Is Monte Carlo Expensive?
Yes, Monte Carlo is one of the most expensive places to visit in Europe. Hotels, restaurants, drinks and parking all cost well above the French Riviera average, and prices jump again during the Monaco Grand Prix and in July and August.
The good news is that a day in Monte Carlo does not have to be costly. Many of Monaco’s best sights are free, the public beach costs nothing, and you can sleep in Nice or Menton and arrive by train in a few minutes. This guide breaks down what things cost and how to keep your budget under control.
Monte Carlo and Monaco: a quick clarification
Monte Carlo is not a separate city but one of the quarters of the Principality of Monaco, the world’s second-smallest country after Vatican City. Monaco has roughly 38,000 residents squeezed into about 2 square kilometers. Monte Carlo is the area around the famous casino, the Place du Casino and the most glamorous hotels and boutiques, so it is also the priciest part of an already pricey country. For a wider look at costs across the whole principality, see Is Monaco Expensive?
How much does a trip to Monte Carlo cost?
Your budget depends mostly on where you sleep. Staying in Monte Carlo itself is a luxury expense, while staying on the French side of the border and visiting for the day keeps costs close to a normal Riviera trip. Use the table below as a rough guide and check current rates before you book.
| Expense | Budget traveler | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Stay in Nice or Menton, or a simple hotel on the edge of Monaco ($$) | 4-star hotel in Monaco ($$$) | Palace hotel in Monte Carlo ($$$$+) |
| Meals | Bakeries, markets, picnics ($) | Brasseries and cafés ($$–$$$) | Michelin-starred dining ($$$$) |
| Transport | Regional train and local bus ($) | Buses plus the odd taxi ($$) | Private drivers and helicopter transfers ($$$$) |
| Sightseeing | Free walks, palace square, cathedral, beach ($) | Paid museums and the aquarium ($$) | Private tours, beach clubs, yacht charters ($$$$) |
As a rule of thumb, a traveler who sleeps outside Monaco, eats simply and focuses on free sights can see Monte Carlo for little more than the cost of a train ticket and lunch. A night in Monte Carlo itself, with dinner and drinks, can easily cost several hundred euros per person.
Hotels in Monte Carlo
Accommodation is the biggest expense. Monaco has a limited number of hotels, and rates peak during the Grand Prix in late May or early June, during major events such as the Monaco Yacht Show in September, and in high summer. Book early for these periods, and compare hotels with apartment rentals, which are rarely cheaper here.
If you want to splurge, these are some of the best-known addresses:
- Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo: the legendary palace hotel on the Place du Casino, home to the three-Michelin-star Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse. Among the most expensive stays in Monaco.
- Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo: elegant and romantic, with marble, chandeliers, a spa and Michelin-starred restaurants, a short walk from the casino.
- Hôtel Port Palace: a smaller hotel overlooking Port Hercule and the yacht harbor, close to the Grand Prix circuit.
- Monte-Carlo Beach: a 1930s hotel with around 40 rooms, a large seawater pool and a beach club, technically just over the border in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
- Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort: a large resort with more than 300 rooms, a lagoon-style pool and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
- Le Méridien Beach Plaza: a big modern hotel with direct beach access near Larvotto, often slightly less expensive than the palace hotels.
Expect palace hotels to cost many hundreds of euros per night even in low season, and considerably more in summer or during events. Check current rates on several booking sites before deciding.
Eating and drinking
Dining in Monte Carlo ranges from very expensive to merely expensive. Cafés on the Place du Casino and hotel bars charge premium prices for coffee and cocktails, and a tasting menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant can cost several hundred euros per person before wine.
To save money, head to the Condamine market near the port, where you can find socca, pastries and local snacks at reasonable prices, or pick up picnic supplies at a supermarket. Restaurants in Monaco-Ville (the Old Town) and in the Fontvieille district are often better value than those around the casino.
Getting to Monte Carlo cheaply
Monaco has no airport. Most visitors fly into Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, about 30 km away. Flight prices depend on where you fly from, but they tend to be lowest in the winter months and highest in July and August. From Nice, the cheapest way in is the regional TER train along the coast to Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, or the regional bus. Helicopter transfers from Nice airport exist but are a luxury option. For details, read our guide on how to get from Nice to Monaco.
When is Monte Carlo cheapest?
Late autumn and winter, roughly November to March outside the holidays, are usually the cheapest times for flights and hotels. The most expensive periods are the Grand Prix weekend, July and August, and big events such as the Yacht Show. Spring and early fall offer a good balance between prices and weather.
How to visit Monte Carlo on a budget
Sleep outside Monaco
Nice, Menton, Beausoleil and Cap-d’Ail are all close by. Beausoleil, on the French side of the border, is right above Monte Carlo, while Nice offers the widest choice of budget hotels and hostels.
Walk and use public transport
Monaco is small enough to cross on foot, and a network of free public elevators and escalators helps with the steep streets. The local bus network is inexpensive and connects all districts. The small boat bus across Port Hercule is a cheap and fun shortcut.
Explore the Old Town for free
Monaco-Ville, on the Rock, has narrow lanes, sea views and the Prince’s Palace. The Changing of the Guard takes place in front of the palace just before noon every day and is free to watch.
Visit Monaco Cathedral
The 19th-century Saint Nicholas Cathedral is free to enter. It holds the tombs of Princess Grace, who died in 1982 after a car accident, and Prince Rainier III, along with other members of the Grimaldi family and a fine Renaissance altarpiece by Louis Bréa.
Walk the Grand Prix circuit
The Formula 1 circuit runs through public streets, so outside race week you can walk the famous corners, from the climb up to Casino Square to the tunnel and the harbor chicane.
Relax on Larvotto Beach
Larvotto is Monaco’s main public beach and is free. It was redeveloped in recent years and is an easy walk from Monte Carlo. Bring your own towel and mat to avoid renting a sunbed at a private beach club. See more options in our guide to the best beaches in Monaco.
See the casino without gambling
You can admire the Casino de Monte-Carlo and the gardens in front of it for free. Visiting the interior requires a ticket, and gaming rooms have age limits (ID required) and a dress code in the evening. If you want to play, the Casino Café de Paris across the square is more relaxed. Set a firm limit and treat it as entertainment.
For more free and paid ideas, see our list of the best things to do in Monaco, and our guide to what Monte Carlo is famous for.
Summary
Monte Carlo is expensive, especially if you stay there, dine in its famous restaurants or visit during the Grand Prix or high summer. Still, a day trip from Nice or Menton can be surprisingly affordable: walk the Old Town, watch the Changing of the Guard, visit the cathedral, stroll the Grand Prix circuit and swim at Larvotto. Plan ahead, book early for busy periods and save the big spending for one special treat.
