Travel to Nice/Monte Carlo

Purple Mountain

Three of us girls are flying into Nice for four nights in April Wed-Sun.
We are looking to go up to Monte Carlo for one night (too expensive for any longer).
So that would mean three nights in Nice.
Has anyone done this and would you suggest maybe a night somewhere else en route to Monte Carlo- maybe Eve?
This is our first time in South France and we are trying to do it on a modest budget.
Cheers!

H2G2

Do you know its just a 30 minute bus trip from Nice to Monaco? So you can have a "one night in Monte Carlo" and then back to hotel in Nice, that night which is cheaper.

Arbiter of Good Taste

Purple Mountain wrote: »

Three of us girls are flying into Nice for four nights in April Wed-Sun.
We are looking to go up to Monte Carlo for one night (too expensive for any longer).
So that would mean three nights in Nice.
Has anyone done this and would you suggest maybe a night somewhere else en route to Monte Carlo- maybe Eve?
This is our first time in South France and we are trying to do it on a modest budget.
Cheers!

There is a train all along the coast - similar to the DART. It's like 20-25 minutes to Monte Carlo.

We did staying in Nice and did a different day trip every day - Monte Carlo, Menton, Antibes, etc. It's no different to taking a trip out to Howth.

Lovely way to spend a week.

Purple Mountain

Thanks guys.
Im getting scared by the price of accommodation in Monte Carlo!
That sounds like a great idea to base ourselves in Nice and just do trips.
Just one question..
We were hoping to experience the casino in Monte Carlo one of the nights.
We don't want to be out all night but we don't want to be rushing for a bus at 11pm either so this is why I was thinking of staying in MC one night.
Do you know anything about night transport?
Taxis look expensive.
We are going mid April Wed to Sun inclusive.

Thanks again.
x

H2G2

I don't want to burst your bubble, but you may find the casino a disappointment. There are 3 major ones in the city, but its the Grand Casino ie the one you want... No James Bond look a likes there. The dress code is very strict, ie. men wear suit, tie and jacket. The admission fee varies depending on what room you are going to. You can get in for as cheap as a tenner. Also you must have your passport.
I actually think MC is better by day that night. And for example the Brasserie du Café de Paris is cheaper for lunch than evening time.
For night you could try the night bus "Noctambus 100" instead. Taxi will be costly probably 50-75 euro I am not sure.

Using Nice as a base and getting bus or train is an easy option and a great one to do. Lots to see along the coast.

Purple Mountain

Ah darn.. I was hoping to bump into Lewis Hamilton and persuade him he needs a wife.
Thanks so much, I'll def scrap the idea of overnight stay in MC and use Nice as our base.
Great feedback!

AndersLimpar

I wouldn't bother with the casino either. A day trip to Monaco is all you will need, its nice enough but a bit pretentious.

hightide

The approach to Nice airport is so nice. If your flight is early its even better, The coastline is fantastic as you come in to land. Bathed in early morning sunshine.

coylemj

AndersLimpar wrote: »

I wouldn't bother with the casino either. A day trip to Monaco is all you will need, its nice enough but a bit pretentious.

+1 Was there for a few nights on a company jolly, lovely place to stroll around by day, leer at the fabulous yachts in the harbour and the cafes and bars weren't too expensive (in March) but I really wouldn't bother staying overnight. If you want to see a bunch of sleazeballs showing off their Ferraris and Lamborghinis by the Hotel du Paris and the Casino then be my guest but I wouldn't bother. Not a bit jealous, really.

Strumms

Defo don't stay in Monte Carlo, I found the Casino pretentious and the staff very rude although in general the Monaco people are very nice. It's much better to experience it by day, check out the Museum of Oceanography and the park beside it. The views from the Park and the roof of the museum are quite something. The bus is a great way to get around, cheap and easy to use. You won't be walking very much as it's built into the side of mountains for the most part.

Nice is a great spot and the train running along the coast, look into day trips also to Antibes,Grasse and Menton. I found Cannes to be very uninteresting and pretentious a view that seems to be shared by a lot of visitors attracted by the name and are disappointed. Either way have fun!

Eponymous

+1 on just staying in Nice.

We used to frequent Nice quite a bit as we had access to a house there. We often visited Monaco, but usually when we had guests with us and never for more than a few hours.

People watching from the terrace at Cafe de Paris on Casino Square is probably the best way to spend time in Monaco.

You can be in Cannes in 30 minutes by train from Nice, Antibes in 20 mins. If you take a bus to Monaco, you pass through Villefranche, Beaulieu sur Mer and Eze, all of which are beautiful places to spend time too.

If you absolutely must go to a casino, there's a decent one on the promenade, Casino Ruhl.

If you want restaurant recommendations, just ask!

