Getting around at the Hungarian Grand Prix

The Hungaroring is around 20 km northeast of central Budapest, about a 30-minute drive in normal traffic. On race weekend, traffic builds up and the journey takes longer.

Heroes’ Square shuttle bus

A dedicated shuttle bus service runs between Heroes’ Square in central Budapest and the Hungaroring during race weekend. Buses run regularly throughout the morning and return in the afternoon. Tickets can be bought on site, by card or cash. It’s a direct option from central Budapest and worth the small premium for the convenience.

Taxi

Each year, the Hungaroring appoints an official taxi provider for race weekend. The official operator has access to the VIP Express Lane on the way to the circuit, which avoids the worst of the race-day traffic. Pre-booking with the official operator is recommended.

Return taxi journeys after the race are slower. Taxis are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis at the circuit.

Pre-booked private transfers

You can also book a private transfer with a local taxi or transfer operator. Worth knowing that these companies don’t have access to the VIP Express Lane, and may not be permitted to re-enter the circuit area for pickups due to road closures after the race.

Train and shuttle

Public transport is a workable option. There are two main routes.

The first is via the H8 HÉV line, which runs out of central Budapest. During race weekend, the H8 runs more frequently than usual. Get off at Kerepes HÉV station, where free fan shuttle buses run to Gate 3 of the circuit. The H8 also stops at Szilasliget, from where the circuit is around a 30-minute walk.

The second route is mainline rail. Trains from Budapest’s Keleti Railway Station run to Gödöllő, and from there a dedicated shuttle bus runs to the Hungaroring. This is generally the faster route into the circuit.

The same shuttle network operates on the return journey at the end of each day.

Driving

Parking is available at the circuit, and standard parking is free. VIP parking is a paid upgrade and includes parking close to the circuit and access to the VIP Express Lane on the way to the circuit. Availability for VIP parking is limited.

Helicopter

Helicopter transfers from central Budapest to the circuit are an option. Hungary’s helicopter prices are more reasonable than at most other Grand Prix on the calendar.

After the race

The taxi queue at the end of the race can be slow, since taxis are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Some fans try to pre-book a return transfer through one of the transfer apps (the kind more commonly used for airport pickups). It sounds clever, but it doesn’t work reliably here. Drivers who’ve worked the Hungarian Grand Prix before know they’ll get stuck at the circuit for hours, and many simply won’t accept the booking.

One option worth considering is to take a taxi to the circuit and book a helicopter back. The helicopter avoids the traffic, and Hungary’s helicopter prices are more reasonable than at most other Grand Prix on the calendar. It’s not just for VIPs. Plenty of fans split the journey this way to skip the worst of the post-race wait, and doing it one-way keeps the cost down compared to booking helicopters in both directions. It’s still a premium choice, but more accessible than you’d expect.

Money-saving tip

Choose between the shuttle bus and the public transport network
Two reasonably priced options run from central Budapest to the circuit. The Heroes’ Square shuttle bus is direct and carries a slight premium for the convenience. The H8 HÉV line and the Keleti–Gödöllő mainline route are cheaper and connect to free shuttles or a short walk at the circuit end. Both work well. Pick what suits your route.