Advice required - Monaco F1 GP
Advice required - Monaco F1 GP
Author
Discussion

NobleLord

Original Poster:

1,065 posts

277 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
Given what an exciting season we have ahead of us and the fact that my birthday falls on the weekend of the Monaco GP, I've decided to fulfil a lifetime ambition and go to Monaco for the event biggrin

Tickets are being sorted for me thanks to a very good friend with connections into 'World of Jenson' wink That just leaves flights and accommodation.

EasyJet still seem to have seats from various regional airport into and out of Nice. There also seems to be a few hotel rooms left in Nice, which just leaves the problem of getting in and out of Monaco each day eek

I've done it using Heli Air Monaco outside of race week, but I suspect it's an altogether bigger problem during F1 weekend!

Can anyone shed some light on how to make the trip in the most painless way. Driving, I suspect, isn't an option. I've heard there's a train service, but I can imagine that'll be packed, so any advice welcome from the seasoned F1 fan smile

Cheers,
NL

miniman

30,021 posts

291 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all


HTH

NobleLord

Original Poster:

1,065 posts

277 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
miniman said:


HTH
I was lucky enough to spend 3 weeks on this as a guest a couple of years ago:



More info here: Sherakhan

It looks like she might be in Monaco for the GP, but I somehow doubt they'll have a spare 'budget' room for a former guest wink

NL

funster

174 posts

204 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
The trains into Monaco from Golf Juan/Antibes/Nice each day are great, so staying in Nice isn't a problem. Alternatively you could hire a car, parking in Monaco even on GP day isn't too stressful (if you get there by 10ish) but will obviously limit your drinking. If you can make sure you get into Monaco on the Saturday night, it's mind blowing that you can be parting on the same streets until 2am and then watch GP cars racing in the same spot 12 hours later!

Also,depending on who you're going with this is recommended - http://www.stringfellowsjetset.com/stringfellows/m...

Edited by funster on Thursday 18th February 10:58

llewop

3,956 posts

240 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
When we went about 3 years ago we bought the tickets direct from the ACM, so had to sort out flights accommodation and getting there. Our solution was to use Kuoni's sports travel - we were able to buy one of their packages which included flights to/from Nice, hotel in Nice and bus transfer to/from Monaco for both Saturday and Sunday. Worked out quite well, not least as the coach was nice and comfy, seemed to know a decent low traffic route in and only a shortish walk from the coach park to the circuit etc.

Hotel was right in the centre of Nice btw. Also flew back with, so it seemed, 1/2 the McLaren team on the Monday. One thing to watch out for is the price ramp of flights the closer you get to the weekend! eek

good luck and enjoy!

DogChops1

70 posts

210 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
Went a couple of years back as the race was on SWMBOs 40th birthday.

Stayed in Nice, about 5 mins walk from the railway station. Went in to Monaco probably about 1hr before kick-off with no probs. Coming back, though, was a different matter.
Came straight back after Saturday, had to queue about 1hr to get on the train.
On the Sunday, even through we didn't leave our seats til about 1hr after the end of the race, the size of the queue for trains was probably about 3-4hrs (right through the tunnel).
So, we went fk it, walked up to the palace, had a few beers and a top meal in a little place up there (worth it if the crowds are getting on your tits by this stage), and headed back to Nice about 8-9pm on a nice empty train.

NobleLord

Original Poster:

1,065 posts

277 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
funster said:
The trains into Monaco from Golf Juan/Antibes/Nice each day are great, so staying in Nice isn't a problem. Alternatively you could hire a car, parking in Monaco even on GP day isn't too stressful (if you get there by 10ish) but will obviously limit your drinking. If you can make sure you get into Monaco on the Saturday night, it's mind blowing that you can be parting on the same streets until 2am and then watch GP cars racing in the same spot 12 hours later!

Also,depending on who you're going with this is recommended - http://www.stringfellowsjetset.com/stringfellows/m...

Edited by funster on Thursday 18th February 10:58
Thanks funster. Now, here's a dilemma; I know Peter S quite well, but am taking my wife and 6 year old daughter, so I suspect his lounge might be out of bounds wink

NL

NobleLord

Original Poster:

1,065 posts

277 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
I've also been trying to find a hotel with space in Monaco, but they all seem to be full (no surprises there then!)

Anyone got any leads?

NL

woof

8,456 posts

306 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all

I tend to go most years. Lucky enough to have friends that live there so accommodation isn't a problem
Air Monaco is so expensive now - it used to be almost the same as a cab ride !
The only was in and out is on the train or by motorbike. Forget getting a cab or driving in.

