Hungarian Grand Prix ⋅ Getting to the Hungaroring
Plan
Your
Hungarian
Grand Prix
DESTINATIONS
Getting to Budapest is straightforward, with direct flights and train connections from across Europe, but reaching the Hungaroring itself takes a bit of planning. About 20km outside the city in Mogyoród. It’s not directly served by rail, but there are several good options for getting there, depending on your budget and patience.
Whether you’re planning to take the popular train + free shuttle bus combo, hop in a taxi with VIP lane access, or book a seat on the City Shuttle, this guide covers everything you need to know about getting to the Hungarian Grand Prix. We’ll also cover driving, parking, and how to get around Budapest during your F1 trip.
Arrival in Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix
Best Airports for the Hungarian GP
Most international visitors at the Hungarian Grand Prix fly in, touching down at the Budapest Franz Liszt International Airport (BUD). It’s Hungary’s primary international gateway and within easy reach of the city centre. An alternative preferred by some fans is to avail of cheaper flights to Vienna and travel to Budapest by road or rail.
Flights to Budapest (BUD)
Budapest is served by a wide range of airlines, including low-cost carriers and full-service options. Direct flights operate from several UK cities such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
Across Europe, Budapest has direct links with Dublin, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Copenhagen, and more. A handful of long-haul routes are also available, including from Doha, Dubai, and Seoul.
Airlines: Wizz Air, Ryanair, EasyJet, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Emirates
Onward travel: 20 km / 30–45 mins by taxi, bus, or airport shuttle to the city centre.
Flights to Vienna (VIE)
There are direct flights to Vienna from multiple UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, Manchester and Birmingham.
Elsewhere in Europe, Vienna is connected to cities like Dublin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, and Paris. Long-haul routes include New York (JFK), Toronto, Dubai, and Tokyo
Airlines: Austrian Airlines, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines.
Onward travel: 250km / 2.5–3 hours by bus, train or hire car
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.
Ground transportation options: travel between Budapest International and Central Budapest
100E Airport Shuttle Bus
This direct airport bus runs between the airport and the city centre, stopping at key locations such as Astoria and Deák Ferenc tér, where you can transfer to the metro or walk to most central hotels. Buses depart every 6–10 minutes during the day and every 30–40 minutes at night.
- Fare: HUF 2,200
- Route: Airport → Kálvin tér → Astoria → Deák Ferenc tér (M1, M2, M3 metro lines).
- Tickets: Buy at vending machines in the arrivals hall or via the BudapestGO app.
- Travel time: 35–60 minutes depending on traffic.
Bus 200E
A more budget-friendly option is to take bus 200E to Kőbánya-Kispest, where you can connect with Metro Line M3 into the city.
- Fare: HUF 350
- Tickets: Available from machines outside the terminal or on the BudapestGO app
- Travel time: About 25 minutes total
Tip: You can also use a travel pass or 24/72-hour ticket for this route, which includes both bus and metro
Taxi & Rideshare (Bolt)
Getting from Budapest Airport (BUD) to the city centre by car takes around 25–35 minutes, depending on traffic. Choose between the official airport taxi service or app-based rideshare providers like Bolt.
- Fare: Typically HUF 10,000–11,000 to central Budapest.
- Payment: Credit card accepted. For Bolt use the app to book and pay
- Where to find them: Exit the arrivals hall and go to the Főtaxi booth, where you’ll get a printed voucher and be assigned a car. Alternatively, Bolt pickup zones are clearly marked outside the terminal.
Warning: Avoid unofficial drivers or touts inside the terminal who often charge inflated rates.
Travel to Budapest by Train
Getting to Budapest by train for the Grand Prix is easy, and with the convenience of travelling city centre to city centre, it is often preferable to flying. There are four main train stations in the city but most international trains will arrive at Keleti station, on the M3 metro line.
Example Journey Times To Budapest by Train
Vienna → Budapest: 2h 40m
Bratislava → Budapest: 2h 30m
Prague → Budapest: 6h 50m
Munich → Budapest: 6h 30m
You can search train schedules across multiple operators simultaneously to and from just about any station in Europe using Omio (formerly GoEuro) and purchase tickets for the same cost as buying direct from the train lines.
