United States Grand Prix ⋅ Getting to COTA
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Only a short jaunt from downtown Austin and even closer to the airport, travelling to the US Grand Prix should be easy. And it is—at least in theory. Most fans get to COTA on official shuttle buses, while others take an Uber or drive to a pre-booked parking lot near the circuit gates.
In reality, though, local roads strain with the volume of traffic and congestion is almost inevitable. Though you can expect only minor delays going to the track, post-race it could be time to break out the Travel Scrabble and settle in for a long wait.
However you plan on getting to the US Grand Prix, this guide cuts through the chaos with tips on flights, transfers, getting around Austin, and how to reach COTA with minimal stress.
Arrival in Austin for the US Grand Prix
The state capital of Texas, Austin is located about 250km northwest of Houston, 130km northeast of San Antonio and 330km south of Dallas.
The most convenient airport for COTA is Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS) and this is where most F1 fans touch down. From here, taxis, rideshares, and buses are available to get to your hotel or the circuit. If you can’t find a flight to Austin that suits you, try San Antonio (SAT), Houston (HOU) or Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW). The latter especially caters to cheaper international flights.
Skyscanner’s powerful search tools help to uncover the cheapest routes and the best flight deals. Set price alerts to get deals when they drop, or use the monthly chart view to find the best time to book.
Best Airports for the US Grand Prix
Flights to Austin-Bergstrom (AUS)
Austin’s international airport is well connected across the US with direct flights from major hubs including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Denver, and Miami. International services link Austin with cities such as London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Mexico City, and Toronto.
Airlines: American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Aeroméxico.
Onward travel: 15km / around 20 minutes by road to downtown Austin (shuttle bus, hire car or taxi/rideshare) or the Circuit of the Americas (hire car or taxi/rideshare).
Transfers from Austin-Bergstrom (AUS)
MetroAirport Shuttle (CapMetro)
CapMetro’s Route 20 is a regular city bus that connects Austin-Bergstrom International Airport with downtown. It’s not a dedicated airport coach, but it’s cheap, frequent, and luggage is welcome on board.
- Route: Airport → Riverside → Downtown / University of Texas (Route 20)
- Fare: $1.25 single ride (no luggage surcharge)
- Travel time: About 35 minutes to downtown
- Departures: Every 15–30 minutes during the day
- Tickets: Pay with cash on board, the CapMetro/Umo app, or a reloadable fare card
- Where to find it: Lower level outside baggage claim at the neon guitar stop
Taxi & Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
Both taxis and app-based rideshares are available at Austin-Bergstrom. It takes about 20–30 minutes to get downtown by car and 15–20 minutes to reach COTA in normal traffic. Allow for significantly more travel time to get to the airport after the race (see boxed text below).
- Fares (downtown): Taxis $35–40; rideshares $25–30.
- Fares (COTA): Taxis $45–50; rideshares $25–40.
- Payment: Taxis usually accept card or cash (check first); rideshares are paid in-app by card.
- Pickup location: Taxi rank outside arrivals; rideshare pickup at the Rental Car Facility under the Red Garage.
Car Hire
Hiring a car offers flexibility for both the Grand Prix and sightseeing in and around Austin.
Well-known companies like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National are all based here. Daily rates typically start from around $25–40, but prices are much higher on race weekend, so book early if you plan to drive.
All rental car companies at Austin-Bergstrom operate from a dedicated building just across from the main terminal. Follow the signs for rental cars and walk through the Red Garage (the main airport car park) to reach the rental desks.
Note: Just remember that parking at Circuit of the Americas requires a pre-booked pass, and journey times can be heavily affected by post-race traffic.
Flying back after the race
If you plan to come straight from the airport, you can fly in early and go straight to your grandstand. There’s no luggage storage at COTA though and large baggage (over 12X12X20 inches in volume) won’t be allowed past security. If flying out Sunday night, make it a late flight to allow yourself time to clear the gridlock. Even with the airport so close, queues to leave the car parks can last hours after the chequered flag.
Flights to San Antonio (SAT)
San Antonio is a smaller option about 130km southwest of Austin. It offers good domestic coverage but limited international routes, mostly from Mexico.
