Cannes to Monte Carlo

We will be docking in Cannes in June on the Epic. I have been looking at taking the ships excursion of Monaco & Monte Carlo. Part of me wants to do it but then again I keep thinking I can use public transportation and get there a whole lot cheaper.

1. Has anyone ever taken the train or bus from Cannes to Monte Carlo?

2. If you have ever done this what is the best way to get there?

3. How long does it take?

4. Should I just suck it up and take the ship excursion for a peace of mind?

Any advise would be great (Also I am sure this has been posted over and over on CC but I can't seem to find anything. If you know of any links or reviews please post those also).

Thanks guys! You all are the best!

We will be docking in Cannes in June on the Epic. I have been looking at taking the ships excursion of Monaco & Monte Carlo. Part of me wants to do it but then again I keep thinking I can use public transportation and get there a whole lot cheaper.

 

1. Has anyone ever taken the train or bus from Cannes to Monte Carlo?

 

The train is a much better option then buses (you would have to change in Nice with a bus and it takes much longer)

 

2. If you have ever done this what is the best way to get there?

 

You can walk to the Cannes train station from the tender pier, but it takes about 25 min for a fast walker. Otherwise, you would need to find a taxi which is not always easy.

3. How long does it take?

 

The train ride is about 1 hour and there are normally 1-2 trains per hour. It is the same train that goes to Nice

4. Should I just suck it up and take the ship excursion for a peace of mind?

 

That is just a personal choice issue. But an excursion will probably cost you a lot more money.

 

Any advise would be great (Also I am sure this has been posted over and over on CC but I can't seem to find anything. If you know of any links or reviews please post those also).

 

Thanks guys! You all are the best!

You are welcome :)

Hank

We will be docking in Cannes in June on the Epic. I have been looking at taking the ships excursion of Monaco & Monte Carlo. Part of me wants to do it but then again I keep thinking I can use public transportation and get there a whole lot cheaper.

 

1. Has anyone ever taken the train or bus from Cannes to Monte Carlo?

2. If you have ever done this what is the best way to get there?

3. How long does it take?

4. Should I just suck it up and take the ship excursion for a peace of mind?

 

Any advise would be great (Also I am sure this has been posted over and over on CC but I can't seem to find anything. If you know of any links or reviews please post those also).

 

Thanks guys! You all are the best!

Trains between Cannes and Monte-Carlo run 2-3 times per hour. The journey takes just over an hour and costs € 9,40 per person (one way, second class). It's best to check the train timetable before you go.

Monte-Carlo train station is situated at walking distance from the Casino. The palace and the Cathedral in Monaco Ville are easily reached by bus nr.2

Cannes train station is located in the north of the city on Place de l'étoile. From the tender boat station at Quai Croisière it's a pleasant 20 to 30 minutes walk. Walk along the harbor in the direction of Palais de Festivals. Once there turn left and take the Rue des Serbes. This street leads to the train station https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Quai+Max+Laubeuf&daddr=43.548476,7.0125259+to:43.551828,7.020596+to:Rue+Jean+Jaur%C3%A8s&hl=hr&ie=UTF8&ll=43.553556,7.018976&spn=0.015924,0.037165&sll=43.555049,7.019663&sspn=0.015924,0.037165&geocode=Fe96mAIdmgZrAA%3BFTx_mAIdrQBrACk1tOU1j4HOEjHSMZEt0dyKsw%3BFVSMmAIdNCBrACm3Q24pkoHOEjFhuRshFTkG3g%3BFWCTmAIdEB1rAA&dirflg=w&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=15&via=1,2&t=m&z=15

Or take the bus (http://palmbus.fr/fiches-horaires-plans/ nr.1 , or 2 ,20 - ask the bus driver to go to the train station ) from Hotel De Ville https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Quai+Max+Laubeuf&daddr=Pl.+Bernard+Cornut+Gentille&hl=hr&ll=43.549155,7.014019&spn=0.007963,0.018582&sll=43.550951,7.012638&sspn=0.000995,0.002323&geocode=Fe96mAIdmgZrAA%3BFZaImAIdef9qAA&t=m&dirflg=w&mra=dme&mrsp=1&sz=19&z=16 to Gare SCNF (train station)

Pay the driver 1,5 € and then you will see a blue ticket validator just past driver that you put your ticket in to validate. Bus ride was about 10 minutes and stops right in front of station.

