Monaco F1 GP 2011
Discussion
Morning PH,
Well, I've been promising the Old Dear that I'd take her to watch the F1 @ Monaco once I'd finished Uni and finally thats all over so staying true to my word I'm planning a trip over there next year. Has anyone got any experiences or tip on where the best way to do this??
Cheers,
R
Well, I've been promising the Old Dear that I'd take her to watch the F1 @ Monaco once I'd finished Uni and finally thats all over so staying true to my word I'm planning a trip over there next year. Has anyone got any experiences or tip on where the best way to do this??
Cheers,
R
Ok...I see I've not been too clear her (should have thought), budget is always an issure, ideally I don't want to spend to much per person as I'd be paying for tavel and tickets for the misses, mother and myself. I had a quick scan on some googled 'package deals' things and the basic one's were coming up with £2.5k+ which would mean one large bill for me, so I'd like to think there'd be a cheaper way.
OK, some sensible advice: I have been to Monaco but not for the Grand Prix. The last Grand Prix I went to (Germany 2009) I paid £500 for a weekend ticket and had an allocated seat in the new stand on the start/finish line right in front of the pits and only 30 paces from a bar in one direction and the loos in the other. The previous GP I went to (Italy 2007) I had a general admission ticket (c£50 iirc) and saw virtually nothing of the race – I didn’t even find out who won until I got a text from a mate in the UK.
I understand and from my time in Monaco gather that the spaces for general viewing are few and far between and/or require mountain goat climbing abilities. Also bear in mind that if you get one of these places by dint of arriving at dawn you will need to stay there until the end of the race so you’ll need outstanding bladder control. Or, more accurately, your OH and mother will…
So I’d go for the very best ticket you can afford and maybe if money is tight a ticket just for Sunday. On the other hand if the GP is your reason for being there – and the getting there is not cheap in terms of both time and money – then go for full weekend A category ticket.
There being no overtaking at Monaco it probably doesn’t matter which part of the circuit you go to. I’d probably try to get a swimming pool ticket with my back to the pits so you see the cars as they emerge from the tunnel, brake to enter the harbour and then go round the swimming pool.
If you know the date of the GP for 2011 then I’d start looking for and booking accommodation now. Your budget will dictate to a large extent but look at the railway line that runs into Monaco and don’t think you need to stay right in town: if you’re close to a station you can be in Monaco in 20 minutes or so depending on how far out you are. I use tripadvisor to find places although viaMichelin is particularly good for France and lastly the Formula1/Ibis (the French equivalent of Travelodge)
How you get to the south of France is up to you: you can drive down, fly to Nice or even take the train. Again, if it were me I’d either drive (it’s nice to have a car just in case and the journey and where you stop/stay on the way down/back can add enormously to your holiday) or if I was pushed for time take the train. Eurostar to Paris, change stations, and then the TGV to Nice and the local puffa to Monaco [but that’s just because I hate flying these days.] Try the site themaninseat61 (possibly just seat61) to see how much the train would be.
Remember that although the race takes place by the sea that Monaco probably has one of the greatest variance in heights of all the GP circuits and that Casino Square is at the top of a long and steep hill which may influence where you sit and/or walk to depending on the heat/fitness levels of your party. Don’t forget to take a bottle (or six) of water on the day and both a sun hat and cream (and a cagoule/poncho, unless you’re really confident of the weather forecast.) And enjoy it!
I understand and from my time in Monaco gather that the spaces for general viewing are few and far between and/or require mountain goat climbing abilities. Also bear in mind that if you get one of these places by dint of arriving at dawn you will need to stay there until the end of the race so you’ll need outstanding bladder control. Or, more accurately, your OH and mother will…
So I’d go for the very best ticket you can afford and maybe if money is tight a ticket just for Sunday. On the other hand if the GP is your reason for being there – and the getting there is not cheap in terms of both time and money – then go for full weekend A category ticket.
There being no overtaking at Monaco it probably doesn’t matter which part of the circuit you go to. I’d probably try to get a swimming pool ticket with my back to the pits so you see the cars as they emerge from the tunnel, brake to enter the harbour and then go round the swimming pool.