Airlines: American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Viva Aerobus, Volaris.
Onward travel: 130km / around 90 minutes by car. Limited bus connections are also available.
Flights to Houston (IAH / HOU)
Houston has two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and William P. Hobby (HOU). Together they offer a wide range of international flights, often at lower fares than AUS, making Houston a popular choice for overseas fans.
Airlines: United, American Airlines, Delta, British Airways, Air France, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Aeroméxico, Copa Airlines.
Onward travel: 250km / around 3 hours by car. Buses and shuttles also connect Houston and Austin.
Flights to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
Dallas is another major international hub with extensive global coverage, though further from Austin than Houston.
Airlines: American Airlines, Delta, United, British Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines.
Onward travel: 330km / around 3–4 hours by car. Coach and train services link Dallas to Austin.
Transfers to Austin from San Antonio, Houston and Dallas
If you fly into San Antonio, Houston, or Dallas instead of Austin-Bergstrom, you have several ways to continue your journey:
- Car hire: All three cities have a wide range of rental agencies. Driving times are around 90 minutes from San Antonio, 3 hours from Houston, and 3–4 hours from Dallas.
Intercity buses: Companies such as Megabus, Greyhound, and FlixBus connect each city with Austin. Fares typically range from $20–40, with journey times of about 2 hours from San Antonio, 3 hours from Houston, and 4 hours from Dallas. - Train (from Dallas only): Amtrak operates services between Dallas and Austin, taking 5–6 hours.
You can search train and bus schedules across multiple operators simultaneously using Omio and purchase tickets for the same cost as buying direct.
Getting to COTA for the US Grand Prix
The Circuit of the Americas is located about 25km southeast of Austin city centre, and 15km from Austin Airport. Most visitors opt to drive, take a shuttle bus or use rideshare services. Recent improvements to infrastructure have gone a long way to improve the often glacial flow of traffic — roads were widened ahead of the 2022 race and shuttle buses now use dedicated lanes.
Driving & Parking at COTA
Whether you’re bringing your own car or planning to rent one when you arrive, driving to the circuit is one of the most popular ways to reach the US Grand Prix.
Official Parking
In Austin, about the only thing steeper than the run-up to turn 1 is the cost of parking at COTA. That’s especially true if you decide to park at the circuit’s official on-site parking lots.
Parking passes are available for individual days or the full weekend. Official parking tickets do sell out and should be booked well in advance. If you haven’t pre-ordered a parking pass, you won’t be able to buy one on the day.
If you’re unable to get your parking booked in time though, there are other options. Keep reading to find out about unofficial parking near the track and the COTA shuttle bus, which provides parking at city terminals.
Driving directions to COTA Official Parking Lots
All cars parking on-site require a pre-purchased parking pass for admittance onto COTA Blvd. On race weekend, GPS apps may not always reflect temporary traffic controls, so it’s best to follow COTA’s posted signage once you’re near the circuit. Directions vary depending on which lot your pass is for.
Red Lots (L, R, S)
- From Austin / Dallas: Take TX-130 S (toll) → Exit 451 for Elroy Rd → left onto Elroy Rd → continue about 3.2 km (2 miles).
- From San Antonio / San Marcos / New Braunfels: Take I-35 N → Exit 223A for TX-45 E (toll) → continue to Exit 451 for Elroy Rd → right onto Elroy Rd → continue about 3.2 km (2 miles).
- From Houston / Bastrop: Take Hwy 71 W → Kellam Rd / Ross Rd exit → left onto Kellam Rd → continue about 4.8 km (3 miles).
White Lots (A, N, T)
- From Austin / Dallas: Take TX-130 S (toll) → Exit 453 for FM-812 → left onto FM-812 → continue about 2.4 km (1.5 miles).
- From San Antonio / San Marcos / New Braunfels: Take I-35 N → Exit 223A for TX-45 E (toll) → continue to Exit 453 for FM-812 → right onto FM-812 → continue about 2.4 km (1.5 miles).
- From Houston / Bastrop: Take Hwy 71 W → TX-21 W exit → continue about 16 km (10 miles) → join FM-812 → continue about 8 km (5 miles).
