Travel between Venice, Italy and Monte Carlo, Monaco

HI Kimberly. Folks may be unsure what 'best' means to you. Cheapest? Fastest? Comfort? Scenery?

I have done this by car so I can tell you my experience. In Venice either you have to find somewhere to park your car (I know there is a place) or as I did stay outside of the city where the hotel has a parking lot and take the bus or a taxi into the city. The drive to Monaco was definitely easy enough, but I did not drive right in Monaco either. I think I might have been staying in Nice that time and my car stayed at the hotel while I went by bus (?) can't remember for sure, in to Monaco. But I know I tried to drive there and the congestion was a bit much. If you plan to sightsee along the way it would be great, but just point to point the train would probably be easier.

Rail, because driving into Monaco will be a bear. Also, the freeway route between Venice and Monaco is about the most boring you could encounter in Europe.

Kimberley, Bob had a good point. What do you prefer? Otherwise, we're guessing. You left out flying; it can be done reasonably cheaply. I've driven it, several times. What you haven't said is when.... if you go from now to early June you have a fighting chance of decent traffic on the Riviera; after that it will often be at a crawl. It is true that the tunnels on the western third of the route are absolutely constant. Its like a venetian blind- tunnel, light, tunnel, light, tunnel, light - for maybe 150 km. Can't say for sure the length, but you will certainly get tired of them. Again, the season will make a huge difference, but I have no difficulty driving in Monaco. There are a >>lot<< of one way street segments and many hills. Pedestrians absolutely have the right of way, and don't park in the wrong place. Non residents are not permitted to drive up the Rock. I would say that the train (have not done that particular route in its entirety) but I expect it might be a bit easier. Just be sure where you want to go in Monaco and take the correct exit from the station. Each exit has a different combination of elevators, escalators, people movers (moving sidewalks) and tunnels to bring you to different districts of the country.

Train! You would pay a sizeable fee for picking up a car in one country and dropping it in another. Between Genova and Monaco there are lots of tunnels so you wouldn't see much through your car windows. Or you could drive from Venice to Genova, stopping along the way whenever and wherever you wish. Then take a train from Genova to Monaco.

Best is subjective. Don't think we know enough.
Train is easy. Nigel is right about the tunnels and the traffic, but, the traffic along the coast is no worse than the 405 or I-95. I like the scenic coastal drive, had no problem parking @ Tronchetto in Venice or driving in Monaco. Have you driven in Europe before? Will you need to buy an International Drivers License just for this leg of vacation?Do you like to drive? Will you have anyone with you who likes to pull over and look at things? It's your vacation- are you going somewhere else afterwards where you need a car, or will it be easier if you take the train and rent a car there if you realllly need one?

Done the drive a few times. The stretch through Italy can get a bit tedious but my recommendation is to get off the autostrada and take the small road along the coast once you get close to the border (unless you're in a hurry of course). The view is unbelievable. Usually we stay in Nice and take the train to Monaco but we did drive right into Monte Carlo one time and had no problem doing so. From Vicenza I think it usually takes us around 6-7 hours, add another 45 minutes from Venice. If you don't like long drives then take the train but remember, a train ride from Venice will probably be anywhere from 8-12 hours and have 2-3 changes (most likely Milano, Genoa or Ventimiglia).