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Monte Carlo Rail Tickets
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Principality of Monaco Rail Pass - Principality of Monaco Train Tickets
Monaco Monte-Carlo Station
Monaco Monte-Carlo station or Gare de Monaco Monte-Carlo is the sole railway station in the Principality of Monaco, though part of it is located in Beausoleil, France. It is served by trains of the French state-owned operator SNCF, on the Marseille–Ventimiglia railway line. The station, along with the entire railway line in the principality, is located underground.
Principality of Monaco Railway History
The railway line from Marseille reached Monaco in 1868. The first station in the Principality, originally named Monaco (Gare de Monaco), was located in La Condamine. The following year, a second station named Monte Carlo (Gare de Monte-Carlo), was opened in Monte Carlo quarter, directly below the Monte Carlo Casino. The first station in La Condamine was later renamed Monaco-Monte-Carlo (Gare de Monaco-Monte-Carlo) in the 1950s, after the building of a new tunnel bypassing the second station in Monte Carlo, which was closed in 1965. The idea to relocate the railway and bypass Monte Carlo station was conceived by Rainier III to reclaim valuable land for development.
In the early 1990s, it was again decided to re-route the railway (this time, completely underground) and build a new station back closer to the center of Monaco. Construction commenced in 1993 on the station in the ward of Ravin de Sainte-Dévote; the new station opened on 7 December 1999, replacing the former surface Monaco-Monte-Carlo station from then on. This comprises a curved tunnel 466 metres (1,529 ft) in length, 22 metres (72 ft) wide and 13 metres (43 ft) in height. There are three tracks through the station (accessed from a side platform on the south side) and an island platform between the two tracks to the north.
Monaco Train Services
The majority of trains serving the Principality of Monaco are local TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur services between Marseille-Saint-Charles and Ventimiglia in Italy, close to the France–Italy border. There are also a small number of TGV services from the Gare de Lyon in Paris.
Montecarlo station is served by the following services:
- High Speed Services: (TGV) Paris – Avignon – Cannes – Nice – Menton
- Local Services: (TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) Grasse – Cannes – Nice – Monaco – Ventimiglia
A Quick Guide to Monte-Carlo
Monaco is unquestionably the international capital of luxury. The greatest names in fashion quickly established themselves in the Principality, haute couture, perfume, jewellery; the most beautiful finery has found its showcase in the Principality of Monaco.
Monaco proudly bears the standard of dreams and glamour around the world but it is, above all, a tourist destination with a remarkable heritage and an outstanding wealth and variety of sites, museums and excursions.
A stay in the Principality can recharge your batteries in a fraction of a second. The benefits of the sea are self-evident. You can also enjoy numerous water sports, including scuba diving, snorkelling, jet skiing, kitesurfing, windsurfing and many others.
The Princess Grace Rose Garden and the Exotic Garden may be among the best known, but the Principality has many parks and gardens to discover, including Princess Antoinette Park, the Japanese Garden, the St. Martin Gardens, the Little Africa Gardens, the Boulingrins Gardens, and the UNESCO Gardens on the Fontvieille Terraces... They are managed according to eco-friendly principles and are all distinctive in their own way, with very different atmospheres!
Monaco officially the Principality of Monaco is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a semi-enclave bordered by France to the north, east and west. The principality is home to 38,682 residents, of whom 9,486 are Monégasque nationals,it is widely recognised as one of the wealthiest and most expensive places in the world. The official language of the principality is French. In addition, Monégasque (a variety of Ligurian), English and Italian are spoken and understood by many residents.
With an area of 2.08 km2 (0.80 sq mi), Monaco is the second-smallest sovereign state in the world, after Vatican City. Its population of 38,367 in 2023 makes it the most densely-populated sovereign state in the world, trailing only the dependency of Macau. Monaco also has the world's shortest coastline, measuring just 3.83 km (2.38 mi).
The principality is about 15 km (9.3 mi) from the border with Italy and consists of nine administrative wards, the largest of which is Monte Carlo.
