2027 planning, 2026 costs etc
Discussion
Hi.
I've done 5 trips to Le Mans, the last in 2009.
I think we did 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 09.
2 years at Houx Annexe, One on Beausejour, one on a private hosted campsite, one can't remember had too much fun/beer.
Always been in a convoy of 4-6 cars and camping.
Never bought Granstand tickets, fine with this.
I'm planning a 2027 trip.
Costs appear to have risen !
Can anyone give an idea of what you spent in 2026 and what I am to expect next year?
I've done 5 trips to Le Mans, the last in 2009.
I think we did 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 09.
2 years at Houx Annexe, One on Beausejour, one on a private hosted campsite, one can't remember had too much fun/beer.
Always been in a convoy of 4-6 cars and camping.
Never bought Granstand tickets, fine with this.
I'm planning a 2027 trip.
Costs appear to have risen !
Can anyone give an idea of what you spent in 2026 and what I am to expect next year?
This year was the first time I’d been since 2004, no idea of costs tbh.
However one thing was the mass change in campsites and the lack of decent maps in the lead up to going.
I came across this next to a 24hr info centre and it’s probably the most comprehensive and current layout information (campsites, paths, stands, viewing areas etc) you can get and should remain mainly valid for next year. It has a handy 100mx100m grid to it too.
However one thing was the mass change in campsites and the lack of decent maps in the lead up to going.
I came across this next to a 24hr info centre and it’s probably the most comprehensive and current layout information (campsites, paths, stands, viewing areas etc) you can get and should remain mainly valid for next year. It has a handy 100mx100m grid to it too.
Just on my way back from LM. 4 people with 3 cars camping with travel destinations at Porsche curves (great campsite, challenging booking process).
Camping, race and ferry tickets was about £8-900 each. No grandstand tickets. Breakfast included each day. I’d guess I spent another £300 ish on food and drink. Then fuel and tolls. Certainly not cheap anymore and a very different experience to the old Houx annexe days. For better and worse!
Camping, race and ferry tickets was about £8-900 each. No grandstand tickets. Breakfast included each day. I’d guess I spent another £300 ish on food and drink. Then fuel and tolls. Certainly not cheap anymore and a very different experience to the old Houx annexe days. For better and worse!
1st time this year for me to have a grandstand seat - LeonardT20 - right in front of the start line/podium. I would definitely recommend getting a grandstand seat if you can run to the cost. The build up to the start was so good and being in the shade from the unrelenting 29deg sun his year was worth the cost!!! Watching the finish and the team celebration from the grandstand was really special. We stayed at Lycian Porsche Curves (highly recommended) and would budget around £1800 all in for the Thursday to Monday (all costs including food and drink, crossing, accommodation, grandstand etc). It can be done for a lot less though.
I went Thursday to Sunday and booked through 1st Tickets for just over £1200
Portsmouth / Caen Ferry
Hippodrome camping
GA
Grandstand T19
On top of this was there was petrol and tolls for ~£100
Expect to be rinsed for on circuit food and drink. Checking my account yesterday I noticed that I paid £16.69 for a pint
Portsmouth / Caen Ferry
Hippodrome camping
GA
Grandstand T19
On top of this was there was petrol and tolls for ~£100
Expect to be rinsed for on circuit food and drink. Checking my account yesterday I noticed that I paid £16.69 for a pint
Went on Wednesday evening because of ferry schedules and back Monday evening…
Ferry = £250
Tickets = €335 (Grandstand, Entry, Expo and Arnage parking)
Hotel = €130. Weds night.
Airbnb = €400 per person B&B. Thurs till Mon. (Better than any hotel in region)
Petrol = €206 (with half tank left and started with half a tank)
Food and drink….. now I won’t give this total. It can be done on whatever budget. But we had two meals at a particularly lovely restaurant and had some exceptional wine which bumped costs somewhat.
Bits and pieces of spending elsewhere but nothing too drastic.
Very restrained on merch, €25 on a cap this time around.
Ferry = £250
Tickets = €335 (Grandstand, Entry, Expo and Arnage parking)
Hotel = €130. Weds night.
Airbnb = €400 per person B&B. Thurs till Mon. (Better than any hotel in region)
Petrol = €206 (with half tank left and started with half a tank)
Food and drink….. now I won’t give this total. It can be done on whatever budget. But we had two meals at a particularly lovely restaurant and had some exceptional wine which bumped costs somewhat.
Bits and pieces of spending elsewhere but nothing too drastic.
