Nice to Menton by train : the day trip that works
The coastal train is less glamorous than a convertible. It does have one rare Riviera quality : it never needs to park.
Between Nice and Menton, the train is so logical that renting a car requires a fairly convincing reason. Stations follow the coast, services are frequent and you avoid making a Monaco car park part of your cultural programme.
Villefranche + Menton for an easy day. Monaco + Menton for more contrast. All three only if you enjoy checking the time.
Option 1 : Villefranche then Menton
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Walk down through the old town to the bay, have coffee and take your time. The TER station connects directly with Nice and sits close to town. Almost suspiciously easy.
Menton
Continue east by train and give Menton the rest of the day. Old town, seafront, gardens if you have time. Do not add Monaco simply because the train passes it. It also passes many apartment buildings.
Option 2 : Monaco then Menton
Monaco works best earlier in the day before everything feels busier, then Menton in the afternoon. More dramatic, more polished, more tiring.
Which Nice station?
Nice-Ville is convenient for the centre. Nice-Riquier is often better from the Port and eastern Nice. The tourist office states in 2026 that trains run roughly every 15 minutes on the Cannes-Menton axis from Nice-Riquier. Check the timetable on the day.
What we would not do
Villefranche, Èze village, Monaco and Menton in one day. Èze village is not down at the railway station, which adds exactly the extra logistics your overloaded itinerary needed.
Rent a car solely “for freedom”. You will indeed be free to search for parking.