Think Monaco, think money. It only takes a lap of Monaco’s lavish casino district to see why the tiny principality’s name is synonymous with wealth.
From the ostentatious display of prestige cars parked out front of the casino and neighbouring Hotel de Paris, the boat bling on the harbour, high-end boutiques – Chanel, Cartier and Louis Vuitton – all lined up to take your money to the spectacular grandeur of the Casino de Monte Carlo, Monaco screams money.
But not everything in the Principality comes with a princely price tag. It is possible to enjoy Monaco on the cheap. Here are six of the best tips for saving while enjoying Monaco on a budget.
1. Lunch at the other Casino
Packing a lunch each day is my top money-saving tip.
European supermarket chain Casino has a couple of outlets in Monaco.
When I stayed in Monaco with a friend, we began our daily adventure with a trip to Casino. We picked up a pre-made sandwich, piece of fruit and a bottle of water for less than €5.
When we ready for lunch we picked a lovely spot with a view in a park or by the beach and had a picnic. Casino also DIY Nespresso coffee for €1. You can grab a nice take away coffee for some loose change.
2 Walk the whole of Monaco
At just on two square kilometres, Monaco is the second smallest sovereign state in the world. That small size means it’s very easy to walk everywhere.
Ignore the temptation to use the little tourist train or tour buses to shuttle you between the sights. You don’t need them. There are a few hills but it’s all manageable to anyone with reasonable fitness.
So, put your walking shoes on, ask your hotel for a free map and head out to explore. You will save a few more Euros and get your daily step count up to boot. And where else could you walk across an entire country in under an hour?
3 Take advantage of Monaco free sights
Despite its status as the world’s most densely populated country (19,000 people per square kilometre), Monaco has plenty of green open space, a stunning beach and gobsmacking views of the Mediterranean from any elevated position.
And you can take it all in for free. In fact, you can easily fill a full day in Monaco’s beautiful outdoor spaces without spending a single Euro cent.
Your free options include:
- Hanging out with the beautiful people on Monte Carlo beach
- Stopping to smell the roses at the Princess Grace rose garden
- Taking a stroll through the Monaco Botanical Garden (Jardin Exotique) or the Japanese gardens to enjoy sculptures and ornamental ponds
- visiting the cathedral where Grace Kelly became a princess when she wed Prince Rainier. They now rest side by side in the same cathedral alongside other rulers of Monaco.
4 Purchase combination tickets to Monaco attractions
Most of Monaco’s excellent museums have entry prices around €8-11. That’s pretty good value to begin with.
However, you can save a little more by purchasing combination tickets that will give you entry to more than one museum. They can be purchased at the ticket booths at most museums or the tourist office in Monte Carlo.
5 Where to dine cheap in Monaco
Eating out in Monaco doesn’t need to be expensive either. There are lots of options for a good quality meal at a reasonable price.
For example, Jack, right on the water, offers good pizzas. You can eat outside on the terrace and admire the super yachts while you down your calzone. They also have happy hours that can save you more on drinks.
Rue Princess Caroline is the place to go to find brasseries and pub-style eateries where the food is good, service is quick, and the bill won’t break your heart.
For example, Bella Vita dishes up tasty Italian fare. You can get a good pasta or salad for under €20 while a meat or fish main will set you back around €30.
6 Book ahead on Monaco accommodation
Accommodation is easily the priciest part of a trip to Monaco.
There is no traditional budget accommodation like a youth hostel. Most hotels are at the top end of most budgets. However, there are ways to get a room in Monaco without breaking the bank.
Start by booking well ahead. The further in advance you book accommodation, the cheaper it will be.
When I stayed in Monaco I scored the luxurious Port Palace Hotel right on Port Hercule for a little over $A300 per night. I did it by booking six months ahead and using an online comparison site to help me find the best rate. Shared between two people, $150 per person per night to stay in the lap of Monte Carlo luxury was, I think, a bargain.
Another accommodation tip is to be aware of the what’s going on in Monaco and choose a time that avoids the big events.
Check the visit Monaco website to see the calendar of events. Avoid European school holidays, the summer peak and big events like the Monte Carlo tennis open.
Don’t even think about trying to stay in Monaco around the Formula 1 Grand Prix. That same room I scored for $300 per night in early April would have cost around $4000 per night over Grand Prix weekend.
If you still can’t find an accommodation option to suit your budget, there’s a Plan B. Monaco is also easily accessible from Nice.
The train ride from Nice to Monaco takes around 32 minutes and costs just 3.50. It’s also a very scenic ride along the coast. In fact, I’d recommend that train ride as a cheap activity just for the views.
There is plenty of affordable accommodation in Nice, including several youth hostels and reasonably priced hotels. So, if Monaco’s hotels are beyond your budget, stay in Nice and commute to Monaco each day.