Monaco Grand Prix™ Travel Guide
Your guide on how to get to Circuit de Monaco, where to explore & other important information to know before you go.
Practical Information
- Visas: Citizens from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the UK don’t need a visa to visit Monaco for a stay of up to 90 days. Monaco is also a part of the Schengen zone which comprises 26 European countries with a common visa policy and no internal borders. See more information here.
- Currency: Monaco uses the Euro. ATMs are easy to find and you can pay with your card almost everywhere. Rewarding good service with a 10-15% tip is common in Monaco, apart from in restaurants, which usually add a service charge to your bill.
- Language: The official language of Monaco is French, though some locals also speak Monégasque. English and Italian are also widely spoken.
- Time Zone: UTC +2 hours
- In an Emergency: Dial 112 to be connected with the proper emergency personnel.
- Power Sockets: Monaco and France use the same Type F power sockets as the rest of mainland Europe. Bring an adapter if you are travelling from another part of the world.
- Weather: For the Monaco Grand Prix™, temperatures should range from around 22°C (72°F) during the day to 14°C (57°F) at night. You can expect up to 12 hours of sunshine per day and a fairly low chance of rain.
Arrival & Getting Around
Flights to Monaco
The closest major airport to Monaco is Nice Côte d’Azur airport (NCE), approximately 30.0 km (18.6 mi) from the Principality. The third-busiest airport in France, NCE has over 100 domestic, European and long-haul connections from budget and flag-carrying airlines. The airport is a hub for EasyJet, which offers the largest number of European flights. Nice is also connected by direct flights to cities such as New York (Delta Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways) and Dubai (Emirates).
Where to stay
There's only a limited amount of mainly 5-star hotel rooms within Monaco, meaning prices are even higher than normal on race weekend. Many fans choose to stay in nearby Nice, which has a good selection of accommodation to suit all budgets - not to mention popular beaches and a historic Old Town. Other nearby towns with easy access to the circuit via train include Menton on the French side and Ventimiglia, across the border in Italy.
F1® Experiences offers a selection of the best hotels in Monaco and Nice. If you are still looking for accommodation, contact your Sales Representative for more information about available hotel options.
How to get to Circuit de Monaco
Public Transportation
The next best option is to take the train, which connects Monaco to Nice and other towns along the coast, including Menton and Ventimiglia to the east. The train station in Monaco – Gare de Monaco – is a short distance from most spectator areas and trains run regularly on race weekend. It’s worth booking your tickets in advance to avoid ticket queues, especially when returning home after a day at the track. See here for more information.
Taxi and Ridesharing
A taxi from Nice to Monaco on race weekend can vary drastically depending on if the driver decides to use the meter. Uber does not operate in Monaco, but cars can be booked if you walk anywhere just outside the principality.
Hire a Car
If you’ve rented a car for the Monaco Grand Prix™ weekend, driving to the circuit is a good option on Thursday and Friday when there are less spectators and less traffic, but not recommended on the weekend. The Louis II football stadium in Fontvieille has ample parking, but make sure your GPS doesn’t plot a course through the centre of Monaco, where many roads are closed.
F1® Experiences
Booked accommodation along with your Official Ticket Package from F1® Experiences? Daily transfers to and from the circuit can be added to your Official Ticket Package for an additional cost.
What to see & do in Monaco
Casino de Monte Carlo
Monaco’s iconic casino is housed in a historic belle époque building dating back to 1893. Try your luck at various table games, including blackjack, roulette, poker and baccarat, plus hundreds of slot machines. It’s worth dressing up if you are planning to visit in the evening. More information about the Casino can be found here.
Prince’s Palace & Monaco Ville
The panoramic views from the home of Monaco’s royal family make the 10-minute walk up the hill from Place d’Armes a must. You can also watch the changing of the guard each day, take a tour of the state rooms or wander around the narrow, cobbled streets of the old town.
H.S.H. Prince Rainier III of Monaco Car Collectio
The incredible collection of cars amassed by Prince Rainier III is housed in a museum on the Terrases de Fontvieille, a short walk from the circuit. You can see over 100 cars, including a good selection of F1® machines that have raced on the streets of Monaco. Find more information here.
Larvotto Beach
This popular beach is open to the general public and only a short walk from the circuit. The beaches in this part of the world have pebbles rather than sand, so don’t forget to pack some comfortable shoes.
