Nice to Menton by train: the day trip that works
You drove from Nice to Monaco in August because Google Maps said 32 minutes? Hu, pichoun! That is what we call a mistake.
Between Nice and Menton, the train makes so much sense that renting a car needs a good reason. If your idea of freedom is discovering three underground car parks, one tunnel and the bumper of the empégué in front, be our guest. Otherwise, take the TER.
Villefranche + Menton for an easy day. Monaco + Menton for more contrast. Three stops if you enjoy chasing trains. Four? Mèfi: watch out, you are on holiday.
Option 1: Villefranche then Menton
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Walk down through the old town to the bay, have coffee and take your time. The TER station connects directly with Nice and sits close to town. Almost suspiciously easy.
Menton
Continue east by train and give Menton the rest of the day. Old town, seafront, gardens if you have time. Do not add Monaco simply because the train passes it. It also passes many apartment buildings.
Option 2: Monaco then Menton
Monaco works best earlier in the day before everything feels busier, then Menton in the afternoon. More dramatic, more polished, more tiring.
Which Nice station?
Nice-Ville is convenient for the centre. Nice-Riquier is often better from the Port and eastern Nice. According to the tourist office (2026), trains run roughly every 15 minutes on the Cannes-Menton axis from Nice-Riquier. Nice–Menton takes about 40 minutes on average and costs €7.70 one way at full fare, according to TER Sud in October 2026. A regional TER ticket is valid on any TER train for the date and route you chose, subject to the fare’s conditions. Check the timetable on the day.
Heading east from Nice, sit on the right: that is the sea side. Coming back, sit on the left. Tunnels interrupt the view every few minutes, but the bay always comes back.
What we would not do
Villefranche, Èze village, Monaco and Menton in one day. Èze village is not down at the railway station, which adds exactly the extra logistics your overloaded itinerary needed.
Rent a car solely “for freedom”. You will indeed be free to sit in traffic, search for parking and explain afterwards that the Riviera felt stressful. Dégun ordered that mess for you, pichoun. That was avoidable.
If Menton wins you over, one night there changes the pace of the day: Menton hotels.