F1 travel logistics!

[@daraghmorrissey]

I travel a lot and stopped renting cars where I can. It’s a lot of hassle and I hate the disputes when you hand them back. They are also really expensive and insurance can be complicated. Booking a driver might be more money but it’s got the bonus that they know where they are going and you can relax a bit more. Great video kym

[@roythousand13]

When you are renting a car, you must do a full inspection for damages. Record and take photos of any damages before you accept the rental car. Make sure to report those damages to the rental car company before driving off the lot.

[@reversal]

You took 69 flights last year? That's nice! Hope you're excited for Baku, Kym!

[@kevindown1592]

Thank you Kym. Your tips are most helpful. On our last trip to Europe our rental car was a nightmare to get at the airport. We plan to go back this fall so I will use your tips.

[@littleDutchie92]

Hey Kevin! I dont know what city you're going to, but public transport is generally really good at airports here. You might consider taking the public transport into the city and rent the car from a dealer in town. I think they will be much quieter...

[@RetailRipper]

our daughter plays club soccer. weve started staying at air bnb instead of hotels when traveling. theyve been about half the price, quieter, cheaper, and are stocked with snacks. pleasantly surprised by the switch over.

[@Pastronomer69]

Zurich for photography is better outside the airport. From the lounges you're often shooting into the sun, but they have loads of official spots around the perimeter road, just minus the lounge!

[@abuwilliams7228]

Taking so many notes. Thank you for this

[@ramonrivera3259]

Great video Kym. Love your insight and appreciate all of the planning and coordination that you have to put into these trips.

[@michaelvanderpol5968]

This year for Melbourne we booked a hotel room for every weekend in March with free cancellation and when the schedule came outwe cancelled the other weekends. Saved us a heap of money. Already done it for next year

[@KymIllman]

Clever man Michael.

[@anoopbains1257]

Honestly, you are such a great narrator you can all your content can transcend F1

[@KymIllman]

Many thanks

[@patrickabas1112]

I live in Zurich (Dutchguy in Switzerland) and Swiss is ok for business class. The lounge in Zurich is great you can even book a room if you want.

[@garrybenson]

Sweet Lord Kym. I'm completely and utterly jaded after watching your video. Your Cork, Ireland fan. 🛌

[@CallieMasters5000]

$2100 for one night of hotel! That's insane. I hope it lived up to the price.

[@CallieMasters5000]

I long time ago in a comment I pointed out the obvious way to cut your costs: share your hotel and car rentals with another F1 photographer. You're on the same schedule and most hotel rooms have 2 beds, so it would cut your costs in half. You replied that you didn't share well and didn't want to do this, though, but this might work for some. 😁

[@KymIllman]

It works for many photographers

[@kingaroykid]

Love the short contrast accomodation clips from TG and TGT with Clarkson and Hammond. Well done on an informative video.

[@velvetjones1856]

I used Finnair from ORD to Helsinki and was pleased. Very nice lounge in Helsinki.

[@elqniemi]

The non-schengen lounge is really top tier for Europe! In HKI though the schengen side service kinda sucks, but it's understandable.

[@pompeyfitnessjames6298]

Kym, you have the best job ever. I am truly envious.

[@brunom6153]

Big hug from Portugal Kym!

[@KymIllman]

Portugal hugs are the best

[@brunom6153]

@@KymIllman 😁

[@mixeddrinks8100]

the hotel cost for Las Vegas was outrageous, also because it is the first time not even sure if staying off the strip is possible without knowing how it all works yet.

[@paulmerritt418]

Kym’s Your Man! Love it. Great video as always. Thanks

[@tomporcinus]

As usual, another great video. This one is extra good because of the references to the original 3 men-children from Top Gear. Funny as hell.

[@WimRijksen]

Happy travels Kym! Thanks for the videos, they're much appreciated.

[@mjpt57]

Could you do a piece on those hospitality suites, please? I'm really curious how such large structures can be dismantled, transported and set up at the next track. It's fairly pertinent, I think, given what happened to McLaren at Barcelona last weekend. Thanks.

[@puchunz]

Hey Kym, while your point about interlining luggage is mostly true, Singapore are quite good about that. The transit desk air side is known to be helpful to getting bags checked through.

[@alexleech4490]

As a massive fan of The Trio, please never stop cutting them into your videos!!

