Cannes to monaco?

Check out seat61.com for all you need to learn about trains across Europe. I went to the SNCF website and booked a RT ticket for 18 Euros each 2nd class, bought at the station. It's an hour to Monaco. You will have to use the free phone at the station there to call a cab to the Casino. A train leaves at 1041 and returns at 1513. The next return train might cut you too short. We got a table at a nearby sidewalk cafe, nursed an 8 Euro beer and a 6 Euro coke and watched the entrance to the casino. We did enter (casual dress is OK in the daytime) paid I think 10 Euros each and gambled away 20 Euros each, which didn't take long. There really isn't much to see or do in Monte Carlo and you can hit the casino and make it back easily. Don't forget to have a martini, shaken, not stirred.....

I don't agree that there's not a lot to do in Monaco. I have returned many times to Monaco and I haven't run out of things to do yet, both in Monaco and the immediate area. Part of the fun is figuring out how to get around the Principality on foot using the many tunnels, escalators and elevators. It can be done, and it is always fun finding a new route or an elevator that takes me somewhere new. There are so many different ways out from the station that you can get, step-free, to most of the main areas of the country in quite a short walk. You can be below the Casino at the port in (by memory) 2 escalators, an elevator, 3 travelators and a door. You can be in France or near the Jardin Exotique by taking an elevator up a large number of stories - something like 15 or 20. You certainly could take a taxi to the Casino (never been in it but often eat lunch one street away) but I would walk. I would walk by going up the exit behind the ticket office (past the TI) across the street, then down Princess Caroline Boulevard past the Novotel Hotel, turn right when you see the gardens, down the hill through the gardens and there is the Casino. Or you can walk past all the cars parked by the Café de Paris and count the money on the tarmac. I hope you don't come away thinking that when you've seen the Casino you've seen Monaco.

What perception of Monaco are you striving to visit?

Elaine/Rick, is there anything else you needed?

Thanks for all the info! I just broke my foot so not sure how much walking i will be able to do by then. Doctor said it should be fix before we go. If not i am thinking will just go to nice that is closer? Anything interesting over there? Thnaks,
Elaine

Since you're going on a cruise, a good purchase would be Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports (second edition now out). This will have information about Nice, Cannes, Monaco, and more, so 1)you can see what appeals to you before you go, and 2)once you're there, if you change your plans at the last minute, you'll still have info handy. Nice is one of the largest cities in France, so it's low on "charming" and "quaint," but has lots to see and do. There's Old Nice, the Matisse and Chagall museums, the Russian Orthodox church, a casino, a modern art museum, and more - all detailed in Rick's book, complete with how to get there. If you're still interested in Monaco, note that they have a bus system that covers the whole principality, and a day pass for it is only €3. So, don't let a bad foot stop you from going.

I already got the rick steve's book, thanks for all the input,
Elaine :)