For visitors to the Côte d’Azur, travelling between Nice and Monaco by helicopter is not only the quickest way to reach the Principality but also by some margin the most spectacular.
Separated by just a short stretch of the French Riviera, one might imagine that travelling between the two cities by road is the most efficient form of transport. But notoriously bad traffic means that this is invariably not the case. For an altogether more memorable – and speedier – alternative, the journey can instead be made by helicopter, with the route tracing the Mediterranean coastline, delivering jaw-dropping views before touching down in your iconic final destination. We’ve reviewed the experience below.
What can you expect from the tour?
Departing from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, the private helicopter flight connects Nice with Monaco in just seven minutes, turning what can be a lengthy road journey into a remarkably short hop along the Côte d’Azur. The service is also available in the opposite direction, allowing passengers to travel from Monaco to Nice.
Although designed primarily as a convenient transfer, the journey also doubles as a scenic flight, with sweeping views across the landscapes below. Unlike a longer panoramic helicopter excursion, there’s no circular sightseeing route or guided commentary, with the emphasis instead on travelling directly between the two destinations.
What do you need to know before you fly?
There are a few practical details to be aware of before your helicopter tour. Firstly, all passengers (up to six people) will need to bring their passport with them. In terms of luggage, this is limited to two items of hand luggage and two items of hold luggage for each passenger. Once you arrive in Monaco, van transport is provided. Other that, we would advise that you arrive in good time and with everything ready in advance so that check-in and boarding can run as smoothly as possible, allowing you to enjoy the experience to the fullest.
What can you see during the flight?
Even though it lasts only seven minutes, the flight offers an impressive aerial introduction to this part of the French Riviera. The route follows one of the Côte d’Azur’s most attractive stretches of coastline, with a backdrop of steep hills set against the azure waters of the Mediterranean and towns and villages dotted throughout an assortment of bays and headlands.
Depending on the precise flight path, views along the Nice-Monaco coastal corridor can include Villefranche-sur-Mer and its sheltered bay, the peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Cap d’Ail, before Monaco itself comes into view. .
What is it like flying by helicopter?
If you haven’t flown by helicopter before then you should probably familiarise yourself with what the experience is like. After take-off, the helicopter quickly gains enough height to open up views across the coastline and Mediterranean. But unlike an aeroplane, you’ll remain low enough to enjoy close-up aerial views that provide a truly unique perspective on your surroundings. What’s more, the wrap-around glass means you can enjoy panoramic views, unlike on a plane when you’re restricted to peeking through the small window next to your seat.
In terms of the sensations of being on a helicopter compared to other modes of flight, you can expect more movement and vibrations along with a stronger sense of being connected to the landscape beneath you.
What is the price of the tour?
Prices for the Nice to Monaco helicopter flight currently start from €825 per group, with space for up to six passengers. If all six places are used, this works out at around €137 per person.
The price includes the private seven-minute helicopter flight, van transport in Monaco and two items of hand luggage and two items of hold luggage.
Summary
Far from simply a way of getting you from A to B, this is as much of an experience as a means of transport. The flight itself may be fleeting, but there’s still enough time to savour the captivating views all around you, as well as to experience the thrill of helicopter flight. As a way of seeing one of France’s most celebrated stretches of coastline from the air – and avoiding the gridlocked traffic below in the process – then this tour is hard to beat. What’s more, the tours private format means you can enjoy the experience in the company of a select group of family or friends.