[@hishers251]

Helpful tips , thanks Kym.

[@CallieMasters5000]

Interesting. I'd like to see the version of this video for the drivers, too: is it all private jets and big hotel suites? Or do they sleep in their trailers and take commercial flights too?

[@Nic_attakk]

I second this. I feel like he mentioned in a previous video (can't remember which one now) that he was going to do just this. The drivers private planes or something. Lewis has a jet to my understanding, and the others fly private often enough. But team principals would aswell no doubt? In the European leg of the calendar, using a motor home would make alot of sense then.

[@Melon623]

@@Nic_attakk Don't think Lewis has a jet anymore, I believe he sold that but obviously a team like Merc would have their own private jet or jets for flying drivers anyway. Max has a private jet at the moment though.

[@seazoom3815]

Hi, thank you for sharing such great knowledge! Question: how do you manage your photography baggage in flights? Do you document some? Any hints? Thank you!

[@PitboyHarmony1]

I thought this was about F1 travel logistics, I find that a very interesting subject. Then I realize its YOUR travel logistics.

[@MattHD85]

Finally a video about the process of what you are booking. I wish you went into more detail about the credit cards you are using and the bonuses that you achieved.

[@EMichaelBall]

I wonder if he uses a Qantas credit card for the points and to keep platinum status?

[@MattHD85]

@@EMichaelBall well he showed the card. I am not firmly with the card as they don’t have it in the US. If Qantas airlines is affiliated with those that he frequents the most I’m sure he is the highest level.

[@EMichaelBall]

@MattHD Qantas is affiliated with OneWorld alliance. Any airline he flies with the Qantas card gets him points. There’s also the Star Alliance and SkyTeam, which have their own airlines. Unless you fly a lot, and are fastidious in paying on time and in full every month, it’s not worth getting any frequent flier credit cards. It’s usually better to just keep the cards you have, and tie them to your phone. Paying with your phone and/or watch has multiple security advantages over the physical card.

[@EMichaelBall]

@MattHD Correction: Any airline affiliated with Oneworld (and perhaps the particular others he mentioned) gets him points if he uses the Qantas card.

[@edwardhendry2179]

Great to hear how you do it all.

[@watson956]

Using an Air B&B in Montreal instead of the hotel you stayed at last year, eh? That should be interesting. I do love your travel videos, Kym - I'm travelling vicariously through you 😎

[@uulecrocodile8437]

4:27 "look busy, it's the ticket collector!!"

[@DileshaDias]

Man living the life! Great content, great insights! Keep it up

[@rafke380]

Imagine being a A380 pilot, like me. All of this but than the whole year round :)

[@gregwilliams3339]

Question for you. Why don’t you stay with one of the big hotel chains exclusively where you can to maximise points and status from a hotel perspective? I only do 50-70 nights a year but Marriott status comes with some great perks.

[@theterseverse]

Awesomely informative

[@michaeltorpy3366]

Top video again kym I find hotels here in Asia are far better than UK or Europe maybe its the exotic locations they are in

[@soldier97boy]

scarves are back!

[@HeyZeus915]

@KymIllman need a signed Checo photo from you.. :)

[@danielstarling4147]

Really interesting!

[@oscarbenavides3730]

Hi, Kym. Always enjoy you travel videos. I know you’re a watch person, where is the best airport duty free for picking up a nice time peace? Looking forward to hear from your extensive experience on travel and watches. Regards.

[@dansantarsiero1526]

Hello Kym! Enjoy your videos immensely. Would you please tell me the app you use that masks your location again? Thank you very much!

[@moosery]

awesome

[@josephvictorestrada5603]

Nice.

[@podarogue8428]

You are a man of culture. 69 flights

[@SuperBase5]

When in the USA, use Turo for your car rentals.

[@bradcoleman7698]

I only seem to travel vicariously these days.

[@sspacegghost]

whats your advice for travel insurace ? i used to use expedia alot as you can cancel right up to deadlines. all no human contact. and YHA hostels - are my go to - even when doing road trips....melb has a great one so does Lancelin where Kman lives.

[@paolofrancini1219]

Kym where can I find more info about the meet and greet in Miami?

[@KymIllman]

On Insta when I decide where and when.

