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Marseille to Monte Carlo by train
How to take the train from Marseille to Monaco-Monte-Carlo by travelling on the daily direct trains operated by SNCF
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From Marseille-Saint-Charles to Monaco-Monte-Carlo
Journey Summary
3hr 4min - 3hr 15min (TER/TGV)
Daily
Tickets
The direct train service between Marseilles and Monaco-Monte Carlo is split between these trains operated by SNCF and a train which is operated by Thello - though that Thello service does not depart daily.
All of the services can be compared and booked on Trainline, but Oui.SNCF does not sell tickets for the Thello service.
**Booking Online:
Book early and save:** Yes on the TGV train, but not on the TER trains
Online booking usually open: 3 months ahead.
If you're booking ahead, the discounted Leisure' tickets for the TGV train will USUALY be around €3 more expensive than tickets for the TER trains.
'Prems' tickets, the cheapest type of ticket, don't now seem to be available on this route?
In contrast to the TGV the TER trains have a fixed price - so you won't save by booking the TER trains online.
If you're new to booking tickets for train journeys in France, we recommend taking a look at our guide to French train tickets - it should help you save time and money and confusion.
Booking at the station:
If you will be booking last minute at the station, you may as well as book tickets for the next train to depart - irrespective of which type of train will be providing the service.
Tickets for the TER trains will only be around €3 cheaper than the TGV train.
Using rail passes:
Rail pass users should try and take the TER trains, there is no point in paying the rail pass reservation fees on the TGV train, when there is such a small difference in journey times
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Oui.SNCF | * | |
| Trainline | * | |
| Oui.SNCF | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
The only direct trains from Martseille to Monaco-MonteCarlo depart at:
05:58 - a TER train on Mon-Fri only
11:28 - the now daily Thello train service
17:28 - a daily TGV train
But because there is no high speed line on this route, the TGV train is only 10 mins faster than the TER trains.
There are fewer direct trains from Marseille to Monaco than you might expect, as most trains which head east from Marseille don't travel beyond Nice.
So if the timings of these direct trains don't suit, you can take a train from Marseille to Nice, connecting there for one of the frequent local trains on from Nice to Monaco-Monte Carlo.
Monaco-Monte Carlo station is underground, so listen out for the announcements that the train is about to arrive.
The TER trains will call at Villefranche-sur-Mer and then Beaulieu-sur-Mer before they arrive in Monaco, but Nice-Ville is the station call before Monaco if you take the TGV train.
Final Destination: Menton or Ventimille
All trains also call at Nice
Type of Scenery: Coast
Star Rating: ***
An advantage of taking the TER trains is that seats aren't reservable - so you're free to choose a seat when you board.
Our advice is to be at Marseille St-Charles in time for when the voie (platform/track number) is confirmed.
Then when you board head up to the upper deck and sit on the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel).
Do that and you'll be able to take in the wonderful views of the Cote D'Azur.
If you are new to travelling by train in France, our French Train Travel Guide is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.
The only direct trains from Martseille to Monaco-MonteCarlo depart at:
05:58 - a TER train on Mon-Fri only
11:28 - the now daily Thello train service
17:28 - a daily TGV train
But because there is no high speed line on this route, the TGV train is only 10 mins faster than the TER trains.
There are fewer direct trains from Marseille to Monaco than you might expect, as most trains which head east from Marseille don't travel beyond Nice.
So if the timings of these direct trains don't suit, you can take a train from Marseille to Nice, connecting there for one of the frequent local trains on from Nice to Monaco-Monte Carlo.
Monaco-Monte Carlo station is underground, so listen out for the announcements that the train is about to arrive.
The TER trains will call at Villefranche-sur-Mer and then Beaulieu-sur-Mer before they arrive in Monaco, but Nice-Ville is the station call before Monaco if you take the TGV train.
Final Destination: Menton or Ventimille
All trains also call at Nice
Type of Scenery: Coast
Star Rating: ***
An advantage of taking the TER trains is that seats aren't reservable - so you're free to choose a seat when you board.
Our advice is to be at Marseille St-Charles in time for when the voie (platform/track number) is confirmed.
Then when you board head up to the upper deck and sit on the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel).
Do that and you'll be able to take in the wonderful views of the Cote D'Azur.
If you are new to travelling by train in France, our French Train Travel Guide is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.
From Marseille-Saint-Charles to Monaco-Monte-Carlo
Journey Summary
3hr 3min (Thello)
Daily
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
The direct train service between Marseilles and Monaco-Monte Carlo is split between trains operated by SNCF and this train which is operated by Thello.
All of the services can be compared and booked on Trainline, but Oui.SNCF does not sell tickets for the Thello service.
Rail pass users should take those SNCF services.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trainline | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
The only direct trains from Nice to Monaco-MonteCarlo are the trains operated by SNCF, which depart at
05:58 - a TER train on Mon-Fri only
17:28 - a daily TGV train
and THIS Thello service heading to Milano, which now departs from Marseille daily at 11:28
There are fewer direct trains from Marseille to Monaco than you might expect, as most trains which head east from Marseille don't travel beyond Nice.
So if the timings of these direct trains don't suit, you can take a train from Marseille to Nice, connecting there for one of the frequent local trains on from Nice to Monaco-Monte Carlo.
Monaco-Monte Carlo station is underground, so listen out for the announcements that the train is about to arrive.
Nice-Ville is the station call before Monaco if you take this Thello train.
Final Destination: Milano
This train also calls at: Nice
Type of Scenery: Coast
Star Rating: ***
If you will be travelling between March and October, when the daylight hours are longer, and your reserved seat is on the right (when facing the direction of travel) you will be able to see some stunning views of the Cote D'Azur.
The only direct trains from Nice to Monaco-MonteCarlo are the trains operated by SNCF, which depart at
05:58 - a TER train on Mon-Fri only
17:28 - a daily TGV train
and THIS Thello service heading to Milano, which now departs from Marseille daily at 11:28
There are fewer direct trains from Marseille to Monaco than you might expect, as most trains which head east from Marseille don't travel beyond Nice.
So if the timings of these direct trains don't suit, you can take a train from Marseille to Nice, connecting there for one of the frequent local trains on from Nice to Monaco-Monte Carlo.
Monaco-Monte Carlo station is underground, so listen out for the announcements that the train is about to arrive.
Nice-Ville is the station call before Monaco if you take this Thello train.
Final Destination: Milano
This train also calls at: Nice
Type of Scenery: Coast
Star Rating: ***
If you will be travelling between March and October, when the daylight hours are longer, and your reserved seat is on the right (when facing the direction of travel) you will be able to see some stunning views of the Cote D'Azur.
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