F1 Testing - Jerez or Barcelona?

[kybo]

Hi All,

I'd like to go to Spain next year to catch some Formula 1 test sessions. Never been so my first question has to be:

Jerez or Barcelona – which is best, and why?

Then, based on your experiences of travelling last year / previous years, what is it likely to cost (appreciate may only get ballpark figures but that’s good enough for now), prices to include:

Flights – how much return and where you departed from?
Transfers – how much return Airport to Hotel
Accommodation – names of good/convenient accommodation and costs (per night or per stay) – not averse to camping (any problems with taking what you need on a plane)?
Transfers from hotel to circuit each day
Anything else I've forgotten

Many thanks for your input, most appreciated.

Scott

[cobylu]

Hi. I went for a weekend with my father last year to Barcelona and loved it. Went from Liverpool on the thursday. £70ish return. Hire car. Peanuts for the weekend. Stayed at the hotel ibis about 10 miles from the circuit (some mechanics were also there) about £50 a night. Great basic hotel with good restaurant and bar. Very clean and friendly with wifi. Circuit. Free parking 15 euros per day to get in. Lots of action at the circuit. Watched from all parts of circuit. Quite hilly so lots of vantage points and open grandstands. Access to grandstands shops stalls etc. left at lunch on the Sunday. A few hours round barcelona and flight back sun night. Definitely recommend and probably doing it again next year.

[kybo]

Hi cobylu, thanks for posting.

That sounds more than reasonable; definitely achievable, even with my tight budget (note to self: stop calling the wife budget!)

Thanks for mentioning one of the most vital costs (which I forgot ) Circuit admission.

Thanks again,
Scott

[cobylu]

Yeah. We found it more cost effective than a day out at the British GP. Need to remember its testing so when the cars are in the garage they screen everything off. Good atmosphere when alonso was testing from the Spanish crowd. You could tell the red bulls were on rails and mclarens in trouble last year. Can't recommend enough and the hire car was about £40 for 3 days so a lot cheaper than transfers or taxis. If you go enjoy.

[the other me]

Barcelona a better bet. More availability of cheaper flights to Barcelona & Girona with Rynair, or Easy Jet etc (but book well in advance & read carefully the baggage policy etc) If you really want to do it on a budget find a cheap hotel somewhere in town (not much fun being stuck in a Holiday Inn Express /Ibis in downtown Montmelo even though you are close to the circuit ) forget the rental car & take the local train to Montmelo for 4€ or whatever it is nowadays & half an hour walk to the circuit. Do NOT buy a return ticket as the return is only valid for a few hours & they won't accept it for the return if they check you on the train (previous experience on my part)

If you want to splash out I believe there is also a VIP ticket available via the circuit website which gives you pitlane access etc, I guess not cheap, but a whole lot cheaper than Paddock Club.

You can spectate from all of the circuit (infield & outfield) great for photography & seeing the cars from different angles. There is food available (not VIP package here,as I guess that is OK) but it is overpriced/not too exciting so best to take some sarnies.

The details of the forthcoming tests are also published on the Circuit website. www.circuitcat.com

[kybo]

the other me said:

Barcelona a better bet. More availability of cheaper flights to Barcelona & Girona with Rynair, or Easy Jet etc (but book well in advance & read carefully the baggage policy etc) If you really want to do it on a budget find a cheap hotel somewhere in town (not much fun being stuck in a Holiday Inn Express /Ibis in downtown Montmelo even though you are close to the circuit ) forget the rental car & take the local train to Montmelo for 4€ or whatever it is nowadays & half an hour walk to the circuit. Do NOT buy a return ticket as the return is only valid for a few hours & they won't accept it for the return if they check you on the train (previous experience on my part)

If you want to splash out I believe there is also a VIP ticket available via the circuit website which gives you pitlane access etc, I guess not cheap, but a whole lot cheaper than Paddock Club.

You can spectate from all of the circuit (infield & outfield) great for photography & seeing the cars from different angles. There is food available (not VIP package here,as I guess that is OK) but it is overpriced/not too exciting so best to take some sarnies.

The details of the forthcoming tests are also published on the Circuit website. www.circuitcat.com

Thanks, the other me.

Seems like Barca is the one. Two good contrasting views.

A hire car and close hotel would be more convenient for the circuit, but I like to explore on foot so may opt for city centre hotel and train. Wouldn't like to be so close to barcelona and not experience it to the full.

Thanks for the extra detail; I'll certainly check out the VIP ticket nearer the time.

Thanks again,
Scott