Everything We Learned Planning for Monza 2024
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza is one of the most iconic races on the F1 calendar, and planning for it takes more thought than you might expect. After spending months researching tickets, transport, grandstands, and logistics, here is everything we figured out — and what we would do differently next time.
Getting to Monza from Milan
Fly into Milan Malpensa (MXP). We flew American Airlines from JFK with a 7-hour 57-minute overnight flight, landing at 8:10 AM. That gives you the full day to settle in before the race weekend starts.
There are three main ways to get from Milan to the Autodromo Nazionale Monza on race day:
Train + shuttle (recommended): Take a regular train from Milano Centrale to Monza station (about 15 minutes, runs frequently). From Monza station, shuttle buses run to the circuit. The catch: expect 20-30 minutes of walking from the shuttle drop-off to the circuit entrance, plus another 10-40 minutes to reach your seat inside. It sounds like a lot, but the walk through the royal park is actually pleasant.
Taxi or Uber: About 40-60 euros from central Milan. Faster in theory, but you risk getting stuck in traffic on the small roads near the circuit. On race day, the last mile can take longer than the rest of the trip combined.
Driving: Possible, but parking is expensive and limited. If you do drive, arrive very early (gates open at 8 AM for race day) to secure a spot. We would not recommend this unless you are combining the race with a road trip and have flexibility.
Choosing Your Grandstand
This is where most of the planning time went. Monza has a lot of grandstand options, and the difference between a great seat and a mediocre one is significant. Here is the breakdown:
Main Straight Grandstands
The Centrale grandstand (covered, numbered seats 1-4) sits directly opposite the pit garages. This is where you see pit stops up close and get the best view of the podium celebrations. Prices reflect the prime location — expect to pay 400-600 euros for race day.
The Laterale stands (covered) are further down the straight toward the Parabolica exit. The Right Laterale 26c is a good budget option if you want to see the podium without paying Centrale prices. All Laterale stands are covered, which matters if the weather turns.
Prima Variante (First Chicane)
Five grandstands surround the opening chicane, and this is where much of the overtaking action happens. The Alta Velocita stands (A, B, C) sit on the inside of the circuit, while the Esterna Prima Variante (A and B) are on the outside. These are premium seats with premium prices, but the racing action here is consistently the best on the circuit.
Ascari Chicane
The Ascari grandstands are mid-range in price and offer good views of the fast chicane complex. Less popular than the first chicane stands, which means slightly better availability when booking. The sight lines are good and you can see cars at high speed through the preceding Lesmo corners.
General Admission
GA tickets start around 80-100 euros for race day and give you access to open areas around the circuit. The best GA spots are along the straights and near the Lesmo corners. Bring a camping chair, arrive early, and claim your spot. The atmosphere in GA is fantastic — the tifosi fans are passionate and the energy is electric, especially if Ferrari is running well.
What to Bring
- Ear protection: Essential. Even with the hybrid engines, the cars are extremely loud up close. Foam earplugs work fine, or bring proper ear defenders
- Water and snacks: Prices inside the circuit are steep, and lines at food stalls can be 30+ minutes during qualifying and race day
- Sunscreen and a hat: Late August/early September in Northern Italy can be hot, and most GA areas have no shade
- Comfortable shoes: You will walk a lot. The circuit is inside a massive park and distances between areas are significant
- A portable phone charger: Your phone will die from photos, videos, and F1 app usage well before the race ends
- Rain gear: Weather can change quickly. A packable rain jacket takes up no space and saves your day if it turns
The Weekend Schedule
The Italian GP typically runs the last weekend of August or first weekend of September. The standard F1 weekend format applies:
- Friday: Two practice sessions. Smaller crowds, relaxed atmosphere, good for exploring the circuit and finding your bearings
- Saturday: Final practice and qualifying. This is when the atmosphere starts building. Qualifying determines the grid, and the one-lap shootout format makes it exciting viewing
- Sunday: Race day. Gates open early (around 8 AM). The race starts mid-afternoon, but arriving early is non-negotiable if you want a good GA spot or want to soak in the pre-race atmosphere
Where to Stay
Stay in Milan, not Monza. Milan has far more hotel options, better restaurants, and the train connection is easy. We used Marriott points for several nights, which made a meaningful dent in the trip budget. The AC Hotel Milano and Moxy Milan are both solid Marriott options in reasonable locations.
Book early. Hotel prices in Milan surge during GP weekend, and availability drops fast once the race is confirmed on the calendar (usually around October/November the year before).
Budget Breakdown
- Flights: JFK to Milan round trip — 50,000-70,000 American Airlines miles, or roughly 600-900 USD in cash
- Hotels: Milan averages 150-250 euros per night during GP weekend. Points help significantly
- Race tickets: GA from 80-100 euros, grandstands from 200-600 euros depending on location
- Transport to circuit: Train + shuttle about 10 euros round trip; taxi/Uber 40-60 euros each way
- Food at circuit: Budget 30-40 euros per person per day, or bring your own and save
- Total per person: Roughly 1,500-2,500 USD for a long weekend including flights, hotel, and tickets
What We Would Do Differently
- Book grandstand seats earlier. The best options sell out months in advance
- Attend Friday practice to scout the circuit layout and find the best viewing spots
- Bring more food and water. We underestimated how long the lines would be
- Stay an extra day in Milan after the race. Race day is exhausting and having a buffer day to recover (and eat more Italian food) would have been welcome
Is Monza Worth It?
Without question. The history, the atmosphere, the tifosi, the park setting — Monza is unlike any other race on the calendar. The podium ceremony alone, with fans flooding the main straight, is one of the greatest spectacles in motorsport. If you are an F1 fan and have not been to Monza, put it on the list.