The principality is governed under a form of constitutional monarchy, with Prince Albert II as head of state, who wields immense political power despite his constitutional status. The prime minister, who is the head of government, can be either a Monégasque or a French citizen; the monarch consults with the Government of France before an appointment. Key members of the judiciary in Monaco are detached French magistrates.
The House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, since 1297. The state's sovereignty was officially recognised by the Franco-Monégasque Treaty of 1861, with Monaco becoming a full United Nations voting member in 1993. Despite Monaco's independence and separate foreign policy, its defence is the responsibility of France, besides maintenance of two small military units.
Monaco's economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with the opening of the state's first casino, the Monte Carlo Casino, and a railway connection to Paris. Since then, Monaco's mild climate, scenery, and gambling facilities have contributed to the principality's status as a tourist destination and recreation centre for the rich. In more recent years, Monaco has become a major banking centre and has sought to diversify its economy into the services sector and small, high-value-added, non-polluting industries. Monaco is famous as a tax haven, as the principality has no personal income tax (except for French citizens) and low business taxes.
Over 30% of the residents are millionaires, with real estate prices reaching €100,000 ($116,374) per square metre in 2018. Monaco is considered a global hub of money laundering, and in February 2023 was placed under review by the intergovernmental Financial Action Task Force watchdog, with the threat of being placed on its 'grey list', for its failures in financial supervision and reform to inhibit global criminality and terrorism financing.
Monaco is not formally a part of the European Union (EU), but it participates in certain EU policies, including customs and border controls. Through its relationship with France, Monaco uses the euro as its sole currency; before, it used the Monegasque franc, which was pegged, and exchangeable with, the French franc until 1 January 2002. Monaco joined the Council of Europe in 2004 and is a member of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).
It is also the host of the annual street circuit motor race, the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the original Grands Prix of Formula One. The local motorsports association gives name to the Monte Carlo Rally, hosted in January in the French Alps. The principality has a club football team, AS Monaco, which competes in the French Ligue 1 and have become French champions on multiple occasions, and a basketball team, which plays in the EuroLeague. A centre of research into marine conservation, Monaco is home to one of the world's first protected marine habitats,an Oceanographic Museum, and the International Atomic Energy Agency Environment Labs, which is the only marine laboratory in the United Nations structure.
Monaco Tourism
Experience a bubble of tranquillity, in a haven of peace. Treat yourself to a stay in the Principality, where relaxation and delight are the order of the day.
Whether you choose to pamper yourself at a spa, dine in style at one of the many top-class restaurants, or browse the luxury boutiques, there are so many ways to relax and recharge your batteries in Monaco! For a romantic break or a getaway with family or friends, the Principality is the perfect destination to live in the moment and savour a change of scenery in complete serenity.
Prestigious, enchanting, sun-bathed... The Principality of Monaco lights up the world with its legendary beauty, dazzling glamour, and authentic style. This is the place to experience la belle vie! A visit to this little Mediterranean paradise where time stands still, is an invitation to luxuriate in moments of pure delight and an atmosphere of peace, relaxation, and well-being. From prestige hotels, luxury spas, and private beaches, to water sports, cocktails by the sea, shopping trips, and walks through lush gardens, Monaco has everything you could possibly need to guarantee unforgettable moments in a truly magical destination.
If you’re a fan of walks in stunning gardens with their own distinctive character, then head to one of the many green spaces that cover no less than one-fifth of Monaco. There are the Saint-Martin Gardens in Monaco-Ville, the Petite Afrique gardens just a stone’s throw from the iconic Casino de Monte Carlo, the Princess Grace Rose Garden, the beautifully landscaped district of Fontvieille, and many more besides. All offer a welcome chance to unwind in a memorable setting, in the heart of the city or overlooking the Mediterranean...
Taking time out with the ones you love, that’s the recipe for a great holiday. Savour the finest cuisine in the Principality’s best restaurants, or charm your palate by tasting some traditional Monegasque specialities. In the country with the biggest hotel wine cellar in the world, Michelin-starred chefs and authentic cuisine, gastronomy in the Principality is wonderfully varied. Though it covers barely more than two square kilometres, Monaco is packed with superb places to dine.
