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Day Trip to Monaco and Monte Carlo
There’s the French Riviera. And then there’s Monaco.
How can you pass up the opportunity for a day trip to glamorous Monaco?? You can’t! Despite the fact that Monaco is tres cher (very expensive) and clearly for the well-heeled crowd, you can visit Monaco on a budget. And I wasn’t going to miss out on a day trip visit.
Monaco is also where discovered “azure seas.” Truly, I’ve never seen “azure” waters before I visited this principality. Take a good long look and soak the experience into your soul. You’ll find yourself thinking about it time and again upon your return- wishing you were there instead of at your work desk.
Six Essential Tips for a Day Trip to Monaco:
1. Master the Mountain/Elevators Are Your Friends:
First, Monaco is built onto and into a mountain. You arrive what feels like “in” the mountain, requiring an elevator ride from the train platform up to the station level. In some ways you feel like you’re in a subway station, but you’re not.
And because of these mountains, Monaco has a lot of steep ascents and descents. Fear not, there is almost always a staircase to help get you from one street down (or up) to another. There are also lots of elevators (that are sometimes a bit hidden to the newcomin around Monaco, so if you think you have a very steep climb, make sure there isn’t an easier way to help you get where you need to go. I found a great YouTube video about the elevator system in Monaco by Josh Stanley.
Pro Tip: Always look for the elevator option. You can avoid many exhausting, long staircases just by spotting the nearest elevator. Elevators are your friend.
2. Be Health Smart:
Monaco is the only place I’ve ever been that has directional signage to defibrillators. That should tell you something right there. Please remember and consider your physical limitations before starting that long climb. Again, there’s almost always a staircase or elevator to assist you.
3. Getting Around Monaco: Use Public Transportation
There is a fine bus system in place for Monaco, and rides are 2.00 Euros. However, there is a 24-hour pass available for purchase at the cost of 5.50 Euros (at time of this writing). On a day trip to Monaco, this is a no brainer.
The Math: The pass pays for itself in just three rides. Even if you love to walk, the convenience of hopping on a bus for those steep hills is worth every penny.
4. Cracking the Dress Code for Casinos
Some people love casinos and some don’t. But since Monaco is… well, Monaco, I felt that I should at least enter one of the casinos to see what it’s like. I was nervous about what to wear, since I like my comfort when I travel, but the “rules” are simpler than you think:
Daytime: Relaxed. I wore a short-sleeved shirt and casual pants and felt perfectly fine.
Nighttime: Think James Bond. It becomes much dressier the darker it gets outside.
Note: The Casino de Monte Carlo is the glitziest of them all. If you plan to visit that specific one, aim for “smart casual” in the afternoon and formal in the evening. Look up dress codes for all the Monte Carlo casinos here.
5. Don’t Forget Your Passport!
You will ABSOLUTELY need your passport to enter the casinos, either in Monte Carlo, Menton, or anywhere else. So if you’re planning on going to a casino, or think you might even want to stop in, be sure to have your passport with you.
6. Build in “Amble Time”:
For my day trip to Monaco, I arrived with my personal list of must-see places in hand.
I had every intention of visiting the Jacques Cousteau Museum, but the incredible parks and lush landscaping everywhere I looked got the better of me. I ended up ambling around most of the time, transfixed by this patch of paradise on the Mediterranean. Be sure to build in “amble time” on your day trip to Monaco.
And as you can see, there’s a picture on every corner here.
Planning Resources
I do a ton of research for my trips, because I hate wasting time at a destination. Here are the main sites I used for planning:
- VisitMonaco.com
- Booking.com
- Rome2Rio.com – Learn how to get to anywhere from anywhere, whether by car, public transportation, or your own two feet.
- SNCF Groupe – France train network
- Eurail Passes for online purchase
- Tripadvisor.com – I use tripadvisor.com to verify the reviews I see in Booking.com. Just a nice double check, and it can work in the other direction as well: use booking.com to verify what you are reading on Tripadvisor!
Why Visit Monaco Off-Season?
Choosing to visit Monaco in the off season allows you to engage more personally with the local culture and community. The picture-perfect views are still there, but without the suffocating crowds and heat. To fully appreciate its beauty, consider making plans to visit the French Riviera in the off season. And if you’re on a budget, a day trip to Monaco is definitely the way to go.
💡Choose Your Adventure: DIY Way or Relaxed Way
The DIY Way: Follow my tips above! Use the 5.50€ bus pass and the public elevators for a true local experience.
The Relaxed Way: If you’d rather have someone else handle the driving and the itinerary, check out this Monaco Day Trip option on Viator or view the ones below. It’s a great way to see the highlights if you’re short on time.
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