Italian Grand Prix ⋅ Getting to Monza
Plan
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Italian
Grand Prix
DESTINATIONS
A royal park about 30km northeast of Milan is home to the Monza Grand Prix circuit. Whether you’re staying in the city for the weekend or camping near the track, most fans pass through Milan en route to the “Temple of Speed”.
From there, a range of transport options makes getting to the Monza circuit easy. Most fans travel by train to the town of Monza, where shuttle bus services link directly to the circuit gates. Those driving will find designated parking areas around the park with pedestrian or shuttle access to the circuit. This guide covers all the main ways of getting to the Italian Grand Prix.
International Travel: Arrival in Milan for the Italian Grand Prix
Flights
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza sits just 30 km northeast of Milan, making the city the best entry point for international F1 fans. Milan is served by three airports – Malpensa (MXP), Linate (LIN) and Bergamo (BGY) – with a wide choice of routes across Europe and beyond.
Flights to Milan Malpensa (MXP)
The largest of Milan’s airports, Malpensa is located about 40 km northwest of the city centre. It handles most long-haul flights as well as many European connections.
Direct flights operate from the UK and Ireland (Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Dublin), alongside major European hubs such as Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona, Zurich and Vienna.
Long-haul routes include New York (JFK), Miami, Dubai, Singapore and Tokyo.
Airlines: ITA Airways, easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines.
Onward travel: 50–60 min by train to Milano Centrale (Malpensa Express), 50–70 min by bus, 45–60 min by taxi.
Flights to Milan Linate (LIN)
Linate is the most central airport, only 7 km east of downtown Milan, and mainly serves domestic and short-haul European routes. Connections include London Heathrow and London City, plus Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Brussels, Munich and Madrid.
Airlines: ITA Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, British Airways, Iberia, easyJet.
Onward travel: 20–30 min by bus or taxi to Milano Centrale. 10 min by taxi or shuttle.
Flights to Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY)
Bergamo, 45 km northeast of Milan, is a major hub for low-cost airlines, especially Ryanair. Popular links include Stansted, Manchester, Dublin, Bristol and Edinburgh, with additional services from Warsaw, Budapest, Prague, Berlin, Barcelona, Lisbon and Athens.
Airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air, Pegasus, easyJet.
Onward travel: 50–70 min by bus to Milano Centrale, 45–60 min by taxi.
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.
Train Travel
From other cities in Italy and destinations in central Europe, you might find that arriving in Milan by rail is preferable to flying. This cuts out the need for an extra journey into the city centre and makes the next stage of getting to the circuit more convenient. High-speed services connect Milan with most major Italian cities, and there are also good cross-border connections.
Milan is served by two main stations – Milano Centrale (the hub for long-distance and high-speed services) and Milano Porta Garibaldi (with onward connections to Monza and other regional destinations).
Example Journey Times to Milan by Train
Rome → Milan: 3h
Florence → Milan: 1h 50m
Venice → Milan: 2h 15m
Turin → Milan: 55m
Bologna → Milan: 1h
Zurich → Milan: 3h 30m
Geneva → Milan: 4h
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 in Milan
Milan’s public transport network is extensive and well integrated, making it straightforward to get around the city during Grand Prix week. Five metro lines link the main districts and connect with trams, buses and suburban rail (S lines) for easy onward travel.
While the system can get crowded at peak times, it’s inexpensive, reliable, and covers just about anywhere a visitor might want to go. Crucially for race weekend, it also connects smoothly with suburban trains to Monza, making public transport the easiest way to reach the Italian Grand Prix.
Transport Tickets & Passes in Milan
The same tickets are valid across Milan’s integrated metro, tram, bus, and S lines. Validate once at the start of your trip, and you can switch between modes within the time limit.
- Single tickets: €2.20 for 90 minutes, or €19.50 for a carnet of 10.
- Travel passes: €7.60 (24 hours), €15.50 (3 days).
- Where to buy: ticket machines in metro stations, newsstands, tobacconists, the ATM website, or the ATM Milano Official App (also useful for journey planning). Contactless bank cards can also be tapped at metro gates and on buses/trams, charged at the standard fare.
Warning: Paper tickets must be validated in the yellow/orange machines before travel, or you risk an on-the-spot fine.