Getting Around Budapest: Taxi, Bus & Metro
Budapest’s public transport network covers just about every corner of the city. Metro lines criss-cross the centre, trams rattle along the boulevards, and buses, trolleybuses, and suburban trains (HÉV) fill in the gaps. There’s even a riverboat service in summer. The system may feel a bit dated in places, but it’s reliable, cheap, and easy to navigate.
Transport Tickets & Passes
The same tickets are valid across Budapest’s integrated metro, tram, bus, trolleybus, and suburban rail (HÉV) services. Just stay within the time and transfer limits, and you’re good to use different modes of transport in the same journey.
- Single tickets can be used for any journey in the city that lasts no longer than 80 minutes from validation and is limited to one transfer.
- Choose single tickets, save money with a block of 10, or opt for a 24-hour, 72-hour, or 7-day Budapest Card for unlimited travel for the time specified, plus some extra perks.
- Tickets and cards can be purchased from machines at metro stations and major stops, BKK customer service points, or via the BudapestGO app (also useful for trip planning).
Warning: If you’re using paper tickets, always validate them before entering the carriage, or you could face a hefty fine if caught with an unstamped ticket.
Metro and Suburban Railway (HEV)
For many F1 fans in Budapest, just for the race, you’ll find you can get around and to and from the Grand Prix on the metro and HEV alone.
There are 4 metro lines in Budapest, and it’s an effective way of getting around the city, particularly on the Pest side of the river. With announcements in English and Hungarian and screens that display the next station, it’s also very easy to use.
There are also a couple of suburban railways called the HEV, which connect with the M2 Metro line for trips outside of the city centre.
Bus
For anywhere in Budapest not covered by the metro, there will almost certainly be a bus route that can take you where you want to go, and could be handy to reach your hotel or an out-of-the-way tourist attraction.
Usual services run until about 11pm, and some night bus services run through the night. As with the metro, always validate your ticket when boarding a bus.
Taxi/Rideshare (Bolt)
Budapest’s yellow taxis are tightly regulated and follow standard city-wide fares. Always check that the car is officially marked and avoid unlicensed drivers near tourist spots.
If you prefer, Bolt is a popular app-based option that uses the exact same regulated taxis but lets you book, track, and pay on your phone so you’ll know the cost of the trip up-front.
- Fares (standard for both taxis and Bolt): HUF 1,100 base fare + HUF 440 per kilometre + HUF 110 per minute in slow traffic.
- Typical ride time (city centre): 25–40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Local Travel: Getting to the Hungaroring for the Hungarian Grand Prix
Without a car, getting to the Hungaroring from Budapest is easy on a combination of public transport and dedicated shuttle buses.
Fans can hop on the metro and suburban HEV train for the most budget-friendly option, take a taxi straight to the gates via a dedicated VIP lane, or book a City Shuttle from Heroes’ Square.
Each option has its perks depending on where you’re staying and how much walking or waiting you’re willing to do.
Getting to the Grand Prix by metro, HEV and Shuttle Bus
With free shuttle buses connecting nearby train stations to the circuit, it’s easier than ever to include the metro and suburban HEV trains as part of your Grand Prix daily commute. There are extra HEV trains on an F1 weekend and the whole journey only costs just over a Euro, making it the most cost-effective way to travel to the Grand Prix.
- To get to the track, start by taking the metro M2 (red line) to Örs vezét tere at the end of the line.
- Following the red S8 signs, walk a couple of minutes through the underpass to Örs vezét tere HEV station.
- At the station, you’ll see two platforms – one for S8 and one for S9. The destination of the train will be clearly indicated on the front of the wagon. Take HEV train H8 towards Gödöllő.
- Get off at Kerepes station, where there is a free shuttle bus service to the circuit (gate 3), OR
- If you don’t want to wait for the bus, the distance to the gates is walkable. Either get off at Szilasliget (for gates 3 to 8 and the main gate) or Mogyorod station (for gates 2 to 3). These stations are both closer to the track than Kerepes – about a 25 to 30 minutes walk.
You can use the same standard ticket for the HEV train as long as it’s still valid, or use your Budapest Card. You’ll also need to have a ‘supplemental ticket’, which you can buy from the conductor or at the ticket kiosk near the platform.
