The Red Bull Ring is in the state of Styria, near Spielberg – a small town of about 5000 people in the south-east of Austria. The nearest large city is Graz, some 75km away. Vienna is about 200km away.
Most of the largely European based spectators arrive overland, cars piled high with camping gear and enough beer to survive a nuclear holocaust. But if you’re coming from further afield, flying in and finding more comfortable accommodation in the region may be preferable.
Arrival in Austria for the Austrian Grand Prix
Most visitors who fly in for the event choose either to fly to Vienna, or the convenience of Austria’s second city of Graz. Vienna (VIE) handles more air traffic, so you’re more likely to find a direct flight and there are more low cost carriers operating out of here. Its worth considering also the airport in Graz (GRZ) which at 75km is closer to Spielberg and has more convenient onward transport to the circuit.
Getting to the Red Bull Ring by car
Whether you drive from your front door to the track or hire a car in Vienna or Graz, driving is the best way to get to the circuit, especially if you intend to camp.
Driving Directions
- Approach on the S36 towards Klagenfurt/Knittelfeld/Judenburg
- Take exit 24 for Zeltweg Ost/Spielberg.
- Turn left onto local road L545
- Shortly afterwards turn left again onto Spielbergerstraße.
- After about 1.3km turn right onto Red Bull Str. where you can follow directions for parking.
- When you near the circuit, keep an eye out for local signage and be prepared to ignore your GPS or maps app of choice, as diversions may be in place during the Grand Prix weekend.
| Approximate driving time to the Red Bull Ring in hours | |
|---|---|
| GRAZ | 1 |
| VIENNA | 2 |
| SALZBURG | 2.5 |
| AMSTERDAM | 12 |
| BARCELONA | 16 |
| BUDAPEST | 4 |
| BERLIN | 9 |
| COLOGNE | 9 |
| LONDON | 15 |
| MARSEILLE | 11 |
| MILAN | 6.5 |
| PARIS | 12 |
| PRAGUE | 5 |
| ROME | 9 |
Parking at the Circuit
Parking is usually not an issue at the Austrian Grand Prix and is provided free of charge about 15 minutes walking distance from the circuit – near the S36 highway. Look out for signs as you approach the circuit and follow directions to the parking area that your tickets is valid for.
Getting to the Austrian Grand Prix at Spielberg by Public Transport
Getting to the Red Bull Ring on public transport is relatively straightforward thanks to central Europe’s well developed train system. There are buses that go from the nearest train stations to the circuit over the Grand Prix weekend.
Train
The closest train station to the Grand Prix circuit is the station in Zeltweg at about 5km away. Unless you’re staying in Zeltweg for the weekend though its more convenient to get out one station earlier, at Knittlefeld. From here there are frequent buses to the circuit gates, about 7km away.
Trains from Graz Hbf run about once an hour and including the one and only stop, reach Knittlefeld in about 90 minutes.
From Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof) trains are just as frequent, but including stops usually takes nearly 3 hours. There are also some direct trains and they cover the journey in about 140 minutes.
For the latest train scheduling information from anywhere in Europe see bahn.de and within Austria visit oebb.at
| Approximate distance by train in hours | |
|---|---|
| VIENNA | 3 |
| GRAZ | 1.25 |
| SALZBERG | 3.5 |
| AMSTERDAM | 14 |
| BARCELONA | 20-30 |
| BERLIN | 12-13 |
| BUDAPEST | 6 |
| COLOGNE | 10-12 |
| LONDON | 18 |
| MARSEILLE | 17-19 |
| MILAN | 8-9 |
| PARIS | 13 |
| PRAGUE | 6-7 |
| ROME | 10 |
| ZURICH | 9-11 |
Bus
Most years a shuttle bus service operates between the train station in Knittlefeld to the circuit. This is most frequent from 8am to mid day and takes only about 20 minutes. It lets F1 fans out at the entrance of the circuit.
From further away its possible to get buses directly to the Grand Prix. Coaches organized by Eventbus pick up from a number of destinations across the country.
I’m Danny, an incurable Formula 1 fan for over 25 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.
