Independent Travel
The independent traveler has a wealth of options available to them – and that is as much a problem as it is a benefit.
It is why this option is best suited to the seasoned traveler when it comes to the Monaco Grand Prix. However, don’t be put off if you are new to travel or Grand Prix – you will find on this site all the advice and experience that you need to create the perfect itinerary.
My advice, if you choose this option, is to start well in advance and research thoroughly and book as soon as possible to ensure you don’t have to settle for second or third option. And yes, you will have to plan at least three options for the various elements.
So what are the elements we need to consider? First of all, it is the location where you choose to stay. This will determine what accommodation options are available, as well as your local transport needs.
The factors to consider when choosing your base include price, distance to Monaco, proximity to autoroutes and or trains, plus amenities and attractions.
For example; Cannes is a fair distance from Monaco, but it is serviced by a very efficient train system. Although it is disadvantaged by distance (compared to other locations) it is still quite expensive compared to locations with better proximity to Monaco. Why? Because the Cannes Film Festival often overlaps the Monaco Grand Prix. Cannes does have the advantage of a large selection of accommodation options too, but these are often fully booked – again because of the Cannes Film Festival.
Nice is probably the best starting point. It is close enough to Monaco, has a direct train link, numerous roads that take you straight to Monaco, lots of great hotels, restaurants and bars, and lots of things to see and do. Nice is a large city, and if you choose to stay close to the beach you then need to be prepared for a long walk to the train station – but no matter – it is a very pleasant walk. Like many large cities, Nice does have a rough section that you want to avoid, but which you might stumble into by mistake. More advice can be found on the Locations page.
After you choose your location, you need to consider the type of accommodation – although in some cases, your choice of accommodation may actually determine your location.
Hotels are the most obvious choice, but you need to be selective here – I won’t go into detail here, but the Hotels page of this site explains why you need to choose your hotel carefully.
Private villas are also a great option – and probably the best if you are traveling as part of a small group, or as a family. The cost can be much less than a hotel, but you generally have to be prepared to stay 5 to 7 days to get the best value.
Then there is camping – please read on – I know that may not sound like the most obvious choice, but the camp sites in Southern France have great facilities, including cabins. Consider the amount of time you’ll be spending in your accommodatiuon and you may realize all you really need is a comfortable place to sleep and a hot shower. Then there’s the camper/Winnebago option that would suit a family on a budget – your transport and accommodation is taken care of in one convenient option.
So far we’ve only just touched on the accommodation – what about transport and transfers? Let’s just say these are covered in the Transport page because there are too many options to list here.
It is why this option is best suited to the seasoned traveler when it comes to the Monaco Grand Prix. However, don’t be put off if you are new to travel or Grand Prix – you will find on this site all the advice and experience that you need to create the perfect itinerary.
My advice, if you choose this option, is to start well in advance and research thoroughly and book as soon as possible to ensure you don’t have to settle for second or third option. And yes, you will have to plan at least three options for the various elements.
So what are the elements we need to consider? First of all, it is the location where you choose to stay. This will determine what accommodation options are available, as well as your local transport needs.
The factors to consider when choosing your base include price, distance to Monaco, proximity to autoroutes and or trains, plus amenities and attractions.
For example; Cannes is a fair distance from Monaco, but it is serviced by a very efficient train system. Although it is disadvantaged by distance (compared to other locations) it is still quite expensive compared to locations with better proximity to Monaco. Why? Because the Cannes Film Festival often overlaps the Monaco Grand Prix. Cannes does have the advantage of a large selection of accommodation options too, but these are often fully booked – again because of the Cannes Film Festival.
Nice is probably the best starting point. It is close enough to Monaco, has a direct train link, numerous roads that take you straight to Monaco, lots of great hotels, restaurants and bars, and lots of things to see and do. Nice is a large city, and if you choose to stay close to the beach you then need to be prepared for a long walk to the train station – but no matter – it is a very pleasant walk. Like many large cities, Nice does have a rough section that you want to avoid, but which you might stumble into by mistake. More advice can be found on the Locations page.
After you choose your location, you need to consider the type of accommodation – although in some cases, your choice of accommodation may actually determine your location.
Hotels are the most obvious choice, but you need to be selective here – I won’t go into detail here, but the Hotels page of this site explains why you need to choose your hotel carefully.
Private villas are also a great option – and probably the best if you are traveling as part of a small group, or as a family. The cost can be much less than a hotel, but you generally have to be prepared to stay 5 to 7 days to get the best value.
Then there is camping – please read on – I know that may not sound like the most obvious choice, but the camp sites in Southern France have great facilities, including cabins. Consider the amount of time you’ll be spending in your accommodatiuon and you may realize all you really need is a comfortable place to sleep and a hot shower. Then there’s the camper/Winnebago option that would suit a family on a budget – your transport and accommodation is taken care of in one convenient option.
So far we’ve only just touched on the accommodation – what about transport and transfers? Let’s just say these are covered in the Transport page because there are too many options to list here.
