	Barcelona Activities 2009: "Hop on Hop Off" Sightseeing Bus, Flamenco Show, Tapas Evening, FC Stadium Tour

F1 Barcelona Testing in 2009: Information on Times, Dates, Prices and Travel

By Paul Yates

Good News for F1 Barcelona fans! The Formula 1 Testing dates for 2009 in Barcelona have been confirmed. Tests will be taking place on 9th – 12th March.

Wait for the best bit……..whether you're a complete F1 addict or a novice who just wants to understand what all the fuss is about, the daily entry price to the circuit is just 6 euros! That covers entry to the circuit and seating in the grandstands from 09:00 until 18:00 so I can't think of a better place to do my sunbathing.

Tickets for F1 Testing

Tickets are available from entry gate no 3 (Visitors Information Office) and children under 11 go free.

The tickets offer access to the Main Grandstand, Grandstands E, F, J and K (East Area – Main Straight) and Grandstands G, C and H (North Area – Stadium Area). Therefore, if you cannot afford to buy a ticket for one of the expensive seats for the actual race days, this is a great opportunity to watch the cars in action at a prime position on the Circuit.

Alternatively, for 30 euros you can get the full Monty and go on a tour of the circuit whilst the cars are flying round the track. The tour includes a visit to the drivers briefing room, the press room, the control tower (where Charlie Whiting starts the race) and the podium, the VIP room, the pits and the paddock - so now we can all feel what it's like to stand on the top step and win a Grand Prix.

On top of this, the tour also includes a lap of the service road in a mini-bus. This is the road that runs along side the actual track that is normally only open to emergency services. Many people find this the most exciting part of the tour as it is the closest that it is possible to be to te track without being on the track itself.

These tours are also available throughout the year, during weekends, for a reduced price of 10 euros. However, they are a particularly attractive option on test days as there is the added bonus of seeing the racetrack in action.

Click here to find out more about the Circuit de Catalunya guided tours

Keep an autograph book handy, you never know who you might bump into walking around the paddock area.

The tour lasts an hour and a half and there are three tours per day 10:00, 12:00 and 15:00. (Limited Places). Tickets are available at entry gate 2 and I strongly suggest getting there early because the maximum group size for each tour is 14.

So if you're planning a visit to Barcelona this year and you fancy a low cost opportunity to understand what formula one is all about then maybe this is too good an opportunity to miss.

Transport to the Circuit

It is important to remember that the shuttle buses from Barcelona or from Montmelo train station do not run on test days. The circuit is not particularly easy to get to so it is worth planning in advance.

You can catch the train from either Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gracia or Clot rail stations in Barcelona centre. You will then need to get off at Montmelo station which is the nearest stop to the Catalunya F1 race circuit.

Train Tickets, may be purchased from any of the rail stations mentioned above. Montmelo station is in Zone 2 which means you will not be able to use the Zone 1 T10 card. However if you intend to see the Grand prix for all 3 days consider buying the Bonotren ticket zone 2 ticket (see pricing details below).

F1 Barcelona Race Price of Train Tickets

One Way Ticket (billete sencillo) 1.50 euros
Return RENFE ticke Price: 3.00 euros

Train journey time: 28 minutes from Barcelona Sants to Montmelo station.

Train Timetable: Barcelona sants to Montmelo use the link below to look up the train timetable.

When you follow the link below select Barcelona Sants in the Origen and Montmelo for the destination. Then click Horarios (timetable). The other 2 stations are not shown in this menu but the train also stops at Passeig de Gracia and Barcelona clot.

Timetable For Train From Barcelona Sants to Montmelo (stop nearest the Formula 1 Barcelona Grand Prix Circuit

Train map from Barcelona centre to Montmelo the map is not that easy to read but you can zoom in and out.

Once at Montmelo you have a few options to arrive at the formula 1 circuit. You can walk to the race circuit. It is worth noting that this is quite a difficult journey by foot. It will take 30 minutes to half an hour and is along some rather large roads.

Click here for a map to walk from Montmelo station to the F1 Barcelona Catalunya race track

Alternatively, you can take a taxi to the Circuit from Montmelo station. This will cost around 8 euros and take 5 – 10 minutes.