Best Day Trips from Monaco 2025
Discover the best day trip destinations and excursions from Monaco.
Monaco, the world's second-smallest country, is a glittering Mediterranean principality renowned for its luxury casinos, prestigious yacht harbor, and the famous Formula 1 Grand Prix. This glamorous city-state combines Belle Époque elegance with modern sophistication, offering world-class dining, pristine beaches, and exceptional safety with one of the lowest crime rates globally.
Top 10 Day Trips
The best excursions from Monaco.
Nice
Eze Village
Menton
Antibes
Cannes
Ventimiglia Italy
Day Trips by Distance
Plan based on how far you want to travel.
Under 1 Hour
Quick Escapes
Eze Village (15 min by bus 112), Menton (12 min by train), Cap d'Ail (5 min walk/taxi), Beausoleil France (5 min walk), Ventimiglia Italy (15 min by train)
1-2 Hours
Easy Day Trips
Nice (25 min by train or 45 min scenic bus 100), Beaulieu-sur-Mer (20 min by train), La Turbie with Trophy of Augustus (20 min by bus)
2-4 Hours
Full Day Adventures
Cannes (70 min by train via Nice), Antibes (55 min by train via Nice), St. Paul de Vence hill village (1.5 hr by bus from Nice), Grasse perfume capital (1.5 hr by bus/train from Nice)
4+ Hours
Extended Trips
Marseille (2.5 hr by TGV from Nice), St. Tropez (3 hr by bus/ferry from Nice or Cannes), Italian Riviera Cinque Terre (2.5 hr by train) - consider overnight
Complete Day Trips Guide
20+ destinations with detailed itineraries and transport info.
Getting There
Transport options for day trips.
Guided Tours
Monaco Tourist Office and Nice-based operators offer organized half-day and full-day tours to Eze, Nice, and Cannes from €45-85 per person
Private Car & Driver
Private car hire with driver from Nice Airport or Monaco hotels from €300/day - ideal for Grasse, St. Paul de Vence, and off-track Riviera exploration
Public Transport
French SNCF trains and Lignes d'Azur buses serve all major destinations from Monaco-Monte-Carlo station. Trains to Nice, Menton, Ventimiglia every 20-30 minutes
Self-Drive
Car rental from Nice Airport from €40/day (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt) - recommended for inland hill villages (Eze, La Turbie, St. Paul de Vence) and Gorges du Verdon excursions
Tours vs. Independent Travel
Decide the best approach for you.
🎫 Organized Tours
- ✓ All logistics handled
- ✓ Expert guides with local knowledge
- ✓ No navigation worries
- ✓ Often includes meals
- ✓ Meet other travelers
- ✗ Fixed itinerary
- ✗ Less flexibility
- ✗ Larger groups
- ✗ Higher cost
🚗 Independent Travel
- ✓ Complete flexibility
- ✓ Set your own pace
- ✓ Can be cheaper
- ✓ Personalized experience
- ✓ Spontaneous discoveries
- ✗ Navigation challenges
- ✗ Language barriers
- ✗ More planning required
- ✗ Miss expert insights
Day Trip Planning Tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start day trips early - Eze Village and Nice old town are far more enjoyable before 10 AM when coach tours arrive
Book trains in advance on SNCF.com during peak season - the Nice-Monaco line is extremely popular in summer
The scenic bus 100 (€1.50) along the coastal Corniche between Monaco and Nice offers some of the French Riviera's most spectacular sea views
Friday in Ventimiglia means the massive weekly market with 400+ vendors - combine with Italian gelato and pizza at Italian prices
Explore Beyond Monaco
Get our complete day trips guide with detailed itineraries, transport guides, and insider tips.
Download Day Trips Guide