Monaco is only about 20 km east of Nice, and getting there is easy and cheap. You can take the coastal train, ride the regional bus along the sea, drive one of the three famous Corniche roads, or splurge on a taxi or a helicopter. Each option suits a different budget and kind of day.

Quick answer: the regional TER train is the best way to get from Nice to Monaco for most people. It takes around 20–25 minutes from Nice-Ville station to Monaco-Monte-Carlo, runs several times an hour for most of the day and costs only a few euros. The bus is cheaper but slower; driving is scenic but parking costs add up.

Nice to Monaco at a Glance

Option	Approx. time	Cost level	Best for
TER train	20–25 min	Low	Speed, simplicity, day trips
Bus (line 600)	45–75 min, depending on traffic	Very low	Budget travelers, sea views
Car via the Corniches or A8	30–45 min, more in traffic	Medium (fuel, tolls, parking)	Scenic drives, combining Èze and villages
Taxi or ride-hailing	30–45 min	High	Groups, late nights, luggage
Helicopter (from Nice airport)	About 7 min flight	Very high	Special occasions, airport transfers

Times are approximate and fares change, so check the operators’ websites or apps for current timetables and prices before you travel.

By Train (TER)

Trains on the coastal line from Nice toward Menton and Ventimiglia (Italy) stop at Monaco-Monte-Carlo. They leave from Nice-Ville, the main station, and also stop at Nice-Riquier on the east side of the city. The ride hugs the coast, with sea views between tunnels, and calls at Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Èze and Cap d’Ail on the way.

• Frequency: typically every 15–30 minutes during the day, less often early in the morning and late at night.
• Tickets: buy them from the machines or ticket office at the station, on the SNCF Connect website or app, or in the regional ZOU! app. Buy before you board.
• Seats: no reservations; in summer and during events, trains can be standing-room only, so avoid the busiest late-afternoon return times if you can.
• Disruptions: strikes and engineering works occasionally affect this line, so check the day before.

Arriving at Monaco-Monte-Carlo Station

Monaco’s station is built inside the hillside, mostly underground. Follow the signs carefully: different exits, tunnels and lifts lead to different parts of the principality, for example toward the port and Monte-Carlo, or toward Fontvieille and the Rock (Monaco-Ville). Monaco is steep but well equipped with free public lifts and escalators, and local buses connect the main districts.

By Bus (Line 600)

The regional bus line 600 (formerly the 100) runs from Nice to Monaco and on to Menton along the Basse Corniche, the lowest coast road. It starts on the east side of central Nice near the port and stops in Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Èze-sur-Mer and Cap d’Ail before reaching several stops in Monaco.

• Pros: very cheap flat fare (pay by tapping a contactless bank card or phone on board, or buy a ticket), frequent buses, and wonderful sea views. Sit on the right-hand side heading east.
• Cons: it is slow in traffic and gets very crowded in summer; you may have to stand or wait for the next bus.
• Tip: take the train one way and the bus the other to see the coast from both.

By Car

Driving from Nice to Monaco takes 30–45 minutes outside rush hour. You can choose between three classic coast roads, plus the motorway:

• Basse Corniche (lower road): follows the shore through Villefranche, Beaulieu and Cap d’Ail; slowest but closest to the sea.
• Moyenne Corniche (middle road): the best balance of views and speed, and the road for Èze village.
• Grande Corniche (upper road): high above the coast via La Turbie, with spectacular viewpoints, including the Roman Trophée d’Auguste.
• A8 motorway: fastest into Monaco from the airport or west of Nice, with tolls.

Monaco has many clean, well-signposted public car parks, but central parking adds up over a full day and roads are congested at peak times. Avoid driving into Monaco during the Formula 1 Grand Prix and other big events, when roads close for days. If you are renting a car, see our tips on renting a car in France.

