Monaco
Common tourist scams in Monaco and how to avoid them
Monaco is low-crime and heavily policed, so the realistic risks are petty: pickpockets at the train station and casino crowds, overpriced taxis, and card or ATM skimming. Keep bags zipped in crowds, pay by card where you can, and walk or take the train instead of hailing a cab. If you are scammed, report it to the police on 17 and tell your bank the same day.
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GuideMonaco
Key facts
- Overall riskcheck
- Low; violent crime against visitors is rare (check)
- Main risks
- Pickpockets in crowds, taxi overcharging, card and ATM skimming
- Police emergency
- 17 (112 works across the EU)
- Best defence
- Zipped bag, card instead of cash, no unlicensed taxis
- If scammed
- Report to police on 17, then call your bank to block the card
- Report card fraud
- Your own bank's 24-hour line; keep the ATM receipt
Details
Monaco is one of the most monitored places in Europe: the state is small, cameras are dense and the police presence is visible around the casino, the palace and the station. That pushes street crime down, but it does not remove it. The people who target visitors here work the same three or four situations, and they are all avoidable with ordinary habits.
The first is crowding. The Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, the escalators and lifts between levels, the casino forecourt at night and the Grand Prix and yacht-show weeks are where a hand can reach a bag without being noticed. Keep phones and wallets in a front pocket or a zipped bag worn across the body, and do not leave a bag on the floor of a café.
The second is transport. There is no ride-hailing culture to rely on, and a short hop by taxi can cost far more than the same trip on the bus or on foot. Monaco is walkable in a day and the coastal train to Nice or Menton is cheap and fast, so treat taxis as a last resort. If you do take one, agree the meter is running or ask the fare before you get in.
The third is cards and cash machines. Skimming devices on ATMs and card readers, and distraction at the machine, are the classic pattern in wealthy tourist areas. Use machines inside a bank branch or a busy lobby, cover the keypad, and check the card slot for anything loose or bulky. Paying by card in shops and restaurants is normal and reduces how much cash you carry.
The fourth is the softer sell: a friendly stranger who offers to show you a shortcut, a free gift, a bracelet or a photo, then asks for money. In Monaco this is uncommon compared with Nice or Marseille, but it happens near the port and the gardens in summer. A polite no and walking on ends it. The same applies to anyone who approaches you about a 'casino entry fee' or a private tour that was not booked through a licensed operator.
None of this should change your plans. The practical rule is: book and pay through official channels, keep your valuables on your body in crowds, and use the train or your feet rather than a taxi. That covers almost every scenario a visitor meets here.
Summary table
| Situation | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Station, casino, race week | Pickpocket reaches a bag or pocket in the crush | Zipped bag across the body; phone in a front pocket |
| Taxi from the station or port | Fare runs well above the bus or train | Walk, take the bus, or the coastal train; agree the fare first |
| ATM or card reader | Skimming device or shoulder-surfing | Use machines inside a bank or busy lobby; cover the keypad |
| Stranger offers a gift or shortcut | Friendly approach, then a request for money | Decline and walk on; no payment, no details |
| Unlicensed 'tour' or casino fixer | Upfront cash for something not booked officially | Book through official operators only |
| Lost card or phone | No cash, no way to pay | Report to police on 17, then call your bank's 24-hour line |
Frequency and tactics can change; treat this as a checklist, not a fixed list (check).
Tips
Carry two cards from different banks and keep them in separate places, so one blocked card does not end your day.
Save your bank's international lost-card number in your phone before you travel, and keep a photo of your passport and cards somewhere you can reach offline.
Use the free public lifts and escalators around Monaco instead of paying for short rides; the whole state is a half-day walk.
In restaurants and shops, watch the card terminal as it is handled and ask for the receipt; service is included, so a tip is optional.
If someone pressures you for money, move towards a lit, busy area or into a shop; the police are close by in the centre.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What are the most common tourist scams in Monaco?
Pickpocketing in crowds at the station and casino, taxi fares far above the bus or train, card and ATM skimming, and friendly strangers who ask for money after offering a gift or a shortcut. Violent crime against visitors is rare.
Is Monaco safe from pickpockets?
No city is. Monaco is heavily policed and low-crime, but the station, casino forecourt and event weeks draw crowds where a bag can be opened unnoticed. Keep valuables zipped and in front of you.
What should I do if I am scammed in Monaco?
Report it to the police on 17 (112 also works) and get a report reference, then call your bank's 24-hour line to block cards and dispute charges. Keep any receipts, messages or photos that support the report.
Deep dive
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