Purple Mountain

Thanks all!

the baron

I lived in Nice for awhile, I was a bartender there, if your on a very tight budget I know of a couple of hostels that are extemely cheap, PM me for details if you want. Nice looks very pretty, but watch yourself at night time, especially in the old town, it can be very very dodgy as the streets are too narrow for the cops to drive up them. There's a great Irish bar there tho called Ma Nolans. Going out can be quite expensive so make use of the happy hours usually from five to eight. Also there is one of the best bars in France in Nice, its called La Distillerie des ideals, its just off place rossetti in the old town, its an amazing place and they do this great apple flavoured beer that is fantastic!

tricky D

There's another Ma Nolans on the old port, as well as in the old town, looking over a load of top end motor yachts most of us will never be able to afford. Great spot for chilling out in the evenings, but a Guinness cost €7 last time I was there and stuff like Heineken was €6. It's also a few yards up from where the shoot-out at the end of the car chase in Ronin was filmed.

I agree with some of the other posters that Monaco is a day trip - walk the circuit, up to the palace and the casinos are well skipable unless you are loaded. Head to Casino Ruhl in Nice instead.

Lastly, the beach at Nice has large pebbles, no sand, but there's loads of other fantastic beaches a few stops up or down the train line.

Strumms

tricky D wrote: »

There's another Ma Nolans on the old port, as well as in the old town, looking over a load of top end motor yachts most of us will never be able to afford. Great spot for chilling out in the evenings, but a Guinness cost €7 last time I was there and stuff like Heineken was €6. It's also a few yards up from where the shoot-out at the end of the car chase in Ronin was filmed.

I agree with some of the other posters that Monaco is a day trip - walk the circuit, up to the palace and the casinos are well skipable unless you are loaded. Head to Casino Ruhl in Nice instead.

Lastly, the beach at Nice has large pebbles, no sand, but there's loads of other fantastic beaches a few stops up or down the train line.

Ma Nolans are good pubs both of them. I'd never go to an Irish bar when on holiday but apart from the name and some of the staff they are more like big sports bars with huge screens all be it less tacky and the food is very good.

As regards beaches Villefranche Sur Mer is my favourite and a great stop off for an afternoon, solo let restaurants there too.

Purple Mountain

the baron wrote: »

I lived in Nice for awhile, I was a bartender there, if your on a very tight budget I know of a couple of hostels that are extemely cheap, PM me for details if you want. Nice looks very pretty, but watch yourself at night time, especially in the old town, it can be very very dodgy as the streets are too narrow for the cops to drive up them. There's a great Irish bar there tho called Ma Nolans. Going out can be quite expensive so make use of the happy hours usually from five to eight. Also there is one of the best bars in France in Nice, its called La Distillerie des ideals, its just off place rossetti in the old town, its an amazing place and they do this great apple flavoured beer that is fantastic!

Thanks so much.
Thankfully our budget is very tight and I have seen a number of nice looking hotels on deal websites for reasonable enough prices.
I really appreciate all your practical advice.

Eponymous

Strumms wrote: »

Ma Nolans are good pubs both of them. I'd never go to an Irish bar when on holiday but apart from the name and some of the staff they are more like big sports bars with huge screens all be it less tacky and the food is very good.

As regards beaches Villefranche Sur Mer is my favourite and a great stop off for an afternoon, solo let restaurants there too.

Both?

There's a third one in Cannes now too!

I heard there's a strong possibility of a Ma Nolan's in Dublin also. The guy who runs them really has his head screwed on!

Spot on though, they're not very Oirish pubs at all, and like you, I prefer to avoid them when abroad, but Ma Nolan's is a different beast altogether.

+1 on Les Distilleries Idéales as mentioned by the Baron. My favourite pub in the region.

OP, if you're on a tight budget, I strongly recommend Pizza du Gesu for dinner - VERY cheap but very high quality food. Just down the road from that there's a local restauraunt called Acchiardo. VERY popular amongst the locals and you really need to book - but it's well worth it. Well priced but huge portions and excellent atmosphere.

ElizKenny

Purple Mountain wrote: »

Thanks so much.
Thankfully our budget is very tight and I have seen a number of nice looking hotels on deal websites for reasonable enough prices.
I really appreciate all your practical advice.

Be very careful booking hotels in Nice.
You can get one that look lovely in the pictures but when you get to them they are so dirty that you stick to the carpet.
the start rating system doesnt seem to mean anything in Nice.
Make sure you read a heap of reviews about your hotel.

elperello

Check Hotel Aria in Nice, very nice people, good location.
Beaulieu Sur Mer is worth a visit, an unpretentious town on the CoteD'Azur! Baie des Fourmis is the small beach. You will be looking over at David Niven's house in St. Jean Cap Ferrat. Enjoy!