Getting to the Hungarian Grand Prix Without the Traffic Headache

Every July, the roar of engines returns to Mogyoród as the Formula 1 AWS Hungarian Grand Prix takes over the Hungaroring circuit just outside Budapest. This year’s race weekend runs from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26, and if you’re planning to be trackside, there’s good news: getting there by public transport has never been easier, thanks to a brand-new combined day ticket launched specifically for the event.

If you’re a visitor to Budapest hoping to catch the race without renting a car or fighting through gridlock, this guide walks you through exactly how to plan your journey.

The New F1 Hungaroring Combined Day Ticket

Budapest’s transport authority BKK, together with the Hungarian State Railways group MÁV, introduced a special combined day ticket just for this event, and it’s a genuine game-changer for tourists. Priced at 3,749 forints (roughly 10 euros), the ticket gives you 24 hours of unlimited travel across almost the entire BKK network in Budapest, the full length of the HÉV suburban railway lines, and regional trains and buses throughout Pest County.

That means a single ticket covers your metro ride across town, your suburban train out to the circuit, and any local buses you need along the way. The only exceptions are the 100E airport express line and the nostalgia tram and bus routes, which require separate tickets, and note that the pass only works on second-class, non-reserved train seating.

You can pick your own 24-hour window, starting as early as midnight on July 24 and as late as 23:59 on July 26, so it’s worth timing your purchase around your actual race day. The tickets went on sale from July 20 and remain available through July 26, purchasable at BKK vending machines, customer service centers and ticket offices, through the MÁV Plusz mobile app, at MÁV ticket counters and machines, and at a dedicated mobile sales point set up at Szilasliget HÉV station.

How to Actually Reach the Hungaroring

The most straightforward route from central Budapest starts at Örs vezér tere, a major transport hub on the M2 metro line. From there, hop on the H8 suburban railway (HÉV) line heading toward Kerepes, Mogyoród, or Gödöllő, and ride it to Kerepes station. During the race weekend, the H8 line runs with significantly boosted capacity, departing every 10 to 15 minutes with modern high-capacity trains to handle the crowds.

From Kerepes station, a dedicated fan shuttle bus takes you directly to Gate 3 of the Hungaroring circuit. This shuttle is completely free if you’re holding a valid Hungarian Grand Prix event ticket, so it’s not something you need to book or pay for separately. If you’d rather stretch your legs, Szilasliget HÉV station is also within about a 30-minute walk of the circuit gates.

Getting Back to the City After the Race

Leaving a Formula 1 race is always a bit of a logistical dance, but the return route is well organized. After the checkered flag, fan shuttle buses run from Gate 3 of the Hungaroring to Gödöllő railway station. From Gödöllő, you have two solid options: hop back on the H8 HÉV toward Örs vezér tere, or take advantage of the modern, air-conditioned double-decker KISS trains that run every 15 minutes directly to Keleti Railway Station in the heart of Budapest, which is actually the fastest way back into the city center.

Shuttle bus schedules are tightly timed to race sessions, running from around 7:00 AM until early evening on Friday and Saturday, and slightly later on Sunday after the main race to account for the post-race crowd.

Alternative Tickets If You’re Only Riding Once or Twice

Not everyone needs the full combined pass. If you’re only planning a couple of trips within Budapest itself, standard single-ride tickets, or 30- and 90-minute time-based tickets, will do the job, though these are strictly valid within city limits and can’t be used on regional trains or intercity buses. Frequent city riders across all three race days might prefer a 72-hour Budapest travel pass instead. Just keep in mind that none of these city-only options extend to the Hungaroring itself, since that requires either the combined day ticket or a valid Pest County or countrywide season pass.

Beyond Public Transport: Other Ways to Reach the Circuit

Public transport isn’t the only environmentally conscious option. The Hungaroring also offers free parking areas for those driving, though carpooling is strongly encouraged to ease congestion. Főtaxi serves as the official taxi partner for the weekend, with vehicles authorized to use a dedicated VIP lane on the M3 motorway for faster access, and a taxi rank set up near Gate 8 for the trip home.

Tourists based centrally may also like the City Shuttle service, which runs directly between Városliget (near Heroes’ Square) and the circuit throughout the weekend, with one-way tickets at 25 euros and return tickets at 38 euros. For those wanting extra flexibility, a carsharing partner and even helicopter transfers from Lupa Beach are available, though these come at a considerably higher price point.

A Perk for Budapest Card Holders

If you already hold a Budapest Card, either the 72-hour, 72 Plus, 96-hour, or 120-hour version, you can use it for public transport to and from the Hungaroring throughout the race weekend without needing to buy the separate combined ticket. Since the Budapest Card also unlocks discounts at many of the city’s top attractions, it’s worth considering if you’re planning to explore Budapest before or after the race.

Why Public Transport Makes Sense This Weekend

With roughly 732 HÉV services scheduled across the three race days, over 30 percent more than a typical weekend, the transport network is clearly built to absorb the surge in visitors heading to Mogyoród. Road traffic around the circuit gets notably heavier during the Grand Prix, so skipping the car and opting for the train and shuttle combination isn’t just convenient, it’s genuinely the faster and less stressful choice for most fans coming from central Budapest.