Hotel at Nice airport

[UKCruiseJeff]

A while since I have done it but the cost used to be about the same per person on the helicopter as for a taxi. So if there are 2 pax roughly double. Their web site might give costs.

 

It is around double the cost a pre-booked limo.

[Mr Luxury]

It is around double the cost a pre-booked limo.

 

The fare does include a van transfer from the heli stop to the port.

[Maggie4nc]

Thanks for the help! I think we will skip the train hassle and go with direct transfer. Taking a helicopter to Monaco does sound a bit rich, but oh so fun. Looking into it now:D

[debs0712]

We are staying at the Fairmont Monte Carlo for 2 nights before our September 30th sailing on the Sojourn. We are flying into Nice but figured that it is just easier and less hassle to be staying in Monte Carlo. My husband would love to take the helicopter transfer but I would be following in a taxi. Not for me!!

[UKCruiseJeff]

Thanks for the help! I think we will skip the train hassle and go with direct transfer. Taking a helicopter to Monaco does sound a bit rich, but oh so fun. Looking into it now:D

 

I think you said you were staying in Nice. You'll need to taxi back to the airport and then the flight. Cruisers need to check that they aren't exceeding any weights because some on longer cruises or with pots of luggage exceed heliwhatsits limits. I think the fares are around €250 for two so around €300 all in. At the Monaco end you'll need a transfer even though you can normally spit on the ship from the heliport.

 

Merc limo from Nice to Monaco is around half, much, much quicker if your start point is Nice, and to be honest is what I'd do unless you are desperate! Lots of limo options via google.

 

Jeff

[UKCruiseJeff]

We are staying at the Fairmont Monte Carlo for 2 nights before our September 30th sailing on the Sojourn. We are flying into Nice but figured that it is just easier and less hassle to be staying in Monte Carlo. My husband would love to take the helicopter transfer but I would be following in a taxi. Not for me!!

 

They are safe but miss it if you are nervous. 99.9% arrive safely, however a few years ago .......:eek:

[debs0712]

I got talked into doing a helicopter over the Grand Canyon a few years ago. I am happy that I did it and saw the canyon but no more helicopters for me. We have arranged a traditional transfer from the Nice airport to the hotel. Our flight arrives at 16:30 so I hope that we don't get caught in lots of traffic although we arrive on a Sunday.

[UKCruiseJeff]

I got talked into doing a helicopter over the Grand Canyon a few years ago. I am happy that I did it and saw the canyon but no more helicopters for me. We have arranged a traditional transfer from the Nice airport to the hotel. Our flight arrives at 16:30 so I hope that we don't get caught in lots of traffic although we arrive on a Sunday.

 

You are arriving at an almost perfect time. You'll get through fairly easilly except if there are schedule Sunday road works. It is worthwhile if you have the time flex to ask for a slower ride and a bit of a look around on your way.

 

Back to helicopter transfers. The other obvious difference between your Grand Canyon flight and the Nice / Monaco shuttle is that they can schedule the trips reliably over the Grand Canyon as it is a toruist thing. With the Nice / Monaco shuttle it is as much a cummuter service as a treat for tourists. You think you have reserved a transfer time but these work on a fixed schedule and for many, many, many reasons you may have to wait for the next one or the next one ..... ;)

[debs0712]

Glad to hear that we are arriving at a good time and hopefully there won't be any traffic. We have been in the area before but this is our 1st time at the Nice airport.

 

My husband may do a helicopter tour on the day that we are in Monte Carlo. I will be relaxing at the pool!!

[UKCruiseJeff]

Glad to hear that we are arriving at a good time and hopefully there won't be any traffic. We have been in the area before but this is our 1st time at the Nice airport.

 

My husband may do a helicopter tour on the day that we are in Monte Carlo. I will be relaxing at the pool!!

 

If you have time for the transfer, my suggestion is make a bit more of it. If I have understood you correctly you have an overnight. This means you could make the transfer into a bit more of the experience. Don't want to repeat lot's of history, but if you go to google and do cruisecritic.co uk1 bealiue sur mer villefranche etc you may come up with some ideas on making more of the transfer depending on your wishes and time.

 

The best time for MC is at night for a wander around and to gawp at those people with more cash as they get irritated with the people on the boat tied up next to them. Your hotel pass should also get you into the casinos for another gawp. Residents of Monaco aren't allowed into the casinos so your passport and pass will get you in if you are dressed appropriately.

