Monaco port on grand prix day

[Scubachick84]

Hank, thank you for the info about the train. Do you happen to know the name of the train line so I can look up some additional information?

 

Thanks,

Laura

[Hlitner]

Hank, thank you for the info about the train. Do you happen to know the name of the train line so I can look up some additional information?

 

Thanks,

Laura

 

The French railroad has really made it difficult to get a timetable. The train is part of the French regional train system called the "TER" and you can find information on their web site which is in French (google toolbar can be used to translate). The actual region is Provence Alpes/Cote d'Azur. Their French web site is at:

http://www.ter-sncf.com/Regions/paca/Fr/Se_deplacer_en_TER/Avant_mon_voyage/Fiches_horaires/Default.aspx

 

and you can have fun trying to get useful info from this site (nearly impossible). Taking the train between Cannes and Monte Carlo is actually very simple since this is the main train line that serves both cities. When you go into the Cannes train station the info is posted on a large board and the trains generally run at least once per hour and sometimes more often. Since the trains run regularly and there are no reservations, most folks do not even worry about the schedule but simply go to the station and catch the next train. Of course they would want to check the return schedule to give themselves enough time to get back to Cannes.

 

Another web site that does generate actual schedules and prices can be found at:

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/billet-train

 

On this site you simply enter Cannes and Monaco-Monte Carlo and it will give you the schedule.

 

 

 

Hank

[nho9504]

In Oct 2008 we were on Emerald Princess transatlantic. The port was Cannes. We took the train to Monte Carlo. The staff sold us round trip tickets without saying a word about the imminent strike. Later we found out from passengers on an European ship that docked at Nice, that their ship KNEW about the imminent strike and warned the passengers about that with big sign post when passengers leaving ship for the day.

 

Anyway, when we were ready to make our way back and got to Monte Carlo train station around 1:30PM, we noticed the display was all gone - NO TRAIN INFORMATION. We went to the counter and found out the strike just started and ALL trains stopped running from 1:00PM till 5:00PM. There were already a couple from our ship talking frantically with the staff there trying to find a one-way rental car to drive back to Cannes. They did not have any luck.

 

Train staff told us we could take the No.100 bus from Monte Carlo to Nice, then switch to another bus from Nice to Cannes. Normally the bus between Monte Carlo and Nice is 20 min, and from Nice to Cannes is an hour and a half. If we rush to bus stop RIGHT NOW, we should be able to make it back on time... When we got to the bus stop (I believe is the one in front of the tunnel), there were already many people there waiting. Most of them were passengers from the European ship docked at Nice. That was how we found out the other ship KNEW the strike, while Princess had no clue. When the bus finally arrived 10 minutes behind schedule, everybody was fighting with each other to get on the bus which was filled to standing room only. We had to stand almost the whole way to Nice. Then we had to wait for the bus from Nice to Cannes at the Nice bus depot. The traffic was very very bad after leaving Nice. I kept thinking thank goodness I have my full wallet with me, credit cards, driver license (no passport). In case we miss the boat, the first thing is to find an internet cafe to book a flight to the next port. I kept telling myself, we are in EU so we dont need passports to travel from one country to another ...

 

It took 3 hours and then some for us to get into Cannes. When we finally got to near the train station it was already 5:00PM, the time the last tender supposed to leave.

 

We thought we would have missed the ship. Turned out the Princess tours were also coming back very late. 4 or 5 bus loads of passengers arrived the tender pier about the same time we walked to. At the end it was almost 6 o' clock when all passengers were finally aboard.

 

As much as the F1 tickets cost you, it would cost you couple times more should you miss the boat because of the traffic or the train not running on time.

[Hlitner]

In Oct 2008 we were on Emerald Princess transatlantic. The port was Cannes. We took the train to Monte Carlo. The staff sold us round trip tickets without saying a word about the imminent strike. Later we found out from passengers on an European ship that docked at Nice, that their ship KNEW about the imminent strike and warned the passengers about that with big sign post when passengers leaving ship for the day.

 

Anyway, when we were ready to make our way back and got to Monte Carlo train station around 1:30PM, we noticed the display was all gone - NO TRAIN INFORMATION. We went to the counter and found out the strike just started and ALL trains stopped running from 1:00PM till 5:00PM. There were already a couple from our ship talking frantically with the staff there trying to find a one-way rental car to drive back to Cannes. They did not have any luck.

