Getting to Nice from Monte Carlo or Cannes - Which Do You Recommend?

Nice is much closer to Cannes.

Cannes is closer to Nice.

Which port are you visiting first? You have a whole day in each port (ie, the ship sails late and not at 5/6pm), why not explore the first port and then head to Nice time permitting. Failing that, you can always visit Nice from the second port.

What time of year?

I thought Monte Carlo was quicker by train-only 16-18 minutes. Although Cannes is only about 25 minutes away. So not enough difference to worry about. What days will you be docked? There is an antique market on Mondays in Nice. And a small antique market in Villefranche on Sundays.

Just for the record, scatcat is right. Don't know why 2 first posters say the opposite.

Monaco - Nice Ville, 22 minutes by RE trains
Cannes - Nice Ville, deending on the train 29 to 37 minutes.

Also Monaco - Nice is 16km while Cannes - Nice is double, 30 km. Anyway as scatcas says. Not enough difference.

Thanks for the input - we'll be arriving in Cannes on 01 Sep 2010 (Wednesday) and then Monte Carlo the next day. So since Monte Carlo is our second stop and closer to Nice that might be the way to go.

Also I've head that the sites in Monte Carlo probably don't warrant a full day there. Not being into gambling I'm really not interested in the casino and besides don't want to have to dress up (which I've heard is required) to go in.

Thanks again

Monaco/Monte Carlo is closer to Nice - fewer stops in between and an easy trip...Also, as you said, there are not a ton of sights in Monaco and you can easily combine it with Nice. Not sure what your schedule is, but it might be beter to start your day in Nice and head straight for the market on Cours Saleya - the flower market is there all day, but most of the other vendors pack it up mid-day and we really enjoyed this market in full bloom...So, if you do Nice in the AM, you can be back closer to home in Monte Carlo for the late afternoon/early evening...Also, I am not a gambler either, but I enjoyed the Monte Carlo casino - it is beautiful and a nice experience...

patandhank, I'm sorry, I made a mistake.

Personally, I wasn't impressed with the casino. On the other hand, we were very much impressed with the Palace. One of the prettiest we've seen---well worth a look. Nice is closer to Monaco than Cannes, so that would be a good choice.


The other place we enjoyed so much right on the harbor was dinner(casual, hamburgers etc.) at "Stars & Bars" an Aussie restaurant. It was sort of pricy, but what fun and great people watching. You may even see some celebrities.

Above Monte Carlo, the town of Eze is not to be missed. IMO the best hill town in the area. We enjoyed it much more than St. Paul de Vence. Another favorite was Villefranche-sur-mer.

Another option is the "Rothschild Museum" and the "Greek House" in the Cap Ferrat area. Your ship may be offering tours there. Both are stunning.

From Cannes you could always do a tour to Grasse. The Fragonard(sp?) perfume tour was quite nice. Or go to Antibes. There are some nice beaches(and we've been there in Sept. several times and it was still warm enough to enjoy). Antibes also has an old town and a wonderful walk along the rocks by the sea. Garoupe-Gardiole has a nice beach club and it's right next to the rock walk.

You have many options in both areas. It just depends what you like to do.

For a first time, I would look around Cannes(IMO doesn't take long, it's all the same) and then go to Antibes.

In Monaco, I would go to Nice for a few hours, then squeeze in Eze on the way back, and the Palace at the end of the day if possible.

Just my thoughts. I'm sure you will fall in love with the area whatever you chose to do.

Thanks for the suggestions TPAYT. You hit on some of my questions about places to see given that we have so much time in each port. We're not a fan of ship's tours (don't like the 40 people on the bus and a set schedule) so I'll be doing some checking on the how to's of getting to some of the spots. I think Eze we can do by train too, but I'll look. And you're thoughts of going to Nice first in the a.m. was our thought too. Anyone ever rented a car for any of smaller towns - St. Paul de Vence?

I forgot to answer your other question TPAYT - we'll be docked in Saint Tropez Tuesday, 31 Aug 2010 from 1000 hrs to 2300 hrs; Cannes, Wednesday, 1 Sep 2010 from 0800 to 2300 hrs; and Monte Carlo, Thursday, 2 Sep 2010 from 0800 to 23 hours.

justshootme - I appreciate it that you took the time to reply!

We have driven around the area several times with great success. We felt the driving and navigating was quite easy as the towns are small and being on the coast helps you not get lost. You do have much more freedom with a car.

I don't know the ins and outs of just renting for the day and returning the car at night. We've always been staying in the area for a longer time, not off of a cruise ship. Maybe someone else can help you with that.

We have driven to St. Tropez from Antibes(very long drive). We just walked around the harbor and town and had lunch before the long drive back. The coast was beautiful, and the town was fun. It appears that you'll have more time to explore that area than we did.

BTW, what ship will you be on?

TPAYT - sorry for the delay in responding - We will be on Oceania's Insignia. It's a new itinerary for them.

There are two villages named Eze, one on the coast and the other on the hilltop above the first one. While you can get to Eze-Bord-de-Mer by train, you'll need to take a bus to get to Eze-le-Village, the hilltop perched village which is the one you want.

patandhank-----I sure will be looking forward to your trip report. Even though it's a long time from now, I'll be watching for it.

We did a similar cruise on the Windsurf (Windstar Cruises) in 2001 (actually we were in Nice on 9/11) We enjoyed it so much that we returned to the Riviera 3 more times to explore.

The Oceania ships are the only larger ships we have considered taking for a second cruise. Anything larger is just too many people. Have a wonderful time. You still have months to plan which is half the fun.