The best way to get from Nice to Monaco is the TER train: about 20 minutes from Nice-Ville to Monaco-Monte-Carlo for €6.10 one way, with around 65 return services a day, according to TER Sud. Bus 600 costs €2.10 to €2.50 but is slower, and the drive is about 20 km. Please note that Luxotica does not operate in Monaco.
Please note: Luxotica does not operate in Monaco. We do not offer pickups, drop-offs or transfers to or from the Principality. This guide is here to help you plan your trip by train, bus or taxi.
This guide compares every way to travel from Nice to Monaco, explains which station exit to use, how to go straight from Nice Airport, and how to turn the trip into an easy day out along the coast.
How far is Nice from Monaco?
Monaco is about 20 km east of Nice by road, and roughly 20 minutes by train. The two are so close that many people live in Nice and work in Monaco, which is why trains and roads are busiest at commuter times.
There is no border control between France and Monaco. You walk out of the station or drive in as you would to any French town, but carry your passport or ID card as usual.
What is the best way to get from Nice to Monaco?
For most visitors, the train is the best way from Nice to Monaco: it is fast, cheap and avoids the traffic on the coast roads. The bus suits tight budgets, while a chauffeur suits families, luggage and evenings out.
Here is how the options compare:
| Option | Journey time | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TER train, Nice-Ville → Monaco-Monte-Carlo | About 20 minutes | €6.10 one way (full fare) | Most visitors |
| Bus 600, Nice → Monaco | Depends on traffic | €2.10 contactless, €2.50 cash | Budget travel, seaside stops |
| Car (A8 or the Corniches) | 30–45 minutes | Fuel, tolls and parking | Continuing to Italy |
| Taxi from Nice Airport | Depends on traffic | €95 fixed fare | Arrivals without a booking |
| Helicopter from Nice Airport | About 7 minutes | From €195 per person | Speed, tight schedules |
Sources: TER Sud for train fares, Monaco Tribune for bus 600, and the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport for the taxi fare.
Taking the train from Nice to Monaco
The train from Nice to Monaco takes about 20 minutes and costs €6.10 one way at full fare. Trains run roughly every 15 to 30 minutes from around 5:50 am to after 10 pm, and you do not need to book.
Train fares and discounts
- Full fare: €6.10 one way, valid all day on any TER on the route.
- ZOU! Malin card: €4.30, a 30% discount that also covers one travelling companion.
- Mini-Group ticket: €3.10 per person for groups of five or more.
- Pass Isabelle Famille: €35 for a day of TER travel for two adults and two children under 16.
Fares come from TER Sud and the Best of Nice train guide. A family of four pays €48.80 for a full-fare return, so the €35 family pass pays for itself on a single day trip.
Which station in Nice?
Most trains leave from Nice-Ville, the main station on avenue Thiers. Nice-Riquier, near the port, is handy if you stay in eastern Nice, but fewer trains stop there. Sit on the right-hand side heading to Monaco for sea views past Villefranche, Beaulieu and Èze.
When to avoid the train
Carriages are often packed from 8 to 9:30 am and from 5 to 7 pm in both directions, with commuters heading to and from Monaco. Travel after 9:30 am and you will usually get a seat.
Which exit should I use at Monaco station?
Monaco-Monte-Carlo station is underground, cut into the rock, with four main exits. Pick the one closest to where you are going and you will save a steep walk.
- Monte-Carlo (Pont Sainte-Dévote): for the Casino, Monte-Carlo and the Exotic Garden. Lift available.
- Parvis Sainte-Dévote: for Port Hercule and lower La Condamine.
- La Condamine: for the market and the climb to Monaco-Ville. Lift available.
- Fontvieille / Le Rocher: for Fontvieille, Stade Louis II and the Prince’s Palace. Lift available.
Exit details come from the Port Palace train guide. Allow 5 to 10 minutes from the platform to the street, as the corridors are long.
Taking the bus from Nice to Monaco
Bus 600 (formerly route 100) runs from Nice to Monaco and Menton along the Basse Corniche, every 10 to 15 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes at weekends. It costs €2.10 when you tap a contactless card or €2.50 in cash, according to Monaco Tribune.
The bus leaves from Square Normandie-Niémen near the port and stops in Villefranche, Beaulieu, Èze-sur-Mer and Cap-d’Ail. It is cheaper than the train and the views are excellent, but it can be slow in summer traffic and gets crowded.
Driving from Nice to Monaco
You can drive from Nice to Monaco in 30 to 45 minutes. Choose the Basse Corniche along the sea, the Moyenne Corniche via Èze, or the faster A8 motorway, which has tolls.
The drive itself is easy; arriving is the hard part. Expect heavy traffic at commuter times and paid public car parks in Monaco. During the Monaco Grand Prix several roads and tunnels close, which makes driving the worst option that week.
How do I get from Nice Airport to Monaco?
From Nice Airport you can take ZOU! express bus 80 (€21.40, every 30 minutes), the official taxi at a fixed €95, a helicopter in about 7 minutes from €195 per person, or walk to Nice Saint-Augustin station and catch the train.
Saint-Augustin is under 500 metres from Terminal 1, about a 7-minute walk from exit door A0, according to the airport. Our guide on getting from Nice Airport to Monaco covers each option in detail, and our Nice Airport guide explains the terminals.
Is Nice to Monaco a good day trip?
Yes. Nice to Monaco is one of the easiest day trips on the Riviera: you can see the Prince’s Palace, the old town on the Rock, the Oceanographic Museum, Port Hercule and the Casino square in a day, and be back in Nice for dinner.
Start on the Rock in the morning, walk down to the port for lunch, then take the lift and escalators up to Monte-Carlo in the afternoon. If you have time, stop on the way at Èze Village or Villefranche-sur-Mer. Not sure it is worth it? Read is Monaco worth a day trip from Nice.
Can Luxotica drive me from Nice to Monaco?
No. Luxotica does not operate in Monaco: we do not offer pickups, drop-offs or transfers to or from the Principality. For Nice to Monaco, the train is the best option.
If you are staying in Nice, we can drive you and your luggage to Nice-Ville station, and we handle transfers between Nice Airport, Nice, Cannes and Antibes at a fixed price. For a day of stops elsewhere on the coast, such as Èze or Villefranche, our hourly chauffeur hire keeps the car with you.
Nice to Monaco: frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Nice to Monaco?
About 20 minutes from Nice-Ville to Monaco-Monte-Carlo, according to TER Sud. Some services take up to 25 minutes.
How much is the train from Nice to Monaco?
€6.10 one way at full fare, €4.30 with a ZOU! Malin card, and €3.10 per person for groups of five or more.
Do I need to book the train from Nice to Monaco?
No. TER trains need no reservation, and your ticket is valid all day on any train on the route.
Is the bus or the train better from Nice to Monaco?
The train is faster and more reliable; bus 600 is cheaper at €2.10 to €2.50 but depends on coast-road traffic.
Do I need a passport to go from Nice to Monaco?
There are no border checks between France and Monaco, but carry your passport or ID card as you would anywhere in France.
How much is a taxi from Nice Airport to Monaco?
The official fixed fare is €95 from Nice Airport to Monaco, according to the airport’s taxi page.
Need a chauffeur in Nice?
For trips around Nice, to the station, the airport, Cannes or Antibes, send us your pickup address, the time and the number of passengers, and we will reply with a fixed price.
Written by The Luxotica Team, licensed VTC chauffeurs based in Nice. Updated October 2026.