Monaco Day Trip from Nice: Itinerary, Transport and Tips (2026)
Monaco is only 20 minutes from Nice by train, which makes it the easiest and most glamorous day trip on the French Riviera. In one day you can watch the changing of the guard at the Prince's Palace, wander the old town on the Rock, visit the Oceanographic Museum, eat lunch by the superyachts and finish at the Casino de Monte-Carlo. This guide plans the perfect Monaco day trip from Nice: how to get there, a stop-by-stop itinerary, what to add, and tips to save money. For the rest of the coast, see our French Riviera travel guide.
Monaco day trip from Nice at a glance
Travel time: about 20 to 25 minutes by train, 45 to 60 minutes by bus
Time needed: a full day (or half a day for the highlights)
Start early: be on the Rock before 11:55 for the changing of the guard
Bring: ID or passport, comfortable shoes (Monaco is steep) and smart clothes if you want to enter the casino
Currency: euro, and there are no border checks
How to get from Nice to Monaco
By train (the best option)
Regional TER trains run along the coast from Nice-Ville station to Monaco-Monte-Carlo every 15 to 30 minutes, and the ride takes about 20 to 25 minutes, with sea views on the right. Tickets are cheap: buy them on the SNCF Connect app or at the machines. Monaco station is built inside the hill, so follow the signs for the exit you need: "Fontvieille / Palais" for the Rock or "Monte-Carlo" for the casino.
By bus
The coastal ZOU bus 607 runs from Nice along the coast road to Monaco. It is cheaper than the train and very scenic, but it takes 45 to 60 minutes and gets crowded in summer. Sit on the right-hand side for the sea views. To continue east to Menton, the train from Monaco takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
By car or boat
Driving is easy along the Basse Corniche, but parking in Monaco is expensive, so the train is the better choice. In summer, seasonal boats link Nice and Monaco, a beautiful way to arrive if the sea is calm.
Monaco day trip itinerary: the Rock (morning)
1. Watch the changing of the guard at the Prince's Palace
The Prince's Palace sits on top of the Rock, the old town of Monaco-Ville. The changing of the guard takes place every day at 11:55 on the square in front of the palace; arrive 20 minutes early for a good spot. From roughly April to October you can also visit the State Apartments inside. Walk to the edge of the square for the view over the harbour.
2. Wander the old town and the cathedral
Behind the palace, the Rock is a maze of pastel lanes with small shops and cafés, and it is free to explore. Stop at Monaco Cathedral, where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier are buried, then walk through the Jardins Saint-Martin, a shady garden along the cliffs.
3. Visit the Oceanographic Museum
Built into the cliff above the sea, this grand museum was founded by Prince Albert I, and its aquarium has sharks, coral reefs and Mediterranean species. Go up to the rooftop terrace for one of the best views in Monaco. Allow about 90 minutes and book online on the museum website in summer.
Lunch at the port and Monte-Carlo (afternoon)
4. Have lunch at Port Hercule and La Condamine
Walk down the ramps from the Rock to Port Hercule, where superyachts line the quays and the Formula 1 cars race past every spring. For a cheaper lunch than the sea-view restaurants, head to the Marché de la Condamine, a covered market with food stalls where locals eat, just behind the port.
5. See the Casino de Monte-Carlo
Climb up to the Place du Casino to see the Belle Époque casino, the Hôtel de Paris and the supercars parked outside. During the day you can visit the casino's richly decorated rooms with a ticket; in the evening the gaming rooms are for over-18s only, with ID required and a smart dress code. For a drink, the Café de Paris terrace is the classic people-watching spot.
6. Relax in the Japanese Garden or on Larvotto beach
A short walk east of the casino, the Japanese Garden is a free, peaceful garden with ponds and waterfalls. Next to it, Larvotto is Monaco's public beach, a good place to swim before the train back to Nice.
Planning a Monaco day trip from Nice? Nice is the best base: hotels are much cheaper than in Monaco, and trains run all day. Compare hotels and flights for your dates.
Add Èze or Villefranche to your day trip
7. Stop at the hilltop village of Èze
Èze is a medieval village perched 400 metres above the sea, halfway between Nice and Monaco. Climb to the exotic garden at the top for a huge view of the coast, then walk down the Nietzsche Path to Èze-sur-Mer station (about an hour, steep) and take the train on to Monaco. Bus 82 or 602 runs from Nice Vauban bus station up to the village in about 30 minutes.
8. Or end the day in Villefranche-sur-Mer
On the way back to Nice, get off the train at Villefranche-sur-Mer, a colourful fishing village on one of the deepest bays on the Riviera. Have dinner on the waterfront and catch a later train; it is only about 7 minutes to Nice.
9. Take a guided tour if you don't want to plan
Half-day and full-day tours from Nice combine Èze, Monaco and Monte-Carlo by minibus, often with a stop at a perfume factory in Èze. They are a good choice if you have little time or want to see the Grande Corniche viewpoints without driving.
Tips for your Monaco day trip from Nice
Go on a weekday: Monaco is quieter and the palace square is less crowded.
Avoid event days unless you are coming for them (check the Visit Monaco calendar): the Grand Prix in late May or early June and the Yacht Show in September bring huge crowds and road closures.
Use the public lifts: Monaco is built on steep slopes, and free public lifts and escalators link the port, the Rock and Monte-Carlo.
Save money: eat at the Condamine market, carry water and take the train rather than a taxi.
Stay in Nice: see our guide to where to stay in Nice for the best areas near the station.
Monaco day trip from Nice: FAQ
Is Monaco worth a day trip from Nice?
Yes. It is only 20 minutes away by train, and in one day you can see the palace, the old town, the Oceanographic Museum, the port and the casino. You do not need to stay overnight.
Do you need a passport to go to Monaco from Nice?
There are no border checks between France and Monaco, but carry ID or your passport, as you need it to enter the casino and you may be asked for it.
Is it better to take the train or the bus from Nice to Monaco?
The train is faster (about 20 to 25 minutes) and more reliable. The bus is cheaper and more scenic but takes 45 to 60 minutes and can be crowded in summer.
How much time do you need in Monaco?
Half a day covers the Rock and the changing of the guard. A full day lets you add the Oceanographic Museum, lunch at the port, Monte-Carlo and a swim at Larvotto.
Plan your trip to Nice and Monaco
Nice is the best base for Monaco and the whole Riviera. Compare flights and hotels for your dates, especially for summer and the Grand Prix.
More for your trip: our French Riviera travel guide, things to do in Nice, our Antibes and Cannes day trip and our South of France itinerary.
Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons): Oceanographic Museum by Uhooep (CC BY-SA 4.0); Prince's Palace by Jorge Franganillo (CC BY 4.0); Casino de Monte-Carlo by Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0); Monaco harbour by Spike (CC BY-SA 4.0); Èze by avu-edm (CC BY 3.0).
