier (a nice 20 min walk through Cannes) and take the next train to MC (about an hour train ride). Once in MC you can use local buses, your feet and/or taxis to explore the town (I should add that MC is our least favorite place in the entire region).

 

Hank

[bluwes]

We took the train from Cannes to Monte Carlo around 9.30 am. Takes about 45 minutes. Had plenty of time there and got the 3.30pm train back.

 

Really easy

[HeinBloed]

Thanks for the information, do you know of any tours since her mom is a little older she was thinking that would be less stressful of a day.

 

Due to the same reason we rented the car to have the full flexibility.

 

So the older couple stayed at the pier while I was collecting the car.

 

Do not forget: Cannes is tender port.

 

See my blog here:

 

http://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2008/09/tag-2-auf-der-norwegian-jade.html

 

Text is in German - but you can use google or other translation tools to get a rough impression.

 

So we can park in the garage of the Monte Carlo Casino and it was very great as the garage was equipped with escelators.

 

On the return Europcar offered us to return the car at the Capitanerie which was very close to the tender pier. But at this day it was Yacht Show so they drove us back to the tender pier after we pick-up the agent at the office.

 

I checked the rates for the tours but due to yacht show everything was totally overpriced. I did not want to spend 400 EUR for 4 hours.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[Budget Queen]

(I should add that MC is our least favorite place in the entire region).

 

Hank

 

So where do you recommend to "visit" with an easy transit and maybe just another easy walking tour???

[jstducky]

So where do you recommend to "visit" with an easy transit and maybe just another easy walking tour???

 

Nice, Eze and St Paul de Vence are all popular places to go to

[AudBee]

We took the very pleasant walk to the train station in Canne, then took a train to Monaco. About 45minute journey time, lovely train ride along the coast. Once in Monaco we walked around the harbour, then along the grand prix route up to Casino Square, did a bit of people and amazing car watching, this place really has to be seen to be believed! We then took the train back, arriving in Canne in plenty of time to get the tender back to the ship. It was a lovely day, next month we may do it again but this time go to the palace. Have fun x

[Coolcruise02]

And you can take the coastal bus back:

 

http://www.rca.tm.fr/horaires/index.asp?rub_code=11&thm_id=296

 

http://www.rca.tm.fr/ftp/lignes/100%20FINALE.pdf

Regards,

HeinBloed

 

Thanks for the bus web site. On route 112 map it shows Eze Village 1 and Eze Village 2. Is there two bus stops in the town of Eze? Which should we use coming from Monaco.

 

Thanks

[shkeh]

We used Riveria Premium Tours and had Jerome (owner) as our driver. We had an excellent private tour, well worth the money. We were in port on the start of the Tour de France. NCL had previously cancelled the shore excursion to Monaco due to the tour. Jerome was able to get us into the country and out before the start of the race. He knew all the back roads and despite having traffic cops redirecting traffic, we still saw the sites. We also visited Eze, Nice, and took pictures at the Cannes Film Festival. I would look into this company. It was our favorite tour during the entire 2-week cruise.

[Hlitner]

So where do you recommend to "visit" with an easy transit and maybe just another easy walking tour???

 

We have learned that it truly is different strokes for different folks when it comes to travel. As an example, you would have to hogtie me and force me on a bus to get me on a cruise line tour. But, many will only travel on those "cattle drive" tours. Many folks like Monte Carlo, but my wife and I think its too modern and boring... From Cannes, our favorite place would be St Paul de Vence because we enjoy the atmosphere and the art galleries (these are real galleries and not tourist traps). But, getting to that village from Cannes (or anywhere) is not easy unless you rent a car. Since you are looking for easy transit and walking, I would probably recommend you stroll from the Cannes tender pier through town to the train station (this would take you through the heart of Cannes). Than, take a train to Nice and explore the old town and the area along the Promenade d'Anglais. Try to time your walking so that you can have lunch in one of the many cafes/restaurants located in the old town area. If you like art and museums we think that the Matisse Museum (in Nice) is worth a visit. Than, you can head back to Cannes a few hours before you must be on the tender and spend some time just walking in Cannes along the Croissete and work your way back to the old port where you pick up the tender. Keep in mind that Nice is a pretty large city so you will want a guide book (with maps). You can also pick-up free info from the tourist kiosks (or office) in Cannes or Nice.

 

Hank

 

Hank

[NYC cruiser lady]

Dear Hank,

You suggested Aix as an alternative to Cannes on another thread. Is it easy to get there by train or bus? I have no desire to see Monte Carlo and I have been to Villefranche. Which would you suggest, Aix or Nice?

[Hlitner]

Dear Hank,

You suggested Aix as an alternative to Cannes on another thread. Is it easy to get there by train or bus? I have no desire to see Monte Carlo and I have been to Villefranche. Which would you suggest, Aix or Nice?

 

I must have had too much wine if I suggested Aix as an alternative to Cannes. Aix is a bit too far from Cannes for a typical port day and is a good alternative if in Marseille. From Cannes, your good alternatives would include Nice, Monte Carlo, Eze, Antibes and St Paul de Vence which would be our personal favorite. Nice is certainly easier to get to on your own than St Paul de Vence. For Nice, you can walk f(or take a taxi) rom the tender pier to the Cannes train station (about a 20 min walk) and simply catch the next train to Nice (they run at least once per hour and its about 45 min one way). St Paul de Vence is best visited if you have a rental car although it is possible to take the same train (the one to Nice) and get off at the Cagnes sur Mer station (just before the Nice Cote d'Azur stop) where you can catch the bus to St Paul de Vence.

 

Hank

[Peteymil]

My friend will be on the Celebrity cruise in September stopping in Cannes for about 12 hours. They would like to explore Monte Carlo for the day. They do not like the ship sponsored excursion. Is there a guide recommendation, tour, or even how to do it on thier own?

 

Thanks!

 

We used Syvie as a guide, and had a wonderful day in Monte Carlo, Nice, and St. Paul de Vance. She was extremely knowledgeable and charming.Of course she can plan whatever you'd like starting in Cannes. Her website is

 

azur-guides.net