With the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix just days away, now is the time to finalise your travel plans. To help you on your way, here’s the Monaco Life guide to travelling in and out of the Principality on the biggest weekend of the year.
It is no overexaggeration to describe the Grand Prix de Monaco, which will be taking place between 24th and 26th May, as the biggest event of the year in the Principality.
To accommodate the racing and the thousands of fans who flock here over the course of the three days, roads are closed, carparks are shuttered and access to certain parts of the Principality is seriously limited for both drivers and pedestrians.
For motorsports fans and businesses in Monaco, this is a small price to pay to welcome such an emblematic and iconic race, but there are some knock-on effects, particularly when it comes to travel.
Getting into the Principality can be difficult during the event, so here’s our advice on achieving a smooth arrival and departure from this headline destination.
FLYING IN
Taking just seven minutes from helipad to helipad, flying into the Principality from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is, without doubt, the quickest and most stress-free way to get to the action.
It can take as long as two hours – or more – to cover the same distance by car or taxi during the Grand Prix, so swapping traffic jams for scenic views is a great option if you can afford it. Blade, which is owned by Monaco-based Monacair, is offering rates from €550 on 24th, 25th and 27th May, while prices start at €650 for ‘Race Day’ flights on 26th May.
TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Travelling in by train or bus is the preferred option for many motorsports pilgrims.
The train journey from Nice to Monaco takes around 20 minutes. On the Grand Prix weekend, trains will depart Nice roughly every 15 minutes and cost less than €5 if you book in advance.
The earliest train departs at 5.40am, while the last trains back from Monaco on 25th and 26th May are scheduled for 11.51pm – ideal if you decide to stay late in the Principality to soak up the atmosphere.
Queues on the platforms aren’t uncommon, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time on either side to reach your destination on time.
The bus from Nice might take longer than the train, especially given the extra vehicles and congestion on the road during the event, but it is still a viable alternative to driving in yourself and struggling to find a parking space.
There are a variety of routes available, such as the Ligne Express 80 from Nice Airport and the 602 from the Vauban bus station in Nice to the Casino in Monaco. There’s also a new 600 bus line from Nice to Menton via Monaco and back, which replaces the old 607 and 608 bus lines.
TAXIS AND SIMILAR SERVICES
Another option is to travel to and from Monaco via a taxi or similar ride-hailing service like Uber or Bolt, but it is perhaps not as straightforward as one might think.
As it stands, Monaco-registered taxis can only pick up passengers from within the Principality. There is no agreement allowing them to collect passengers from French territory.
Meanwhile, drivers from over the border in France are permitted to collect and drop off passengers inside Monaco, but only if they have obtained an official vignette. Just 320 of these exist currently, putting the taxi and similar services systems under high demand, with prices that reflect those pressures.
PARK AND RIDE FROM SALINES
The Monaco Government has introduced discounted rates for the new Salines carpark during the Grand Prix weekend, offering a cost-effective alternative for visitors. With nearly 1,800 parking spaces and complementary shuttle services, which depart every 10 minutes, the Salines carpark has a set price of €20 for those who park their car before 3pm on the Monaco Grand Prix weekend.
Read related:
Special rates offered at new Salines carpark during E-Prix, Historique GP and F1 weekends
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Photo source: Letian Zhang, Unsplash
