Monaco is one of the most beautiful and ritzy destinations in Europe. While it is a haven for the rich and famous, visiting the principality does not have to blow your budget. If you are looking for a luxury experience Monaco ticks many boxes, but it is also a destination that does not cater exclusively to the ultra wealthy.
Monaco shares as open border with France. So it’s easy to include the country in a southern France itinerary, especially for visitors traveling to nearby Nice.
This article covers several ways to save big money on a trip to Monaco, regardless of your budget. Even luxury travelers may appreciate visiting outside peak season, when the prices for luxury accommodation can be less, combined with often pleasant temperatures.
Getting to Monaco
The closest international airport to Monaco is Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. You can catch a train from near Nice Airport, Nice Saint-Augustin Station, to Monaco in 37 minutes and the cost is €8 ($9.30 USD). Trains are frequent at around every 15 minutes, offering great and comfortable air conditioned service.
The short tram ride from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport to Nice Saint-Augustin Station is free. It is just one stop on the tram from Terminal 1 and two stops from Terminal 2.
Visitors can also plan to rent a car from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. The drive to Monaco is only around 45 minutes to an hour from there.
Renting a car makes some areas more accessible. But in addition to car rental fees, there’s a good chance you’ll to pay for parking – unless you book an Airbnb with an included space.
If you want to save money on transportation, plan on traveling around the region by train. You can check timetables and book tickets on SCNF Connect, which is the official French rail website. You can also simply rock up and book tickets on the ticket machines at the train stations. OUIGO is the low-cost TGV service that covers not just France, but also destinations like Monaco and nearby Ventimiglia, Italy.
Stay Close to Monaco Instead of Within the Principality
Monaco is well connected to France, and even Italy by train. The train from Nice to Monaco only takes 23 minutes, with frequent departures every 15 minutes.
I based myself in lovely Carnoles/Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, which is just 7 minutes by train from Monaco. Everything is close, including an idyllic coastal walk to Monaco. It is also a lovely beachside walk to Menton. I even walked across the Italian border one day. That was not something previously on my travel bucket list, but cool to tick off this interesting experience afterwards.
Menton is one of the most beautiful towns in the South of France and just 10 minutes by train from Monaco. Ventimiglia, Italy, is just 30 minutes by train from Monaco, with departures every 30 minutes.
It’s a great idea to include at least a day trip to Monaco during a stay along the French Riviera. I took multiple day trips to Monaco during a recent trip across southern France. Another significant highlight of the trip was Arles, France, which provided inspiration for Vincent Van Gogh to paint more than 300 works there.
Visit Monaco outside Peak Periods
Accommodation in the south of France comes at a premium in summer, particularly in July and August. The other issue in July and August are frequent sweltering temperatures. This combines to make sightseeing both crowded and uncomfortably hot.
Idyllic times to visit the region are middle of spring and middle of autumn. Temperatures are pleasant and accommodation prices drop significantly as supply generally far exceeds demand. You can stay in some great hotels, resorts and apartments for 1/3 of the price that you will pay during peak season. It’s a massive savings that can allow you to more easily stay for an extended period, time permitting.
There are quite a few lovely seaside destinations a very short train ride from Monaco. Unless you’re looking to splurge on a luxury trip to Monaco, you will get better much value for money staying in a French location nearby.
You can even stay in a 4 star hotel like Residence Cap Winston. The comfortable sea view apartments are technically in France, but literally just steps from Monaco. They are well located alongside a lovely marina with nearby beach access. It is much better value for money, and a short walk to Monaco City. The walk to Monte Carlo is further from there, but also doable for many.
For special occasions like an anniversary or honeymoon, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo offers an opulent 5-star experience next to Monte Carlo Casino. The glamorous property wows guests immediately upon entry with lavish chandeliers and gorgeous art. Visitors to Monaco can also just pop in to enjoy the opulence over a drink and nibbles or a ritzy fine dining experience.
Enjoy a Scrumptious Lunch at the Marché De La Condamine Market
Marché De La Condamine Market bustles with hungry patrons during lunch hours. You’ll be hard pressed to find better bang for your buck elsewhere in Monaco compared to the restaurants, cafes and bakeries within this market. Highlights include fresh pastas, gourmet sandwiches, pizzas, steaks, fresh seafood and even truffle dishes.
