Monte Carlo Getting Around

Getting around Monte Carlo
The entire principality of Monaco is a very small place, barely more than a mile long. Most visitors will find walking by far the most enjoyable way of getting around Monte Carlo. A number of free public lifts help with the steep terrain. If you wish to use public transport, there are buses within the principality. Trains and buses are useful for trips along the Riviera.

Getting to Monte Carlo from Nice Airport
Buses leave every hour from Nice airport to the Casino Gardens. Late arriving flights will probably need a taxi. A taxi from Nice to Monte Carlo will take around 30 minutes if the traffic is good. Book your taxi to Nice airport early or enquire about shared minibuses. An exciting way of getting from Nice airport to Monte Carlo is by helicopter. The fare is not much more than a taxi.

Walking
Most visitors will be happy to walk around Monte Carlo and the rest of Monaco. The tourist office has details of walking tours. Monaco is hilly so do make use of the free lifts or take a bus, particularly in the heat of summer midday.

Lifts
Tourist offices have a useful map of free public lifts that take a lot of the hard work out of getting around Monaco. Useful lifts include the Port to the Station, the Port to the Casino, Larvotto to the Casino, and the Port to the Oceanographic Museum

Bus
Monte Carlo buses provide an efficient safe service on 5 lines from about 07.00 in the morning. Buses only run until around 21.00. Buy tickets from newsagents or on the bus. Monaco-Ville is the stop for the Old Town, Palace, Cathedral and Oceanographic Museum. Jardin Exotique is for the famous cactus garden. Larvotto buses will take you to the beach. Take Fontvieille buses for the modern shopping centre and the football stadium. The tourist office is effectively the bus transport hub. Tickets are valid for 30 minutes and are transferable. Cards are available for 4 and 8 rides, or for unlimited day travel. Buses run along the coast to Nice and the Riviera.

Taxi
Taxis cannot be hailed in the street. Taxi ranks have a phone if there is no taxi waiting. The main taxi rank is at Avenue de Monte Carlo behind the casino. Other important taxi ranks are at Beaumarchais Square, near the Hermitage Hotel and the train station.

Heliopora
Monaco helicopters fly regularly from Nice airport to the heliport near the football stadium. A free shuttle takes you on to your destination. Helicopter tours of Monaco are popular.

Sightseeing tours
Walking tours of Monaco are available from the tourist office. The Azur Express Tourist Train tours the principality. The trip takes in Monaco Port, Monte-Carlo, the Palaces, the Casino and gardens, and ends at the Prince’s Palace. Heli-Air Monaco offer stunning helicopter tours around Monaco. Several companies offer longer excursions that include themes like flora and fauna, design and architecture, history and tradition, and longer trips to France and Italy.

Boat Trips
A glass-bottomed catamaran leaves from the port for an hour-long tour observing life on the sea bed. A variety of Monte Carlo boat trips and cruises leave from the port.

Train
Monaco trains connect with the French Riviera and Italy.

Monte Carlo City Breaks  Getting Around Monte Carlo

Things To Do In Monte Carlo  Monte Carlo Weather