Originally Posted by
DeadManFlying
As it says in the thread title I'm going to the formula E race in Monaco on the 11th of May.
I'm only able to it as a day trip going out on the BA342 at 07:50 and returning on the BA349 at 20:40, going on a HBO fare using avios to knock the price down.
Looking at my options to get from Nice airport to Monaco I was thinking that the bus looked the easiest way to get get there and back?
I've not been to Nice airport or to Monaco before and was hoping for some of the wisdom of the board about how long to get through the airport on arrival(assuming we're still allowed in Europe!) how much time I need to allow for immigration and security on the way back and any general tips would all be welcome.
Once I was in Monaco my plan was to get to my grandstand, T facing the pits and just after the swimming pool. and after the racing is finished do as much of a track walk as I can with my shoulder mounted gimble recording it for posterity.
Thanks in advance for your help
DMF
If no luggage (and you are still part of Europe), I'm normally curb side in 12 minutes or less, but I would give about 20 minutes as a good buffer.
Taxi will set you back 90 euros one-way and is approx 35 - 45 mins depending on traffic and how much you egg on your taxi driver. This is least recommended as the helicopter is frequently 115 euros and 95 euros if you have a valid European student card, and much quicker than the taxi. It'll drop you off at Fontvieille though, which is a bit far from the centre.
Take the number 110 bus for a 45-minute - 1 hour leisurely ride into Monaco that will wind down from the Jardins Exotique, it's 22 euros one way / 33 round trip (iirc) and is 17 euros if you're less than 26 years old. Get off at Place d'Armes if you want to head straight to the Stade Nautique / pit area -- there's a shortcut (with about 30 stairs, so avoid if you're not fully mobile) down to the Port right behind Place d'Armes if you head down Rue Millo, or a very steep slope down Rue Caroline, or if you want to do some sightseeing then get off at the second stop (Place du Casino). The bus has a further stop at Monte Carlo Bay -- if no one else is on the bus you can probably ask them to stop somewhere feasible in between (I've asked for stops in Jardins Exotique and at the hairpin Fairmont before, but this requires some friendly banter with the driver). On the way back, try to get picked up at the Place d'Armes which saves you a lot of the winding and turning within Monaco and is more or less a straight line to the airport, approx. 30 - 35 mins.
The train is not ideal if you have luggage as you have to cross the road at the airport to get to the station, it's about 10 - 15 mins and the tranis are not frequent (if they're not on strike or the tracks are flooded which is the majority of the time).
Lastly, for the only pint brewed in Monaco.... try Brasserie de Monaco.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to PM me. Also paging @
msm2000uk for further advice.
Edit: just noticed you are on BA 342, that one usually lands around 11 sharp -- if you
hustle you can make the 11:15, but I usually miss it and need to wait for the 11:45 one -- if you're not familiar with the airport I would recommend you take the time and go for the 11:45 one. When you get out after baggage claim, turn left and walk outside -- the bus should be in the second bay.