[@zeeeter]

Very useful and great tips. I'd add my voice to subscribing to Tripit Pro. I think you'd get a real benefit from using that. You can also share that with other managers too.

[@sanderdelft]

I wonder how you manage traveling with camera bags. I wouldn't want to check them, but I am sure you'll be breaking some cabin luggage rules. Any arrangements available for photographers?

[@murraysulter1823]

Was going to ask but you seemed to answer, is it more expensive travelling back to Australia during the longer breaks than staying in say Europe or USA like you did during 2021

[@hprees1]

I love your work Kym, but anything other than Comic Sans ffs.

[@SteveMrW]

So Kym, who does the travel arrangements, you or Tonya? P.s. I managed to change it from Steve Mr W😀

[@HenriqueSilva-su1pc]

Can you do a video breaking down the “Pay of F1”?

[@rathindharani4096]

I was wondering how much your travel expenses total to on a yearly basis and who pays for it ?

[@CallieMasters5000]

Come on subscribers, we only need one Patreon in every racing city to hook Kym up with a free place to stay. He'd feature you in a video and show off your property, but he ain't sharing with your crazy cousin and his 16 dogs.

[@jasonhodgkiss]

Plane spotter - 😂

[@FlyNorse787]

Hello Kym, were you part of the double chartered Qatar Airways B777s from Baku to Miami ?

[@KymIllman]

I wasn’t

[@DarranGange]

Is this video a game of spot Clarkson, Hammond and May?

[@petercrombie6652]

Why don’t you move to Europe Kim? Surely that would be better for travel, family, costs etc..??

[@KymIllman]

Because I have several businesses and a family in Perth.

[@miltonbrownrigg8409]

Us Aussies are getting bent over the bonnet with business class these days

[@purplehazeffc]

Us Aussies are getting bent over in just Travel, period.

[@miltonbrownrigg8409]

@@purplehazeffc sure are.

[@JohnBenz]

Swissair? 😅 Long time ago 😢

[@andrewstorm8240]

There’s a new hotel at Milton Keynes

[@TheOuboet]

69 flights? Nice.

[@ckangas]

For hire cars you'll pay one third if you use a travel management platform to get a corporate rate. Booking online is where all the hire companies make their cream by screwing over the average traveller.

[@thetruebatman4632]

Would be so sick if F1 took a screenshot of their schedule and sent it over to you before they announce it publicly. Then those criminal hotels could cry about all the money they weren’t able to screw you for.

[@bonganitshuma]

😂😂😂😂😂 We getting rimmed every single weekend

[@FluffiestWalrus]

How can you afford all of the travel expenses? This must be hundreds of thousands of dollars

[@KymIllman]

If only they held each race in Perth!

[@ElmoBHD]

Cancelled my model s order based on how poor my experience has been owning a model 3. As soon as the Tesla Ireland charger network opens to other makes I will be gone.

[@mcdowellmedia5602]

As former CX JL and AN exec, I don't understand why you would not use an agent for such a complicated schedule. The rest of F1 use agents, so it's a little surprising to see Google flights mentioned. Generally, most airlines have an interline agreement, so even if 2 separate tickets, they can route the flights on. As a best practice, these 3rd party websites neither offer the value or flexibility to book rooms or cars, most car and hotels offer best rate guarantees now, so it's surprising you are promoting these sites. If it is paid promotion, please disclose.

[@KymIllman]

I wish they paid me.

[@jlutz63]

This break is kinda ridiculous

[@esciteach7997]

ya think ? thank goodness here in the USA we have the NBA and NHL playoffs going on, Indy getting ready for 500 and racing in California, and of course Nascar with Elliott back . . .and if into Golf, an amazing guy called Jon Rahm won a little tourney in Georgia that Tiger has won 5x (Green Jacket and Jabon at next year's dinner) during this F1 break. Fan of a certain pitcher/hitter from Japan? (MVP of MLB 2021 and came in 2nd to Capt. Judge 2022) He's on TV too.

[@a.arnaavv]

Loved the video kym

[@TheIr2way]

this isnt logistics, this is bragging

[@vyomakeshaconsultancy3406]

Travel logistics is not an easy job what with the advent of the Internet and lots of App's offering deals after deals. Your choices have always been good as I've been watching your videos since a couple of years and as they say you've seen the world kym. Gowra