Advice required please - European Grand Prix

[The Hung Juror]

Advice required please. We want to take our son to a European Grand Prix next year for his 21st birthday present.

I was thinking of the Hungarian Grand Prix, we’ve never been to Budapest or Hungary and thought it may be more doable, from a ticketing, accommodation, logistics and cost perspective.

Looking at companies who do packages (3 or 4 nights in a hotel with breakfast, general admission ticket and coach transfers to and from the circuit on race day - I presume the general admission ticket is for race day only) they are looking at a price of circa £750 pp.

Obviously, I’m unaware whether or not they provide a great experience, get decent seats, and crucially whether they are value for money etc.

What are people’s experiences of going to a European Grand Prix, and companies providing packages? Is it better to try and do it yourself?

All and any experiences, tips and recommendations gratefully received.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Budapest GP does seem one of the more accessible ones and a few mates do it s alot for GA. Food and drinks would likely be pretty reasonable for an event too.

Austria can seems quite good value but from memory i've heard its a bugger to get to and tends to be quite wet weather wise.

For that money i'd expect a Budapest GP GA ticket to cover Friday to Sunday tbh, but im sure it should be in the details of the offer. Its a premium for them to do the organising etc but strikes me as something you do via them the first time then when you are more au fait with it you look to return under your own steam. This looks a less stressful way to do it 1st time round

[ŽižkovClaret]

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_ ... ngary.html

Looks to be quite a lot of good detailed reviews on Trip Advisor. Maybe give them a look over, and try and book something with free cancellation digs wise and see how it weighs up?

[The Hung Juror]

Cheers ŽižkovClaret.

[claret wizard]

Spa at Belgium also is a very accessible GP, you can even drive and camp. The track is the longest on F1 so plenty of space with spectator viewing impressive.

[Kebsclaret]

Plenty of advice on pistonheads. E.g. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/top ... &t=2115665

I’d do it myself, but it depends on how much you want to research it. I went to Spa and camped away from the circuit which was good. Easy drive once you’re in France. Expect Dutch and Germans.

There’s lots of advice saying Monza is ok. Access by train and stay in the city.

Budapest is reputed to be cheap, but the race tends to be boring. It’s also hot there sometimes.

You could look at Monaco, trains in and out. Big airport at Nice close by.

[Fretters]

Advice required please. We want to take our son to a European Grand Prix next year for his 21st birthday present.

I was thinking of the Hungarian Grand Prix, we’ve never been to Budapest or Hungary and thought it may be more doable, from a ticketing, accommodation, logistics and cost perspective.

Looking at companies who do packages (3 or 4 nights in a hotel with breakfast, general admission ticket and coach transfers to and from the circuit on race day - I presume the general admission ticket is for race day only) they are looking at a price of circa £750 pp.

Obviously, I’m unaware whether or not they provide a great experience, get decent seats, and crucially whether they are value for money etc.

What are people’s experiences of going to a European Grand Prix, and companies providing packages? Is it better to try and do it yourself?

All and any experiences, tips and recommendations gratefully received.

My wife is an independent travel agent and has put together GP packages. Drop me an email to marc_fretwell@hotmail.com if you want me to put you in touch.

[ClaretJimmy]

I've been to Spa a few times and also to Barcelona. Always bought my tickets via GP Ticket Shop (.com), cheaper than the circuit or the F1 website.

The sport is getting more and more popular which is great, other than the fact it means GA is very busy and getting a decent spot is really tough. I would consider going for a grandstand if you can, and definitely with a view of a screen.

From what I've read Budapest is good value in Europe and one I'd like to get to. Barcelona was reasonable when we went in 2023 (€260 for weekend, main straight grandstand J) and that was a good view. This might be redundant advice as I think they're dropping Barcelona for Madrid from next season.

Spa is a beautiful place to visit and like nothing else, a real experience. We have done GA there before which was hard work. Stood at Pouhon along with thousands of others. It was preferable to stand up in the woods near bus stop chicane. Take a camping chair if going GA, and take a cool bag with food / drinks wherever you sit!

Also have done a new temporary grandstand called Speed Corner (€225 from memory). The seats were so small we ended up standing at the fence to the side of the grandstand anyway, but it was fenced off from GA so no big crowds to jostle in.

Finally, this website is a good resource for spectator advice at some different tracks, (https://oversteer48.com/).

Hope you get something organised and have a great trip!

[The Hung Juror]

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Burnleyareback2]

I’ve been to one GP in Spa. It rained, one of the worst experiences of my life…


Good luck.

[Pearcey]

I went to Spa in 2012 and it was brilliant. We booked a house to stay in nearby and drove in each day. Loads of places to sit. Take your own chair and just pick where you like.

[Tricky Trevor]

I recommended Budapest to my niece last year. She took her hubby for his birthday and they had a fabulous time. Seated at bend one, on the outside of the home straight. They loved it. I’ll check with her for any advice and how they booked.
It is a fantastic city.

[Bosscat]

Did the Hungaroring a few yrs ago watching Motogp ... its a great circuit Budapest a fantastic city too ...

[The Hung Juror]

I recommended Budapest to my niece last year. She took her hubby for his birthday and they had a fabulous time. Seated at bend one, on the outside of the home straight. They loved it. I’ll check with her for any advice and how they booked.
It is a fantastic city.

Cheers, that would be very helpful.

[Tricky Trevor]

Cheers, that would be very helpful.

Sorry probably not much use to you. She booked with a firm called P1?, possibly a typo and F1, it was €750 all in.
Enjoy wherever you end up.

[ŽižkovClaret]

https://www.seatunique.com/sport-ticket ... urce=ortto

One site i've had pointed out to me for F1 deals

[Rick_Muller]

https://www.seatunique.com/sport-ticket ... urce=ortto

One site i've had pointed out to me for F1 deals

When you see the prices for the British Grand Prix you understand why so many people think it is far too expensive - yes this is hospitality, but for a normal General admission ticket for the race day only is usually more than the rest listed here for the British GP

F1 prices.PNG (74.86 KiB) Viewed 357 times

[Foshiznik]

Might be a worthless piece of advice but i remember watching a youtuber a couple of years back who worked out that including travel and accommodation, Bahrain GP was up there with some of the cheaper European options. Not sure if the flight length would be an issue for you though.