Pre children, with money to burn, I used to take myself off to Melbourne or even Monaco to watch the Grand Prix. Along came the kids and it just became too expensive. A few years back I decided to treat myself, and in a Scoot sale, I managed to grab myself an airfare to Singapore for $300 return. I was only gone for three days, so I only needed hand luggage. I managed to get a special on Sentosa Island at the Amara Sanctuary Resort for $330 for 2 nights accommodation. As I was leaving from the track to the airport on the third day, I didn't need to pay for a hotel for that night.The actual stand ticket was only $260 for three days, so the total trip came in under $1000. In Formula One terms, this is great value! You can buy 3 day passes for pick up in Singapore or through Ticketmaster and have it posted to you prior to departure, if leaving the week of the Grand Prix.
I went again last year and am off this September to do the same (Go Kimi!!). Singapore Night Race transforms the city - there is a music festival at the track (this year Pharrell and Maroon 5 are performing, among many others), there are art exhibitions around town, special festival markets and a myriad of restaurants and parties to go to.
The downside is the price of any hotel near the track - they sky rocket. However, the upside of Singapore is that everywhere is easy to get to. When I stayed on Sentosa, I took taxis to and from the track, and had no problems getting them. Last year we were at the Sofitel, and taxied or trained our way around. It's smooth and well organised, and very easy for tourists.
The other upside of the Night Race is you have most of the day to see the city. If you are travelling with a non-car racing enthusiast, there is plenty to do off the track too.
1) Get yourself an airfare. Almost every carrier flys there.
2) Watch Agoda for sales. You don't need to pay an arm and a leg for the race weekend. Don't be put off by the distance. It's all easy to get to.
3) Book your ticket. Make sure it will be posted before you leave the country or make sure you are in Singapore in time to pick up if you organise that way. I have always had it posted to my home before I left, and it's always arrived with 2 weeks to spare.
4) Follow the Singapore Tourism and Night Race pages on FB. There are plenty of events to celebrate the race in the lead up to the weekend.
5) Enjoy a fabulous weekend of food, music and sport! Vroom Vroom!
Practicalities:
All passports, insurance and visa costs apply as normal.
Ticketmaster http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/
Singapore Grand Prix (pick up ticket sales) http://www.singaporegp.sg/
Further Reading:
Hidden Gems http://holidazeandhellidaze.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/hidden-gems-singapore.html
Linking up with #AwwMondays for the Legoman!
You are totally inspired me to look out for cheap airfare tickets for Singapore !!! Great tips to saving money as FI isn't cheap -ever!
ReplyDeleteRacing isn't really my thing but all the extra bits that come with it would be enough to make me put up with it. Great tip on where to stay and that everything is easy to get to so you don't have to pay crazy rates.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining in #wednesdaywanderlust
I am going to Singapore next Saturday and I am so excited!! I have never been further than the airport at Singapore and I love it so imagine I will feel the same about the rest of it!!
ReplyDeleteSingapore is fun! And yes, you can snag some cheap flights there at times too.
ReplyDeleteI love the photos of those lanterns at the bottom! :) Great info here, too. Thanks so much for linking up with #WeekendWanderlust!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a fun vacation! Was it with kids or without? I'm not that interested in Grand Prix and stuff like that, but hey, it's Singapore, and it looks like you saw much more than cars. Good for you! I love the photo of the statues at the bottom of your post.
ReplyDeleteI love Singapore and being close to Perth have been there a few times, even better when a great deal like you found comes along. I agree about using a taxi to get around and they are so cheap. Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard
ReplyDeleteGood for you, this is amazing that you go for the Grand Prix. My friend is totally obsessed with it, so you will probably see him at Singapore late in the year.
ReplyDeleteAwwwwnn I love to meet more F1 fans <3
ReplyDeleteLiving in Europe certainly gives me a lot of opportunities to go to the Grand Prix around here, but still, if I dont want to stay in the General Admission, also means spending a lot on the ticket. Some of the Grand Prix around here let children up to 6 years enter for free :D the German GP for example! Great tips, I really hope to watch the F1 GP in Singapore someday!!
#TheWeeklyPostcard
I live in Singapore and have never been to our own Grand Prix. GAH.... But yeah, don't spend a bomb on hotels with a view of the grand prix (of course, if you can afford to, go ahead). Hotels in the area jack up their prices during F1 period. But Singapore is so small and well-connected, staying anywhere with an MRT station nearby would get you to the grand prix site with ease!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a Grand Prix, although I'd definitely be tempted by Singapore - it's a while since I was last there, and would love to go back again (F1 or not!). Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to go to the Singapore GP. We went to the Abu Dhabi one a few years ago and we thoroughly enjoyed it. I can imagine Singapore is incredibly well organised. Great tips... very tempting... although the airfare will be a bit more from the UK! Thanks for linking to #citytripping
ReplyDeleteI am going to Singapore at the end of October. We managed to get real cheap business class tickets so I really look forward to it. @TheWeeklyPostcard
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that you could watch the Formula One Grand Prix all over the world. I am not a fan of this car race, but I'd love to go to some of these places just the same, especially in Singapore. Thank you for joining us for #TheWeeklyPostcard
ReplyDeleteSome really useful tips here. It's particularly good to hear how easy it is to get anywhere in Singapore so it doesn't really matter which area you stay in. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
ReplyDeleteOn the cheap is always welcome. What a fun time and I loved the food. I always love the food.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Awww Monday and week. ♥
Singapore is ALL about the food!
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