You should allow about 90 minutes to 2 hours for the total journey time, including waiting for the shuttle bus or walking.
Tip: If taking the train on the return trip, it may be quicker to walk to Mogyorod station, where there are usually fewer fans and you’ll have less time to wait.
Free Shuttle Buses
MÁV Group provide a free shuttle bus service between Kerepes HÉV station, the circuit and Gödöllő station for the return leg.
At the Hungaroring, buses drop off and pick fans up from gate 3, near turn 10. Buses run frequently during peak times, and the Sunday return bus will continue to run based on demand. There is no need to book this bus in advance.
| Operating times | |
| Kerepes, HÉV station – Hungaroring Gate 3 | |
| Friday | 07:00 - 13:20 |
| Saturday | 07:00 - 15:50 |
| Sunday | 07:00 - 14:50 |
| Hungaroring Gate 3 – Gödöllő HÉV station | |
| Friday | 16:00 - 20:00 |
| Saturday | 16:00 - 20:00 |
| Sunday | 16:45 - 20:30 |
City Shuttle to the Hungaroring
For those staying in central Budapest, a private City Shuttle service runs between Heroes’ Square and the circuit all weekend. It’s a convenient alternative to the metro and HEV route, especially if you’re staying nearby or prefer a direct ride.
- Outbound (Heroes’ Square → Hungaroring): 09:00–13:00 on Friday and Saturday; 08:00–13:00 on Sunday
- Return (Hungaroring → Heroes’ Square): from 16:00 onwards, Friday to Sunday
The service uses 19-seater minibuses and operates on a rolling basis, with departures roughly every 20 minutes depending on traffic and demand.
In Budapest, shuttles depart from the bus stop in front of the City Park Ice Rink (Városligeti Műjégpálya). The stop at the Hungaroring is near Gate 3.
The fare is HUF 8,000 (€20) per person one way, payable on boarding by cash or card.
Getting to the Hungarian Grand Prix by Taxi
Taking a taxi is one of the more convenient ways to get to the circuit, making use of a dedicated lane and dropping fans close to the gate. For the way back, pre-book a taxi to avoid having a long wait.
Főtaxi is the official taxi partner of the Hungarian Grand Prix, and fares are charged at standard rates, without surge pricing. On race weekend, only Főtaxi taxis are allowed to use a dedicated VIP lane on the M3 motorway, reducing travel time to and from the track.
- Cars ordered from central Budapest typically arrive within 5–10 minutes.
- For return journeys, Főtaxi cars will wait at the designated taxi rank near Gate 8, just outside Turn 1.
- Booking options: Use the Főtaxi app, book online via their website, or call the 24/7 dispatch centre at +36 1 222 2222.
Driving to the Hungarian Grand Prix
If you’re travelling to the Hungarian Grand Prix by car, the Hungaroring is relatively easy to reach thanks to its position just outside Budapest near the town of Mogyoród. Wherever you’re arriving from, the motorway network connects well to the circuit where you’ll find ample parking (more on that later).
Here’s a breakdown of the most common routes:
From the north and east
M3 → Exit 23 (Mogyoród) → follow signs to Hungaroring
From the south
M5 / M6 / M7 → M3 → Exit 23 (Hungaroring) → follow signs to circuit
From the west
M1 → M3 → Exit 23 (Hungaroring) → follow signs to circuit
All routes converge on the M3 motorway, which leads to the Hungaroring exit (23) From here, follow local signs to the Hungaroring.
Note: A one-way system operates on roads around the circuit. Avoid taking the Mogyoród exit unless you have tickets for Premium Parking.
Free and Premium Parking at the Hungaroring
Free parking is available at the circuit for all ticket holders on a first-come, first-served basis. As you near the circuit, you will be directed to one of the P1, P2 or P3 parking areas. These fields are open to any car or motorcycle, but note that there are no asphalt or hardstanding areas for bikes.
While this regular parking cannot be reserved, there is Premium Parking, which is available to pre-book. This includes access to the VIP lane (take the M3 Mogyoród exit), making getting to and from the circuit in the heavy traffic more comfortable.
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.
