Monaco Day Trip for €20 – Enjoying Luxury on a Budget

Why go to Monaco on a Budget?

Can you really experience Monaco on just €20? My belief is that I can experience anywhere in the world no matter how expensive. From its sparkling yachts, grand casinos and a reputation for residing the rich and famous, is it possible to do a Monaco day trip without blowing your budget? Do you need to really spend big to enjoy this sovereign state? As a solo traveler, I set myself the challenge to explore Monaco on a tight budget, focusing on free attractions and stunning views.

With a €20 note in my wallet I set off and in this guide, I’ll show you how I made the most of Monaco, enjoying its luxury while keeping costs to a minimum. Keep on reading to admire all the attractions, most of which are free. There is also a section for other paid attractions so you wish to experience everything Monaco has to offer without holding back.

Spoiler: This is actually Possible!

How to Get to Monaco on a Budget

Getting to Monaco is very easy and all things considered, cheap! There are several budget-friendly options depending on where you’re coming from. While Monaco doesn’t have its own airport, it’s easy to reach from nearby cities like Nice, which is the perfect base for exploring the French Riviera. In fact there are plenty more of day trips one can do from Nice, but here is how to do the Monaco day trip!

Day Trip to Monaco from Nice by Train

The train from Nice to Monaco is one of the most affordable and scenic ways to travel between the two cities. The train ride along the Mediterranean coast offers beautiful views of the coastline and takes you directly to Monaco’s main train station, Gare de Monaco.

• Cost: Tickets for the train ride cost around €4 to €10 one way, depending on the type of train and how early you book. Check out OMIO for the best prices and convenient booking.
• Timetable: Trains run frequently throughout the day, with departures every 30 minutes or so, and the journey takes just 20 to 30 minutes.

Our Tip: Seat on the right hand side to enjoy the best views!

Taking the Bus from Nice to Monaco

If you’re really trying to stretch your budget, the bus is the cheapest option. The Lignes d’Azur 600 bus connects Nice to Monaco, offering a comfortable ride with great views of the coast along the way. The bus is slightly slower than the train, but it’s an affordable option for those on a strict budget.

• Cost: A one-way bus ticket costs around €1.50 to €2.
• Timetable: The bus runs every 30 minutes, and the journey takes about 45 minutes. For updated timetables check out the official Lignes d’Azur website.
• Location: You can catch bus number 600 from place de Normandie or Port Lymphia

Getting to Monaco from Other Places

If you’re basing yourself into other nearby cities like Cannes or Ventimiglia (Italy), you can easily reach Monaco by train although it may take longer. Here’s a quick breakdown of other transport options:

• From Cannes: Take a train from Cannes to Monaco, which takes around 1 hour and costs about €10.
• From Ventimiglia (Italy): Take a train from Ventimiglia to Monaco, which takes about 30 minutes and costs around €6.

Free Things to do in Monaco

Now that we got here, and we spent €10 for a round trip, that it is half our budget gone! It is essential to find free things to do in Monaco and luckily for us, this country is so rich that it doesn’t really extortionate tourists and there are plenty of free things to do on our Monaco day trip! Here is a guided day itinerary starting from the train station!

Stroll Around Monaco-Ville (Old Town)

Whether you came here by bus or train, I suggest you start by climbing up to the Old town where you will also find the Prince’s palace. The Old town also houses Monaco Cathedral and stunning panoramic views overlooking Monaco and its famous marina.

After seeing the changing of the guard at the Prince’s palace I walked around and took in the scenic port of Monaco. After that I headed to…

St. Nicholas Cathedral

This cathedral is hands on heart one of the more beautiful cathedrals I have visited. It took me by surprise as it is not as famous and well known when Monaco is mentioned but its interior is stunning with its intricate mosaics and the grand organ. This cathedral is also the final resting place of many of Monaco’s royals including Princess Grace.

Optional Stop #1: Musee Oceonagraphique de Monaco (€22)

Before you make your way back to the Prince’s palace hugging the coastal viewpoints of Jardin Saint-Martin there is the famous Musee Oceonagraphique. Entry fee is €22 but it is a must visit for ocean buffs. I personally am not and I skipped this museum, but if you fancy it and willing to splurge the cash you will be rewarded with aquariums filled with over 6000 specimen.

The Monaco Grand Prix Circuit (Free)

After visiting the Old town it is time to head back where you came from and start your engines! I decided to walk the entire 3.4km long circuit passing from the Casino square. Enjoy the luxury shops and do some window shopping. One other attraction is all the sports cars you get to see driving on Monaco’s streets.

