Formula 1 Weekend in Budapest: The Complete Travel Guide

The Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix is one of the biggest weekends of the year in Budapest. Every July, hundreds of thousands of Formula 1 fans from all over the world travel to Hungary to experience the race at the Hungaroring.

The atmosphere is incredible, but if it's your first time visiting Budapest during F1 weekend, there are a few things you should know before booking your trip. A little planning will save you both money and a lot of stress.

How to Get to the Hungaroring

One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is renting a car and expecting an easy drive to the circuit.

Unless you absolutely need a car, I recommend using public transportation.

During Formula 1 weekend, roads leading to the Hungaroring become extremely congested. Traffic jams can last for hours, especially on Saturday and Sunday. Even taxis often get stuck in the same traffic.

The easiest route is:

• Take Metro Line M2 to Örs Vezér tere

• Transfer to the H8 suburban railway (HÉV) toward Kerepes

• From Kerepes Station, free shuttle buses usually operate directly to Gate 3 of the Hungaroring throughout the race weekend. The H8 trains also run more frequently than usual to accommodate the large crowds.

There is also an official City Shuttle service that runs directly between central Budapest (near Heroes' Square) and the circuit if you prefer a more direct option, although it is considerably more expensive than using public transport.

Official Hungaroring Transportation Guide: https://hungaroring.hu/site/en/races/2026-formula-1-aws-magyar-nagydij/travel-2026

Expect Crowds Everywhere

Formula 1 weekend brings well over 300,000 spectators across the three-day event.

That means:

• Public transportation will be busy.

• Restaurants may require reservations.

• Popular rooftop bars and ruin pubs will be packed.

• Tourist attractions will have longer queues than usual.

If you're planning to visit attractions like Parliament, Széchenyi Thermal Bath, or Fisherman's Bastion, try going early in the morning before the larger crowds arrive.

Leave Earlier Than You Think

Whether you're travelling by public transport, taxi, or car, leave earlier than you normally would.

Many visitors underestimate how long it takes to reach the circuit. While the journey from central Budapest may normally take under an hour, race weekend traffic and queues can easily double that.

Give yourself plenty of extra time so you don't miss any of the on-track action.

Dress for the Weather

The Hungarian Grand Prix takes place in late July, which is usually one of the hottest periods of the year.

Temperatures regularly reach 30–35°C (86–95°F), and during heatwaves they can climb above 38–40°C (100–104°F).

The Hungaroring offers very little natural shade, especially in the General Admission areas.

Bring:

• Sunscreen (SPF 50 is highly recommended)

• A hat or cap

• Sunglasses

• A reusable water bottle

• Lightweight clothing

• Comfortable walking shoes

You'll spend much of the day outdoors, so staying hydrated is essential.

Buy Groceries Before the Weekend

If you're staying in an apartment, it's worth doing a grocery shop before Friday.

Convenience stores around the city centre can become extremely busy, and supermarkets near popular tourist areas often experience much higher demand throughout the weekend.

Explore Budapest Too

It can be tempting to spend your entire trip focused on Formula 1, but don't forget that Budapest is one of Europe's most beautiful capitals.

Take an extra day or two to explore:

• Buda Castle District

• Fisherman's Bastion

• St. Stephen's Basilica

• The Hungarian Parliament

• The Danube Promenade

• Széchenyi Thermal Bath

• The famous ruin bars

Many visitors tell me they came for Formula 1 but ended up falling in love with Budapest itself.

Book Your Accommodation Early (Seriously!)

If you're planning to visit Budapest for Formula 1 weekend, book your accommodation as early as possible.

Hotels, apartments, hostels, and Airbnbs start filling up months in advance. As availability decreases, prices increase dramatically. A hotel room that normally costs €120 per night can easily jump to €300–500, and premium hotels often become even more expensive. Apartments and Airbnbs follow the same pattern, with many hosts increasing their prices specifically for race weekend.

If you wait until the last minute, don't be surprised if your accommodation costs more than your race ticket.

My recommendation is to book at least 4–6 months in advance if you want a good selection and reasonable prices. If you're travelling with friends, booking even earlier is a great idea.

Stay in Budapest, Not Next to the Circuit

Many first-time visitors assume they should stay as close to the Hungaroring as possible.

In reality, staying in central Budapest is usually the better option.

You'll have much more to do after the races, including restaurants, bars, thermal baths, sightseeing, and nightlife. The Hungaroring itself is located outside the city near Mogyoród, so there isn't much to do there once the racing finishes.

Budapest's public transportation makes getting to the circuit relatively straightforward, so there's usually no need to stay nearby.

Final Tips

Formula 1 weekend is one of the most exciting times to visit Budapest, but it's also one of the busiest.

A little preparation goes a long way:

• Book accommodation months in advance.

• Expect significantly higher hotel prices.

• Use public transportation instead of driving.

• Leave early each morning.

• Prepare for very hot weather.

• Make time to discover Budapest beyond the race.

With a bit of planning, you'll have an unforgettable Formula 1 weekend while also experiencing everything this amazing city has to offer.

Source: https://hungaroring.hu/site/#