F1 Race Advice (especially Monaco GP)

[Deleted]

I already got tickets for H's birthday to go to the F1 races in Monaco in May. I'm trying to make sure that I have everything ordered and together before we go. 

I know that I need to get ear plugs, some bloggers have recommended that we also bring small binoculars, as well as sun block and that kind of stuff. 

We have tickets for seating 2 of the 3 days, but the areas that we have are the pool, the casino and Rocher (standing).   

We're staying in Antibes and planning on taking the train in/out of Monaco. I'm still waiting on the race times to be released before I get train tickets. 

I know a few of you have been to F1 races before, but I can't remember who and the search function isn't working, so I'm hoping someone has words of wisdom. 

Anything else I need to buy to bring? Any advice? 

Thanks so much! 

[neonpink]

I am so jealous. What an awesome Birthday gift. I really want to go to that race someday.

Bring more than one set of Ear plugs. Sometimes you drop one or loose one. It is so noisy at the track. I also bring a light jacket I can fold up. I tend to get hot/cold and it also helps with the sun.

[toutsuite]

I know you probably have this covered (I learned the hard way) - bring an umbrella **just in case** - though the weather should be awesome at that time of year. Bring snacks and water - it is very easy to get dehydrated under that sun. Bring a hat - I remember I burned my scalp - not fun. Also, if you are planning on staying in Monaco for dinner look into dinner reservations beforehand. During that time, most reputable restaurants will be absolutely jam-packed making for ridiculous waits.

I have only been to the F1 race once though was staying in Monaco so I didn't do the train ride in and out of the city on that occasion. I did go to Monaco one other time though was staying in Nice and took the train from Nice to Monaco - it is a comfortable and beautiful ride! One caution, when I took the train in from Nice, it was during the time when the Monaco International Film Festival was being held and many of the trains we wanted to take were sold out - granted we were looking at the direct trains...I don't know if we had looked at some of the indirect ones whether we would have had more options. The crowd and buzz in M.C. seemed bigger with F1 than it did with the IFF though so I would imagine more trains will be sold out with the F1 event vice IFF. You may want to just book an early train to get in there if you don't hear about the race times soon just to cover your bases if being there for the start time is a priority. There is so much to do there (think shopping and the gardens!) that will keep you occupied even if you get there way before the race starts. If not, there should be plenty of trains, you may just not be able to get your number one choice into the city.

What a kind and thoughtful gift - have fun!

[Cicero]

It seems like you've got it all covered. I've only been to the race in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore so this might very well might not be something that they do in Europe--but we were not allowed to bring in any outside food or drink (which sucks because the food available at the track in Malaysia is terrible).

I'm so jealous. Monaco is the one race I'd go to again.