Cannes - Monaco-SJCF-Nice-Cannes?

[lilwondr]

Is it realistic to try to tender in from the cruise ship to Cannes, grab a train/cab to Monaco for a stroll, train/cab to stop for a 1.5 hour walk around St. Jean Cap Ferrat, train/cab to Nice to stroll, and make it back to Cannes to tender back to the cruise ship within 10 hours in the same day? Which is better, trains or cabs? Thanks!

[Hlitner]

Is it realistic to try to tender in from the cruise ship to Cannes, grab a train/cab to Monaco for a stroll, train/cab to stop for a 1.5 hour walk around St. Jean Cap Ferrat, train/cab to Nice to stroll, and make it back to Cannes to tender back to the cruise ship within 10 hours in the same day? Which is better, trains or cabs? Thanks!

 

It is possible, especially if you just keep yourself in flexible mode and change your plans if it seems right at the time. Taxis in the south of France are very expensive so its best to rule out that option. If you have no problem driving in France you could easily pick-up a rental car in Cannes (we like to use Europcar) and simply drive to your destinations. If using public transit you can use the train to get to both Nice and Monte Carlo (same train line). Getting to St Jean/Cap Ferret is more of a challenge since the train does not go to that town. But the #81 bus does run from the Nice Gare Routiere Bus station to Cap Ferret every 20 minutes. This is a local bus with many stops and it does stop in Villefranche where you can connect with the #100 bus which happens to run between Nice and Monte Carlo (this bus does not go near Cap Ferret which is why you need to either transfer to the #81 or simply catch the 81 from Nice). So, you can achieve your goal by using a combination of trains and buses. Personally, we like a rental car because it gives us complete flexibility and avoids losing time while waiting for public transit. A rental car will probably cost you about $100 - $120 for the day whereas using trains and buses will be somewhat cheaper.

 

Hank

[moyaroo]

I agree with Hank the car is the most flexible, though it will be a small hassle in Nice and Monaco for parking. One the other hand with a car you can easily get to those places and Eze as well - Driving up to Eze is one of those must do drives anyway! You know like Lombard St in San Francisco, the Pacific Coast Highway, and the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Be sure to have a manual transmission as there is nothing like it for mountain driving - and not just for acceleration it helps immensely with the braking.

 

Of course since the bus is still 1 euro economics may make my favorite drive something of a guilty pleasure.

[BiggiB]

Some more information about Cap Ferrat:

The Cap Ferrat peninsula is mainly a residential area and St Jean is a tiny village on the Eastern shore. The most beautiful thing to do there is walking along the coastal path in front of all the famous and beautiful villas; a real holiday feeling also for the many locals who take their daily strolls there.

If you arrive by train, get off at Beaulieu train station, take the Beaulieu local bus line (a very small bus) to Cap Ferrat. You can get off in St. Jean, and walk around the "Little Cap Ferrat" peninsula with the most spectacular views. It will take you about an hour.

Or you walk from the train station down to the coast, follow the promenade and continue to St. Jean from there. Nice walk, too, along the Bay of Beaulieu.

If you arrive by car, you drive down to St. Jean, pass the village and look for a parking spot closer to the beach (towards the luxury Voile d'Or Hotel) or stay at the public parking lot in the port. However, be aware the streets are VERY narrow. From the parking, you can reach the coastal walk way very easily.

If you are interested, walk up to the church on top of the "Little Cap Ferrat", with its cemetery and an overwhelmingly huge half-statue of St Mary, towering above the tree line like a lighthouse.

The most attractive point of sightseeing on Cap Ferrat is the Villa Ephrussi Rothschild with its incredible architecture, the art collection and the most beautiful gardens and views across two bays.

Check out this website, ,too: http://www.frenchrivieratraveller.com/Nice_to_Monaco/CapFerrat.html

Have a fun time at the Côte d'Azur!