If you know the date of the GP for 2011 then I’d start looking for and booking accommodation now. Your budget will dictate to a large extent but look at the railway line that runs into Monaco and don’t think you need to stay right in town: if you’re close to a station you can be in Monaco in 20 minutes or so depending on how far out you are. I use tripadvisor to find places although viaMichelin is particularly good for France and lastly the Formula1/Ibis (the French equivalent of Travelodge)
How you get to the south of France is up to you: you can drive down, fly to Nice or even take the train. Again, if it were me I’d either drive (it’s nice to have a car just in case and the journey and where you stop/stay on the way down/back can add enormously to your holiday) or if I was pushed for time take the train. Eurostar to Paris, change stations, and then the TGV to Nice and the local puffa to Monaco [but that’s just because I hate flying these days.] Try the site themaninseat61 (possibly just seat61) to see how much the train would be.
Remember that although the race takes place by the sea that Monaco probably has one of the greatest variance in heights of all the GP circuits and that Casino Square is at the top of a long and steep hill which may influence where you sit and/or walk to depending on the heat/fitness levels of your party. Don’t forget to take a bottle (or six) of water on the day and both a sun hat and cream (and a cagoule/poncho, unless you’re really confident of the weather forecast.) And enjoy it!
Thanks for that, my only fitness worry would be the old dear, at nearing 70 I'd doubt she'd enjoy hicking round. The likelyhood is that it would only be race day (i'd prefer more but hey). I'd be going for a decent ticket, which stand were you refering to?? http://www.monaco-grand-prix.com/en/TICKETS/
rich_vw said:
Thanks for that, my only fitness worry would be the old dear, at nearing 70 I'd doubt she'd enjoy hicking round. The likelyhood is that it would only be race day (i'd prefer more but hey). I'd be going for a decent ticket, which stand were you refering to?? http://www.monaco-grand-prix.com/en/TICKETS/
Kthere have been several threads on this before, do a search to track them down.
We (Mrs and I) went to the Monaco GP about 3 years ago. What we did was book the tickets (Sat + Sun) direct with the ACM and then arranged flights/hotel and transfers using Kuoni. It all worked out very well and I suspect cheaper than if we'd booked everything ourselves separately. Our hotel was in Nice and the transfer in each day was painless - but did then involve some walking once you get to Monaco - I really doubt you'd avoid that unless you stayed somewhere that was effectively overlooking the circuit.
We did actually glance at prices of flights on their own - they ramp up to a scary extent the closer to the weekend! maybe less so if you book well ahead.
The grandstands we used were, on the map linked above, T for qualifying - which we really liked as you get a good view of the pits and a screen + cars are close below you. on race day we were in K - which is huge! and poorly supplied with facilities such as toilets and kiosks for lunch/refreshments. Also the cars actually disappear from view under the stand right in front of you (unless you are very close to the front of the stand) + no shade whatsoever if it is a sunny day. You do see the cars running at you from the tunnel and a glimpse of them on their way up the hill to casino square. ..... from where we were anyway.
hope that helps - if more details required I'd probably have to consult senior management as she has a better memory than me!
We (Mrs and I) went to the Monaco GP about 3 years ago. What we did was book the tickets (Sat + Sun) direct with the ACM and then arranged flights/hotel and transfers using Kuoni. It all worked out very well and I suspect cheaper than if we'd booked everything ourselves separately. Our hotel was in Nice and the transfer in each day was painless - but did then involve some walking once you get to Monaco - I really doubt you'd avoid that unless you stayed somewhere that was effectively overlooking the circuit.
We did actually glance at prices of flights on their own - they ramp up to a scary extent the closer to the weekend! maybe less so if you book well ahead.
The grandstands we used were, on the map linked above, T for qualifying - which we really liked as you get a good view of the pits and a screen + cars are close below you. on race day we were in K - which is huge! and poorly supplied with facilities such as toilets and kiosks for lunch/refreshments. Also the cars actually disappear from view under the stand right in front of you (unless you are very close to the front of the stand) + no shade whatsoever if it is a sunny day. You do see the cars running at you from the tunnel and a glimpse of them on their way up the hill to casino square. ..... from where we were anyway.
hope that helps - if more details required I'd probably have to consult senior management as she has a better memory than me!
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