How to Take a Day-Trip to Monaco (& stay on a Budget)

I’m always pining to see how I can visit typically expensive destinations on a budget. I’ve taken my stab at Mo’orea and Iceland on this feat, and I have found while expensive destinations are usually just that (expensive), cutting costs creatively is always an option. But… what about Monaco? The notorious playground of a country for the rich and the famous?

Before we get into the costs, there’s a little back story. I intended to visit Monaco on my trip to Nice in 2017, but as a broke backpacker, I was on a serious budget at the time. I decided to opt out. Never have I ever regretted a travel decision so much, so when I found myself near Monaco after visiting Bordighera, Italy, I knew I finally had to go.

So, how difficult is it to get to Monaco and only spend a day there without having to splurge on a hotel? Is it really as expensive as they say? Here’s what I learned.

How to get to Monaco

Traveling to Monaco via train is easy, especially if you have a Eurail pass. There’s a station in Monte Carlo, and two nearest major train stations with connections to Monte Carlo are Ventimiglia, Italy and Nice, France. However, if you’re traveling in the summer, be warned: the train was so uncomfortably crowded it nearly sent me into a panic attack. Safe to say, A LOT of people just go to Monaco for just the day. If you’re coming from Nice, you can purchase roundtrip ferry tickets which is arguably the most fun way to enter the country. Note that the closest airport is Nice International Airport, though you can fly in via a Blade helicopter from Nice to Monaco starting at 195 euro.

Day trip or Hotel?

Monaco is small, so spending the night really isn’t necessary. Hotels are generally expensive. I can’t emphasize enough that if you want a budget destination to base yourself out of while in these parts of the world that you should stay in Bordighera, Italy at Hotel Villa Elisa & Spa, but I digress.

Monaco is an easy day trip, but there is one major hurdle you might face. If you’re using Monaco as an “in-between stopping point” aka you’re going from Destination A to Monaco to Destination B, like I did (Bordighera to Monaco to Marseille), you’re likely going to have all of your luggage with you. There is no luggage storage in Monaco, so if you do this, just know that you’re going to be dragging your belongings with you through the very hilly and completely cobblestone streets of Monaco, drawing a lot of attention and being slightly miserable. It does make for a funny story to say you were schlepping all of your things with you in Monaco, but because it drew so much attention in my case, I almost got pickpocketed.

If you want budget hotel options in Monaco, try these:

• Hôtel de France
• Novotel Monte-Carlo
• Hotel Ambassador Monaco

Is it really that expensive?

There’s no denying that Monaco is expensive, but if you only visit for a day, you do have a small chance at not overspending. Part of Monaco’s charm is simply overlooking all of the luxurious yachts in the harbor and simply walking around, which is free. There are plenty of places to stop along the harbor with lush gardens and beautiful buildings to gaze at. Window shop at Dior and Cartier, snap some photos in front of the Monte Carlo casino, or even pay the 18 euro fee to enter. If you can opt out of sipping rosé at one of the overpriced restaurants, and sacrificing a proper Monégasque meal (more on that below), you really don’t have to break the bank when visiting.

What to do in Monaco

My personal favorite thing to do here was people watch. So many great outfits! But, you must also at least pay a visit to the famous Monte Carlo, and, as mentioned above, if you choose to go inside, the fee is 18 euro. Another popular attraction here is the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. I’d also highly getting out on the water and taking this boat tour. You can also move at your own pace with this hop-on hop-off bus tour.

What to eat in Monaco

The most traditional Monégasque meals are beignets de fleurs de courgettes (fried courgette flowers), bouillabaisse (which is also commonly found in Marseille, where it originated), daube (a beef stew local to the area), and free-flowing rosé. I understand the desire to eat a meal legitimate to the area you’re exploring, but Monaco is really no joke when it comes to food prices. There are restaurants everywhere, and I did see some dishes for around 30-40 euro on the low end, but most were 50 or above (like a plate of fruit I saw on a menu for 89 euro). There are a few ice cream stands along the riviera where you can get gelato or sorbet for under 10 euro, as well as these blue slushies that every child in Monaco seemed to have.

Because I was willing to sacrifice a proper meal (though I admit, I really tried to find something under 30 euro), I didn’t spend as much. I, instead, opted for the local Steak’n’Shake. It was definitely an, “I GIVE UP” moment, but guess what? I got a burger, cheese fries, and a milkshake for 16 euro. Take that Monaco. The Steak’n’Shake was PACKED with people, so I definitely was not the only person who was in this position! And, hey, how many people can say they had cheese fries in Monaco? I can!

What to Wear

I had dreams of looking chic, with a flowy dress and an oversized hat and diamond studs when I’d finally visit Monaco. While I did wear a flowy dress, my dreams died there, much thanks to carrying my suitcases with me everywhere. By the end, I was a sweaty, disheveled mess with a ripped dress. Monaco is extremely hilly, so you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes above all else. If you want to somewhat fit in with the extreme wealth you’ll see everywhere, wear something nice, but dress comfortably. In the summer, it gets HOT, so a cute shorts-and-tank set or a flowey dress ought to do the trick.

How much time do you really need in Monaco?

Since I only planned to be here for a day trip, I figured I’d spend about 10 hours here. Well, I was so over the extreme heat, the high prices, and having to carry my bag that I ended up only staying in Monaco for about four hours. I believe had I not had my bags, I would’ve been more comfortable to spend the entire day here, so really, if you can avoid carrying your bags, or at least put them in luggage storage in nearby France (the tourism office told me the nearest luggage storage is “in France”), do that to make your visit a bit more comfortable.

Is it worth it?

Overall, I’d recommend making time to visit if you’re in the area. For me, Monaco was my 71st country and definitely memorable, much thanks to the cheese fries, the near pickpocketing attempt, and the struggle of lugging my bags around. In total, I only spent 16 euro in Monaco because I had a Eurail pass, and only bought one meal there.

DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!

DISCLAIMER II: Eurail provided me with a free Eurail pass.