Austrian Grand Prix™ Travel Guide
Your guide on how to get to Red Bull Ring, where to explore & other important information to know before you go.
Practical Information
- Visa: Austria is a member of the border-free Schengen area in Europe. Most visitors, including citizens from the USA, Canada and Australia, are granted visa-free entry for up to 90 days. For more information, see here.
- Currency: Euro. ATM's are readily available and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- Language: German, though English is widely spoken in the service sector and at the Red Bull Ring. Nevertheless, installing a translation app on your smartphone is a good idea.
- Time Zone: UTC +2 hours
- In an Emergency: Dial 112 to be connected with the proper emergency personnel.
- Power Sockets: Austria uses the same Type F power sockets as the rest of mainland Europe. Bring an adapter if you are travelling from another part of the world.
- Weather: For the Austrian Grand Prix™, temperatures should range from around 25°C (77°F) during the day to 14°C (57°F) at night. Sunny weather is common, there's also a good chance of some rainfall, so pack accordingly!
Arrival & Getting Around
Flights to Austria
Vienna International Airport (VIE), around 200.0 km (124.3 mi) from the Red Bull Ring, has the best selection of European and long-haul flights. It’s the hub for flag-carrying Austrian Airlines and a major base for discount airlines EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air. Flying into and out of Vienna can also give you the opportunity to visit one of Europe’s grandest cities before or after the race. Choose to fly into Flughafen Graz, which is just 85.0 km (52.8 mi) from the circuit, but only has a limited number of connections, including Vienna, Berlin, Munich and Zurich or Klagenfurt Airport located around 100.0 km (62.1 mi) from the Red Bull Ring, has some discount flights to German cities such as Hamburg, Cologne and Berlin with Eurowings.
Where to stay
Trackside camping is very popular at the Red Bull Ring, but if you are after some more creature comforts, the best selection of accommodation can be found in Austria's second largest city, Graz. Around 75.0 km (46.6 mi) from the circuit, Graz has a beautiful old town and a good selection of excellent restaurants, as well as historic sights and cultural activities.
F1® Experiences offers a selection of the best hotels in Graz and other locations near the circuit. If you are still looking for accommodation, contact your Sales Representative for more information about available hotel options.
How to get to Red Bull Ring
Public Transportation
The closest train station to the Red Bull Ring is Knittelfeld Bahnhof. Free shuttle buses take fans from the train station to the circuit on race weekend (about 10.0 km/6.2 mi). Click here for more information about shuttle buses. You can get to Knittelfeld from most major cities in Austria, including Vienna (about 3 hours one way) and Graz (about 80 minutes one way, with a change in Bruck). Check schedules and book your tickets in advance on the ÖBB website. Also, free regional bus services connect Knittelfeld Bahnhof and Judenburg bus stations to the Red Bull Ring on race weekend. Long-distance bus services are also available from over 170 locations in Austria, including express shuttles.
Hire a Car
Given the rural location of the Red Bull Ring, hiring a car and driving yourself is a good option. The circuit is situated close to the S36 motorway and trackside parking is free, though delays entering and leaving the car parks can be expected at peak times. Sample driving times: Graz 1 hour, Vienna 2 hours.
F1® Experiences
Booked accommodation along with your Official Ticket Package from F1® Experiences? Daily transfers to and from the circuit can be added to your Official Ticket Package for an additional cost.
For more information: Download the “Projekt Spielberg” app for more information on the best ways to get to the Red Bull Ring.
What to see & do in Austria
Graz
With a beautifully preserved old town and plenty of cultural attractions, Austria’s second largest city (and the birthplace of Arnold Schwarzenegger) makes a great base for the Austrian Grand Prix™.
Explore the World Heritage-listed Old Town (Alstadt von Graz), which is home to many important landmarks, including the Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II and the Styrian Armory, the only preserved example of its kind in the world. The Old Town is overlooked by the Schlossberg, or Castle Mountain. Take the lift or ride the Schlossbergbahn Funicular up to the top for panoramic views of the city. Lovers of modern architecture won’t be disappointed by several structures that were built to commemorate the European City of Culture, a title that the city held in 2003, including a café and amphitheatre floating in the middle of the Mur River (Island in the Mur) and Kunsthaus Graz, an arts complex referred to by locals as the “friendly alien.”
Vienna
Just two hours from the Red Bull Ring, the Austrian capital is definitely worth adding to your itinerary! Regularly ranked as one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Vienna was once the capital of the wealthy and powerful Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Some of the city’s best sights can be easily explored on foot, starting in the historic centre – highlights include the imposing Hofburg Palace, Museums Quartier and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The latter is also in the heart of the best shopping precinct in the city. Located just outside the city centre, Schönbrunn Palace is another must-see in Vienna. The former summer residence of the ruling Hapsburg family is hugely popular – we recommend buying your entrance tickets in advance if you want to check out the interior. You can also check out Schönbrunn Zoo or just wander the impressive gardens. No trip to Vienna would be complete without a visit to Prater, a huge city park and amusement park – especially if you are travelling with kids. The Giant Ferris Wheel is just one of more than 250 attractions. Other things to do in Vienna include checking out the panoramic city views from the 252-metre Danube Tower, taking a river cruise down the majestic Danube River or visiting the open-air Naschmarkt market on Saturdays.