By Taxi, Ride-Hailing or Helicopter

• Taxi: the most comfortable option door-to-door, but expensive for a short distance. Agree on the approximate fare or check the meter is running.
• Ride-hailing apps: work well in Nice and are often cheaper than a taxi, but pickups inside Monaco can be restricted, so check in the app before relying on one for the return or use a Monaco taxi rank.
• Helicopter: shuttle flights connect Nice Côte d’Azur Airport with the Monaco heliport in about 7 minutes. Shared seats and private charters are available; prices are high and rise during the Grand Prix.

From Nice Airport to Monaco

• Express bus: the regional ZOU! line 80 (formerly 110) runs from both airport terminals to Monaco and Menton via the motorway, taking about an hour. It costs more than a city bus but is simple with luggage.
• Tram and train: take the tram from the airport to the Grand Arénas stop next to Nice Saint-Augustin station, then a TER train to Monaco. It is cheap and avoids road traffic, but allow at least an hour in total with the connection.
• Taxi or helicopter: the fastest options, at a premium.

Stopping at Villefranche or Èze on the Way

The Nice–Monaco route passes some of the prettiest places on the Riviera, so it is easy to turn the trip into a full day.

• Villefranche-sur-Mer: the train station is just above the beach and the old town, so you can stop for a swim or lunch on the harbor.
• Èze village: perched about 400 m above the sea. From Èze-sur-Mer station or bus stop, the steep Nietzsche Path climbs to the village in about an hour (wear good shoes and bring water). Alternatively, a separate bus up the Moyenne Corniche serves the village directly; check current line numbers with Lignes d’Azur.
• Beaulieu-sur-Mer: for the Villa Kérylos, a re-creation of an ancient Greek villa by the sea.

For more ideas along this coast, see our guide to the best day trips from Nice.

Tips for a Monaco Day Trip from Nice

• There are no border checks between France and Monaco, but carry your passport or ID card as you would anywhere in France.
• Start with Monaco-Ville (the Rock) in the morning to see the Prince’s Palace and, if you time it right, the changing of the guard just before noon. Our list of the best things to do in Monaco has the full route.
• Monaco is steep: wear comfortable shoes and use the public lifts.
• Bring a picnic or pick a casual café: eating out in Monaco can be expensive. See Is Monaco expensive? for budget tips.
• Check the event calendar before you go: the Grand Prix, the Monaco Yacht Show and major holidays mean crowds, closures and higher prices.
• If you are staying in Nice and also want to explore west of the city, the same coastal line runs to Antibes and Cannes.

Still deciding whether to go? Read Is Monaco worth visiting? and our Nice travel guide.

Which Option Is Best for You?

• First-time visitors on a day trip: take the train both ways; it is fast, frequent and drops you a short walk (or lift ride) from the sights.
• Budget travelers: the line 600 bus costs the least and doubles as a coastal sightseeing ride, as long as you are not in a hurry.
• Families with small children or strollers: the train is easier than a crowded bus; Monaco’s lifts and escalators help with the hills.
• Road-trippers and photographers: drive the Grande or Moyenne Corniche for the viewpoints, and stop in Èze or La Turbie.
• Late evenings at the casino or a restaurant: check the time of the last train back to Nice in advance, or budget for a taxi.

Getting Back to Nice

Return journeys work the same way in reverse. Trains back to Nice leave from the same Monaco-Monte-Carlo station; give yourself extra time to find the right entrance, as the station is spread out underground. In summer, late-afternoon trains and buses back to Nice can be packed, so consider leaving a little earlier or staying for dinner and catching a later train. If you miss the last connection, taxis wait at the ranks in central Monaco.

Summary

Getting from Nice to Monaco is quick and easy: the TER train is the fastest and best-value option at around 20–25 minutes, the line 600 bus is the cheapest and most scenic if you have time, and driving the Corniches is ideal if you want to combine Monaco with Èze and the villages along the way. From the airport, use the line 80 express bus or the tram-and-train combination. Whichever you choose, check current timetables before you set off and avoid big event days if you prefer a calm visit.