Very restrained on merch, €25 on a cap this time around.
horseshoecrab said:
Expect to be rinsed for on circuit food and drink. Checking my account yesterday I noticed that I paid £16.69 for a pint
I disagree on that. €7.50 for a baguette, €14 for burger and fries. The sit down places in the manufacturers village rip you off but i really dont think food prices are bad for an event of this scale.Alcohol may be dearer, I dont drink or id never last the 24.
When I went, when you get out of the main paddock, bridge terte rouge areas and down to Porsche, or Mulsanne, you seemed to get independent guys there doing baguettes etc, it was fine price wise, and it was so sodding hot, we just got in the car and found eateries in local villages and towns. Cheap. De cent food.
HardtopManual said:
I found the food decent value and good quality on the whole. Even the beer wasn't ridiculous (we were paying 8 or 9 a pint, it's £7 in a London pub so about the same).
The only thing I recoiled in horror from was the merch. 45 for a hat, 200 for a hoodie.
Food was a mixed bag for me. None of it's cheap of course and I wouldn't expect it to be. Had one 9 euro sandwich which you'd have been disappointed by if you'd paid £1.49 at your local independent petrol station. But actually some of the hot food was excellent. 16 ish euros per meal + cost of a drink. Really good quality. I didn't feel ripped off. Some of the stalls near the dunlop, sorry, Goodyear Bridge were excellent and not as busy as some other parts of the circuit. I don't drink anymore but I didn't hear anyone complaining too much about the cost of beer. I think it was about 12 euros in the paddock. 9 euros at the campsite. Maybe they're just conditioned to it now or maybe UK pricing has caught up. Bought an offical hat and a tshirt for 30 euros each. Hat is fine. T-shirt quality is pretty sThe only thing I recoiled in horror from was the merch. 45 for a hat, 200 for a hoodie.
te. Only bought it as I'd dramatically under packed. LM240 said:
Went on Wednesday evening because of ferry schedules and back Monday evening
Ferry = £250
Tickets = 335 (Grandstand, Entry, Expo and Arnage parking)
Hotel = 130. Weds night.
Airbnb = 400 per person B&B. Thurs till Mon. (Better than any hotel in region)
Petrol = 206 (with half tank left and started with half a tank)
Food and drink .. now I won t give this total. It can be done on whatever budget. But we had two meals at a particularly lovely restaurant and had some exceptional wine which bumped costs somewhat.
Bits and pieces of spending elsewhere but nothing too drastic.
Very restrained on merch, 25 on a cap this time around.
Quite interested in exploring the airbnb approach to LM24. Mind me asking how far away you were? When you had to book it etc? Did you have to drive to the circuit or were you walking distance? I love the camping on Porsche curves for just being able to wander to and from the bank in 2 minutes but you pay a lot for the privilege and camping has it ups and downs. I'm quite keen to explore other options. Ferry = £250
Tickets = 335 (Grandstand, Entry, Expo and Arnage parking)
Hotel = 130. Weds night.
Airbnb = 400 per person B&B. Thurs till Mon. (Better than any hotel in region)
Petrol = 206 (with half tank left and started with half a tank)
Food and drink .. now I won t give this total. It can be done on whatever budget. But we had two meals at a particularly lovely restaurant and had some exceptional wine which bumped costs somewhat.
Bits and pieces of spending elsewhere but nothing too drastic.
Very restrained on merch, 25 on a cap this time around.
I ended up something like:
Portsmouth > Caen ferry ticket including a cabin upgrade - £240
Team Langoustine camping (w/ breakfast + dinner), course ticket, grandstand ticket (Sommer) - £900
Eurotunnel (premier, which ended up being well worth it as the standard trains were delayed 2+ hours) - £300
Food and drinks - £200
Fuel - £250
So about £1900 all-in.
In previous years, I've done Eurostar/TGV/folding bike/bivvy for less than £300 all-in, so it doesn't have to be expensive.
Portsmouth > Caen ferry ticket including a cabin upgrade - £240
Team Langoustine camping (w/ breakfast + dinner), course ticket, grandstand ticket (Sommer) - £900
Eurotunnel (premier, which ended up being well worth it as the standard trains were delayed 2+ hours) - £300
Food and drinks - £200
Fuel - £250
So about £1900 all-in.
In previous years, I've done Eurostar/TGV/folding bike/bivvy for less than £300 all-in, so it doesn't have to be expensive.
Certainly it’s worth being a member of you are going with more than one person. You’ll save the cost of the membership if buying camping, admission and grandstand.
I paid 810 euros for 2 of each of general admission, Panorma grandstand and Epinettes camping. All at member price.