 

Train staff told us we could take the No.100 bus from Monte Carlo to Nice, then switch to another bus from Nice to Cannes. Normally the bus between Monte Carlo and Nice is 20 min, and from Nice to Cannes is an hour and a half. If we rush to bus stop RIGHT NOW, we should be able to make it back on time... When we got to the bus stop (I believe is the one in front of the tunnel), there were already many people there waiting. Most of them were passengers from the European ship docked at Nice. That was how we found out the other ship KNEW the strike, while Princess had no clue. When the bus finally arrived 10 minutes behind schedule, everybody was fighting with each other to get on the bus which was filled to standing room only. We had to stand almost the whole way to Nice. Then we had to wait for the bus from Nice to Cannes at the Nice bus depot. The traffic was very very bad after leaving Nice. I kept thinking thank goodness I have my full wallet with me, credit cards, driver license (no passport). In case we miss the boat, the first thing is to find an internet cafe to book a flight to the next port. I kept telling myself, we are in EU so we dont need passports to travel from one country to another ...

 

It took 3 hours and then some for us to get into Cannes. When we finally got to near the train station it was already 5:00PM, the time the last tender supposed to leave.

 

We thought we would have missed the ship. Turned out the Princess tours were also coming back very late. 4 or 5 bus loads of passengers arrived the tender pier about the same time we walked to. At the end it was almost 6 o' clock when all passengers were finally aboard.

 

As much as the F1 tickets cost you, it would cost you couple times more should you miss the boat because of the traffic or the train not running on time.

 

WOW! We were on the same cruise and also planned to use the train to Nice. When we got to the station we quickly went over to the ticket window and bought train tickets. Then, as we walked away from the ticket window we noticed a notice posted several places in the station that said there was a one-day strike and the train schedule was very limited. We stopped at the information desk and got the latest schedule info and realized it would be difficult to get back to Cannes in the afternoon. We requested a refund on our tickets (by now two other couples from our ship were tagging along with us) and in a few minutes we met with the station manager who did get us a complete refund. At that point we implemented "Plan B" and simply rented a car. That particular strike had been annouced well in advance of the strike day, yet the port lecturer and tour desk on the ship did nothing to notify passengers. Unfortunately, this is typical of most cruise lines where their only interest is selling their own tours and discouraging passengers from "doing their own thing." Heaven forbid they would actually help passengers enjoy ports without booking their overpriced "cattle call" excursions.

 

Hank

[nho9504]

WOW! We were on the same cruise and also planned to use the train to Nice. When we got to the station we quickly went over to the ticket window and bought train tickets. Then, as we walked away from the ticket window we noticed a notice posted several places in the station that said there was a one-day strike and the train schedule was very limited. We stopped at the information desk and got the latest schedule info and realized it would be difficult to get back to Cannes in the afternoon. We requested a refund on our tickets (by now two other couples from our ship were tagging along with us) and in a few minutes we met with the station manager who did get us a complete refund. At that point we implemented "Plan B" and simply rented a car. That particular strike had been annouced well in advance of the strike day, yet the port lecturer and tour desk on the ship did nothing to notify passengers. Unfortunately, this is typical of most cruise lines where their only interest is selling their own tours and discouraging passengers from "doing their own thing." Heaven forbid they would actually help passengers enjoy ports without booking their overpriced "cattle call" excursions.

Hank

 

We were early at the station, like before 9am. We even dropped by the information booth to get a timetable. I did not recall there was any notice.

 

Your are 100% right, the strike was announced in advance. Hence a European line docked at Nice, has a big post at the gangway area warned their passengers of this.

 

We actually had a rental car booked before we left states. However our neighbors seemed to change their mind on that (shared costs) and preferred to go by train. So we changed plan... and wound up with this "hopefully never recur" event. Our neighbors wanted to see the Palace and Casino, we didn't. So the 4 of us separated upon arriving Monte Carlo. They found out Palace not opened that day, and Casino only opened at 2. Not enough time to get back Cannes safely, so they headed back to the station around noon, about an hour and a 1/2 ahead of us. They were luckier as at that time they had enough time to do the ticket refund and caught the not yet crowded bus. Also the road conditions were less congested in early afternoon. All the while when we were on our bus, we were worrying about if they would find out the strike after they came out from Casino... and worrying about they would miss the boat... It turned out it was us who came very close to miss the boat.

 

Upon our return, I was still furious with SNCF, so I called Citicard to request refund of the unused half of the train ticketrs - small sum, but a matter of principle.

 

Now we will sail on Eurodam Apr 3 crossing, and the last port is Monte Carlo, Sunday. We may just take the Bus 100 to Nice and on way back stop at Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Bus 100 is very frequent so unless there is another SNCF strike, it should not be an issue.

[Hlitner]

Now we will sail on Eurodam Apr 3 crossing, and the last port is Monte Carlo, Sunday. We may just take the Bus 100 to Nice and on way back stop at Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Bus 100 is very frequent so unless there is another SNCF strike, it should not be an issue.

 

In case you are not aware, on Sunday they have the fabulous Flower Market in Nice. But, it starts close-up a little after noon and by 1 everything is closed. But, if you can get there by 11 there is still time to enjoy the place. The market is in the old town area which is less then a 10 min walk from the Gare Routiere bus station.

 

Hank