Hi everyone.

We're going to the Monza Grand Prix this year, and are staying in Milan during that time.

We're going to take the trains (or bus if the connection is better) to Monza for the race.

We have received documentation describing the public transportation available during race day, but it looks like all choices are between 3 and 6 kilometres from the race track!

We don't mind a bit of a walk, but in classic, unorganized Italian style, they haven't really given a clear indication on the maps sent with our tickets (or on any of the websites) what the real deal is.

Anyone out there been to the Monza GP who can shed more light on the public transport situation?

As far as I know there will be shuttle buses from the Monza railway station to the "Autodromo".
You can get info from the web site of the Town: www.comune.monza.mi.it
Please... don't be so "unfair" using the sentence ...classic unorganied italian style; our situation (I am italian of course) is not so different now from what you can find in several other Countries in Europe and in the world.
Ciao, buon viaggio a Monza!
Gianni

There are shuttle buses that are NOT part of "normal" public transportation that make loops to various public "spots" and carry you right inside the grounds. They still drop you about 1 km (maybe .6 to .8 km - - not like I measured it) from the entrance to the track (stands). But that final distance is filled with hawkers of souvenirs, food and drink - - so it's very much part of the atmosphere.

The entire grounds has very much the feel of a forest; I wasn't prepared for such a nice setting. I'm pretty sure you will like it.

Best wishes,

Rex

I'm planning a trip for the 2005 Italian Grand Prix and from this thread, I'm assuming that we can get shuttle buses from the train station so it's not crucial where we stay. I was hoping to stay somewhere on Lake Como, but wasn't sure how hard it would be to get to the track. For those of you who have been to Monza, would it be easier to stay in Milan for local transportation? I'm familiar with the train system having been to both Milan and Como before.

Desert_Sue:

Depends where on Lake Como you are thinking of staying; in the town/city of Como itself or mid-lake, e.g., Varenna or Bellagio/Menaggio? About every train inbound to Milan from Varenna makes a stop in Monza; from Como you might have to go to Milan itself first, not certain.

I would not want to assure you that the shuttle buses can/will collect you from the train station, as we drove. There is (by US standards) a minimally organized system of parking lots scattered in a 1-2 mile circle of the race track/park - - and it was from one of these that we took the shuttle bus. I don't know where the train station is.

And to reiterate what I have said earlier on other posts about my trip there in 2000, all lodging sells out quickly for GP weekend, <i>especially</i> around Lake Como (and why wouldn't it?)

Thanks Intrepid1, I'll check out Varenna. We hadn't decided on a town around Lake Como yet as I wanted to research logistics.

And Rex, I am getting my reservations set now as I have read your posts about hotels filling up.

Any and all advice is most welcome. This is a big present for my F1-addicted husband and I want to be sure he has the most wonderful time.