I took a day trip from Marseille in southern France to Monaco, the second smallest country in the world.
To sum it up in one sentence, a day trip from Marseille to Monaco is a very demanding journey that takes up the entire day, from early morning until late at night. Even so, the views of the city and the Mediterranean from the Prince's Palace, the charming old town, and the glamorous atmosphere of Monte Carlo made it well worth the extra journey.
I visited on December 16, 2024. I traveled from Marseille to Nice by FlixBus, then took a local bus from Nice Airport to Monaco.
In this article, I will follow the route I actually took and cover how to get there, the main sights in Monaco, what I ate, and the major bus delay I encountered on the way back.
The short answer
It is possible to visit Monaco as a day trip from Marseille. However, the round trip takes a considerable amount of time, and delays on the return journey are a real possibility. If you want to enjoy Monaco at a more relaxed pace in one day, I recommend using Nice as your base.
My Route from Marseille to Monaco
This was my route for the day:
- Leave Marseille early in the morning and take a FlixBus to Nice Airport
- Take a bus from Nice Airport to Monaco
- Explore the old town of Monaco and Monte Carlo
- Return from Monaco to Nice Airport in the evening
- Take a FlixBus from Nice Airport back to Marseille
Monaco does not have its own airport, so travelers using public transportation generally reach it through Nice on the French side of the border.
Taking an Early Morning FlixBus from Marseille to Nice
I started the day by taking an early morning FlixBus from Marseille to Nice.
To catch the bus departing at 6:30 in the morning, I had to get up while it was still dark. Honestly, waking up that early was incredibly painful.
The journey from Marseille to Nice takes about three hours each way. I was completely exhausted from waking up so early, so I slept through most of the ride.
For a day trip, you need to choose the earliest departure you can in order to have enough time in Monaco. However, long distance buses can be delayed by traffic, so it is wise to leave plenty of time for connections on the return journey. I would later learn this lesson firsthand.
Taking the Bus from Nice Airport to Monaco
After arriving at Nice Airport, I headed to the bus stop outside the terminal. I remember waiting there for what felt like forever for bus number 600 to Monaco.
When I visited in late 2024, I remember that buying a ticket online in advance was difficult. The route number and service details have since changed, and the direct service between Nice Airport and Monaco is now listed as bus number 80. Tickets can also be reserved in advance through the official website.
• Official Nice AirportXpress website
Schedules, boarding locations, and fares may change, so make sure to check the latest information before your trip.
Once I got on the bus, it was finally time to head to Monaco. There was no passport check when we crossed the border from France into Monaco. Still, it is sensible to carry a passport or another form of identification while traveling abroad in case you are asked to show it.
Arriving in Monaco and Heading to the Prince's Palace
It was almost noon by the time I reached Monaco. My first destination was the Prince's Palace of Monaco, located on a hill above the old town.
View on Google Maps
Watching the Changing of the Guard
The Changing of the Guard takes place in front of the palace every day at 11:55 in the morning. The ceremony began in front of the palace when I was there, and many tourists stopped to watch.
It starts at exactly 11:55, not at noon. If you do not want to miss it, arrive a little early and find a good place to watch. The ceremony may be canceled in rainy weather or when special events are taking place.
Panoramic Views of Monaco from the Palace Area
The area around the Prince's Palace is one of the best places to enjoy panoramic views of Monaco and its harbor.
During the day, you can see the tightly packed buildings, tall towers, yachts lined up in the harbor, and the Mediterranean stretching far beyond them. The night view from the same spot is also beautiful. If you have enough time, come back after dark and enjoy two completely different sides of Monaco.
I stepped into a nearby souvenir shop and found something called Monte Carlo Beer. Since I was already there, I bought one and drank it while taking in the beautiful scenery.
It was seriously delicious.
Exploring the Old Town, Eating a Panini, and Visiting Monaco Cathedral
After seeing the palace, I continued into the narrow streets of the old town. Restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops fill the lanes between the stone buildings, and simply walking around was enough to enjoy the distinctly European atmosphere.
A Panini with a View
I was beginning to feel hungry, so I chose a panini for a quick bite.
With the panini in hand, I returned to a scenic viewpoint. Even a simple snack felt deeply satisfying when eaten while looking out over the streets of Monaco and the Mediterranean.
Visiting Monaco Cathedral
After eating, I made my way to Monaco Cathedral, also known as Saint Nicholas Cathedral, in the old town.
Both the exterior and interior feel imposing, and the interior left me with a strong impression of solid stone construction. Rather than overwhelming visitors with extravagant decoration, it is a calm space defined by the texture of the stone and a quiet atmosphere.
Monaco Cathedral is also known as the resting place of Monaco's former sovereigns. It is especially famous for the tombs of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly, the Hollywood actress who became Princess of Monaco.
View on Google Maps
The Oceanographic Museum and My Favorite Mediterranean View
After a short walk from Monaco Cathedral, I reached the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.
The building stands on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean and has an impressive presence even before you enter. Inside, there is an aquarium, exhibitions about the ocean, and interactive displays. Even if you move through the museum quickly, I would allow about two hours. If you want to examine the exhibitions carefully, give yourself even more time.
My favorite part was the outdoor sea turtle area. Seeing the turtles was wonderful, but the expansive view of the Mediterranean from there made it even better.
View on Google Maps
The museum also has a panoramic terrace, so the views are just as much of an attraction as the exhibits inside. If you are visiting the old town, I recommend the museum as a place to enjoy the scenery as well.
Monte Carlo, the Christmas Market, and the Casino
After the Oceanographic Museum, I headed to Monte Carlo, Monaco's most famous and glamorous district.
Eating Churros at the Christmas Market
Since I visited in December, a Christmas market stretched along part of the route.
