2023 Belgian Grand Prix – Getting Around Guide

Posted on 10 May, 2023

Where to fly into and how to get around at the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix on 27-30 July, including the best ways to get to Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and all the 'must-sees' during the race weekend.


Practical Information

  • Visas: Belgium is part of the Schengen Zone, a group of 26 European countries (the UK and Ireland excepted) with a common visa policy and no internal borders. If you are travelling from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, or the UK, you should be granted visa-free entry upon arrival for up to 90 days.
  • Currency: Belgium uses the EURO. ATMs are widely available and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, though it's always a good idea to have cash on hand at the circuit.
  • Language: The circuit is located in the French-speaking part of Belgium, close to the borders with Germany and the Netherlands. English is widely spoken at the circuit and in hotels and restaurants. 
  • Time Zone: Central European Summer Time (UTC +2)
  • In an Emergency: Dial 112.
  • Power Sockets: Like the rest of continental Europe, Belgium uses Type F power sockets. Bring an adapter if you are travelling from the UK, USA or Australia.
  • Weather: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is located in the Ardennes mountain range. The circuit experiences very changeable weather with a reasonable chance of hot, sunny weather and a very high chance of rainfall. Average temperatures will range from a high of 74°F (23°C) to a low of 54°F (12°C). Check the weather forecast and be prepared for any eventuality! 

Arrival & Getting Around

Flights to Belgium

Although Spa-Francorchamps is a rural circuit and is some distance from the nearest large cities, you are never far from an airport in this populated corner of Western Europe. Here are the closest airports to Spa-Francorchamps:

Where to stay near Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

Located some distance from the nearest large city, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of the few true rural circuits remaining on the Formula 1® calendar. Due to the scarcity of nearby accommodation, camping near the track is hugely popular. Cities within commuting distance of the circuit that have a reasonable selection of available accommodation include Verviers, Liège, Aachen (Germany), Maastricht (Netherlands), Luxembourg and even Brussels. F1® Experiences offers a 4-night stay at several well-rated local hotels, including the Hotel de la Source right next to the track! Coach transfers are available for hotel guests at an additional cost.


How to get to Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

F1® Experiences

The most hassle-free way to get to the circuit is with F1® Experiences! Daily circuit transfers are available at an additional charge for guests that have booked a hotel with their Official Ticket Package.

Circuit Shuttle

The organizers of the Belgian Grand Prix have introduced a new City Shuttle service, with buses traveling to and from the circuit from major cities in the region from Friday to Sunday of Grand Prix weekend. Cities covered by the new service include Amsterdam, Brussels, Düsseldorf, Eindhoven, Liège, Luxembourg and Maastricht.

Hire A Car

If you've decided to organize your own accommodation, then a hire car is the best way to get to the circuit, provided you are patient with the inevitable traffic, which increases as the weekend progresses. Spa-Francorchamps is close to the E42 motorway and police control traffic flow on the narrow county lanes near the circuit on race weekend. You will need to pay for daily parking near the circuit.

Public Transportation

You can also take the train from nearby cities such as Liège, Aachen, Maastricht or Brussels. Buy a ticket for Verviers, the closest train station to the circuit. From there, bus 395 runs to the circuit multiple times throughout the day. The journey time is normally around 45 minutes.

Best ways to get around in Belgium

The best way to get around Belgium is by train or car. Trains are frequent and reliable between major cities in Belgium; more information is available on the Belgian Rail website. However, for visiting smaller cities and rural locations such as the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, a car is a more flexible form of transport, provided you have a GPS or internet-enabled smartphone.


Things to see & do away from the track

  • Musée du Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, located in the town of Stavelot (around 5km from the circuit) is a motorsport museum housed in a stunning old building that’s dedicated to the various cars and motorbikes which have raced at the circuit over the past 100 years. Open every day from 10:00-18:00: entry tickets cost €9.50 for adults.
  • A different kind of spa weekend can be had nearby. The health resort in the historic town of Spa, 12km from the circuit, has been a popular rest and relaxation destination for centuries. It’s where the word spa originated and the many thermal baths in the town still attract visitors from all over the world. The town of Spa also has a famous casino, one of the oldest in the world, where you can try your luck after a day at the track.
  • No self-respecting motorsport fan should visit this part of the world without paying a visit to the Nürburgring circuit. “The Green Hell” is less than 100km from Spa and you can experience this legendary circuit in different ways, including passenger laps and track driving days.
  • Depending on where you have decided to stay for the Belgian Grand Prix and how much time you have, we also recommend checking out some of the pretty medium-sized cities near the circuit like Liège, Luxembourg, Aachen and Maastricht. Brussels and Amsterdam are also within a few hours drive of the circuit.
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