Hungaroring

About

Held at the height of the European summer, the Hungaroring provides F1 with an ‘end of term’ feeling.

Formula 1 broke new ground when it first visited Hungary, with 1986’s Hungarian Grand Prix the first to be held beyond the Iron Curtain. Plans for a street race in Budapest were changed when the Communist authorities decided to build a new racing circuit 20km outside of the capital.

One of the shortest tracks of the season, the Hungaroring is a notoriously tricky track to overtake at, and is sometimes referred to as ‘Monaco without the buildings’. Often held as the final race before the summer break, the Grand Prix usually takes place on a very warm summer afternoon – aside from the rain-hit events in 2006, 2011 and 2014.

The wet Grands Prix have provided some of the most memorable races at the Hungaroring, with Jenson Button taking his first victory in 2006, Daniel Ricciardo providing an overtaking masterclass to win in 2014 and Esteban Ocon recording his maiden win in 2021. Nigel Mansell and Michael Schumacher have each won the title here, Mansell winning in 1992, and Schumacher taking his fourth title victory at the track in 2001.

The track offers great views for fans, with 80% of the circuit being visible from some grandstands. The Hungarian Grand Prix has a contract with Formula 1 in place until 2027.

Learn more:

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events at the Hungaroring

July 21-23: Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix 2023
Check all upcoming events on the Hungaroring website

How to get there

The Hungaroring is located in the village of Mogyoród, 20km north west of Budapest’s city center.

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is the closest airport to the Hungaroring, located 16km south east of Budapest’s city center, while Vienna International Airport (VIE) and Bratislava Airport (BTS) are both around 200km from the city.

How to get to the Hungaroring:

Train: The closest train station to the Hungaroring is around a 40-minute walk away. Tickets are cheap but the trains do get overcrowded during peak times over the Grand Prix weekend.
Bus: There is a free bus service from Stadion autóbusz-pályaudvar over the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend which will take you to Mogyoród (Templom tér), which is a 40-minute walk from the circuit gates.
Car: The Hungaroring is located just off the M3 motorway and is a 20-minute drive from the city center. Access can take longer on Grand Prix weekend due to the volume of traffic and beware of the narrow roads to the circuit. Trackside parking is free. Rent a car in Budapest.
Taxi: TaxiPlus, 6 x 6 Taxi and City Taxi are all official Hungarian Grand Prix taxi companies. A benefit to their service is that they use a special VIP road which will get you to the circuit in around 30 minutes – quicker than travelling in your own car. Expect to pay no more than €38 for a taxi from the city center to the circuit.

More information about getting to the Hungaroring can be found on F1Destinations: Getting There & Around – Hungarian Grand Prix.

Where to stay

The Hungaroring circuit is located around 20km north west of Budapest’s city center. The most popular accommodation options for the Grand Prix weekend are to stay in the city centre or to camp trackside.

Check hotel prices in Budapest for the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Zengo is the only permanent campsite next to the track so we recommend camping here. You can expect to pay around €20-30 per person per night. Camping at the Hungaroring is not recommended if you are travelling with children as, while there is a good, friendly atmosphere, it can occasionally get rowdy and drunken.

In Budapest, there are a range of hostels, apartments and hotels available. We recommend staying on the Pest side of the city, as there are more amenities such as restaurants and bars. Nevertheless, the Buda side of the city is quieter and more picturesque.

The Budapest Budget Hostel and Wombats City Hostel are good choices for a budget trip, while Economy Apartments offer affordable self-contained accommodation in the center of the city. For hotels, Mercure Budapest Buda, Ibis Budapest Centrum and Danubius Hotel Helia are centrally located and close to metro stations and the Danube river, all priced between €75-€130. More expensive options include the well-rated Corinthia Hotel Budapest and Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest, both with indoor swimming pools and the 5-star New York Palace, which has its own spa.

More information about where to stay for the Hungarian Grand Prix can be found on F1Destinations: Accommodation – Hungarian Grand Prix

Guided Tours

Guided tours of the Hungaroring are available throughout the year, but must be booked in advance.

About: Guided tours of the Hungaroring, which must be booked in advance, include visits to the Paddock and Pits, Race Control and the Formula 1 Podium. If there’s no on-track action at the time, you will also be taken on a lap or two of the circuit in a bus.
Cost: €9 for adults, €6 for students (minimum 4 people)
Register: visit@hungaroring.hu

Track Days

Learn more about driving experiences and track days at the Hungaroring, which are held regularly during the summer months.

Track Days: the Hungaroring is opened several times each year for open days; 20-minute track sessions start at 10,000 HUF (approx. €30). More information and online registration is here. (information about open track days for motorbikes is here) For a list of private track days coming up this year, click here.
Passenger Experiences: get driven around the circuit by a professional driver in everything from a Suzuki Swift to a Porsche Cayman GT4. Prices from 20,000 HUF (approx. €60). More info and bookings here.
Driving Experiences: various on-track driving experiences are also offered at the Hungaroring, though none of them involve single-seat race cars. Prices start at 40,000 HUF (approx. €120) for two laps. More information and bookings here. (an off-road center offering different driving experiences is also based at the circuit)
Karting: a go-kart track is also located in the Hungaroring infield. An 8-minute session costs 2300 HUF (approx €7). Learn more here.