Blue Lots (C, D, E, F, G, H, K)
- From Austin / Dallas: Take TX-130 S (toll) → Exit 451 for Elroy Rd → left onto Elroy Rd → continue about 3.2 km (2 miles) → right onto COTA Blvd.
- From San Antonio / San Marcos / New Braunfels: Take I-35 N → Exit 223A for TX-45 E (toll) → continue to Exit 451 for Elroy Rd → right onto Elroy Rd → continue about 3.2 km (2 miles) → right onto COTA Blvd.
- From Houston / Bastrop: Take Hwy 71 W → Kellam Rd / Ross Rd exit → left onto Kellam Rd → continue about 5.6 km (3.5 miles) → reach Elroy Rd → continue straight onto COTA Blvd.
Note: Once you approach the circuit, follow local signage to your specific lot — race-day traffic management may override satnav instructions.
Independent Parking Options for COTA
As well as COTA’s official parking, there are some privately run parking lots. Many are within a mile or less from the circuit entrance and further away ones usually provide a shuttle bus.
These are often cheaper than the official car parks and generally suffer less congestion after the race. Passes can be purchased on the day or in some cases in advance. Just keep in mind that without an official parking pass, access to Circuit of the Americas Blvd. will be restricted.
COTA Shuttle Bus
The official COTA shuttles are the most popular way to get to the circuit. With dedicated bus lanes and drop-off right at the front gates, they’re often the most convenient alternative to driving and parking.
Tip: queues can be long on Sunday morning, especially between 9:30 am and midday. Plan to travel early if you can.
Shuttle Routes
There are two routes. One from downtown Austin has optional parking nearby for an extra charge and a suburban route which includes free on-site parking.
Downtown – Waterloo Park
The downtown service is the premium option, offering the fastest and most straightforward arrival at COTA. It’s the most convenient shuttle, dropping you right at the gates.
- Pick-up/drop-off locations in Austin: Waterloo Park (Moody Amphitheater, downtown Austin)
- Pick-up/drop-off location at COTA: Grand Plaza entrance
- Days available: Friday to Sunday, 3-day return package (return travel each day) or individual day returns.
- Return ticket prices: from $49+ per day
- Parking: Paid parking available at nearby downtown garages
Northeast – Travis County Expo Center
This suburban route is aimed at fans looking for a more budget-friendly way to reach the track. Travel time is longer than the downtown route, but it’s the best-value option.
- Pick-up/drop-off locations in Austin: Travis County Expo Center
- Pick-up/drop-off location at COTA: Grand Plaza entrance (via shuttle lanes)
- Days available: Friday to Sunday, 3-day return package (return travel each day) or individual day returns.
- Return ticket prices: from $30+ per day
- Parking: Free parking on site
Shuttle Schedule: Shuttles begin about an hour before gates open, with last inbound buses at 6:30 pm on Friday and Saturday and at 2:00 pm on Sunday. Return services operate all day and continue until 60 minutes after the concerts on Friday and Saturday, and until demand drops after the race on Sunday.
Tickets & Boarding
Shuttle passes must be purchased in advance and are available from COTA’s official partner Fevo. They often sell out, so booking early is recommended. A small number of standby passes may be available at the pick-up points, but availability isn’t guaranteed. At the shuttle location, scan your mobile ticket to receive a colour-coded wristband matching your route before boarding.
Ride Share
Taxis and rideshares (Uber, Lyft) are widely available in Austin and offer a flexible alternative to driving or taking the shuttle bus to COTA. If you time your arrival to avoid peak times, this option works well, but surge pricing and long wait times after the race can require a lot of patience as well as deep pockets.
COTA Blvd is closed to rideshares and taxis during the event, so all drop-offs and pick-ups must use the designated McAngus Lot. From there, you’ll either walk around 10–15 minutes to the Grand Plaza gate or take a free tram.
From downtown Austin, fares typically range from $25-30, but surge pricing especially after the race on Sunday can push the cost up to $30–45+. Journey time varies from 30–60 minutes, depending on traffic and your pickup time.
About Me
I’m Danny, an incurable Formula 1 fan for over 35 years and founder of The F1 Spectator. My aim is to inform and inspire, arming you with helpful tips and advice for your next F1 trip.
