Overview
Monaco is a country in Europe according to homosociety. Monaco is a place of wealth, of glitzy luxury yachts moored in Monte Carlo harbor and of the incessant flow of champagne. Many celebrities love this huge private club on the Mediterranean where they find opulent lifestyle, discreet banks and heavily guarded streets. Those who want to immerse themselves in the glamorous life of Monaco can attend annual sporting events such as the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters in April or the Formula 1 Grand Prix in May. Other festivals include the International Festival of Nonviolent Film, the Monte Carlo Opera Festival and Spring Arts Festival. Apart from the glittering world of celebrities, Monaco is a worthwhile travel destination simply because of its mild climate and its location by the sea. Here you will find scenic hiking trails, pretty bays and cozy outdoor cafes. If you have a few days to detour to the side, you can quickly find yourself in Provence, on the French Riviera or in Italy.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Monaco does not have an international airport, but is very well connected to Nice Airport. Air France (AF) flies to Nice from several major German cities with stopovers in Paris or Lyon. Lufthansa (LH) offers non-stop flights from Frankfurt/M. and Munich to Nice and Eurowings (EW) from Hamburg. Austrian Airlines (OS), Eurowings (E2) and Wizz Air (W6) connect Vienna non-stop with Nice. Swiss (LX) flies non-stop from Zurich and Geneva to Nice. Easyjet (U2) offers non-stop flights from Berlin, Hamburg and Geneva to Nice, among others. Helicopter flights between Nice and Monaco (flight duration: 6 minutes) are offered by Héli-Air Monaco (YO) and Azur Hélicoptère, among others.
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Nice: 1 hour 25 minutes; Vienna – Nice: 1 hour 45 minutes; Geneva – Nice: 1 hour 5 minutes; Zurich – Nice: 1 hour 10 minutes
Arrival by car
Car: The Principality is connected to France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, among others, by the European motorway network. Cannes is 50 km and Nice 18 km west of Monaco. To the east it is 12 km to the Franco-Italian border and 9 km to Menton. Three charming country roads run between Nice and Menton (France): – the “Basse Corniche (N.98)”, which runs along the sea, – the “Moyenne Corniche (N.7)”, which runs through the village of Eze, and – the “Grande Corniche” which runs 512 m above the Col d’Eze. Long-distance bus: Flixbus connects a large number of German, Austrian and Swiss cities with Nice. Tolls: There are no toll roads in Monaco. Documents:
Arrival by train
Monaco Monte-Carlo train station is connected to the cities of the Côte d’Azur by regional express trains. The Paris-Ventimiglia route is operated by Oui.SNCF TGV Inoui trains and the Marseilles-Nice-Genoa-Milan route by Thello trains, both with stops in Monte Carlo. There are no direct connections from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
rail passes
The Interrail One Country Pass for France and the Interrail Global Pass are also valid in Monaco.
Arrival by ship
The two main ports are Condamine (Hercule Port) and Fontvieille, which cater to yachts of all sizes. Cruise ships from all over the world also make stops in Monaco.
Cruise ships
Shipping companies such as Hapag Lloyd and Cunard also call at Monaco on their cruises departing from Hamburg or Kiel. Celebrity Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Norwegian Cruise Line and Sea Cloud Cruises also have Monaco in their cruise programs.
Transportation
Traveling by car/bus
Monaco’s road network covers around 80 km. Toll: There are no toll roads in the Principality. Gas stations are available everywhere.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
All the roads in the principality are paved and well maintained.
Car rental
Rental cars are available in Monte Carlo from companies such as Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Budget.
Taxi
Taxi ranks can be found at the Place du Casino and in front of the Monaco-Monte Carlo train station; Taxis cannot be hailed on the street. However, many hotels provide taxis or drivers. Taxis can also be ordered by telephone (tel. +377 93 15 01 01).
Bicycle
Bicycles and scooters can be rented. E-bike tours through Monte Carlo are also offered.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Alcohol limit: 0.5 ‰. – Children up to the age of 10 must be transported in a child seat. – Access to Monaco city is only permitted for vehicles registered in Monaco itself or in the French department of Alpes-Maritimes, in which case the owner must prove residence in this department. Other vehicles must be parked in the parking garage (Parking des Pêcheurs). The main roads outside the city are open to all vehicles. Speed limits: 50 km/h throughout the Principality.
Roadside Assistance
The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; in the event of damage to the vehicle: Tel. +49 (0)89 22 22 22, in the event of illness: +49 (0)89 76 76 76. In the event of breakdowns with the rental car, the rental car company should be contacted first.
Documentation
The national driving license is sufficient. The international insurance card for motor transport must always be carried with you.
Traveling in the city
In the principality, six bus lines run daily between 7 am and 9.30 pm by the Monegasque bus company CAM, with which travelers can easily reach many sights and museums, the business district and the casino. An evening bus serves all of Monaco at night between 9.20pm and 12.20am. After that, a night bus runs until 4 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday morning.
