Where should I stay for the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring?

Race dates and how to get to the Hungaroring

Formula 1's 2027 calendar puts Hungary at round 13, 30 July to 1 August, a week after Belgium. That is high summer in Budapest, so expect heat on the open spectator banks.

For 2026 the Hungaroring urged visitors to use public transport run by the MÁV Group, and set out these routes:

• H8 HÉV suburban railway from Örs vezér tere (the end of metro line M2) towards Gödöllő, running every 10 to 15 minutes with extra capacity. The circuit recommends it mainly between Örs vezér tere and Mogyoród.

• Free fan shuttle buses from Kerepes HÉV station to Gate 3, 07:00 to 14:50, Friday to Sunday. Walking from Szilasliget HÉV station takes about 30 minutes instead.

• Free return shuttles from Gate 3 to Gödöllő railway station (Friday and Saturday 16:00 to 20:00, Sunday 16:45 to 21:00), then double-decker KISS trains roughly every 15 minutes to Keleti station, which MÁV called the fastest way back to the city.

• City Shuttle coaches from Olof Palme sétány in City Park, about 200 m from Heroes' Square, 07:00 to 20:00 with departures at most every 20 minutes: 25 EUR (≈ $28) one way, 38 EUR (≈ $42) return in 2026.

• Taxis: Főtaxi was the official partner, with a return rank near Gate 8. Parking in the P1 to P3 car parks was free.

Holders of 72-hour and 96-hour Budapest Cards could use the dedicated race services in 2026; our Budapest Card review shows whether the card pays for itself otherwise.

Where to stay, ranked by time to the circuit

1. Gödöllő. A town at the far end of the H8 HÉV line, best known for the Royal Palace of Gödöllő, and the drop-off point for the free evening shuttles from Gate 3. It is the closest base with real hotel stock and an easy exit on race evenings. Price level: moderate. The catch: a small choice of hotels, quiet evenings, and a train or HÉV ride if you want Budapest's restaurants and baths.

2. Zugló (District XIV). The district around City Park (Városliget) and Heroes' Square, close to the City Shuttle stop at Olof Palme sétány and on the M2 side of town towards Örs vezér tere. Mostly mid-range hotels and apartments, greener and calmer than the centre, with the Széchenyi baths in the park. The catch: fewer restaurants and bars at night than District VII.

3. District VII (Erzsébetváros). The old Jewish quarter and ruin-bar district, next to Keleti station and along the M2. Keleti is where the KISS trains from Gödöllő arrive, and M2 runs straight to Örs vezér tere for the HÉV. Plenty of apartments and boutique hotels at every price. The catch: noise. Pick a courtyard-facing room or a street away from the bar strip if you need sleep before Sunday.

4. District V (Belváros-Lipótváros). The riverside centre around Parliament and St Stephen's Basilica. The most polished hotels and the best sightseeing base, and M2 runs from Kossuth Lajos tér and Deák Ferenc tér straight to Örs vezér tere, but it is the longest ride of the four each way. The catch: the highest prices on race weekend. Our where to stay in Budapest guide compares the central districts in more detail.

When to book

We found no official data on when Budapest hotels sell out for the Grand Prix, so this is general advice, not a measured fact: race weekend falls in peak summer season, when the city is already busy, and rooms near M2 and in Gödöllő are the ones that go. Book a free-cancellation rate early and check again nearer the date.

Fly into Budapest Ferenc Liszt airport; our airport-to-city guide covers the 100E bus and taxis. The circuit is on the opposite side of the city from the airport, so drop bags at your hotel first.

Race-day logistics

Morning: M2 to Örs vezér tere, H8 HÉV to Kerepes, free shuttle to Gate 3. The shuttle stopped at 14:50 in 2026, so do not plan a late arrival on that route.

Evening: shuttle from Gate 3 to Gödöllő and the KISS train to Keleti is the route MÁV recommended. If you are staying in Gödöllő, you simply stay on the bus.

Tickets: Hungary Today has reported a 24-hour combined MÁV Group and BKK ticket, valid across Budapest and Pest County during the race period. Check whether it is offered for 2027 and how it compares with a Budapest Card.

Heat: bring water, a hat and sun cream. For the evenings, our thermal baths comparison and what to eat in Budapest cover recovery. The Budapest guide has the rest of the city.

Frequently asked questions