Finding Monaco’s lifts, passages and station exits

In Monaco, the useful question is often which level a place is on. A hotel or attraction can look close while sitting above a retaining wall or beyond a set of stairs. Public lifts and passages can save a climb, but only when you find the correct entrance.

Save the entrance, not just the address

Before leaving Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, look at the exit signs and locate the first stop on your walk. The harbour, old town and casino area lead you in different directions. If the route looks awkward with bags, check a local bus before committing to the climb.

The official Monaco Malin map marks pedestrian connections. Use it as a route aid, with current signs taking priority if a lift is closed. A printed map does not show live maintenance status.

Check the whole accessible route

A lift symbol is only one part of a journey. Check the approach, doors, kerbs and the final entrance at the other end. Ask the attraction or accommodation about the complete route for your wheelchair or pushchair, rather than assuming a lift makes the whole neighbourhood step-free.

CAM line 2 is useful for Monaco-Ville; line 5 connects the station area with Monte-Carlo and Larvotto. Use CAM's current information for the stop and direction in service. A bus can be a sensible backup when a pedestrian connection is interrupted.

Group visits at similar levels

Give the old town its own block, then descend once for the harbour. On another part of the day, combine Casino Square with the seafront if the route suits you. Repeatedly moving between the same levels uses time without adding much to the visit.

Keep a buffer on the way back to the station. If a lift fails, follow signed public alternatives rather than entering a vehicle tunnel. The Monaco overview helps you choose a day that does not depend on crossing the country several times.

Keep a priced bus backup

The pedestrian map is useful, but it is not a live lift-status board. CAM lists €1.50 for a Monapass or contactless single, €2 for an onboard paper ticket and €5.50 for the 24-hour app pass or contactless operating-day cap. Read the current CAM fares and keep one suitable fare available when a lift, passage or steep approach does not work for the group.

The Nice to Monaco route explains the hillside station and its exits. Choose the exit for the first stop before deciding which lift or bus solves the next change of level.