Italian Grand Prix ⋅ Getting to Monza

The Monza Grand Prix circuit, is located in a royal park in the town of Monza, about 30km northeast of Milan. It’s proximity to Milan means that unless you need to be at the track super early to bag yourself a good spot, you can quite happily base yourself in the city for the weekend and commute to and from the circuit each day.

Arrival in Milan for the Italian Grand Prix…

…by Plane

There are 3 international airports that serve as entry points for Milan, Malpensa (MXP) (40km), Linate (LIN) (7km) and Bergamo (BGY) (45km).

Kiwi.com lets you search for the lowest cost flights and shows you route combinations that often don’t show up on other search engines. If you miss a connecting flight due to delay the Kiwi guarantee means you can take the next available flight at no extra cost.

Transport from the airport to central Milan

From each airport a number of options such as bus, taxi and train exist to get to you into central Milan, usually dropping visitors off at the main train station. Tickets, which can be booked at the airport or in advance with Omio, start at about €5 for a bus from Linate airport to Milano Centrale up to €8 if coming from Malpensa.

For the most stress free arrival, book a ride in advance with global airport transfer specialists Kiwitaxi.com, and your driver will be ready and waiting for you. They offer a range of vehicle types depending on your needs, from budget small cars, luxury sedans all the way up to 16 seater minibuses.

For a private car and driver for up to four passengers, expect to pay from €50 to €100 depending on the airport and choice of car.

…by Train

From other cities in Italy and destinations in central Europe you might find that arriving in Milan by rail is preferable to flying, cutting out the need for an extra journey into the city centre and making the next stage of getting to the circuit all the more convenient.

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.

Architecturally awe-inspiring, the city’s main station, Milano Centrale also happens to be one of Milan’s most impressive attractions and well worth taking some time to see.

Getting Around in Milan

Public transport in Milan is all operated by one central authority (ATM) so the same tickets can be used on buses, in the metro, trams etc. Purchase tickets from convenience stores, news stands and machines inside metro stations. It’s important to validate your ticket when entering a bus or tram (street car) using one of the yellow or orange machines found on at the station for the metro and onboard buses and trams. Do this each time you change vehicles and you’re good for up to 90 minutes of travel.

A single journey ticket costs €1.50 but a book of ten can be purchased for €13.80. Alternatively pick up a 24 hour (€4.50) or 48 (€8.50) hour pass.

Metro

In Milan, you’ll be able to get most places you want to go on the metro. It’s very easy to navigate the 5 color coded lines and 103 stations. The metro opens at 6AM and closes at midnight (2AM on Saturday night).

Tram

A tourist attraction in it’s own right, Milan’s iconic trams are not only charming but also an efficient and easy way to get around. Some of the yellow and orange trams have been in service since the pre-war years and have changed very little. Information on tram routes and schedules can be found at tram stops and the time of the next tram is displayed on a live display.

Getting to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza by…

…train & shuttle

There are two train stations in Monza that you might use over the course of the weekend. The closest station to the gates of the circuit is the tiny Biassono/Lesmo station to the north east of the circuit, about a 10 minute walk from the royal park that houses the Monza Audodrome.

Regualar suburban train lines S8, S9 and S11 cover the trip from Milan to Monza in about 20 minutes and run every half an hour to ‘Monza’ station in the town centre, about 6.6 km from the track.

From here there are a number of ways to continue to the park which are listed below, but be aware that however you proceed, you’ll still face a 15 minute walk from the gates of the park to the circuit itself.

• Walk. The station is about a 40 minute walk to the gates of the circuit so not particularly recommended given you’ll more than likely face another longish walk to reach your grandstand in what is one of the largest parks in Europe.
• Shuttle Bus. Over the Grand Prix weekend (but not on Thursday) F1 fans can use a shuttle service between Monza and the circuit gates. Just exit the station and the bus is there. The shuttle is usually jam packed and standing only – not the most comfortable of rides but it’s only about 20 minutes.
• Regular Bus. For a more comfortable alternative to the free shuttle bus there are two regular buses that connects Monza Station to the circuit. Bus 204 drops fans off at Verdano Gate and Bus 221 stops at Verdano and Porta S. Maria delle Selve Gates. Both services leave from Corsa Milano near the station and are oppertated by Northeast Transportation and Brianza Transportation respectively.
• Onward Trains. The other alternative if you’ve planned your arrival right is to just continue on one of the regular trains that runs to Biassono/Lesmo.

…Bus

Grand Prix or no Grand Prix, there are regular buses connecting Milan and Monza operated by ATM. Bus lines 723, 724, 722.

There are also long distance buses directly to the Grand Prix circuit from other cities. Coaches from the following locations can be booked through BookF1.

…Taxi

Milan’s easily identifiable white taxis can be a pricey way to get around and not usually necessary. If you do need a ride go to the nearest taxi rank as trying to hail one in the street is almost always futile. For most trips a meter is used but on certain routes like to and from Milan’s airports a fixed rate price applies.

Uber is also operating in Milan and is usually less expensive than a taxi.

If you’re a first time Uber user, F1S readers can get €10 off their first ride when signing up.

Driving to the Italian Grand Prix

You may wish to take your own car or a hire car to Monza and numerous rental companies like Hertz and Europcar have depots at all of Milan’s airports. Times for driving to the circuit under normal conditions are provided below but allow up to an hour of extra time during a Grand Prix weekend.

To get from Milan to the circuit head northeast along the Viale Fulvio Testi and continue onto the SS36. Exit to Monza/Saronno and merge onto Viale Lombardia. At the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Viale Cesare Battisti. After 1.5 km turn left onto the Viale Regina Margherita and continue onto Viale Brianza. From here follow local signs to parking areas.

Parking at Monza

There are several parking areas around the circuit operated independently by Monza Mobilità. From some it’s possible to walk to the track in about 20 minutes and in other cases a park and ride system is in operation with free shuttle buses provided with your parking pass. Parking can be purchased here.

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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.

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