Monaco covers 2.02 square kilometers, making it the second-smallest country in the world after Vatican City. The entire principality measures approximately 3.8 kilometers from east to west and 1.7 kilometers from north to south at its widest points. You can walk across the country in roughly 60 minutes, though the terrain rises steeply from sea level to 163 meters at its highest point in the Exotic Garden area. The Rock of Monaco, which holds Monaco-Ville, stands 62 meters above the Mediterranean Sea.
Six bus lines operated by Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco serve the principality with 143 stops. Routes 1 and 2 provide the most comprehensive coverage, connecting Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, La Condamine, Fontvieille, and Larvotto. A single journey costs 2 euros, a day pass costs 5.50 euros, and a 12-journey card costs 11 euros. Buses run approximately every 10 minutes during daytime hours and every 20 minutes in early morning and evening. Service operates from 07:00 to 21:00 daily, with reduced schedules on Sundays and holidays. All buses accommodate wheelchair users and include air conditioning.
Monaco operates seven public elevators connecting different elevations across the principality, providing free vertical transport. The elevator from Place Sainte-Dévote in La Condamine rises to Boulevard de Belgique in Monte Carlo, covering approximately 40 vertical meters. Another connects Port Hercules to Monaco-Ville, ascending the Rock of Monaco. These elevators operate continuously from 06:00 to midnight, allowing pedestrians to navigate steep terrain without climbing staircases. The system includes moving walkways in tunnels that bypass surface traffic.
The Monaco railway station, operated by SNCF, sits underground beneath La Condamine district. Trains run along the French Riviera coast between Ventimiglia, Italy and Marseille, France, with the Monaco-Monte Carlo station serving as an intermediate stop. Direct TER trains reach Nice in 20 minutes, Menton in 10 minutes, and Ventimiglia in 25 minutes. The station contains two tracks serving both directions, with service frequency of approximately two trains per hour in each direction during daytime. Trains operate from 05:30 to 23:30 daily.
Taxis in Monaco charge rates set by the French Prefecture of Alpes-Maritimes. The daytime minimum charge is 7 euros, with 1.80 euros per kilometer during 07:00 to 19:00 on weekdays. Night rates increase to 2.15 euros per kilometer. Waiting time costs 30 euros per hour. A taxi from Monaco-Ville to Larvotto typically costs 12 to 15 euros. The main taxi stand operates at Place du Casino in Monte Carlo. Monaco has no ride-sharing services like Uber or Bolt operating within its territory.
Bicycle and e-scooter sharing through MonaBike provides 35 stations across the principality with 300 bicycles and electric bikes. Standard bicycles cost 1 euro for the first 30 minutes, then 1 euro per additional 30 minutes. Electric bikes cost 2 euros for the first 30 minutes. Users must register online and provide credit card details, paying a 150-euro security deposit. The system allows one-way trips between stations. Monaco has constructed approximately 5 kilometers of marked bike paths, though these remain discontinuous and require sharing roads with motor traffic on steep sections.
Port Hercules serves as the departure point for boat connections to other Mediterranean destinations. Bateau Bus operates seasonally from April through September, providing trips across the harbor between Quai des États-Unis and the Exotic Garden area for 2 euros per crossing. The crossing takes approximately 8 minutes. Private water taxis operate from the port with negotiable fares typically starting at 100 euros for short coastal trips. Monaco Connect operates seasonal ferry service to Saint-Tropez during summer months, though schedules vary annually.
Monaco-Heliport in Fontvieille district provides helicopter service to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport. Monacair and Héli Air Monaco operate flights taking approximately 7 minutes from the heliport to Nice airport. Single tickets cost between 130 and 180 euros depending on booking timing and operator. The heliport contains one landing pad with capacity for helicopters carrying up to six passengers. Flights operate from 08:00 to 19:00, with reduced schedules on Sundays. The heliport sits directly on reclaimed land adjacent to Port Hercules.
Car rental operates from multiple agencies near the railway station and in Monte Carlo, though driving provides limited advantage given Monaco's size and traffic density. Parking costs between 2.40 and 3.20 euros per hour in public garages, with no free street parking available except for residents with permits. The principality contains approximately 40,000 parking spaces in underground facilities. Speed limits throughout Monaco do not exceed 50 kilometers per hour, with most roads limited to 30 kilometers per hour. Monaco enforces strict traffic regulations with immediate fines for violations.