Monte Carlo - Monaco

[agabbymama]

If you are docked, DO NOT TRY TO WALK UP THE HILL!!!!!

 

Go inside the building and ask directions to the elevator.

 

We are two older ladies with mobility issues, but as we exited the ship, everyone was walking down the pier, so we followed. There were no taxis at the pier (as our Monaco guide from the Visit Monaco website said), we walked and climbed stairs for approximately 1 1/2 hours, never did make it to the top. We returned to the ship for lunch and a nap. Around 4:00 we returned to the pier to a small souvenir kiosk, but the pier gate had been closed, so were forced into the building. My friend immediately spied the information desk and went over to complain that transportation to the top was not available, and we were told they would take us to the elevator, but our all aboard time was 4:30, so we couldn't do that. To make a long story short, we totally missed Monaco except what you could see from the pier, and it made us really leery on the rest of the cruise. We did a lot more ship excursions (costing us more money) as we were afraid to try and do it independently as Princess really didn't offer good information to independent travelers. And although I had researched for 18 months prior to our cruise, Monaco was our first Port Call, and it really put a damper on the whole cruise.

 

So have your Plan "A", but also have a Plan "B" for when Plan A falls apart, it happened to us frequently, and be prepared to just go with the flow as Plan A and B may both fall apart. Very little went as it was supposed to.

[TrixOffate]

Hello, can anyone give me directions from the Monte Carlo port to the Princess Stephanie bus stop? I plan to take that to the Cremaillere stop and transfer to the 112 to Eze.

 

Thanks

[BratDet]

check out toms port guides dot com he mentions for many ports how to find elevators to avoid climbing!

 

Bernadette

[dwaynesworld]

I was actually able to turn up quite a lot of info on Monte Carlo by searching over on the France forum.

 

sorry for the stupid question but there's another France forum? I thought there was only this one under Ports of Call. Thanks!

[vegastigr]

I'm not sure I understood you correctly. Are you saying that from where the ship is docked, there is an elevator that will take you up the rock to Monaco and the Palace? It is the first time I've heard of this, as last time I was there it cost a fortune to get up there.

 

 

 

You have at the harbour the avenue along. But nice going upstairs the rock. ( Note from the terminal (berth) inside the rock there is a public elevator up.) You find the Prince Palace, Botanic garden, Cathedral and old city, but also the Musée Oceanographique with a splendid aquarium) Here I disagree with another comment on this subject. In 2009 the Nautica called there and as Belgians the French coast is more as known to us, but I took advantage to visit the Musée the first time.

 

Regarding Eze. Yes the old village is indeed worth the trip. Carefull not to go Eze Bord de mer (coast part) but the "Eze Village" upon the rock. Beautifull old village. Take enough bytes for your photos!

 

Of course you can also go to Nice but all depends the time yr cruise ship will stay. Nice is not far away in km or miles.. but the road alongside the coast are with heavy traffic.

[Paul&Kathy]

The elevator is located at the far end of the big multi-storey car/coach park just outside the port. You have to walk either up a few steps (maybe 20 ?) as you leave the terminal or otherwise a slightly longer route onto the road but then turn left and walk right by the sea. You will see a big dark tunnel which looks a bit daunting, but carry on and walk through it (there is a pavement/sidewalk) and you will be in the car park. At the far end you will find the elevator, it just looks like any other elevator in any other car park. You take that elevator up to the top and then walk along a short tunnel to a second elevator which brings you out just outside the Oceanographic Museum. From there walk straight ahead, past the O. museum on your left, there is a nice park you can walk through instead of following the road. It is about 10 minutes walk to the town centre, Palace, cathedral etc. I have done it several times pushing a wheelchair and it is quite easy. I would say maybe a mile all together, allow maybe 30-40 minutes each way as a guide.

 

There are other elevators in Monaco and I had a brilliant map once but cannot find it now. The other one we have used is from the tunnel close to where the bateau bus (harbour ferry) lands on the opposite side of the harbour to the cruise port. It comes out in the gardens behind the casino.

 

Our standard day's DIY route for Monaco is - elevator to Monaco Ville for a couple of hours - bus from there to Casino - elevator down - bateau bus back to ship. It's a shame they don't signpost the elevators better. People are helpful if you ask but often such as in the big car park there is not really anybody about.

[Paul&Kathy]

I just found this excellent port guide for Monaco with photos and maps of each stage of the elevator journey:

 

http://www.**************.com/monaco

 

So now I know you can get an elevator from the port building - that will save an uphill push next time ! There is also on p9 that guide the map I mentioned showing all the elevators.

 

Sorry it deleted the link for some reason - go to toms port guides dot com (obviously in proper internet format but it deletes it when I do that) and then find the Monaco guide, it is really worth it. 'Tom' seems a really helpful guy, I am now going to look at some of this other port guides !

[picruiser]

If my ship stops in Cannes, will the ship have excursions to Monte Carlo? How far away is it?

[Hlitner]

If my ship stops in Cannes, will the ship have excursions to Monte Carlo? How far away is it?

 

Its about 50 miles (by road) and takes about an hour to drive between the two cities if one used the fast Autostrade. As to whether there is an excursion...maybe yes and maybe no...depending on your cruise line and the amount of time in the port. Keep in mind that Cannes is a tender port ....so valuable time is lost just tendering. We would also tell you that having spent a lot of time in the South of France, Monte Carlo is one of our least favorite places. That being said, for some reason cruisers do seem to enjoy going to this city. When we are in Cannes on a cruise (we are often in that area on driving trip) we would probably rent a car and drive to St Paul de Vence and perhaps also stop at Antibes for a couple of hours. Nice is also nice (can never resist saying that).

 

I should also mention that its very possible to go from Cannes to Monte Carlo on the train. There is usually at least one train per hour and it take about an hour (one way_ on the train. This train is direct, runs along the coast through Antibes and Nice, and is quite inexpensive. Its also possible to do it on public buses (even cheaper) but we think this mode of transportation takes too much time out of a port day.

 

Hank

[cynbar]

What is the bus fare per individual ride? Is there a central place to buy passes or multiple ticket bundles? Can we purchase online in advance? We'll be in Monaco the end of April and like the DIY options above, but we just want to be prepared before we arrive.