Transportation from Bellagio to Monaco

You can take the ferry to Varenna and take a train from there directly into Milano Centrale. Then there is a direct train from Milano Centrale to Monaco, Monte Carlo leaving at 15:10, arriving at 19:36. That looks like the easiest train connection to get to Monaco. To purchase a train ticket in Varenna, the travel agency just down the hill from the train station but it isn't open all the time. Since you probably flew into either Milan or Venice to get to Bellagio, purchase your regional train ticket for the Varenna-Milan run ahead of time, just remember to validate that regional ticket before you get on board in Varenna.

Renting a car in one country and dropping it off in another usually involves a stiff drop-off charge, I would take the train and rent a car in Nice.

Unless you have a special reason, there's no need to stay in both Monaco and Nice. They are connected by buses running four times an hour and taking about 45 minutes, and by trains running twice an hour and taking about 20 minutes. So, you can easily stay in one and visit the other.

pink,

My suggestion would be the same as Dan posted, as the trains are very easy to use. The sequence you'll use, with a bit more detail.....

• Milano to Bellagio - you'll first travel by train from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino station (travel time 1H:03M). NOTE that this train is a Regionale so you MUST validate your ticket prior to boarding on the day of travel, or risk hefty fines which will be collected on the spot! I'd suggest buying tickets for your return journey as well, as the Varenna station is not staffed. You'll go through a tunnel just prior to arrival in Varenna, so be prepared to disembark promptly as the train doesn't stop for long. Walk down the hill from the station, go left across the small bridge and then right down to the water. Look for Albergo Olivedo which is a bright yellow colour, as the Ferry dock is right in front of that. Buy a ticket at the booth and the trip to Bellagio will be about 20 minutes.
• Bellagio to Monaco / Nice - reverse the route back to Milano Centrale. Again, DON'T forget to validate your ticket in Varenna prior to boarding the train on the day of travel. When you arrive in Milan, you'll transfer to your next train to Monaco / Nice. Regardless of which departure you use, there will usually be one change at Ventimiglia (border crossing). If you're going to Nice, your destination station will be Nice Ville.

As Harold mentioned, I'm a bit curious on why you're staying in both Monaco and Nice. As I recall, the Buses between the two cities are only €1.

Thanks so much for the responses, that really helps me out. I will be on my honeymoon, so we wanted to do two nights at a nicer hotel right on the water in Monaco, and then stay in the general area but for cheaper, so that is why we are going to Nice for a few nights. It sounds like it will be very easy to get from Monaco to Nice, which is great to hear.

pink,

Thanks for the additional information and congratulations to both of you!!! Lago di Como is a perfect place for Luna di Miele so that's a great place to start.

It would be a good idea to do a bit of "homework" on the aspect of changing trains in Europe. It's not especially difficult once you get used to it, but the main thing is to find the platform (Binario) of your next train. Changes often involve going from one platform, down into a tunnel and then up to the next platform. As I mentioned earlier, DON'T forget to validate your tickets if using Regionale trains in Italy (also Buses, Metro, etc.), as there are hefty fines for those that forget. The small validation machines are often down in the transfer tunnels these days. You may find it helpful to have a look at the excellent Ron In Rome website.

Have you chosen a hotel in Nice yet?

Buon Viaggio!