If you're in a hurry you can also take a taxi from the port. Expect to pay around €10 -15 per taxi (4 persons, one way).

I hope that helps

.

If you're in a hurry you can also take a taxi from the port. Expect to pay around €10 -15 per taxi (4 persons, one way).

 

I hope that helps

Maybe yes, and maybe no. Taxis in Cannes are not always going to show-up at the tender pier area, and if some do show they might refuse a short haul fare to the train station. So here is a tale to put this in perspective (we have posted this a few other times).

About 3 or 4 years ago we tendered into Cannes (we are very familiar with Cannes having stayed there on a couple of driving trips...plus many cruise visits). DW had a bad knee so our intention was to forego our normal walk to the train station and grab a taxi to the station. We got off an early tender about 7:30am and there was not a single taxi in the parking lot. So we started walking towards the station. When we reached the corner at the Promanade I noticed 6 or 7 taxis parked across the street in front of a café. I decided to stop and grab a café au lait (to go) and saw all the taxi drivers just sitting around a table enjoying their morning café au lait. There was no way they were going to let a cruise ship interfere with their morning café :).

Skip ahead to about 2 years ago when we were docked in Le Havre. DW and I took a train down to Rouen and had a wonderful day. When we got back to Le Havre it was about 4:30 on a nice Saturday afternoon and we were pretty worn out. So we decided to grab a taxi rather then walk (it is a good 1 1/2 miles to the ship). But alas, there were zero taxis at the train station taxi stand and several local French quite angry trying to get a taxi on their cell phones. Bottom line, all the taxis decided it was time to go home (it was a truly lovely day) and nobody wanted to work. We finally gave up waiting (after about 15 min) and walked back to the ship.

Hank

Do I need to get train tickets in advance or wait until we get to the train station? We are about 58 days away until we go on our cruise.

Do I need to get train tickets in advance or wait until we get to the train station? We are about 58 days away until we go on our cruise.

No need to buy in advance. The train you will take is a TER (regional) train which is more like a commuter elevated subway then a real train. In fact, you might see folks coming aboard with their bicycles and all kinds of interesting things. There are no reserved seats. You just go to the station, buy your ticket (they have vending machines or a ticket window at Cannes), validate your ticket by inserting it in the validation machine (it puts a time/date stamp on the ticket) and then just hop on the next train.

Hank

Hank,

I have read other post from you on Cannes and Nice. You give a lot of great information and I want to say thank you for all you information.

We are traveling in a party of 4 (2 teenagers age 14 & 16).

One other question: We will be on the EPIC and arrive in Cannes at 8AM and leave at 6PM. That gives us 10 hours. I understand that in Cannes we will tender.

I have been on the fence of going to Monte Carlo/Monoco. We have never been to Europe and I am not sure if we will ever get to go back. :( Monte Carlo was on my list of things to do/places to see. But I am afraid of the timeframe and us being rushed. So my question are we pushing it by going to Monte Carlo in this short time frame? Looking at taking the train which is 1 hour each way.

If we don't do Monte Carlo should we focus on Nice? Please give me any advise you have.

Hank,

 

I have read other post from you on Cannes and Nice. You give a lot of great information and I want to say thank you for all you information.

 

We are traveling in a party of 4 (2 teenagers age 14 & 16).

 

One other question: We will be on the EPIC and arrive in Cannes at 8AM and leave at 6PM. That gives us 10 hours. I understand that in Cannes we will tender.

 

I have been on the fence of going to Monte Carlo/Monoco. We have never been to Europe and I am not sure if we will ever get to go back. :( Monte Carlo was on my list of things to do/places to see. But I am afraid of the timeframe and us being rushed. So my question are we pushing it by going to Monte Carlo in this short time frame? Looking at taking the train which is 1 hour each way.