Monte Carlo Casino

The first attraction while walking the circuit is the Casino of Monte Carlo and its square. You will see the most luxurious cars parked in front of it with people posing and taking pictures. It is really a sight to behold

While there are paid tours to enter the most famous attraction in Monaco, the Monte Carlo Casino, you can enter for free before 1:30pm. Make sure you take your passport as citizens of Monaco cannot enter as it is illegal to gamble. You can admire the atrium for free which I can assure you it is still an absolute beauty. This trick is not listed on the Casino’s official website but I can assure you it is true.

Japanese Garden

After continuing on following the circuit have a break right after the hairpin and instead of turning right down the tunnel, head left and you will reach the Japanese Garden. You will find all the characteristics of a typical Japanese garden featuring ponds, small waterfall, tea house and a Zen garden.

Larvotto Beach

Visiting in the summer? Cool off and relax at Larvotto Beach just a few minutes walk from the Japanese garden. It is a great way to relax and soak in the sun before ending your day and walking back by finishing off the circuit walk.

Finish Line

As I made my way down the famous tunnel where F1 cars zoom past and continued on to complete the loop, I spotted a Hagen Dazs ice cream shop. Even though it was January, I couldn’t resist and enjoyed a scoop of caramel fudge brownie to end my day overlooking the sea. This and a bag of chips were my only expense in Monaco.

Cheap Eats in Monaco

While prices are not that extortionate, I chose to avoid buying any food here and made do with a packed lunch from local bakeries back in Nice and also ate dinner there as well. You can enjoy your packed lunch either at the Japanese garden or next to the Prince’s palace overlooking the marina.

My Expenses

As I mentioned my other €10 I had left was spent:

• Bag of Chips – €3.50
• Haagen-Dazs ice cream €4
• Bread from local boulangerie from Nice- €2

It is worth mentioning that I bought the bag of chips from Steak and Shake found right on the first corner of the circuit or on the exit from the train station (depending on which exit you take)

Other Optional Paid Attractions in Monaco

Not everything is free in life and you may want to explore Monaco more in depth you have to increase your budget. I have already mentioned the first paid attraction in the Musee Oceonagraphique de Monaco. Here are a few others:

1. Prince’s Palace of Monaco (Palais Princier)

Apart of admiring the palace from the outside, you can actually tour the State Apartments where the royal family holds official events. This one was not for me though as there are many more famous palaces around Europe which you can visit.

• Price: About €10 for adults.

2. Exotic Garden of Monaco (Jardin Exotique)

For stunning views over the coastline, plus a crazy variety of cacti and tropical plants you wouldn’t expect in Monaco visit the Jardin Exotique. I personally opted out of this one as I visited the garden in Eze which in my opinion is more value for money.

• Price: €7.20 for adults

3. Monte Carlo Casino

Apart from the limited entrance of what you can see for free, there is also paid tours or alternatively pay to gamble. Even if you don’t gamble, stepping inside to admire the architecture and luxury is an experience in itself. I limited myself to the free entrance and did not visit the inside where the gaming rooms are.

• Price: €18 entrance fee to the main gaming rooms (for adults over 18, passport/ID needed).

4. Oceanographic Museum of Monaco

As already mentioned, this museum is one of Monaco’s most famous attractions! Hosting massive aquariums, marine life exhibits, and even rooftop views over the sea. If you’re going to pay for one thing, many people say this is worth it.

• Price: Around €22 for adults.

5. Monaco Top Cars Collection (Car Museum)

If you’re into cars or just curious about the Prince’s personal collection, it’s a fun and unusual stop. There are over 100 classic and rare vehicles!

• Price: Around €10 for adults.

6. Watch a Football Match at the Stade Louis II

In the end this was my additional expense. I am a football fanatic and wanted to see a football match while visiting the French Riviera and the only opportunity and team that was playing at their own home was Monaco. The experience was pretty great even though Monaco lost on the day

• Price: Ranging from €15-40 depending on seat chosen.

Conclusion: Budget Travel Tips for Monaco

How to Stay Within the €20 Budget

As you can see, it is totally doable to visit Monaco on just €20. The trick is to plan ahead. Spend your money on a packed lunch and take it with you and enjoy it while sitting on a quiet bench somewhere. Most of the attractions are free bar some other optional ones which you may opt to visit.

Best Time to Visit Monaco on a Budget

If you are only doing a day trip to Monaco then you can visit pretty much any time you like. The only caveat is when Monaco hosts its famous F1 Grand Prix, as it would be next to impossible to explore Monaco. Of course, you get to experience the atmosphere surrounding the race but be prepared to pay a lot of money for your visit during this time.

Frequently Asked Questions