No i don't mean Belgium itself, but the racetrack in relation to other cities and transport.
We are planning a trip to Europe which will have us in that area at the right time (more than just coincidence) but some will be going to the GP and others will be seeing the 'other' sights of Belgium for those couple of days.
My question therefore is basically 'Where would be the best place (city/town)for all of us to stay for the nights?'
Although it would mortify some europeans, being Australians, travelling an hour and a half in the morning is not that big of a deal.
Spa..Belgium..where the hell is it?
Started by
Brother Fox
, Feb 16 2001 02:48
7 replies to this topic
Advertisement
#2
Rob29
-
- 3,582 posts
- Joined: January 01
Member
Posted 16 February 2001 - 09:07
Nearest town is Spa itself,though the chances of finding an affordable hotel for the GP may be limited.Belgium is quite a small country,so you could comute from Brussels.I can't speak from personal experience as I have only been as part of an organised coach tour leaving the night before from London.
I would be interested in information on local hotels myself as I may be going to the 24hrs 2CV meeting.
I would be interested in information on local hotels myself as I may be going to the 24hrs 2CV meeting.
#3
karlth
-
- 16,290 posts
- Joined: August 99
Member
Posted 17 February 2001 - 19:51
I stayed in Brussels in '99 and drove in the morning for the race.
No problem really, just make sure you rise early. Brussels is a wonderful city with good hotels and excellent restaurants.
Best regards
Karl
No problem really, just make sure you rise early. Brussels is a wonderful city with good hotels and excellent restaurants.
Best regards
Karl
#4
Brother Fox
-
- 6,110 posts
- Joined: January 01
Member
Posted 21 February 2001 - 02:53
Thanks for your info, but i guess we would be relying more on public transport than driving ourselves.
Can anyone tell me about the train or bus systems in Belgium? How regular are they and how close do they get us to Spa, particularly from Brussels.
Can anyone tell me about the train or bus systems in Belgium? How regular are they and how close do they get us to Spa, particularly from Brussels.
#5
Rob29
-
- 3,582 posts
- Joined: January 01
Member
Posted 21 February 2001 - 15:08
Spa is in the South East corner of Belgium.The main "sights" of the country seem to be in Brussels.So that would seem to be be best place to stay. From Brussels (Midi) trains leave every hour for Verviers(journey time 1h 30m)from where you would have to get a local train to Spa(also hourly)Then its still several miles to the circuit.Seems quite an undertaking on a sunday morning!
Liege would be a closer place to stay.
Any Belgians reading this able to help further?
Just occured to me that this might might be a good place to post public transport details for all circuits around the world.I can supply most of the British ones.
Liege would be a closer place to stay.
Any Belgians reading this able to help further?
Just occured to me that this might might be a good place to post public transport details for all circuits around the world.I can supply most of the British ones.
#6
Jimmy Yarbrough
-
- 3 posts
- Joined: September 00
New Member
Posted 02 March 2001 - 06:39
Please don't forget that the Nurburgring is not that far from Spa.
You would be doing yourself a great disservice did you not take a few laps of the great Nordschleif. Check their website (I don't have the URL) for open dates.
You would be doing yourself a great disservice did you not take a few laps of the great Nordschleif. Check their website (I don't have the URL) for open dates.
#7
nxn
-
- 1 posts
- Joined: March 01
New Member
Posted 03 March 2001 - 18:25
I did this trip in 2000 and stayed south of Brussels
near the Waterloo battlefield and drove my rental car into
the circuit 3 days in a row. If I were doing it again I
would stay closer (Liege maybe). If you insist on public
transport I would seek out a coach service that runs a special
bus from whereever directly to the track.
This will save a lot of time
and bother and will drop you off much closer to the circuit
than the car parking. Then you can plan to stay near the
coach pick-up point. I know they run this service from the UK,
probably almost everywhere I'd expect.
I also drove over to Nurburgring the day after the race,
intending to do a couple of laps but it was closed to the
public some private bike club had exclusive use,
I couldn't even get a ring-taxi :-( or bus so check
the dates on their web site.
near the Waterloo battlefield and drove my rental car into
the circuit 3 days in a row. If I were doing it again I
would stay closer (Liege maybe). If you insist on public
transport I would seek out a coach service that runs a special
bus from whereever directly to the track.
This will save a lot of time
and bother and will drop you off much closer to the circuit
than the car parking. Then you can plan to stay near the
coach pick-up point. I know they run this service from the UK,
probably almost everywhere I'd expect.
I also drove over to Nurburgring the day after the race,
intending to do a couple of laps but it was closed to the
public some private bike club had exclusive use,
I couldn't even get a ring-taxi :-( or bus so check
the dates on their web site.
#8
Drinky
-
- 1,084 posts
- Joined: November 00
Member
Posted 15 March 2001 - 01:11
If you're looking for places to stay, you're in luck because Francorchamps is located in one of Belgium's prime tourist areas. You should be able to find hotels or camping sites (reserve early, come race day they'll probably be packed) in towns such as Spa itself, Verviers, Stavelot and Malmedy (those names should sound familiar). The largest city in the area is Liège, though the German city of Aachen and the Dutch city of Maastricht are also close by, but direct public transport will be a problem, you'll have to travel to Liège first.
As for public transport, Rob29's info seems correct, including the part about the circuit being quite a long way away from Spa. More info on the trains can be found here: http://www.b-rail.be/E/index.html
If you're taking a rental car, the (nearly all motorway 120 kph) route to take is, from Brussels, the A3/E40 to Liège and at this city follow this road (A3/E40) in the direction of Verviers and Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle in French). When you cross the Meuse you should be seeing the signs giving directions to the Francorchamps circuit. Keep going to Verviers and take the A27/E42 south. Past Verviers, do not take the Spa exit as this will lead you to Spa itself, but keep going to exit Nr. 10, Francorchamps Stavelot. From here it should be easy, you're about 4 km from the circuit. But parking is another matter
And I concur with Jimmy, if you have time, take in the Nürburgring-Nordschleife as well, if you don't visit Europe all that often. Zolder is very nearby Liège as well.
As for public transport, Rob29's info seems correct, including the part about the circuit being quite a long way away from Spa. More info on the trains can be found here: http://www.b-rail.be/E/index.html
If you're taking a rental car, the (nearly all motorway 120 kph) route to take is, from Brussels, the A3/E40 to Liège and at this city follow this road (A3/E40) in the direction of Verviers and Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle in French). When you cross the Meuse you should be seeing the signs giving directions to the Francorchamps circuit. Keep going to Verviers and take the A27/E42 south. Past Verviers, do not take the Spa exit as this will lead you to Spa itself, but keep going to exit Nr. 10, Francorchamps Stavelot. From here it should be easy, you're about 4 km from the circuit. But parking is another matter
And I concur with Jimmy, if you have time, take in the Nürburgring-Nordschleife as well, if you don't visit Europe all that often. Zolder is very nearby Liège as well.