 

If we don't do Monte Carlo should we focus on Nice? Please give me any advise you have.

I have spent a lot of time in the area and if I were you I would not miss going to Monte Carlo. The scenery is beautiful all the way there from Cannes. I don't find Nice all that exciting and you will pass through Nice on the way to Monte Carlo. I have not taken the train in that area but when we drive by car the views are out of this world. Don't miss it. It is truly special. You don't have to spend too much time in Monte Carlo (it's not all that big) and the best part is the scenery on the way there (in my opinion).

Wendy

Hank,

 

I have read other post from you on Cannes and Nice. You give a lot of great information and I want to say thank you for all you information.

 

We are traveling in a party of 4 (2 teenagers age 14 & 16).

 

One other question: We will be on the EPIC and arrive in Cannes at 8AM and leave at 6PM. That gives us 10 hours. I understand that in Cannes we will tender.

 

I have been on the fence of going to Monte Carlo/Monoco. We have never been to Europe and I am not sure if we will ever get to go back. :( Monte Carlo was on my list of things to do/places to see. But I am afraid of the timeframe and us being rushed. So my question are we pushing it by going to Monte Carlo in this short time frame? Looking at taking the train which is 1 hour each way.

 

If we don't do Monte Carlo should we focus on Nice? Please give me any advise you have.

Since it is your first European trip I guess we have to be kind and gentle :). So we will try to keep our personal bias out of the post (a few others would keep me honest anyway). Going to Monte Carlo means about 20 more minutes (each way) on the train when compared to Nice. Since these trains do not require any reservations, it is a situation where you can almost plan your day at the moment..depending on time and the circumstances. The same train line will take you to Antibes, Nice or Monte Carlo. You also want to play it safe and be back in Cannes at least an hour before the last tender (which should be at 5:30).

I do not think you have any time problem if Monte Carlo is your destination, and you might even have time to also see some of Nice. So in your situation we would try to get off the ship as early as possible (this means getting to the appropriate lounge and getting an early tender ticket). As soon as you get ashore head to the train station (you can walk in about 25 min or try to get lucky and get a taxi). Go directly to Monte Carlo (your furthest point) where you should be able to make the Changing of the Guard which is at 11:55. You would probably want to be on a train heading back towards Cannes no later then 3:15...so plan accordingly. If you get bored in Monte Carlo you can always hop the next train (or take the #100 bus) to Nice (which is on the way back towards Cannes).

By doing things on your own you are not tied to a schedule other then getting yourself back to the port on time. That is the beauty (and fun) of doing it on your own.

You do need to do your homework (the teens should be good at this project) about Monte Carlo. You might want to use a local bus or a taxi to get up to the Palace since it is an uphill hike...and you can save some time. I believe the casino is age restricted (you might want to double check me on this) which means you cannot go there...but we have never thought it worthwhile to pay an admission fee to see a casino (they should pay me).

Hank

OP - you might want to post a message of going to Monte Carlo vs. Nice from Cannes and you might get some interesting responses - unless you are dead set on Monte Carlo.

OP - I am on the Epic a week after you and I was planning to go to Monaco and then head back to Cannes but this board changed my mind just a little bit.

I am still going to go to Monaco in the morning but I am now looking at going to Eze on our way back to Cannes.

The thing I like about these port forums are the different ideas you get that you wouldn't have thought of otherwise.

OP - I am on the Epic a week after you and I was planning to go to Monaco and then head back to Cannes but this board changed my mind just a little bit.

 

I am still going to go to Monaco in the morning but I am now looking at going to Eze on our way back to Cannes.

 

The thing I like about these port forums are the different ideas you get that you wouldn't have thought of otherwise.

Just so you understand that unless you have a rental car you will need to plan your day around the bus schedule to Eze Village. Those buses do not run very often and they are a major factor for those without a car.

Hank