Alternatively, take a stroll through the streets of the city for some unique “retail therapy”. From the souvenir shops of Monaco-Ville to the iconic fashion houses of Monte Carlo, from elegant malls to eclectic shopping arcades and the neighbouring pedestrian streets of Port Hercule, here you will find a shopping experience Made In Monaco. There is also the stunning new One Monte-Carlo complex, which you can explore on foot and in complete security. With designer clothing, perfumes, jewellery, and more, all of the most illustrious names in beauty and fashion can be found at this exclusive address.
To continue welcoming visitors from all over the world in the best possible conditions, the Prince’s Government has created the “Monaco Safe” certification. Whether you are here for business or pleasure, the label is your guarantee of a safe, healthy stay.
The French Riviera, Riviera Française or the Côte d'Azur
The French Riviera in French as the Côte d'Azur is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France. There is no official boundary, but it is usually considered to extend from Toulon, Le Lavandou or Saint-Tropez in the west to Menton at the France–Italy border in the east. The coast is entirely within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. The Principality of Monaco is a semi-enclave within the region, surrounded on three sides by France and fronting the Mediterranean. Riviera is an Italian word that corresponds to the ancient Ligurian territory, wedged between the Var and Magra rivers. The Côte d'Azur or French Riviera, is a nickname given by France to the County of Nice after its annexation in 1860, because the rain and the Mistral (south of France cold wind) were stopped by the Alps and the climate was similar to that of the north of Italy, even in winter, with a sky as blue as its sea. When the Mistral and the Tramontane are blowing, this provokes an upwelling phenomenon between Languedoc and Provence they push the surface waters out to sea and bring deeper, cooler waters up to the seaside. Consequently, on these beaches, the temperature of the Mediterranean can be very cool in summer depending on the wind regime.
The County of Nice is a mountainous area like Italy which stands out from the South of France. While the Saharan warm wind Sirocco blows over Italy, the cold wind Mistral blows over the south of France. As the County of Nice is protected by the Alps, it has a northern Italian climate. This corresponds to the mountain range of the Apennines and Ligurian Alps and located between the rivers of Var and Magra.
The French Riviera largest city is Nice, which has a population of 340,017 as of 2017. The city is the centre of a métropole Nice-Côte d'Azur bringing together 49 communes and more than 540,000 inhabitants and 943,000 in the urban area. Nice is home to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, France's third-busiest airport (after Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport), which is on an area of partially reclaimed coastal land at the western end of the Promenade des Anglais. A second airport at Mandelieu was once the region's commercial airport, but is now mainly used by private and business aircraft.
TGV High-speed trains serve the coastal region and inland to Grasse, with the TGV Sud-Est service reaching Nice-Ville station in five and a half hours from Paris. The French Riviera has a total population of more than two million. It contains the seaside resorts of Cap-d'Ail, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Cannes, Saint-Raphaël, Fréjus, Sainte-Maxime and Saint-Tropez. The French Riviera is a major yachting and cruising area with several marinas along its coast.
According to the Côte d'Azur Economic Development Agency, it benefits from 300 days of sunshine per year, 115 kilometres (71 mi) of coastline and beaches, 18 golf courses and 3,000 restaurants. Each year the Côte d'Azur hosts 50% of the world's superyacht fleet, with 90% of all superyachts visiting the region's coast at least once in their lifetime.
As a tourist centre, the French Riviera benefits from 310 to 330 days of sunshine per year, 115 kilometres (71 miles) of coastline and beaches, 18 golf courses, 14 ski resorts and 3,000 restaurants.
France's railway network, which stretches 29,473 kilometres (18,314 mi) as of 2008, is the second most extensive in Western Europe after Germany. It is operated by the SNCF, and high-speed trains include the Thalys, the Eurostar and TGV, which travels at 320 km/h (199 mph). The Eurostar, along with the Eurotunnel Shuttle, connects with the United Kingdom through the Channel Tunnel. Rail connections exist to all other neighbouring countries in Europe except Andorra. Intra-urban connections are also well developed, with most major cities having underground or tramway services complementing bus services.
