2023 Monaco Grand Prix – Getting Around Guide

Here’s the lowdown on where to stay, what to see, and how to get the most out of your weekend on the French Riviera for the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix.

Practical Information 

• Visas: Citizens from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the UK don’t need a visa to visit Monaco for a stay of up to 90 days. Monaco is also a part of the Schengen zone which comprises 26 European countries with a common visa policy and no internal borders.
• Currency: Monaco uses the Euro. ATMs are easy to find and you can pay with your card almost everywhere. Rewarding good service with a 10-15% tip is common in Monaco, apart from in restaurants, which usually add a service charge to your bill.
• Language: The official language of Monaco is French, though some locals also speak Monégasque. English and Italian are also widely spoken.
• Time Zone: in May, Monaco is on Central European Summer Time (UTC + 2 hours)
• In an Emergency: Dial 112
• Power Sockets: Monaco and France use the same Type F power sockets as the rest of mainland Europe. Bring an adapter if you are travelling from another part of the world.
• Weather: The Grand Prix falls before the height of the summer heat in Monaco, though it can still be very warm and sunny. Daytime highs on race weekend average around 22°C (72°F) and lows at night are around 14°C (57°F). Expect up to 12 hours of sunshine per day and a fairly low chance of rain.

Arrival & Getting Around

Flights to Monaco

The closest major airport to Monaco is Nice Côte d’Azur airport (NCE), approximately 30km from the Principality. The third-busiest airport in France, NCE has over 100 domestic, European and long-haul connections from budget and flag-carrying airlines. The airport is a hub for EasyJet, which offers the largest number of European flights. Nice is also connected by direct flights to cities such as New York (Delta Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways) and Dubai (Emirates).

Where to stay for the Monaco Grand Prix

There's only a limited amount of mainly 5-star hotel rooms within Monaco, meaning prices are even higher than normal on race weekend. Many fans choose to stay in nearby Nice, which has a good selection of accommodation to suit all budgets - not to mention popular beaches and a historic Old Town. Other nearby towns with easy access to the circuit via train include Menton on the French side and Ventimiglia, across the border in Italy. F1® Experiences offers accommodation at hotels in Monaco and Nice for the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix. Daily coach transfers to and from the circuit can also be added to your Official Ticket Package.

How to get to Monaco Circuit

With a limited number of mainly 5-star hotels, staying in Monaco itself on Grand Prix weekend can be expensive. That’s why most fans stay in the nearby city of Nice or at other small towns along the Riviera coastline. Here are the best ways to get to Circuit de Monaco:

F1® Experiences Transfers

In addition to trackside hotels, F1® Experiences offers accommodation at select hotels in Nice, Menton and other local towns near Monaco. Daily transfers to and from the circuit are available (additional charge) for guests who have purchased hotel accommodation outside Monaco together with their Official Ticket Package.

Public Transport

The next best option is to take the train, which connects Monaco to Nice and other towns along the coast, including Menton and Ventimiglia to the east. The train station in Monaco – Gare de Monaco – is a short distance from most spectator areas and trains run regularly on race weekend. Tickets cost approximately €4 each way and the journey time to Nice is around 20-30 minutes. It’s worth booking your tickets in advance to avoid ticket queues, especially when returning home after a day at the track. More information here.

Ride Sharing

A taxi from Nice to Monaco on race weekend could set you back up to €100, though some drivers can ask for more and may not want to use the meter. Uber does not operate in Monaco, but cars can be booked if you walk anywhere just outside the principality.

Hire a Car

If you’ve rented a car for the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, driving to the circuit is a good option on Thursday and Friday when there are less spectators and less traffic, but not recommended on the weekend. The Louis II football stadium in Fontvieille has ample parking for around €20 per day, but make sure your GPS doesn’t plot a course through the centre of Monaco, where many roads are closed.

Getting around on the Côte d'Azur

The Côte d'Azur has a well-developed transport infrastructure. In addition to trains and buses, Nice also has a modern and cheap tram network. Here’s some more information:

• From Nice Côte d’Azur airport to Nice: The airport is around 6km from the city centre. You can take a fixed-fare taxi for €32, the 99 Express Bus to Nice-Ville train station or a recently opened direct tram connection.
  
• From Nice Côte d’Azur airport to Monaco: Helicopter transfers take just 7 minutes and cost €200-250 each way on Grand Prix weekend. Alternatively, the Nice Airport Xpress (110 bus) travels on an express route from Menton to Nice Airport via Monaco. Tickets cost €22 one way or €33 return.
• Nice Public Transport: A Multi 10 pass gives you 10 rides for €10 or you can buy a 1-day pass for €5, or a 7-day pass for €15. More information here. If you are staying longer to explore Nice, then the French Riviera Pass, which includes unlimited rides on public transport for 24, 48 or 72 hours plus admission to the city’s best museums and tourist sites, is worth considering.

Things to see & do in Monaco

• Casino de Monte Carlo: Monaco’s iconic casino is housed in a historic belle époque building dating back to 1893. Try your luck at various table games, including blackjack, roulette, poker and baccarat, plus hundreds of slot machines. Open daily from 2pm. Entry is free and you’ll need your passport to enter (over 18s only). It’s worth dressing up if you are planning to visit in the evening. More info here.
• Prince’s Palace & Monaco Ville: The panoramic views from the home of Monaco’s royal family make the 10-minute walk up the hill from Place d’Armes a must. You can also watch the changing of the guard every day at 11:55, take a tour of the state rooms (open daily from 10:00 to 17:30; €8 for adults, €4 for children aged 6-16) or wander around the narrow, cobbled streets of the old town.
• H.S.H. Prince Rainier III of Monaco Car Collection: The incredible collection of cars amassed by Prince Rainier III is housed in a museum on the Terrases de Fontvieille, a short walk from the circuit. You can see over 100 cars, including a good selection of F1® machines that have raced on the streets of Monaco. Open daily from 10:00-18:00; €8 for adults, €4 for children aged 6-16. More info here.

• Larvotto Beach: This popular beach is open to the general public and only a short walk from the circuit. The beaches in this part of the world have pebbles rather than sand, so don’t forget to pack some comfortable shoes. Loungers and umbrellas can be hired for around €20 per day.