Villefranche - Monte Carlo

[joannie10]

Hi there - my parents are going on a cruise to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. They are not one for doing trips on their own normally but are very able people. The thing is someone who has done this cruise several times before made their own way from Villefranche to Monte Carlo and said its a much better way to do it and only costs a few euros on the train. I feel they are keen to try this but don't seem to want to ask the other person too many details as he was a bit 'cocky'. Has anyone done this and can they offer any advise?
While I am at it - will just ask can anyone offer similar advise for getting from Livorno to Pisa as that is also a port they visit.
any advice is appreciated.

[pauln90]

From Trip Advisor

Villefranche is very small and charming.... Anyway, I would just walk over to the train station which is at the back of the bay and grab the train - there is only one line there - west goes to Nice and East to Monaco...They run every half hour or so.

Also re Livorno to Pisa

http://www.livornonow...by_train_from_livorno

When i did these trips I must admit I used the trips organised by the cruise company but they can be expensive so doing it yourself will save quite a bit

[muchlovex]

Hi,
Yes, getting the train from Villefranche to Monte Carlo is SO easy and very cheap. It doesn't take very long either. The trains are regular as well, so they won't wait too long at stations either.
Sorry, I can't answer the Livorno to Pisa question.
I am sure your parents will enjoy their holiday.

[joannie10]

thank you both you have both been very helpful.

[oscarina]

We stopped off in Villefranche from our Cruise we had about 6hour stop. It is absolutely beautiful. We took a taxi from there to Monte Carlo and the taxi driver stayed with us and showed us around . we went to see Princess Grace's resting place in the Church it was a great experience and also the famous Casino. We have been on quite a lot of cruises and always do our own thing at the various stops, we negotiate with the taxi driver and have always had great service. It is a lot cheaper than going on the organised tours from the Cruise. Although another aspect of this is some people feel more secure taking the organised tours as there are always allowances made for delays etc. but we have never encountered any setbacks, Always leave yourself enough time for embarking!

[joannie10]

thanks oscarina - I found some other info online for parents and looks like while they are in opposite directions it is no long by bus or train to nice and monaco. I think they are going to take their chance of having short visit to both places but having read how nice villefranche is they will make sure they head back nice and early so as not to miss departure but also to enjoy villefranche (thats the plan anyway!!)

[linda2203]

I have been to Monte Carlo from a cruise ship and would recommend the ship's tour also the tour from port of Livorno to Pisa. both arent terribly expensive - tour to Monte Carlo takes you directly into the underground car park then you use the lifts and escalators,

[joannie10]

thanks for your response