There are 464 airports in France. Charles de Gaulle Airport, located in the vicinity of Paris, is the largest and busiest airport in the country, handling the vast majority of popular and commercial traffic and connecting Paris with virtually all major cities across the world. Air France is the national carrier airline, although numerous private airline companies provide domestic and international travel services. There are ten major ports in France, the largest of which is in Marseille, which also is the largest bordering the Mediterranean Sea. 12,261 kilometres (7,619 mi) of waterways traverse France including the Canal du Midi, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean through the Garonne river.
Enjoy rail travel in France, where visitors can marvel at the vineyards in Champagne and spend a magical weekend in Paris. Other popular routes bring you to these stunning landscapes: the lavender fields of Provence, Nice's coastal beauty of the Côte D'Azur and spectacular Mont Blanc of the French Alps.
SNCF operates all of France's national rail services including the high-speed TGV network. More than 800 high-speed SNCF trains depart every day. SNCF’s TGV trains carry over 100 million passengers every year.
Visit the French Riviera
With more than 10 million tourists a year, the French Riviera (French: Côte d'Azur), in Southeastern France, is the second leading tourist destination in the country, after the Parisian region.
Main cities on the French Riviera include Nice, Antibes and Cannes, Cap Ferrat is also a popular destination. Cannes hosts the annual Cannes Film Festival. Tourists often visit Port-Cros National Park, east of Toulon, as well as the city-state of Monaco, famous for its Monte Carlo Casino, near the Italian border.
Visit Provence
A large part of Provence, with Marseille as its leading city, was designed as the 2013 European Capital of Culture. Numerous famous natural sites can be found in the region, as the Gorges du Verdon, the Camargue, the Calanques National Park and the typical landscape of Luberon. Provence hosts dozens of renowned historical sites like the Pont du Gard, the Arles' Roman Monuments or the Palais des Papes in Avignon. Several smaller cities also attracts a lot of tourists, like Aix-en-Provence, La Ciotat or Cassis, on the Mediterranean Sea coastline.
Visit French Alps
The French Alps are the portions of the Alps mountain range that stand within France, located in the Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions. While some of the ranges of the French Alps are entirely in France, others, such as the Mont Blanc massif, are shared with Switzerland and Italy.
More than 20 skiing resorts make it a popular destination among Europeans in the winter.
Côte d'Azur 1 Country Pass
Eurail France Pass (No Eurail France Pass - Only 2 Country or More)
Interrail France Pass (Interrail is a European Rail Pass for Europeans)
Eurail 2 Country Select Pass
Côte d'Azur 2 Countries Pass
Discover France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Italy by train.
If you want to get a taste of 2 different cultures on a single trip, choose the Eurail Two Country Select Pass (previously called the Eurail Regional Pass).
This pass lets you discover 2 bordering European countries by train and offers the best value if you want to focus your adventure on a specific part of Europe
Eurail Select Pass
Eurail Select Pass
Côte d'Azur 3 or 4 Countries Pass
Pick your itinerary and travel to three popular cities in Europe: Paris, Milan and Monaco or Barcelona.
Eurail Select Pass
Eurail 3 Country Select Pass
Côte d'Azur 3 Countries Pass
Travel in 3 bordering countries in Europe.
Delve deeper into the culture, landscape, and everyday life of 1 region in Europe.
With the Eurail Three Country Select Pass you can narrow your trip to 3 bordering countries
Eurail Select Pass
Eurail 4 Country Select Pass
Côte d'Azur 4 Countries Pass
Travel in 4 bordering countries in Europe.
Travel by train in 4 European countries with the Eurail Four Country Select Pass.
You can pick the 4 bordering countries you'd like to visit below.
Eurail Select Pass
Eurail Global Rail Pass 33 Countries Pass
Enjoy train travel in 33 countries with this one pass!
Eurail Global Pass
Interrail Global Rail Pass 33 Countries Pass
Enjoy train travel in 33 countries with this one pass!
Interrail Global Pass
Eurail Pass Benefits in France
Quick Guide to France Country Guides & France Tourism Attractions