There was a bag check at the entrance to the market area. Inside, a variety of stalls and decorations created a festive Christmas atmosphere, even if you were just walking around.
As I wandered through the market, I stopped for some churros. Between the panini, the beer, and the churros, I realized that I had also been having a great time eating my way through Monaco.
Visiting the Casino de Monte Carlo
Next, I headed to the Casino de Monte Carlo, the iconic symbol of the district.
View on Google Maps
Just seeing the magnificent building and the luxury cars outside made me feel that I had truly arrived in Monaco. Unfortunately, I did not have any money to gamble, so I decided not to go inside.
I took a quick look around the outside, then made my retreat.
If you plan to enter, check the opening hours, age restrictions, photo identification requirements, and dress code before you go.
An Unexpected Work Stop at Starbucks in Monaco
After looking around the casino, some urgent work came up, so I went to a Starbucks in Monaco.
View on Google Maps
Having to work while traveling is never ideal, but I was grateful to find a cafe with internet access and seating. By the time I finished concentrating on my work, night had fallen outside.
Since I was still there, I returned to the area around the Prince's Palace and admired the night view from the same place I had visited during the day.
With the harbor and buildings illuminated, Monaco at night felt completely different from the city I had seen during the day. I was tired after traveling since early morning, but this view alone made staying until night worthwhile.
Why the Condamine Market Was Closed
After seeing the night view, it was time to find dinner.
I had originally wanted to eat at San Maurizio 1619 Truffle Bistrot. When I arrived, however, the restaurant and seemingly every other business nearby were closed.
View on Google Maps
I wondered what was going on, but could not find an explanation at the time and had to give up.
When I looked into it later, I learned that the dining area inside Marché de la Condamine, where the restaurant was located, only opened in the evening on certain days of the week.
• Market hours: Every day from around 7:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon
• Lunch hours in the food hall: Every day from around 7:00 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon
• Evening hours in the food hall: Tuesday through Saturday only
• Sunday and Monday evenings: Generally closed
I visited on Monday, December 16, 2024. In other words, I had gone on a day when there was no evening service. That appears to be why the entire area was closed.
Because the opening times differ between daytime and evening, anyone hoping to eat here should check the latest hours before visiting.
The Condamine Market may also undergo major renovations or other changes. Restaurant locations and opening times can therefore change. Instead of relying only on older travel articles, I recommend checking the latest information from Monaco's tourist office and the individual restaurants.
With no other choice, I went to McDonald's for dinner. Part of me thought it was a little ridiculous to come all the way to Monaco and eat at McDonald's, but hunger won, and I happily ate my burger.
View on Google Maps
Returning from Monaco to Nice
Because this was a day trip, I boarded a bus from Monaco to Nice Airport in time to catch my FlixBus to Marseille, scheduled to leave at 9:00 in the evening.
After visiting the Prince's Palace, the old town, Monaco Cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum, Monte Carlo, the Christmas market, and finally the night view, my day of sightseeing in Monaco came to an end surprisingly quickly.
Up to this point, everything had gone quite smoothly.
Trouble at Nice Airport as My FlixBus Was Delayed
The trouble began after I arrived at Nice Airport.
The FlixBus I had booked to Marseille simply did not arrive, no matter how long I waited. Eventually, I received an email announcing a delay and had no choice but to continue waiting at the airport.
As I remember it, the bus was delayed by about an hour.
Waiting for such a long time at an airport late at night was exhausting. During that time, however, I chatted with several other people who were waiting for the same bus. There was something funny about how a sense of camaraderie gradually developed among us as we all kept waiting together.
At last, the bus arrived and departed for Marseille. We reached the city sometime after 1:00 in the morning.
Walking Back to My Accommodation in Marseille at 1:00 in the Morning
From the bus terminal, I still had to walk through the streets late at night to reach my accommodation.
To put it simply, every one of my senses was on high alert.
Whenever I saw someone ahead of me, I moved to the other side of the road and kept as much distance as possible. I continued walking while carefully checking my surroundings and eventually made it back safely.
Delays on long distance buses can push your arrival well into the night. This applies not only to Marseille, but to any itinerary that ends late. I recommend checking in advance how you will travel from the bus terminal to your accommodation. It is also reassuring to have a taxi or ride booking app ready if needed.
Conclusion: A Day Trip from Marseille to Monaco Is Possible, but Nice Is the Better Base
That brought my day trip from Marseille to Monaco to an end.
I left on the 6:30 morning bus, visited Monaco's main attractions, and reached my accommodation in Marseille at around 2:00 in the morning. The long travel time and the delayed return bus made it an extremely demanding day physically.
Even so, I was able to experience plenty of what makes Monaco special in a relatively short time. I saw the city from the Prince's Palace in both daylight and darkness, visited the stone interior of Monaco Cathedral, explored the Oceanographic Museum overlooking the Mediterranean, and walked through the glamorous streets of Monte Carlo. Because the country is so small, it is relatively easy to visit its major sights on foot and by bus.
On the other hand, Monaco really is a long way from Marseille. Once you also consider the possibility of delays on long distance buses, Nice is by far the more convenient base for a day trip. Staying in Nice lets you spend less time traveling and more time enjoying the food and sights of Monaco at a relaxed pace.
Not everything went according to plan on this trip. I could not eat at the restaurant I wanted to visit, and the bus on the way back was delayed by around two hours. Looking back, those unexpected moments were also part of what made the day feel like a real journey. If you decide to make the trip from Marseille, remember to leave early in the morning, check opening hours in advance, allow plenty of time for connections, and prepare for the possibility of arriving late at night.
It was certainly exhausting, but seeing Monaco transform from day to night made this an unforgettable day trip.