I'd recommend looking to rent a flat for a weekend. Alot of locals simply move out for the weekend and rent their flats out.

There's various sites - and i can probably dig out some contacts if you don't have any luck

I'd recommend you book some tickets for the Amber Lounge parties. Yes it's expensive - but I've had some awesome nights there with Jenson and co smile

I wouldn't bother with Billionaire (if Flav's doing it this year)

Email Rae Etherington rae @ amber-lounge.com - she might be able to help with accommodation as well



NobleLord

Original Poster:

1,065 posts

277 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
woof said:
I tend to go most years. Lucky enough to have friends that live there so accommodation isn't a problem
Air Monaco is so expensive now - it used to be almost the same as a cab ride !
The only was in and out is on the train or by motorbike. Forget getting a cab or driving in.

I'd recommend looking to rent a flat for a weekend. Alot of locals simply move out for the weekend and rent their flats out.

There's various sites - and i can probably dig out some contacts if you don't have any luck

I'd recommend you book some tickets for the Amber Lounge parties. Yes it's expensive - but I've had some awesome nights there with Jenson and co smile

I wouldn't bother with Billionaire (if Flav's doing it this year)

Email Rae Etherington rae @ amber-lounge.com - she might be able to help with accommodation as well
Thanks woof.... really useful info.

If you're able to dig out those contacts for apartments to rent I'd be most grateful. I do know 1 person that lives there and am going to chat to him this evening about the options.

Amber Lounge sounds great... will make sure I email Rae smile

Thanks,
NL

hazzel_frazzel

121 posts

210 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
you can get the bus or train to monaco from Nice. if budget is a big concern, a 1 euro fare will get you to monaco, but will take a while and be cramped. The train is a bit more, but still less than 15 euros return and takes around 20 minutes if i remember correctly

funster

174 posts

204 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
NobleLord said:
funster said:
The trains into Monaco from Golf Juan/Antibes/Nice each day are great, so staying in Nice isn't a problem. Alternatively you could hire a car, parking in Monaco even on GP day isn't too stressful (if you get there by 10ish) but will obviously limit your drinking. If you can make sure you get into Monaco on the Saturday night, it's mind blowing that you can be parting on the same streets until 2am and then watch GP cars racing in the same spot 12 hours later!

Also,depending on who you're going with this is recommended - http://www.stringfellowsjetset.com/stringfellows/m...

Edited by funster on Thursday 18th February 10:58
Thanks funster. Now, here's a dilemma; I know Peter S quite well, but am taking my wife and 6 year old daughter, so I suspect his lounge might be out of bounds wink

NL
Definately leave the wife and kids at the hotelwhile you valently 'see whats what to make Sunday more enjoyable', then grab some passes and we can have a PH 'event' on the Saturday night wink

Arkle

41 posts

234 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
Want an apartment 1 train stop from Monaco on the italy side.

http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/france/FR5378.htm

Give Trevor a call he's been before and could probably give you some good advice.

NobleLord

Original Poster:

1,065 posts

277 months

Thursday 18th February 2010
quotequote all
funster said:
NobleLord said:
funster said:
The trains into Monaco from Golf Juan/Antibes/Nice each day are great, so staying in Nice isn't a problem. Alternatively you could hire a car, parking in Monaco even on GP day isn't too stressful (if you get there by 10ish) but will obviously limit your drinking. If you can make sure you get into Monaco on the Saturday night, it's mind blowing that you can be parting on the same streets until 2am and then watch GP cars racing in the same spot 12 hours later!

Also,depending on who you're going with this is recommended - http://www.stringfellowsjetset.com/stringfellows/m...

Edited by funster on Thursday 18th February 10:58
Thanks funster. Now, here's a dilemma; I know Peter S quite well, but am taking my wife and 6 year old daughter, so I suspect his lounge might be out of bounds wink

NL
Definately leave the wife and kids at the hotelwhile you valently 'see whats what to make Sunday more enjoyable', then grab some passes and we can have a PH 'event' on the Saturday night wink
Sounds like a perfectly devious plan funster wink Pistonfest Monaco 2010, here we come beer

NL

RaeAmberLounge

3 posts

196 months

Sunday 2nd May 2010
quotequote all
Hi There,
Just joined...I received a google alert as my name had been mentioned!
If you're still looking for Amber Lounge ticket, race viewing or hotels give me a shout. The Grand Prix and Amber Lounge is only 2 weeks away and we have a great line up for the weekend. Please feel free to contact me: rae@amber-lounge.com and check out our website: www.amber-lounge.com
Rae wink

woof

8,456 posts

306 months

Monday 3rd May 2010
quotequote all
Hey Rae x