Metro
In Milan, you’ll be able to get to most places you want to go on the metro and connect easily with suburban rail lines for Monza. It’s simple to navigate the four colour-coded lines (M1 red, M2 green, M3 yellow, M5 lilac), and with more than 110 stations, you’ll rarely be far from a stop.
- Operating hours: 5:30 am until 12:30 am, with extended services on weekends.
- Frequency: Trains run roughly every 2–4 minutes in the centre and every 5–10 minutes further out.
Tram
A tourist attraction in their own right, Milan’s iconic trams are not only charming but also an efficient and easy way to get around. Some of the vintage yellow cars date back to the 1920s and still rattle through the streets, while modern models share the same network.
- Schedules: Information on tram routes and schedules can be found at tram stops and the time of the next tram is shown on a live display.
- Operating hours: Most services run from early morning until about 2 am.
Taxi/Uber
Milan’s white taxis can be a pricey way to get around and are 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.
City centre journeys typically cost €10–20. Most trips will be on the metre, but on certain routes, like to and from Milan’s airports, a fixed rate price applies.
Uber is available in Milan but only as premium services (Uber Black, Lux, Van). Local taxi apps such as FreeNow or appTaxi connect you directly with licensed taxis and tend to be cheaper and more reliable than Uber.
Getting to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza by Public Transport
Train
Monza train station is in Monza town centre, about 6.6 km from the track. Regular suburban train lines S8, S9 and S11 cover the trip from Milan to Monza in about 20 minutes and run at least every half an hour.
From here, there are a number of ways to continue to the circuit which are listed below. Keep in mind that Monza’s parkland is huge – one of the biggest in Europe. However you proceed, you’ll still face a 10-15 minute walk to your grandstand.
- Shuttle Bus: Over the Grand Prix weekend (Friday to Sunday), F1 fans can use the Black Shuttle Bus service between Monza and the circuit. Exit the station to Piazza Castello (follow the sea of red if you’re not sure), and the bus is there. The shuttle is usually jam-packed and standing room only – not the most comfortable of rides but it’s only about 20 minutes. The bus stops inside the park at the intersection of Viale Cavriga and Viale Mirabello, near gate G. From here, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the circuit. The shuttle, which used to be free, now requires a ticket. Make an advance booking here.
- Regular Bus: For what may be a more comfortable alternative to the free shuttle bus, there are two regular buses that connect 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.
- Walk: The station is about a 40-minute walk to the gates of the circuit so not recommended for everyone given you’ll face another longish walk to reach your seats. But if you’re fit and not in a rush, it’s a nice way to avoid a cramped bus.
- Onward Trains: The closest station to the gates of the circuit is the tiny ‘Biassono/Lesmo’ station to the northeast of the circuit. If you’ve planned your arrival to coincide with a train to Biassono, you can continue on one of the regular trains. It’s about a 10-minute walk from here to Monza’s North Gate.
Buying Train Tickets
Regular tickets (€2.40) for regional trains between Milan and Monza can be purchased at station ticket machines or online.
Special Train & Shuttle Offers for the Italian Grand Prix
Italian train operator Trenord offers special tickets and services during the Monza Grand Prix weekend. Unlike a regular train ticket, these offers include everything you need for a straightforward trip to the circuit, ranging from flat-rate day passes to dedicated race-day trains and combined train-and-shuttle options.
Monza GP Trenord Day Pass – €13
- Unlimited return travel from any station in Lombardy to Monza or Biassono-Lesmo Parco.
- From Monza FS: use the dedicated Linea Nera shuttle (ticket not included).
- From Biassono-Lesmo: a 10-minute walk to the circuit near the Lesmo curves.
- Valid Friday – Sunday.
- Purchase from the Trenord website.
Monza GP Extraordinary Trains – €5
- Direct special trains from Milan Porta Garibaldi to Biassono-Lesmo Parco and back.
- Only valid on Sunday
- 10-minute walk from Biassono-Lesmo Parco station to the circuit.
- Limited seats, sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Purchase from the Trenord website.
Monza GP Train + Shuttle Bus – €10
- Return train from Milan to Monza FS.
- Includes Linea Nera shuttle bus between Monza station (Gate G) and the Autodromo.
- Valid Friday – Sunday
- Purchase from the Trenord website.
Bus
Grand Prix or no Grand Prix, there are regular buses connecting Milan and Monza operated by ATM. They’re cheaper than trains, but slower and more vulnerable to race-day traffic, so the train is generally the better option if you want a quicker and more reliable journey.
