Getting to the United States Grand Prix

Getting there by air

Most international flights into Austin land at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), around 8 to 10 miles southeast of downtown. The drive from the airport to downtown takes around 20 to 30 minutes.

A growing number of European airlines run direct services to Austin from cities including London, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt. From elsewhere in Europe, the most common option is a connection through a major hub, either in Europe or in the United States.

If your routing connects through the US, allow time to clear US immigration at your first point of entry. Smaller US hubs like Minneapolis, Detroit, and Charlotte often have shorter immigration lines than the major hubs.

For US-based fans, Austin is well connected. All major US carriers fly into Austin from across the country, with frequent services from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and most other major cities.

For fans from Australia and New Zealand, there are no direct flights to Austin. The most common routings connect through Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Dallas, or through a Middle Eastern hub such as Dubai or Doha onward to Houston or Dallas, then a short flight or drive to Austin.

Houston and Dallas as alternatives

Houston and Dallas are both major international gateways with extensive direct flight networks from Europe, Asia, and elsewhere. Both cities have road and air links to Austin, so flying into one of them and onward by either a short domestic flight or a private transfer is a workable alternative to a connection-heavy route into Austin direct.

This works well if you’re hiring a car anyway for a wider Texas trip, or if direct flights into Austin have become expensive. Houston is around two and a half to three hours from Austin by road. Dallas is around three hours.

From Austin Airport to downtown

The drive from the airport to downtown takes around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

• Taxi. Available from the official taxi rank at the airport.
• Uber and Lyft. Operate widely. Follow the signs for “Rideshare Pick-up” at the airport.
• Pre-booked transfer. Worth considering if you’d rather skip the queue or want a fixed price agreed in advance.
• Airport Flyer bus. Departs every 15 minutes and stops at several downtown locations, including the Capitol and the Convention Center. The cheapest option.

A note on the train

Amtrak’s Texas Eagle service runs from Chicago to Los Angeles and stops in Austin. It’s a long journey and not the most practical option for race weekend, but worth knowing about if you’re already on the route.

Visa and entry requirements

Many visitors can enter the United States visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program, but they’ll need to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) ahead of travel. Other nationalities need a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, which takes longer to arrange.

Requirements vary by nationality and personal circumstances. Check the official guidance from US Customs and Border Protection before booking.

Money-saving tip

Book your flights early
Direct flights into Austin from Europe are limited, and demand for race weekend is high. Booking as soon as flights go on sale gives you the best chance of a reasonable airfare. As prices rise, indirect routings via a European hub or via Houston or Dallas with onward transport can become alternatives worth comparing.