There are many ways to get from Cannes to Monaco and it is really all about the urgency of the journey and what you want to see on the way that determines the best choice you can make.
Take a look at these top tips so you can make the most informed choice based on what it is you want to do.
Whether you want to arrive by road, rail, or air there are plenty of ways to get from Cannes to Monaco for either a day trip or part of a wider tour of the French Riviera.
So whether you are a budget traveler and need to save time and money, or you are making the moves like James Bond, read on to discover how you can make the most of your time in the sun.
Where is Monaco?
Monaco is a tiny independent principality on the Southern coast of France, close to the Italian border.
At 0.81 square miles, it is smaller than Central Park in New York and is one of five micro-nations in Europe.
It attracts a diverse array of the wealthy from all the world’s nations, drawn to its luxury hotels, its casinos, and world-class events.
The closest airport is at Nice, but it is also on the coastal SNCF French national rail line that links Cannes, Monte-Carlo, and Ventimiglia in Italy.
Travel distances to Monaco
- Nice to Monaco is 21 km (13 miles)
- Ventimiglia to Monaco is 26 km (16 miles)
- Cannes to Monaco is 55km (34 miles)
- Saint Tropez to Monaco is 134 km (83)
- Montpellier to Monaco is 172 km (107 miles)
- Genoa to Monaco is 182 km (113 miles)
- Marseilles to Monaco is 228 km (141 miles)
- Milan to Monaco is 305 km (189 miles)
Cannes to Monaco: Transport Options
Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway, or you are planning a longer tour of the Riviera there are a number of ways you can do it.
1. Cannes to Monaco by Train
Traveling by train through France, Monaco, and Italy has always been associated with luxury and the golden age of travel. These days the journey can take half the time it used to, but remains as picturesque as it ever was.
- Cannes train station is on the Marseille to Ventimiglia Line and is situated right in the middle of town at 4, Place de la Gare.
- There is a Voie Rapide that has a drop-off and pick-up area, and there are a lot of stairs to get you from one level to another.
- There are lifts too. If one set has broken down (not unusual) then there will be another set of lifts a little way away by the car park.
- Inside the station, there are shops, a cafe, and a fitness center, and it is also attached to a hotel.
- In Monaco, the railway station straddles the border between the tiny principality and France, so make sure you have your passport to hand when moving between the platforms!
- The station is a very impressive feat of engineering built as it is into solid rock.
- There is a small mall, a cafe, and a souvenir shop over two levels.
- Take the elevators to up to 15 different levels to access the destination you require.
There are four trains per hour at peak times, falling to two off-peak. Prices start at €10.80 ($11.81) one way and the journey takes about an hour.
- See if you can secure an upper deck seat on the seaward side for the best views in and out of Monte-Carlo.
- Buy tickets online or from the machines set on the concourse at Cannes.
2. Cannes to Monaco by Car
Taking a car from Cannes to Monaco means you can take your time, get distracted, and stop along the way at one of the dozens of pottery outlets or wineries en route, find a beach to die for, or an out-of-the-way eaterie not in any guidebook.
- Cannes to Monaco, in regular traffic should take about 45 minutes over the distance on main roads of 54 km (33.5 miles).
- Take the A8 all the way, you’ll go past Cagnes-sur-Mer and Nice.
- Alternatively, take the coast road and stop for breakfast on the seafront at Antibes.
- Find a hire car online at Discover Cars, a price comparison site that searches local deals for you.
- The default transmission in France is a stick shift, so make sure you ask for an automatic when you book!
- Big isn’t always better on the little medieval roads in these Riviera towns. Parking spaces are small too.
- Check that your insurance provider will cover you, and always call them if there should be an incident. In France, it is illegal not to stop no matter how minor the collision.
- Speed limits in town range from 30 kph (18 mph) and 50 kph (31 mph).
- Departmental roads are usually 80-90 kph (50-55 mph).
- Motorway speed limits are 130 kph (81 mph) dropping to 110 kph (68 mph) in the wet.
- Speed limits are strictly enforced in France with cameras. If you are caught the rental company will come to you for the fine.
- Remember, you are on public roads and not competing in the Monaco Grand Prix!
- Relax and enjoy the scenery.
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3. Cannes to Monaco by Bus
Going by bus from Cannes to Monaco is pretty straightforward and not expensive. It takes around forty minutes and you could get change from a €5 note at just €4 a ticket one way.
- If you book in advance via Omio.com then you will definitely save money as the lower-priced tickets are not available on the day of travel.
- There are toilets on board, so don’t panic if you arrive late!
- Coaches are airconditioned and have charging points for your devices and free WiFi too
4. Cannes to Monaco by Taxi
The average cost of the taxi journey from Cannes to Monaco is about €200 ($220) and it will take about 45 minutes under normal road conditions. It is the fastest way to get into Monaco from Cannes by road.
- Local taxi drivers will always understand the routes that get busier at popular times, so will be able to navigate to their destination better than the general population.
- Book ahead online via Kiwi Taxi to make sure you can get a vehicle to where you want to go.
- Taxis get booked up very quickly on the Riviera, on the weekend, and when there are international events such as the film festival at Cannes or the Grand Prix at Monaco.
5. Cannes to Monaco by Helicopter
For the fastest transfer between Cannes and Monaco, the helicopter service between the city’s Heliports is second to none. The journey from Cannes to Monaco will take just 15 minutes but it comes at a price.
- For a 5-seat helicopter prices start at €1100 ($1200).
- This price includes road transfers but not taxes.
- Contact AeroAffaires direct to discuss the available options for the day you need to travel.
6. Cannes to Monaco by Limousine
So, you want to travel in style, but you prefer to stay on the ground? I can’t say I blame you! For a luxury premium drive in a top-of-the-range saloon expect to pay around €375 ($410) to take you from the Premier of that movie to the Casino at Monte-Carlo.
- Kiwi Taxi will be able to find you a Mercedes, Lexus, or BMW with a driver at a competitive price.
- If you require private transport at peak times, or during seasonal events it is advisable to book it at least six months ahead of schedule to avoid disappointment.
Final words
The travel options between Cannes and Monaco are set up for the thousands of French and other nationalities that regularly commute to and from the principality for work.
- Traveling by car is ideal if you are in no hurry, and I would heartily recommend that you take your time and enjoy the scenic coast road.
- If you have the time to spend, stopping at souvenir shops, wineries, and the Riviera’s amazing Mediterranean beaches along the way is the thing to do.
- The train is probably the most convenient way for many sightseers to get the best out of a day in Monaco. There are no parking issues, and no need to get stuck in traffic or tied up trying to find parking!
- As I mentioned earlier, literally thousands of people commute in and out of Monaco daily, so traveling off-peak is the best way to take the train. Sometimes there is literally standing room only!
- For budget travelers, letting the bus do the work for the low price it offers is a great way to arrive at the millionaire’s playground of Monaco, just remember that the timetable is usually quite limited.
- If comfort is the key to your trip from Cannes to Monaco, then there are options from a regular taxi all the way up to a premium limousine to get you where you need to go.
So whether you are arriving for pleasure, or on business there is a wide range of options available to suit every time frame and budget.
Enjoy your stay!
