Nice to Monaco by Moped: The Complete Coastal Guide
Driving to Monaco by car often means sitting in traffic on the motorway and spending a fortune on parking. On a moped, it's a completely different experience — you follow the coastline at your own pace, pull over whenever something catches your eye, and slip into the Principality without the stress. It's the best way to make this journey from Nice, full stop.
Here's everything you need to know before you set off.
🗺️ Which Road Should You Take?
There are three routes between Nice and Monaco, but for moped riders — especially those on a 50cc — the Basse Corniche (D6098) is the one to choose.
The Basse Corniche (D6098) runs right along the coastline from Nice all the way to Monaco. You pass through Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Cap d'Ail before crossing the Monégasque border at Boulevard Charles III. It's the most coastal, most scenic of the three, and it's accessible on both 50cc and 125cc machines. Distance: around 20 km, with a journey time of 30 to 40 minutes in light traffic.
The Moyenne Corniche (D6007) is a good alternative if you're on a 125cc and fancy a detour through Eze Village on the way. It winds along at mid-altitude with spectacular sea views and arrives in Monaco from the north, near the Exotic Garden. Expect around 24 km.
The Grande Corniche (D2564) is the highest and most dramatic of the three, passing through La Turbie before dropping back down into Monaco. It's a longer route and not ideal for 50cc scooters, which can struggle on some of the steeper sections.
💡 Our tip: take the Basse Corniche on the way out to enjoy the sea views, then return via the Moyenne Corniche for a completely different landscape. Two routes for the price of one.
⚠️ What to Know Before You Go
On a 50cc: stick to the D6098 and avoid any motorway or dual-carriageway sections. 50cc machines are limited to 45 km/h — set your GPS to "avoid motorways" before leaving.
On a 125cc: all three routes are accessible. The Moyenne Corniche has some dual-carriageway sections, which are fine for a 125cc.
Traffic: between July and August, the Basse Corniche gets extremely busy around midday. Leave Nice before 10am or wait until after 5pm. The same journey can take an hour or more in peak-season traffic.
🅿️ Parking in Monaco
On a moped, the good news is you can often park for free. Keep an eye out for spaces reserved for two-wheelers — when you spot rows of mopeds and motorbikes lined up along the pavement or in a small area, you're in the right place. If you don't find anything or you're in a car, the underground car parks are the way to go.
Monaco is tiny, but it has around forty underground car parks with roughly 20,000 spaces in total. You'll always find somewhere — you just need to know where to look.
- Parking des Salines: brand new, 1,800 spaces across 15 levels, at the western entrance to Monaco. €7.50 for a half day, €11 for a full day. The best value option if you're coming from Nice.
- Parking du Casino (Spelugues): perfect location for visiting Monte-Carlo, but pricier.
- Parking de Fontvieille: handy if you're arriving via Cap d'Ail.
For a scooter or moped, hourly rates in the standard car parks typically run between €3 and €4 depending on location.
🎯 What to Do in Monaco
Once you've parked up, Monaco is very walkable. Don't miss:
- Le Rocher: the old town, with the Prince's Palace and the Cathedral
- Port Hercule: Monaco's famous yacht-filled harbour — genuinely spectacular
- Casino de Monte-Carlo: even if you don't go inside, the square is worth seeing
- Musée Océanographique: brilliant for a couple of hours, with stunning views from the terrace
- La Condamine: the local neighbourhood, and the best place to eat without the tourist premium
🕐 How Long Does It Take?
- Nice to Monaco via Basse Corniche (no traffic): 30 to 40 minutes
- Exploring Monaco: 3 to 5 hours for the highlights
- Return via Moyenne Corniche with a stop at Eze: add 1 hour
It's a brilliant full day out. Leave in the morning, be back for sundowners.
🚀 In Summary
The Basse Corniche (D6098) is the ideal road for the Nice to Monaco ride. It's accessible on a 50cc, just 20 km long, and offers some of the finest coastal scenery in Europe. Take your time, stop at Beaulieu for a coffee, and enjoy every kilometre.
The Rentascoot team is always happy to suggest a personalised route when you collect your moped. Just ask 🌴