Nice to Monaco by train

The TER is the fastest and simplest way to get from Nice to Monaco. Direct trains cover the route in around 22 to 25 minutes, run throughout the day from Nice-Ville station, and cost a few euros each way. No reservation is needed, and you can buy your ticket on the day at the station or through the SNCF Connect app.

Transportation options

For most visitors, the train wins. It is faster than the bus, runs frequently, and drops you right in the centre of Monaco. One-way fares typically run around 4 to 7. TER fares in this region are fixed by the regional authority, not adjusted by demand, so prices are relatively stable. Check SNCF Connect for your specific date.

The bus is cheaper and more scenic. Bus 100 follows the Basse Corniche coastal road through Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, and Cap d’Ail, and takes around 75 minutes. The fare is 1.50. Bus 600 (ZOU! Express) takes a faster inland route at around 55 minutes, with a fare of 2.50 and services roughly every 15 minutes. Both run on the Lignes d’Azur and Rgion Sud networks. Check current timetables at lignes-azur.com or zou.maregionsud.fr before you travel.

A helicopter from Nice airport takes around 7 minutes and costs from around 195 per person. It exists. For most day trippers, the train is the answer.

Taxis cover the route in 25 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Expect 80 to 120. Uber is cheaper but cannot pick up within Monaco. If you plan to return by Uber, you will need to walk across the French border first.

Route details

Journey time and distance

The Nice to Monaco route covers about 20 km. Most TER journeys take 22 to 25 minutes. The train stops at four stations along the way: Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, ze-sur-Mer, and Cap d’Ail. Each stop adds only a couple of minutes.

Cap d’Ail is the last station in France before Monaco. If you hear it announced, stay on board for one more stop. Your destination is Monaco Monte-Carlo, the next station.

The train skirts the coast on the approach to Monaco and you catch brief sea views. The main reason to take it is the journey time, not the scenery. For scenery, take Bus 100.

Tickets and train types

SNCF’s ZOU! TER network

TER trains in the Provence-Alpes-Cte d’Azur region run under the ZOU! brand. You will see that name on tickets, at station screens, and on the trains themselves. The service is operated by SNCF on behalf of the Rgion Sud. Trains have air conditioning, luggage space, and dedicated bicycle areas.

Board at Nice-Ville rather than Nice Riquier. Nice-Ville is the main departure point with the most services. By the time the train reaches Nice Riquier, it can already be filling up.

Ticket options

One-way fares typically run around 4 to 7. There is no booking advantage with TER trains since fares are fixed. Buying at the station machine or through the SNCF Connect app is straightforward and usually works out around 1 cheaper than using a third-party booking app.

No seat reservation is required or possible on TER services. Buy your ticket and board.

Interrail and Eurail passes

Interrail and Eurail passes are valid on this route. No reservation fee applies and no separate booking is needed. Board with your pass and show it when the conductor asks. The journey counts as a travel-day entry.

First and second class

Both classes are available, though for a 22-minute journey it matters less than it would on a long-distance train. Second class is comfortable and has the same views. First class is quieter with a bit more space.

Buying train tickets

At the station

Ticket machines at Nice-Ville accept cash and card. Contactless payment, including NFC tap-to-pay with a bank card or phone, also works at the platform validators. If you tap to pay at the gate rather than buying a printed ticket, you are done. The staffed ticket window hours at Nice-Ville vary by counter and day, so check the current opening times on the station page at ter.sncf.com before you rely on it. Ticket machines are available throughout the day.

Digital tickets

Buy through the SNCF Connect app and activate the ticket before boarding. Standard TER ZOU! tickets, whether digital or printed, no longer need to be validated at the yellow platform machines.

Saving money

The ZOU! Malin Card costs 20 per year and gives 30% off all ZOU! train and bus services across the PACA region, including the Nice to Monaco TER. The discount also applies to one travel companion. If you are making multiple regional trips, it is worth checking.

The Pass Isabelle Famille (35 for one day) covers two adults and up to two children under 16 for unlimited travel across the PACA region.

Reduced youth fares are available through ZOU! regional tariffs. Children under 4 travel free. Groups of three or more may qualify for weekend discounts. Check SNCF Connect when booking for current rates.

Trip preparation

Off-peak travel

The TER serves commuters as well as tourists. Trains get busier on weekday mornings between 07:00 and 09:00 and again in the late afternoon between 16:00 and 19:00. For a day trip, aim to travel around 10:00 and return in the early afternoon, before the afternoon peak.

Weekends are generally quieter. During the Monaco Grand Prix in late May, expect trains to and from Monaco to be significantly busier. If you are travelling around that period, check schedules early.

Luggage

TER trains have no strict weight limits for luggage. Larger bags go in the storage areas at the ends of each carriage. Bicycles travel free, but space is limited and bikes are not permitted during peak hours (06:00 to 09:00 and 16:00 to 19:00).

Ticket validation

Standard TER ZOU! tickets no longer require validation at the yellow platform machines, whether you buy a printed ticket or activate a digital one in the SNCF Connect app. Keep your ticket ready, as conductors check tickets on this route. Travelling without a valid ticket can result in a penalty fare, so make sure you have bought or activated yours before boarding.

Passport and ID

No. There is no passport check between Nice and Monaco. Both are within the Schengen Area, so there is no border control at the Monaco entry points on the train. EU and Schengen-zone travellers need no additional documents. Non-EU visitors who entered France on a Schengen visa are already inside the zone. Carry valid ID regardless of nationality. French law requires it, and Monaco authorities may ask for identification.

Monaco arrival guide

Monaco Monte-Carlo station

The station is built entirely underground into the cliff face. It sits centrally in the principality and is a short walk from the main areas. Inside there are ticket machines, toilets, and a small shop. Escalators and lifts connect the platforms to street level. Exits lead to the port, the Casino district, and the shopping streets around the Carr d’Or.

The Monte Carlo Casino is around a 10-minute walk from the station exits. The Prince’s Palace is around 15 minutes on foot.

Getting around Monaco

Monaco is small enough to walk most of it. The Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco (CAM) runs six bus routes across the principality, with services daily from 07:00 to around 21:00. Night routes N1 and N2 continue into the early hours.

A single CAM bus journey costs 2 cash on board, or 1.50 by contactless card or via the Monapass app. A day pass costs 5.50 and covers unlimited journeys on all CAM routes.

Uber cannot pick up within Monaco. To catch an Uber home, walk to the French border first.

Day trip planning

Arriving around 10:00 gives you time to reach the Old Town and the Prince’s Palace before the Changing of the Guard at 11:55. The Oceanographic Museum is a 15-minute walk from the station. Casino Square is a short walk from the station exits. The Monte Carlo Casino opens for visits from 10:00, but entry conditions and hours change, so check before you go.

During the Monaco Grand Prix, typically in late May, access routes around the circuit change and some areas are closed. Plan transport well in advance if you are visiting around that time.