United States Grand Prix™ Travel Guide
Your guide on how to get to Circuit of The Americas, where to explore & other important information to know before you go.
Practical Information
- Visas: Most travelers do not require a visa to enter the USA, learn more here. However, all travelers are required to submit an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) application in advance of travel.
- Currency: United States dollar ($USD). Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are easy to find. You are also expected to tip service staff around 15-20% in most instances.
- Language: English. Spanish is also widely spoken in Texas due to the large immigrant population from Mexico.
- Time Zone: UTC -5 hours
- In an Emergency: Dial 911 for police, fire & ambulance.
- Power Sockets: Type A and B. Pack an adapter/voltage converter if you are travelling from Europe, Australia or elsewhere.
- Weather: For the United States Grand Prix™, temperatures should range from around 25°C (77°F) during the day to 20°C (68°F) at night. Storms and rain are not uncommon for this time of the year, so pack your wet weather gear.
- Law & Order: It is important to note, the legal age for alcohol consumption is 21 and you may be required to show an I.D. before you are served.
- Health: Don’t forget to buy comprehensive travel insurance before you depart for the USA, as emergency medical treatment can be very expensive.
Arrival & Getting Around
Flights to Texas
Austin has one international airport, Austin–Bergstrom (AUS), which is located around 8 km (5 miles) southeast of the city’s downtown core in the direction of Circuit of The Americas. Austin-Bergstrom serves mainly domestic routes, including 34 connections from Southwest Airlines, but also has international arrivals from Europe, Canada and Mexico. For a better selection of long-haul flights, international visitors can also consider flying into one of the larger Texas hubs; George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (IAH) or Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).
Where to stay
To get the most out of your weekend away from the track, we recommend staying downtown. There’s a good selection of accommodation in the centre of Austin, from hostel beds and Airbnb apartments to five-star hotels, though high demand drives up room prices on Grand Prix™ weekend.
F1® Experiences offers a selection of the best hotels in Austin. If you are still looking for accommodation, contact your Sales Representative for more information about available hotel options.
How to get to Circuit of The Americas
For the most current information on ways to get to the circuit, please see the COTA website, here.
Ride Sharing & Taxis
Depending on your chosen service and the level of demand, the cost can vary getting from downtown Austin to Circuit of The Americas or vice versa using a taxi or ride-sharing service. For taxis, use a hotel taxi stand or a reputable company such as Yellow Cab. For ride-sharing, Lyft and Uber operate in Austin. Rideshare services operate from the Del Valle High School parking lot and can only be accessed by a COTA shuttle, further information here.
COTA Shuttles
Shuttle bus services are available from Downtown (Waterloo Park), Northeast Austin (Travis County Expo Center) and Southwest Austin (Barton Creek Square Mall). Details about shuttle bus services will be available closer to race weekend.
Hire a Car
For specific directions to COTA, the organizers recommend downloading the Waze app. Traffic in Austin can get very congested during the race weekend with the possibility of it taking up to 2 hours to get from downtown to COTA, so plan accordingly! Plus, all parked cars require a parking pass.
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.
What to see & do in Austin
Sample some Live Music
Did you know that Austin is the self-proclaimed 'Live Music Capital of the World'? Venues with live music can be found all over the city, but especially on 6th Street/Red River and just across the river in South Congress. Whatever genre floats your boat – blues, country, soul, rock, metal, punk, indie – you are likely to find something to your taste, especially on weekend nights. Learn more: The Best Places in Austin to See Live Music.
Eat at a Food Truck
Tacos, curry or a burger? Food trucks are big business in Austin and the best place to sample them is in one of the city’s many “food truck parks.” Some food truck parks even also offer live music and market stalls, so you can get the full Texas experience!
Check out the University of Texas
A mecca for sports, history and culture buffs, the largest public university in the United States is situated on a massive campus within walking distance of downtown. Home to some of the best museums in the city, including the Blanton Museum of Art and the LBJ Presidential Library, the centerpiece is the imposing University of Texas Tower, which offers spectacular views from the top. Other campus destinations include one of the largest football stadiums in the country and the Frank Erwin Center, home to the University’s basketball teams. Learn more here.
Get back to nature at Zilker Park
With around 300 days of sunshine a year, outdoor activities of all kinds are popular in Austin and Zilker Metropolitan Park is a great place to sample some of them. Just south of downtown and offering excellent views of Austin’s skyline, the park is one of the city’s most popular green spaces. Highlights include Barton Springs, where you can go swimming almost all year round, and the Lady Bird Lake, which has canoes and kayaks available for rent, as well as a hiking and cycling trail.
