Can you drive to the circuit each day?
Discussion
Hi all,
I am looking to attend my first Le Mans next year. I plan to stay 20mins away and drive to the circuit instead of camp (sacrilege I know, apologies). I have heard from a few people that this is possible, but wanted to get the thoughts of you experienced folks.
I understand that there is free parking which has worked for some people, but I would buy parking tickets for Thurs to Sun to be safe.
I assume the roads are very busy, particularly Saturday morning, so arriving early is key (someone I spoke to said 8am this year on race day was fine even for the free parking).
So…. is it possible to drive to the track each day, Thursday to Sunday? Of course there will be big queues, but has anyone here done it before?
Many thanks.
I am looking to attend my first Le Mans next year. I plan to stay 20mins away and drive to the circuit instead of camp (sacrilege I know, apologies). I have heard from a few people that this is possible, but wanted to get the thoughts of you experienced folks.
I understand that there is free parking which has worked for some people, but I would buy parking tickets for Thurs to Sun to be safe.
I assume the roads are very busy, particularly Saturday morning, so arriving early is key (someone I spoke to said 8am this year on race day was fine even for the free parking).
So…. is it possible to drive to the track each day, Thursday to Sunday? Of course there will be big queues, but has anyone here done it before?
Many thanks.
leyorkie said:
All us locals do.
I’d recommend Expo parking as being easy to get in to depends where you’re staying, north ,south, east or west?
Free parking at the airport is ok but it’s a trek to the circuit worse at the end of a long hot day.
Thanks for the response. It's certainly reassuring! I am staying west of the circuit (other side of the airport/south west of Le Mans town). I’d recommend Expo parking as being easy to get in to depends where you’re staying, north ,south, east or west?
Free parking at the airport is ok but it’s a trek to the circuit worse at the end of a long hot day.
When looking for parking tickets I assume I look for red (Expo) tickets? I am there Thursday - Friday. Are week-long parking tickets available or will I need to buy several separate parking tickets?
AllTheGearNoIdea said:
Hi all,
I am looking to attend my first Le Mans next year. I plan to stay 20mins away and drive to the circuit instead of camp (sacrilege I know, apologies). I have heard from a few people that this is possible, but wanted to get the thoughts of you experienced folks.
I understand that there is free parking which has worked for some people, but I would buy parking tickets for Thurs to Sun to be safe.
I assume the roads are very busy, particularly Saturday morning, so arriving early is key (someone I spoke to said 8am this year on race day was fine even for the free parking).
So…. is it possible to drive to the track each day, Thursday to Sunday? Of course there will be big queues, but has anyone here done it before?
Many thanks.
check if near tram, consider taking a bicycle....I am looking to attend my first Le Mans next year. I plan to stay 20mins away and drive to the circuit instead of camp (sacrilege I know, apologies). I have heard from a few people that this is possible, but wanted to get the thoughts of you experienced folks.
I understand that there is free parking which has worked for some people, but I would buy parking tickets for Thurs to Sun to be safe.
I assume the roads are very busy, particularly Saturday morning, so arriving early is key (someone I spoke to said 8am this year on race day was fine even for the free parking).
So…. is it possible to drive to the track each day, Thursday to Sunday? Of course there will be big queues, but has anyone here done it before?
Many thanks.
Upto last year parking Expo is free up to Thursday it’s only reserved for the weekend can’t comment on the other car parks as I always use Expo.
Whether it will revert to the old free system next Year has to be seen, I think the ACO is happy with providing the free parking at the airport
Whether it will revert to the old free system next Year has to be seen, I think the ACO is happy with providing the free parking at the airport
leyorkie said:
Upto last year parking Expo is free up to Thursday it’s only reserved for the weekend can’t comment on the other car parks as I always use Expo.
Whether it will revert to the old free system next Year has to be seen, I think the ACO is happy with providing the free parking at the airport
I think you'll find that Expo is ticketed on Wednesday. If you got in without a ticket that day you did well. I parked in there from Tuesday all the way through and my ticket was checked every day. Whether it will revert to the old free system next Year has to be seen, I think the ACO is happy with providing the free parking at the airport
As to travelling in every day, we did from Tuesday onwards with no problems at all. I was actually surprised how light the traffic was travelling from about 40 minutes north of Le Mans. The only traffic problems we had all week were in and around Arnage village.
RL17 said:
Full week parking tickets should be available - did sell out fairly quickly for 2023
Expo or Panarama as back up from coming in from that side
Thanks. I think i'll just put Expo or Panorama parking just to be safe. I don't want to rely on free parking all week then find myself stuck.Expo or Panarama as back up from coming in from that side
AllTheGearNoIdea said:
I know it was a resale site, but do you mind me asking how much the full week Expo parking ticket was?
It was €50. The cost was the same as when it was originally on sale. Pretty good value for 6 days of parking. The ticket was specifically valid for Wednesday to Sunday but I parked in thereon Tuesday as well and I know someone who parked in there on Monday. Panorama didn't open until Wednesday. I had Panorama as well and had thought it was open for Tuesday onwards but was mistaken. I didn't end up using the Panorama ticket at all. It was a new experience as I'd been in Parking Blanc since 2010. Edited by Aysedasi2 on Wednesday 18th October 10:05
Aysedasi2 said:
It was €50. The cost was the same as when it was originally on sale. Pretty good value for 6 days of parking. The ticket was specifically valid for Wednesday to Sunday but I parked in thereon Tuesday as well and I know someone who parked in there on Monday. Panorama didn't open until Wednesday. I had Panorama as well and had thought it was open for Tuesday onwards but was mistaken. I didn't end up using the Panorama ticket at all. It was a new experience as I'd been in Parking Blanc since 2010.
Looking back, I see I was wrong about Panorama. The ticket was only valid from Friday to Sunday. I believe the car park was free on Wednesday and Thursday. Edited by Aysedasi2 on Wednesday 18th October 10:05
Never heard of these guys before but found a ticket agent who actually have up-to-date maps on their site - https://www.selectmotorracing.com/Le_Mans/LM_ticke...
//j17 said:
Never heard of these guys before but found a ticket agent who actually have up-to-date maps on their site
I've seen this map elsewhere, but as you imply, it's not easy to find. It seems either Expo or Panorama will be perfect for me so i will keep an eye out for those on 7th Nov in the presale.
//j17 said:
Never heard of these guys before but found a ticket agent who actually have up-to-date maps on their site - https://www.selectmotorracing.com/Le_Mans/LM_ticke...
It's interesting that they're currently offering everything to select whereas 1st Tickets are being more circumspect in saying that what they can supply will be wholly dependent upon what the ACO allocate to them. One wonders if Select are being too optimistic? I'd never heard of them until a friend I am helping with tickets for next year mentioned them a week or so ago. AllTheGearNoIdea said:
I've seen this map elsewhere, but as you imply, it's not easy to find.
It seems either Expo or Panorama will be perfect for me so i will keep an eye out for those on 7th Nov in the presale.
To be honest with the loss of the other parking sites this year (especially blanc for me) parking is pretty limited. It seems either Expo or Panorama will be perfect for me so i will keep an eye out for those on 7th Nov in the presale.
Aysedasi2 said:
To be honest with the loss of the other parking sites this year (especially blanc for me) parking is pretty limited.
Yea…. so it is just expo, panorama, arnage and mulsanne that are available for 2024? Doesn’t look like much…. I will just have to look as soon as the presale starts and hope for the best.
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