I'm wondering the best options for a train or bus from Nice to Monaco to sightsee, and back again the same day.
We'll have our backpacks with us too - let me know if you have suggestions for stowing our bags for the day as well.
We'll rent a car in Nice on our return, in case that affects the location of the train/bus.
Thanks in advance!
LUGGAGE
Left luggage facilities are available at Nice Ville Station between the hours of 09:00 and 19:00 every day. The Lost Property office is located in the station hall. Telephone: 00 33 (0)4 89 24 72 68. Opening hours are from 09:00 - 17:00 every day.
19 minutes by train to Monte Carlo
Thank you Christi and MrsEB! - This is exactly what I was trying to find out.
Pretty regular train departures, don't need to book in advance?
Very regular trains - no need to book ahead.
Take the train , soon nice views along the coast
There's not only no need to book these trains ahead, there's no ability. These trains run every half hour and are unreserved. Just buy your ticket, validate your ticket, and hop on; if there are no seats, you stand.
Note that the last train is around 11 PM, and in the evening the ticket windows are closed. The ticket machines take coins or chip and pin cards, but not swipe cards or paper money. So, either make sure you have enough coins, or (much easier) buy a round trip ticket at the outset.
Buses between Nice and Monaco run every 15 minutes and are even cheaper than trains. They stop running around 8 PM. One advantage is that they make several stops in Monaco, so you can get closer to where you want to be. While Monaco is famously small, it's also hilly and spread out due to water, so getting from, say, the aquarium to the casino on foot isn't as easy as you'd think. I bought day passes for the local Monaco buses and got my money's worth (I also saw the botanic gardens and the Prince's car collection, both of which are an even farther walk).
Harold - Again, thank you! (you also answered my other question about the Caen to Paris train).
This is great info on the trains and buses. Thank you so much!
Actually Harold, it can rather be fun to contemplate various routes in Monaco and see how short and easy they can be on foot.
I agree that the buses, fast, frequent, cheap and go everywhere with a possible change (only 6 routes) are pretty much a fun trip too.
Without consulting a map, I want to see if I can remember.... OK, Aquarium to car park, down something like 15 floors to either zero or +1, marked Pecheurs.
Short walk to the inner harbour where the biggest yachts dock. Electric boat across the harbour. Walk diagonally towards St Devote, stopping for an ice cream just before the entrance to the Travelator (moving sidewalk). On there either one or two segments, elevator up about 5 floors. Cross the street and walk half a block. Escalator down 2 flights, around the corner to Cafe de Paris, Casino on the right hand side.
Now I've never made that precise walk and it may not be perfect, but I don't think it is off by much. Up and over and down to avoid walking up the fairly steep hill between St Devote and the Casino back door. I'm sure that if you stay on the marina side and don't go up the hill there is a sequence of two elevators which get you to the back door of the Casino, but I prefer the other route because I get an ice cream (right next to the yacht dealer)..
You can also pick up a rental car at Nice Ville train station from Hertz, Thrifty, or maybe other agents.
Thank you Laura, that helps me narrow down what rental companies to look into so I don't have to search all their websites. Thanks so much!
Chris,
The cheapest option will be Bus from Nice to Monaco. As I recall, the fare is (or used to be) €1 PP. That will get you to the bottom of the hill in Monaco and you can either walk up or take another Bus (for another €1 PP). As others have mentioned, you can also travel by train.
If you want to also tour Monte Carlo, you can walk from Nice or again take the Bus.
I don't know if there is baggage storage at the Nice Bus station, as I've never looked.
