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.
- Public
- CAM bus network is excellent for a 2 sq km principality with 5 routes, €2/ride, covering all districts. Free public elevators connect different levels. Very efficient for such a compact city.
- Taxi
- Official Monaco Taxis available 24/7 at fixed rates (€18-28 within Monaco). Uber banned. Hotel car services available at premium prices. Reliable but expensive compared to other European cities.
- Rental
- Car rental in Monaco is not recommended - parking costs €3-5/hour, roads are narrow, and everything is walkable. Rent a car at Nice Airport for French Riviera excursions only.
- Walking
- Monaco is the world's second-smallest country at 2 sq km - almost everything is walkable in 20-30 minutes. Free public elevators assist with the hilly terrain. Walking is genuinely the best way to experience Monaco.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Helicopter transfer - €150-200, 7 minutes to Monaco Heliport
- Shuttle
- Express bus line 110 - €22 one-way, 45 minutes direct to Monaco
- Bus
- Taxi - €90-110, 30-40 minutes depending on traffic
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Excellent public bus system with 5 routes operated by Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco (CAM)
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes Monday-Friday, 20 minutes weekends until 9:30 PM
- Fares
- Single ticket
- $2.00 (€2) from driver, $1.50 (€1.50) pre-purchased
- Day pass
- $5.50 (€5) unlimited rides
- 2 day pass
- $8.50 (€8) unlimited rides
- Coverage
- All Monaco districts including Monte Carlo, Monaco-Ville, Fontvieille, Larvotto
- Accessibility
- All buses wheelchair accessible
Alternatives
taxi, walking, rideshare, water_taxi
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $19 (€18) for journeys within Monaco (instant order/pickup)
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
- Line 100
- Scenic coastal bus Nice to Menton via Monaco - €1.50, runs every 15-20 min
- Regional buses
- Lignes d'Azur network connects French Riviera destinations
- Booking
- Board and pay driver, exact change helpful
Flights
Not applicable - Monaco has no commercial airport, use Nice NCE
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport
From centre: 22 km (13.7 miles) from Monaco
Options: Helicopter transfer - €150-200, 7 minutes to Monaco Heliport; Express bus line 110 - €22 one-way, 45 minutes direct to Monaco; Taxi - €90-110, 30-40 minutes depending on traffic; Private transfer - €120-150, 30-40 minutes; Train from Nice Airport station - €10 return, 50 minutes with transfer
Monaco Heliport
From centre: 500 meters from Monaco center
Options: Walking distance to most Monaco destinations; Taxi to hotels - €18-28; Helicopter connections to Nice Airport, Cannes, St. Tropez
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
SNCF Connect
Best app for French train booking - Monaco-Monte-Carlo station is on the SNCF network for trains to Nice, Cannes, Menton, and Italian Riviera
Lignes d'Azur
French Riviera regional bus network app covering scenic bus 100 coastal route from Nice to Menton via Monaco
Google Maps
Works well in Monaco for navigation and public transport - shows CAM bus routes and schedules accurately
Heli Air Monaco
Official helicopter transfer booking app/website for Nice Airport to Monaco Heliport transfers (7 minutes, €165-200)
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Save Monaco Taxi number (+377 93 15 01 01) before going out - Uber is banned and you'll need it after midnight
The free public elevators and escalators are Monaco's secret weapon - they connect the harbor level to Monaco-Ville and Casino Square without climbing steep hills
Buy a CAM bus day pass (€5.50) if using buses multiple times - available from driver or tourist office
Train from Monaco-Monte-Carlo underground station to Nice takes just 20 minutes (€5 return) - perfect for day trips
Bus line 100 along the coast (€1.50) offers stunning sea views between Monaco, Eze-sur-Mer, Beaulieu, and Nice - much more scenic than the train
Walking from the station to Casino Square takes about 15 minutes uphill - use bus line 1 or 2 if carrying luggage