2023 Austrian Grand Prix - Getting Around Guide

Whether you have decided to camp at the track or stay in a local hotel, plan your transportation and sightseeing activities during the Formula 1® weekend at the Red Bull Ring for the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix on 29 June to 2 July.

Practical Information

• Visas: 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: During summer, Austria observes Central European Summer Time, which is equivalent to UTC +2 hours.
• In an emergency: Dial 112. 
• 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: The Austrian Grand Prix takes place in summer, when temperatures average a high of 25°C (77°F) and low of 14°C (57°F). Although warm, 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 200km 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.
• Flughafen Graz is just 85km from the circuit, but only has a limited number of connections, including Vienna, Berlin, Munich and Zurich.
• Klagenfurt Airport, around 100km from the Red Bull Ring, has some discount flights to German cities such as Hamburg, Cologne and Berlin with Eurowings.

Where to stay for the Austrian Grand Prix

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 75km from the circuit, Graz has a beautiful old town and a good selection of excellent restaurants, as well as historic sights and cultural activities. You can also add a 4-night stay at select hotels in Graz and other locations near the circuit with F1® Experiences.  

How to get to the 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 10km). 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

Daily bus transfers to and from the Red Bull Ring are available at an additional cost for guests that have booked their hotel room together with an Official Ticket Package. Contact your Sales Agent for more information.

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.