 

If you eat that night, then take some of the outlying small streets and look for locals.

 

Enjoy your trip.

 

Jeff

[debs0712]

Yes, we arrive late on September 28th and the cruise leaves on the 30th. Our first Seabourn cruise!!

 

I have been to Villefranche twice and we have toured around the area before. I have never stayed in Monte Carlo so I am looking forward to the experience. The beautiful people don't impress me and I am not a casino person.

[UKCruiseJeff]

Yes, we arrive late on September 28th and the cruise leaves on the 30th. Our first Seabourn cruise!!

 

I have been to Villefranche twice and we have toured around the area before. I have never stayed in Monte Carlo so I am looking forward to the experience. The beautiful people don't impress me and I am not a casino person.

 

You sound like an old hand and need no advice at all. I lived in Villefranche for a short time as well as St Jean and Nice, and on two visits you will pretty well know all there is to know about VF.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

 

Jeff

[Maggie4nc]

While the idea of the helicopter is great, luggage will be an issue. You wouldn't believe how much room running gear takes! Now I am thinking I would like to start early from Nice with a transfer company that can also maybe give us a mini tour of MC and then head to the ship. Does anyone know of a service that offers something like that? If not, any recommendations on transfer company that you've used?

[UKCruiseJeff]

While the idea of the helicopter is great, luggage will be an issue. You wouldn't believe how much room running gear takes! Now I am thinking I would like to start early from Nice with a transfer company that can also maybe give us a mini tour of MC and then head to the ship. Does anyone know of a service that offers something like that? If not, any recommendations on transfer company that you've used?

 

 

My advice is going to be the reverse of the other advice you receive.

 

You probably will not have any problems with pre-booking a limmo. But if you do, you'll find yourself getting stressed if they are late and all the other stuff. This is France. Being on time is unusal. It really is totally unecessary. Wait until you get there and either book something the day before from info in your accomodation or get a cab - if you want ask the driver for a fixed rate. Also don't completely give up on taking a taxi to the gare routiers for the bus and a taxi at the MC end. The buses are actually coaches not busses with space for all your luggage and there will be taxis at the MC end. I love the bus and it's cheap and great fun. But I'd go for a taxi all the way if you prefer.

 

The idea of a limo tour or any tour of MC is a complete waste of time. MC is totally walkable. In fact it isn't really driveable except in an F1. You leave your luggage at the ship and go off and walk. A lot of the stuff won't be on a tour. Like wandering into the entrnce lobby of the De Paris and touching the leg of the horse for luck. Poking your head into Escoffier's restaurant in the hotel. The palace. The port. The aquarium. You'll prepare before you go. Buy a map online and walk and see much more and enjoy it more, and as you walk you'll see somewhere for lunch or whatever. A limmo tour will deprive you of much more than you'll gain by walking.

 

Anyway ... that's my advice.

 

:)

[Tillylovesseabourn]

Never had a luggage issue with two large cases on the helicopter, also it is worth considering the time saving. We left the airport at the same time as a couple in a private car,we arrived in 7 minutes, and two hours later they arrived!

 

Although they hit a lot of traffic, journeys of an hour to hour and a half are not uncommon. Worth considering a helicopter if you are in Monaco for a limited time.

[Capri73]

Tilly if you ever stay in Nice where do you stay?

[margbem]

The last time we stayed in Nice and embarked in Monte Carlo we stayed in a gorgeous little apartment in the middle of Nice. If you look at Your Nice Apartment dot com you will see their selection. We stayed in Adriana. The only advice I would give for transport ease is not to choose one in the Old Town as cars cannot access a lot of that area very easily.

 

We also used Friend-in-France for our transfers. A lovely English lady picked us up at the airport, drove us right to the door of the apartment then picked us up and drove us to the port in MC. She drove right up to the ship, our bags were unloaded and taken to the ship. We hardly touched them!

 

If you don't want an apartment I would still recommend the transfer service from FIF.

 

Hope this helps!

[Capri73]

Thanks for all the help.

We have found a B&B that got very high ratings on Trip Advisor.The owner will have someone pick us up at the airport.

I will look into F&F.

[Maggie4nc]

We are back from our trip and want to share. We originally had planned on taking the helicopter from Nice to MC, but the weather was awful, so we booked a transfer with Friend in France. This could not have gone better! After reading all the option for trains, buses and helicopter I am so glad we went with the hassle free option of a door to door transfer. For €75 a professional driver in a private car can't be beat!