Thinking of going to the Monaco GP next year. Any tips?
Discussion
Hi guys, I've been lurking this site for a while but didn't feel the need to create an account until now 
I have a mate who's a student on a 12-month placement in Antibes and we're both thinking of going to the Monaco GP next year as it'll probably be the only year we'll get to go without paying for a hotel. I'm just wondering if anyone can give any advice regarding tickets for the race and, in my case as I am on placement in Derbyshire, flight tickets i.e. when should I get them, what's the best value for money (sounds ridiculous given that it's Monaco!) etc.
I've had a quick look regarding going to the GP and it seems that grandstand seats are the only reasonable option. I've also had a quick look at flights at it looks like it'll be cheaper to stay at my mate's place until Tuesday. Might just pop into Nice for a bit of sightseeing on the Monday Haven't really thought about whether to fly in on the Friday or the Saturday, it'll depend on whether I'll to go to qualifying or not.
Although I am on a paid placement, I am still a student who's intending on spending only £700-£900 in total so the VIP options are obviously out
I have a mate who's a student on a 12-month placement in Antibes and we're both thinking of going to the Monaco GP next year as it'll probably be the only year we'll get to go without paying for a hotel. I'm just wondering if anyone can give any advice regarding tickets for the race and, in my case as I am on placement in Derbyshire, flight tickets i.e. when should I get them, what's the best value for money (sounds ridiculous given that it's Monaco!) etc.
I've had a quick look regarding going to the GP and it seems that grandstand seats are the only reasonable option. I've also had a quick look at flights at it looks like it'll be cheaper to stay at my mate's place until Tuesday. Might just pop into Nice for a bit of sightseeing on the Monday
Haven't really thought about whether to fly in on the Friday or the Saturday, it'll depend on whether I'll to go to qualifying or not.Although I am on a paid placement, I am still a student who's intending on spending only £700-£900 in total so the VIP options are obviously out
Get your flights as soon as possible and avoid flying out Friday and coming back on Monday as these flights will be very expensive. If those are the only times you can fly then don't just look at the budget airlines as I know people who have flown to Nice on the Friday with BA for substantially less than Easyjet.
You can order your tickets directly from the Monaco auto club who organise the thing and don't think grandstands are the be all and end all. Yes it is preferable to be in a grandstand but actually secteur rocher isn't too bad either although consider taking a trowel or another portable digging tool as secteur rocher is quite steep and it's a good idea to dig yourself in a little bit. The views are good especially if you can avoid the trees and will give you a great view of Rascasse, the whole pit lane and the first bit of the start/finish straight. There is also a big screen which is vital.
The other cheap spot is Z1 which is along the straight heading into Tabac. The view isn't the best but you will be inches from the cars as they come past and there are also lots of bars and food outlets which are actually quite reasonably priced. There is also a big screen but it is quite high up in relation to where you are but you could just rent a Fanvision and have done with it. The downside is it's quite a small area and so tickets sell out quickly and it can be a bit of a scrum to get a good spot, but last time I was there it was busy at the start but by midway a lot of folks had drifted away.
You can order your tickets directly from the Monaco auto club who organise the thing and don't think grandstands are the be all and end all. Yes it is preferable to be in a grandstand but actually secteur rocher isn't too bad either although consider taking a trowel or another portable digging tool as secteur rocher is quite steep and it's a good idea to dig yourself in a little bit. The views are good especially if you can avoid the trees and will give you a great view of Rascasse, the whole pit lane and the first bit of the start/finish straight. There is also a big screen which is vital.
The other cheap spot is Z1 which is along the straight heading into Tabac. The view isn't the best but you will be inches from the cars as they come past and there are also lots of bars and food outlets which are actually quite reasonably priced. There is also a big screen but it is quite high up in relation to where you are but you could just rent a Fanvision and have done with it. The downside is it's quite a small area and so tickets sell out quickly and it can be a bit of a scrum to get a good spot, but last time I was there it was busy at the start but by midway a lot of folks had drifted away.
Thanks for your advice. My mate got the qualifying and race tickets a few weeks ago and I got my flight tickets last night. We've decided to stand (Rocher) for qualifying and sit in grandstand N(?) for the race which is at the swimming pool section I tried to get the tickets from the official site but all the reasonably priced grandstand seats (<300 euros) had gone so I had to get them from another site. Slightly more expensive than face value but the grandstand tickets were still just under 300 euros a pop.
Flying with BA as they had a very reasonably priced Friday ticket (£90!) and I'm coming back Tuesday. All I can say is roll on May
Oh, and I'm going to Le Mans 3 weeks later too
I tried to get the tickets from the official site but all the reasonably priced grandstand seats (<300 euros) had gone so I had to get them from another site. Slightly more expensive than face value but the grandstand tickets were still just under 300 euros a pop. Flying with BA as they had a very reasonably priced Friday ticket (£90!) and I'm coming back Tuesday. All I can say is roll on May
Oh, and I'm going to Le Mans 3 weeks later too
The last time i went was way back in 1977 and was with Page & Moy..It was a hovercraft + coach trip so i made lots of friends leading up too and took in the scene pre race at Menton & Nice..
The race itself apart from the setting isn't much as all you see is a car flash by and have no idea who is winning or placed after a fashion.
The journey home was eventful as i wanted to go to the wee wee most of the way and the coach didn't stop for at least a couple of hundred miles it seemed..Didn't have toilets on board in those days..
Air travel nowadays is like a commute to work on a crowded train,so that will curtail any pre atmosphere.
Back then the coach journey was simulated with us driving E type Jags down south via the excellent French roads.
Well we were all in our twenties then!
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