- Routes: Lines 723, 724, and 722 connect Milan with Monza.
- Where to board: All three leave from Sesto 1° Maggio FS, the northern terminus of Metro Line 1. From here, you can also take the NET-operated bus Z221 towards Monza.
- Schedules: Check the ATM Milano website or the ATM Milano app, which also shows live departure times.
- Journey time: Normally 30–40 minutes, possibly longer in peak F1 traffic.
Driving to the Monza Circuit
Reaching Monza by car or motorbike is straightforward, with well-connected motorways linking the circuit to Milan and other major cities in northern Italy. Several designated park entrances provide access to the Autodromo through Monza Park.
Driving directions from Milan to Monza Circuit
- Via Viale Zara: Viale Fulvio Testi → Viale Brianza → Viale Lombardia → Rondò dei Pini → Villa Reale → enter the park via Porta Vedano (cars) or Porta Santa Maria alle Selve (pedestrians/staff only).
- Via Piazzale Loreto: Viale Monza → Sesto San Giovanni → Viale Casiraghi → Viale Brianza → then as above.
Parking at Monza
Official Parking
Official car, motorcycle and motorhome parking near the circuit can be booked at monzamobilita.it. Most are within walking distance of the circuit, while the Blue lots are served by shuttle buses included with your parking pass. Spaces can be booked in advance, and pre-booking is strongly recommended for race weekend.
arancione
Location: 2 km from the circuit, near Monza’s “Maestoso” and “Ospedale” areas
Vehicles: Cars, plus one lot for motorbikes
Price: from €15 (motorbikes) / €30 (cars)
blu
Location: About 4 km from the track
Vehicles: Cars only
Shuttle: Included in ticket price
Price: from €25
oro
Location: Viale Cavriga, about 2 km from the circuit
Vehicles: Cars and motorbikes
Price: from €40 (cars) / €10 (motorbikes)
marrone
Location: Biassono and Vedano al Lambro, around 1 km from the track
Vehicles: Cars only
Price: from €30
verde
Location: Several lots in Biassono near the Lesmo gates, 1–2 km from the circuit
Vehicles: Cars and campervans
Price: from €40 (cars) / €50 (campervans)
viola
Location: Around 3 km from the circuit (CAM and Rondò dei Pini shopping centre)
Vehicles: Cars only
Price: from €20–25
bianco
Location: Small lot in Biassono, about 2 km away
Vehicles: Cars only
Price: from €45
azzurro
Location: Lissone, about 3 km from the circuit
Vehicles: Campervans only
Price: from €50
rosa
Location: Lesmo, roughly 3 km from the track
Vehicles: Campervans only
Price: from €50
Unofficial Parking
As well as the official car parks at Monza, independent provider GP Monza Parking operates three private lots in Biassono, near the circuit’s North Gate. Within a few minutes walk, these are among the closest parking lots to the circuit. They are open daily from 6:30am to 9pm over the Grand Prix weekend.
- P1 (Via Madonna delle Nevi): The largest lot, open Thursday–Sunday, with areas for cars and camper vans. About 390 m from Gate D.
- P2 (Cascina Campello): Cars only. Open Thursday–Sunday. Around 100 m from Gate D.
- P3 (Via Brenno / Via Parco): Cars only. Open Friday–Sunday. Around 400 m from Gate D and 550 m from Gate C.
All parking areas are grassy fields with basic facilities. Overnight stays are not permitted unless you have a camper van space in P1, and tents are not allowed. Advance booking is strongly advised as spaces are limited.
Recommended Gates
Use this guide to see which Monza circuit entrances correspond to your Italian Grand Prix tickets and grandstands, so you can head straight to the right entry. Keep in mind that Monza’s Royal Park is huge, and even after entering, you may still face a 10–20 minute walk to reach your seat.
| Gate | Grandstands |
|---|---|
| Gate A/B (Vedano) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 |
| Gate B (Santa Maria) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, General Admission |
| Gate C (Costa Bassa) | 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 32, General Admission |
| Gate D (Lesmo) | 6, 9, 10, 10Bis, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 32, 33A, 33B, General Admission |
| Gate G (Mirabello) | 9, 10, 10Bis, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17A, 17B, 18, 20bis, 21, 22, 23, 33A, 33B, Gradinate Interno Parabolica, General Admission |
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.
