Start planning your weekend at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix 2024. Advice about visas, language, weather & staying safe.
- The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix is scheduled for May 23-26
- This post contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links
- Monaco Grandstand tickets are now on sale for 2024
- Official Ticket Packages from F1 Experiences are also available
- Images © F1Destinations.com. The Editor has attended the Monaco Grand Prix three times, most recently in 2023.
About Monaco
Monaco is surrounded by France, the largest country in Western Europe and the EU, and one of the wealthiest in the world. A sovereign state and tax haven, Monaco is legally separated from France and governed by a royal family headed by Prince Albert II, which has ruled almost exclusively over Monaco since the thirteenth century. One of the world’s only sovereign city-states, alongside Singapore and the Vatican, Monaco is the second smallest (and most densely populated) country in the world. Measuring just 2 square kilometres, it’s home to a small but perfectly formed ultra-wealthy population of just 38,000.
French is the principality’s first language, though some inhabitants do speak Monegasque, the ancient dialect of Monaco. English and Italian are also widely spoken. Culturally, Monaco is different to the rest of France – in part due to its monarchic rule, in contrast to the French republic and its notion of equality for all. Monaco is home to some of the world’s richest individuals, drawn by its status as a tax haven and the extremely high standard of living it offers. Many current and former F1 drivers call Monaco home, including Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, Felipe Massa, David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen.
Monaco Travel: Need to Know
- For visa purposes, Monaco is considered part of France and so is also part of the Schengen Area, which provides border-less travel between 27 European countries. Citizens from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK don’t require a visa to enter the Schengen Area, and as long as your passport is valid, you’ll be granted a single entry for up to 90 days. There are no passport checks to travel in and out of the Monaco on Grand Prix weekend if you are staying with the rest of the F1 fans in either France or Italy.
- Monaco’s currency is the Euro, in keeping with the rest of France. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are easy to find.
- Monaco operates on Central European Time (CET), which equates to GMT +1 hour.
- The number to dial in case of an emergency in Monaco is 112.
- Learn More: Visit Monaco Website
Staying Safe in Monaco
Befitting its status as the playground of the rich and famous, Monaco is an extremely safe place to visit. There is a strong police presence, even on a quiet weekend with not much going on. On Grand Prix weekend, security steps up considerably. Abundant CCTV coverage at all times acts as a further deterrent to petty thieves. This said, you are more likely to encounter pickpockets and petty criminals on race weekend, when the population of the principality soars to around 200 000.
The tight confines of Monaco means big crowds, particularly on the narrow streets and passages coming into and out of the circuit, so keep your wits about you and keep your belongings close to you. Staying in Nice? Safety is not quite as sharp as in the sovereign state, and pickpocketing is as much a problem here as in other cities on the Cote d’Azur. Our advice is to exercise caution and common sense at all times, and avoid the sea front after dark.
Monaco Weather
Monaco enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate: hot summers and around 300 days of sunshine a year, so pack your bags accordingly and don’t forget something smart if you do decide to go for dinner or drinks in Monte Carlo. Early summer is not typically France’s hottest time of year, but the South of France in late May is still hot, with temperatures normally peaking at around 25°C (77°F). Humidity and direct sun exposure for long periods in Monte Carlo can lead to problems if you’re not careful, so pack plenty of water and don’t forget to apply sun cream throughout the day.
Medical Care
All tourists in France (including Monaco) are entitled to the same emergency care as locals, and EU visitors can get emergency medical care in Monaco or the rest of France upon the presentation of a valid EHIC card. It’s free to apply and your application should be processed within a couple of weeks. If you are traveling from outside the EU, make sure you organize decent travel insurance before you depart. Anything more than straightforward emergency medical treatment will require you to make a claim, so make sure your individual trip policy covers this.
Is it possible to choose which section of Stand K you sit in? The ticketing doesn’tappear to have a seating plan.
Hi Craig, Gootickets doesn’t offer seating plans, only a choice of “lower” or “upper”. I believe you can choose the zone via the official site, but I’m not sure about individual seats. This is only for Saturday and Sunday: I think all grandstands are “free” seating on Thursday for the first two practice sessions.
At least for 2019:
-You can choose your individual seats on the official site (maybe calling Gootickets could allow you to choose as well)
-Thursday’s practice sessions now require a seat selection (not sure how strict track workers are about enforcement, though).
hi are you allowed to bring a photo camera to the grand prix?
i have like a nikon photo camera and i cant find if im allowed to bring it on the circuit
Yes, you can bring it in. Some circuits do try to restrict the use of long lens (400mm+) but normally it’s ok.
Hi,
Do you know if there is a left luggage area at the Monaco grand prix as we travelling with bags.
I think you may be out of luck. There are no luggage lockers in Monaco due to security concerns I believe. I suggest looking for a place at Nice train station or a hotel outside of Monaco.
Do I need to carry passport or the F1 ticket is enough to enter ?
Sorry for the late reply, but I’d always recommend to leave your passport back at your hotel.
If you want to visit the Casino, you need your passport.
Hey, I was wandering if I have to have the F1 ticket to visit Monaco during the race days?
A ticket is not strictly necessary for visiting Monaco on race weekend, though of course a lot of parts of the city will be off-limits during the day when the racing is happening. But you can still visit the city, as well as the palace and old town on the hill. At the end of the day (between 19:30-20:30) the track is opened again, meaning you can visit more parts of the principality. More information in Trackside: https://f1destinations.com/trackside-monaco-f1-grand-prix/
Will I be allowed at the GP when having a fully vaccinated certificate from outside the European Union? Thanks. Josien
Yes, it should be fine
Hi I want to buy just a standard ticket. Cheap seats so to speak as this is one of 3 for us from new zealand on a 2 month holiday but we follow the racing. I can’t see the tickets thanks
Hi Nicola, the tickets for the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix are not on sale yet. Check our tickets post for Monaco. They should be going on soon. Please subscribe to our mailing list (see link at the bottom of our site) or follow us on social media and we will inform you when they go on sale. Best affordable tickets are in Z1 zone, I recommend this. But they sell out quickly :)
When going to the Grand Prix with a 15 year old who has a half price ticket do you need to bring proof of age or do they rarely check the tickets ?
Always safer to have a proof of age document, though it’s unlikely you will be checked