2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Getting Around Guide

Learn all the important information you need to know before heading to Autodromo Imola for the 2024 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on 16-19 May. Practical information, transportation & hotel recommendations, plus the best things to do in the Motor Valley region.

Practical Information

• Visas: Italy is part of the Schengen Zone, which provides border-free travel in 26 European countries for citizens of most Western countries.
• Currency: The EURO. Credit cards are widely accepted in Italy and ATMs are easy to find. It is recommended that you have a few euros in cash before beginning your travels and at the circuit, just in case. Also, tipping is not expected in Italy, although leaving a tip of up to 10% for good service is appreciated.
• Language: Italian. Service staff at the circuit, hotels, and restaurants should be able to speak some English, but it’s worth having the Google Translate app on your phone in case of language emergencies.
• Time zone: Central European Time, GMT +1
• In an Emergency: Dial 112 to contact an operator that will forward your call to the appropriate personnel for the emergency.
• Power Sockets: Italy uses type F sockets with the standard voltage being 230 V and the frequency being 50 Hz. See if you need a plug adapter and voltage converter here.
• Weather: May is considered one of the best months to visit Imola with the average temperature ranging from 12.8°C – 21.7°C (55°F – 71°F). Also, May can be quite wet, so we recommend bringing a rain jacket!

Arrival & Getting Around

Flights to Imola

The closest major airport to Imola is located 50km away in Bologna; it offers connections to all corners of Europe and is a major hub for discount carrier Ryanair. The smaller Rimini Airport near the coast, just over an hour’s drive from Imola, is also worth considering. Airports in Florence, Venice and Milan are also within a few hours’ driving distance of Imola. For those flying from outside Europe, Milan’s airports offer the largest number of long-haul connections.

Where to stay for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

Hotel availability is limited in the small city of Imola, but the circuit is quite close to the largest city in the region, Bologna, which is where we recommend staying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

To get the most out of your weekend in Bologna, it’s best to stay in or near Centro Storico, the historic city centre. This area is in close proximity to the central train station, making the commute to Imola easier. Here, you will also find a wide selection of hotels for all different budgets while being immersed in the historic and authentic charm of Bologna. Ghetto Ebraico, Bolognina, and Fiera Di Bologna are notable districts located just outside of Centro Storico where lots of additional places to stay can be found.

How to get to Autodromo Imola

Hire a Car
Hiring a car is probably the most convenient way to get to Autodromo Imola for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. The small town of Imola is located close to the E45 toll road which connects Modena and Bologna to the coastal city of Rimini, as well as providing access to a large network of good-quality highways in the north of Italy.

Public Transportation
If you decide to stay in the larger nearby city of Bologna, it’s also possible to take the train to Imola. Direct trains connect Bologna to Imola in just 20 minutes, though the train station in Imola is around 30 minutes walk or a short taxi ride from the circuit gates. Trains also connect Florence (1.5 hours) and Milan (2.5 hours) to Imola. Search routes on Trenitalia.

Ride Sharing
Uber does operate in Bologna and surrounding areas, or you can ask your hotel to recommend a reputable local taxi company. The ‘Free Now’ ride-hailing app is also worth downloading for convenient access to local taxi services throughout Europe.

F1 Experiences Transfers
If you’ve purchased your Official Ticket Package and hotel accommodation with F1 Experiences, you can purchase daily coach transfers from your hotel to the circuit and back.

Things to see & do in the Emilia-Romagna region

• Get immersed in Motor Valley. Emilia-Romagna is home to several car and motorcycle manufacturers, circuits, museums, and other attractions associated with the iconic brands: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani, and Ducati. To be exact, Emilia Romagna is home to four international racetracks, six specialized training centers, six manufacturers, 11 museums, and 19 private collections. Visit Maranello, home of Ferrari, where you can visit a museum filled with some of Ferrari’s most iconic creations and take a tour of the factory on the same day – the Museo Enzo Ferrari in nearby Modena is also worth a visit. Drive a Ferrari at Autodromo di Modena, see one of the biggest private car collections, Panini Collection, and get a taste of luxury at the Lamborghini Factory Tour & Museum. Plan your visit to Motor Valley here.
• Enjoy an Aperitivo. Italian for ‘happy hour,’ aperitivo happens after the end of the working day and before dinner, usually between 5-8 pm. Find the best places for an aperitivo in Bologna here.
• Explore Bologna. Visit the Piazza Maggiore, the main square in the city centre, where you can see one of the largest cathedrals in the world, Basilica of San Petronio. Here, you can go onto San Petronio’s Terrace to get a gorgeous view of Bologna. You can then easily access Piazza del Nettuno, where the Fountain of Neptune can be found, and The Quadrilatero, which is the oldest market in Bologna. Looking for a fun exercise, climb the 492 steps to the top of the Asinelli Tower, where you can see a breathtaking, panoramic view of Bologna.
• Discover Emilia Romagna. This region may not be as popular as some other parts of Italy, but it is home to many world-class attractions. Visit Parma to see the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, an architectural symbol of the city filled with rich and vibrant paintings, statues, frescos, and carvings. Discover Cesenatico and experience the rich history and beautiful scenery at the Port-Canal designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Relax on one of the seven beaches found in Comacchio, “Little Venice”, the charming town originally built on 13 islands. Visit one of the smallest republics on earth, San Marino, and enjoy the views from Mount Titano. Lastly, experience history with a walk across the 2000-year-old bridge in Rimini that remained standing after World War II.