Ferry Newhaven Dieppe return was £316.40
Beer circuit side started at 9 euro plus 2 for the cup. Other beers were available for higher prices
I paid 810 euros for 2 of each of general admission, Panorma grandstand and Epinettes camping. All at member price.
Ferry Newhaven Dieppe return was £316.40
Beer circuit side started at 9 euro plus 2 for the cup. Other beers were available for higher prices
Gad-Westy said:
LM240 said:
Went on Wednesday evening because of ferry schedules and back Monday evening
Ferry = £250
Tickets = 335 (Grandstand, Entry, Expo and Arnage parking)
Hotel = 130. Weds night.
Airbnb = 400 per person B&B. Thurs till Mon. (Better than any hotel in region)
Petrol = 206 (with half tank left and started with half a tank)
Food and drink .. now I won t give this total. It can be done on whatever budget. But we had two meals at a particularly lovely restaurant and had some exceptional wine which bumped costs somewhat.
Bits and pieces of spending elsewhere but nothing too drastic.
Very restrained on merch, 25 on a cap this time around.
Quite interested in exploring the airbnb approach to LM24. Mind me asking how far away you were? When you had to book it etc? Did you have to drive to the circuit or were you walking distance? I love the camping on Porsche curves for just being able to wander to and from the bank in 2 minutes but you pay a lot for the privilege and camping has it ups and downs. I'm quite keen to explore other options. Ferry = £250
Tickets = 335 (Grandstand, Entry, Expo and Arnage parking)
Hotel = 130. Weds night.
Airbnb = 400 per person B&B. Thurs till Mon. (Better than any hotel in region)
Petrol = 206 (with half tank left and started with half a tank)
Food and drink .. now I won t give this total. It can be done on whatever budget. But we had two meals at a particularly lovely restaurant and had some exceptional wine which bumped costs somewhat.
Bits and pieces of spending elsewhere but nothing too drastic.
Very restrained on merch, 25 on a cap this time around.
Camping as such isn’t an issue. Taking all the gear in the car would be a pain. The biggest issue is potentially been around complete idiots and having no choice about it. I’ll be honest, I prefer a bit of comfort, proper wash facilities also.
We’ve secure off street parking, swimming pool and obviously proper beds and bathroom. Breakfast provided but also kitchen area if you wanted to make your own meals. Lounge area also. Recently renovated so it’s a nice place. I’d say it generally nicer offering than hotel options in the area.
I also don’t see any value in any of the ‘vip’ camping options at the circuit. I know they have costs etc etc, but I can still find it poor value for money.
We are 25mins drive from the circuit. Easy route in and exit the motorway straight into Expo parking. Arrived at around 1230 on Saturday and perhaps had a 10min wait in a queue getting into the car park. (Fair play, they have much improved this area for access)
Then an easy walk across the road to the main entrance. You can’t leave accomodation and have immediate viewing but I’d argue many campsites to main stands would put you at a good 25-30min walk anyway.
We also enjoy when away from the circuit we have a choice of bars, restaurants and shops.
We’re south of circuit so traffic into Expo is easy and also makes getting to arnage/mulsanne or hotel that won’t be named pretty easy away from other circuit traffic.
There’s no wrong option, whatever makes someone happy or prepared to pay.
It works for us. Our routine tends to be in on Saturday. Leave around 2000-2200hrs. Back in early to arnage/mulsanne on Sunday and work back up to main stands till race finish. So driving in and out is limited. Still have a drink around race start and that’s out my system by the time I drive back later. A lighter Saturday is actually quite welcome.
I’ve already secured our room for next year. I guess earlier the better in terms of securing places. We’ve stayed here a few years now. Bookings have ended up being off Airbnb and paid the week before going through bank transfer.
The current place is working nicely. Being maybe 10mins closer would be nice, but it’s not bigger deal. Maybe if going back and forth a bit more it would be a bigger deal.
HarryW said:
...the lack of decent maps in the lead up to going
Get the "24h Experience" app on your phone next time which (for something involving the ACO/French) was actually quite good this year.- Map wise there was one at least as good as your pick, plus fully interactive and would give you (sort of) navigation direction. Helpfully this included the location of toilets on the campsites - but did try and direct you through tents to them and didn't identify toilet only from toilets and showers.
- Lots of info on navettes - though only seemed to want to give me info on the tram station end of the Hippodrome bus route.
- Also only place I found with a free leader board. Yes there was one hidden away at livetiming.fiawec.com but that had a live position map too that had my phone uncomfortably warm in just a minute or 2 (and not having unlimited data, wasteful).
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