Montreal F1 2018
 

Hey guys,

The wife and I are thinking of going to the F1 race in Montreal this year. Has anyone gone before. we need a recommendation on where to stay that is close to the track. Im hoping I can walk to the track but from what Im reading it doesn't sound possible.

any have a recommendation?

thanks everyone!


PS - Is there a Quebec forum in here? I was looking and going to ask any of our friendly neighbors but i dont know who to ask.

TL13

Did you ever go to this? Sorry I'm a year late, but I figured I'd share my info just in case anyone else want's to go next year. I'll most likely be going next year. This was the first year I haven't gone in 4 years.


I've driven and flown into Montreal (Used to live near DC). Both are easy peasy. Of note if you drive, most parking is underground and small, so the smaller car the better. One year we took an evo, the next we rented a big ford sedan, that sucked. My truck would be almost impossible (if staying in Montreal). Driving in the city is a bit of a learning curve. Streetlights do different things. I suggest reading up on them. Also BIKERS watch out for the bikers.

If flying, you will take a bus into Montreal. It has a ton of stops on the loop, pick the closest to your stay. It's about a 15 min ride in from the airport.

Hotels:
I've stayed in what's considered old Montreal every time I've stayed downtown. Near here:1009 Rue De Bleury. It's very close to China Town, which is where I ate pretty much nightly.

First year we went kind of cheap and didn't know better. We stayed outside of Montreal in a chain hotel near the airport area. This sucked. We had to drive to get to anything, and it was pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Traffic sucked and going in and out of the city was a waste of time and money. Then we had to find parking garages and it just sucked. ESP if going to the race multiple days.

Second year we rented a corporate apartment hotel kind of thing. This was much better, though there wasn't enough room for all three dudes to be comfortable. We were in downtown Montreal about 2 blocks from the subway. This was ideal.

Third year I was alone and had a similar hotel like a block away from the second year. Basically an apartment rented out Airbnb esque.

The track:
The track is on an island and I don't know of any hotels/bb's/etc that are also there. There is a ferry and subway to get over to it. Both are pretty easy to do, subway is faster. Crowded but way more efficient than what I was used to in DC. The track itself is fairly large. I think it was about a 1/4 mile from the subway station. General admission areas abound around the track. Lots of stuff to do and see.

You can WALK to the track but it's not a short walk by any means. There is a big ass bridge that goes to the island, we chose to walk it our first year. I was fine, my buddy was cursing up a storm. I think the Casino has a hotel and is the closest but I believe that this is probably booked stupidly fast and at an outrageous price.

Getting around:
Lots of public transportation. Bike sharing, taxi's etc. I usually walk everywhere and get an unlimited week/weekend subway pass. I used the buss a bit more this last time as I needed to go to and from the airport. All in all it's fairly easy to navigate. There is always something to do downtown. Food all over the place. There are some sketchy areas. Just keep aware of your surroundings and avoid dark alleys.

Most people are pretty friendly. Even though Americans aren't the favorite tourists. Rarely had an issue as long as you aren't an ass.