Truffles are not something I seek out in the USA. But given Monaco’s close proximity to the Piedmont region of Italy, where they are found, they are quite ubiquitous. Delicious dishes featuring truffles can also be enjoyed for significantly less than what you would typically pay in restaurants in the USA and elsewhere.
I enjoyed a delicious carbonara pasta with shaved truffles at San Maurizio 1619 Truffle Bistrot Marché inside Marché De La Condamine Market for €22 ($25 USD). The dish would have been more expensive at Monaco restaurants outside on the market.
Fresh pastas are another highlight of Marché De La Condamine Market. You can choose your pasta and sauce from a wide selection at Maison des Pâtes. I recommend trying trofie pasta with pesto sauce, topped with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. This is a specialty of the nearby Liguria region of Italy.
Trofie pasta has a thin twisted shape and is around an inch long. While I enjoyed an even better Trofie al Pesto in Ventimigla, Italy, the one at Marché De La Condamine Market is also delicious, as the excellent freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese adds a rich depth of flavor.
Monaco City vs Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo is a playground for the wealthy. The most famous luxury brands all have stores there. Casino de Monte-Carlo, featuring Belle Époque architecture is the epitome of gambling glamour. You can’t help but want to order a martini, shaken, not stirred. Then gaze around the room trying to identify the Bond villain.
Monte Carlo features striking art by notable artists, including Fernando Botero (The Botero Museum was a highlight of our visit to Bogota, Colombia in 2018). Lovely gardens, seaside views, an opulent marina and an abundance of fine dining dot the principality.
Another Monte Carlo highlight is the Princess Grace Japanese Gardens, which was commissioned in 1994 by Prince Rainier III. The 7,000 m² garden features a stylised mountain, hill, waterfall, beach, brook, and a Zen garden for meditation. Admission to the Princess Grace Japanese Gardens is complimentary too!
Champagne is the official drink of Monaco. It’s relatively common to spot people enjoying it in Monte Carlo, even at nicer cafes over a casual meal.
Monaco City
Monaco City is home to The Prince’s Palace of Monaco. The official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco dates to 1191. Guests can book tours seasonally for €10. Set on a hill, the area offers sweeping views of Monte Carlo and the Mediterranean Sea.
Monaco City is also a lovely destination to have lunch outside on a terrace or in a cafe. Its charming laneways are packed with centuries of charm. And like many destinations around the world at the moment, patriotism is aplenty with many red and white Monaco flags on display.
Another notable highlight of Monaco City is the Oceanographic Museum (Musee Oceanographique de Monaco). The museum was founded by oceanographer and navigator, Prince Albert I. This is one of the best family activities in the principality.
Hotel Recommendations Near Monaco
Hotel Victoria is a lovely boutique property nestled along the bay of Cap Martin, just 6 km (3.6 miles) from Monaco. Stylish modern rooms feature comfortable beds and a complimentary mini bar stocked with a variety of soft drinks and juices. Their spacious lounge set along the sea is a fantastic place to enjoy a drink as well. The beach is right across the road from the property and it’s near the gorgeous coastal walk to Monaco. It’s a 7 minute walk to the Carnoles train station and then just a 7 minute train ride to Monaco. I really enjoyed my stay at Hotel Victoria.
Ibis Roquebrune Cap Martin offers a comfy well priced stay close to Monaco during the off-season. Rooms are newly renovated and feature comfortable mattresses and a large flat screen TV. Some rooms also have private terraces, with is not typical of Ibis. Guests can enjoy complimentary quality loose leaf teas and espresso based coffees from automatic machines in their inviting lounge. Staff are extremely friendly and accommodating as well.
Ibis Roquebrune Cap Martin is my favorite Ibis I have ever stayed at. Given the price and phenomenal location, I extended my stay there several times. I used it as a base to explore the beautiful Côte d’Azur, including Monaco, Menton, France and Ventimiglia, Italy.
Recap on Saving Money on a Visit to Monaco
Monaco might seem like a destination out of reach from most. And indeed, comfortable accommodation within Monaco costs a premium. But if you visit the south of France outside summer, you can avail of excellent deals on hotels and apartments close to one of the most exciting small countries in Europe. There are many gorgeous towns like Menton, Carnoles and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin that are within a 10 minute train ride of Monaco. Nice, France is also just 23 minutes by train from Monaco.
There is so much to experience and enjoy in Monaco and along the French Riviera. You can easily spend a month or more, especially with the value that autumn and spring offer!
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