Few destinations in Europe conjure up images of sophistication and glamour quite like Monaco, the independent city-state on the Mediterranean coast of south-east France. Arriving by train to Monaco places travellers right at the heart of the Monte Carlo district — perfect for exploring its sites by foot! Monaco train station is a modern and large transport hub with good connections to the rest of France and neighbouring Italy. High-speed TGV trains from Paris to Monaco have a journey time of around 6h30mins. EuroCity and local TER Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur trains also serve the city. The train to Monaco from Nice only takes 15 minutes, making rail travel a convenient way to explore the French Riviera.
Visiting Monaco
Travelling to Monaco by train puts visitors a stone’s throw from the sea, as well as action and fun! Travellers wanting to make a beeline to the luxury yachts of Port Hercule, the emblem of Monaco’s prestige, can be there in under a 10-minute walk, strut, or stroll. Above the harbour is Monaco-Ville (or Le Rocher), the city’s incredibly picturesque cliff-side medieval district, with winding streets and a wealth of heritage attractions. The 13th-century Palais Princier is the luxurious abode of the reigning Grimaldi family and an eye-catching edifice. The city’s Roman-Byzantine cathedral, with its stark white facade flanked by palm trees, also demands a visit, and it’s only 10 minutes away. A further 5-minute walk takes visitors to the world-renowned Musée Océanographique de Monaco, rising impossibly from a cliff and containing the scientific secrets of the sea.
Boulevard Albert leads along the harbour and is packed with tempting cafes and restaurants, promising gourmet seafood and gorgeous views, one of which is the iconic Hôtel de Paris itself. Those who resist this lure can be at the Théâtre Princesse Grace and Monaco’s famous casino after a 5-minute stroll. Fabulously ostentatious, this casino is a testimony to the confident luxury of the of Belle Époque era that saw Monaco become an elite holiday destination. If all the glitz and glamour gets too much, travellers can continue along the coast to the tranquil Jardin Japonais, which (perhaps to balance the rest of the city) encourages meditation and reflection.
Book your train to Monte Carlo
Due to the fact that the Principality of Monaco is so small, there is only one train station that serves the region, the Gare de Monaco-Monte-Carlo. Located in the La Condamine ward of Monaco, both the station and all of the track are located underground to allow for unmarred views and maximum real estate above ground. There were originally two stations in the city-stats; Gare de Monaco and Monte Carlo. However, neither remain in use today as result of relaying and reorganising the tracks in the 1960s and 1990s, when the new and improved Monaco-Monte-Carlo Station was unveiled underground.
Situated on the Marseille–Ventimiglia railway line, meaning that it is served by local TER Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur trains, TGV high-speed trains from Paris to Ventimiglia, EuroCity trains between Marseille and Milan, and Russian Railway night trains between Nice and Moscow. Many of these routes are extremely popular, allowing visitors to be able to reach Monaco-Monte-Carlo by train from Nice Ville in 14mins, Travel by train to Monaco-Monte-Carlo from Cannes, in 49mins and catch a train from Milan to Monaco-Monte-Carlo, in 4hrs 29mins.