How to get to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is one of the biggest events on the Formula 1 calendar, attracting fans from across the UK and beyond. Located in Northamptonshire, roughly halfway between London and Birmingham, Silverstone welcomes more than 400,000 spectators over the race weekend.

With so many people travelling, planning your journey in advance is essential. If you’re wondering how to get to Silverstone, this guide will walk you through all the options – from driving and parking to train connections, shuttle buses, and park & ride services – so you can arrive stress-free and ready to enjoy the action.

Official British Grand Prix tickets

Airports near Silverstone

For racegoers travelling to Silverstone from overseas, the circuit is well placed within reach of several international airports. The two closest are Birmingham (BHX) and London Luton (LTN), each around 50 miles (80 km) from Silverstone but in opposite directions – Birmingham to the north and Luton to the south.

Birmingham (BHX) – 50 miles / 80 km

London Luton (LTN) – 50 miles / 80 km

Heathrow (LHR) – 66 miles / 106 km

Gatwick (LGW) – 95 miles / 153 km

London City (LCY) – 85 miles / 137 km

Stansted (STN) – 78 miles / 126 km

In addition, Silverstone is accessible from four other London airports: Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), London City (LCY) and Stansted (STN). All of these provide excellent connections across Europe, while Heathrow and Gatwick are the most common entry points for long-haul travellers flying in from further afield

Getting to Silverstone by car

Due to its location in rural Northamptonshire, driving to Silverstone is one of the most popular ways for racegoers to get to the circuit. Roads can get extremely busy as a result, so it’s best to leave plenty of time when departing for Silverstone – especially on race day.

Silverstone is conveniently positioned between the M1 and M40, giving easy links from several major cities. Drivers using the M40 can join near junction 10 for routes to Oxford and Birmingham, while those on the M1 can connect at junction 15a for Milton Keynes and Northampton. The main entrance is reached via Dadford Road, which runs up from Buckingham and down from the A43 through Silverstone village. On a clear run, expect about an hour and a half from London, an hour from Birmingham, 45 minutes from Oxford, and half an hour from Northampton. Be aware that travel times can increase sharply during the Grand Prix weekend due to congestion.

Image: Google Maps

Parking at Silverstone

Parking at Silverstone is very limited and it is recommended that racegoers travel to the circuit using the official Park & Ride service.

If you are parking at the circuit, you will see event traffic signage when on your way. Once you spot this, do not follow your sat nav and instead follow the blue public parking route. The circuit traffic team will then direct you to a car park on arrival.

Most of the car parks at Silverstone are located on grassland, with some up to a 30-minute walk from our main gates. You should factor this into your journey time when setting off.

Silverstone Park & Ride

Silverstone’s park and ride service drops you right at the circuit – two mins from gates 1 or 19 – and is an extremely convenient way of getting to the Grand Prix without the hassle of finding a parking spot.

There are three different pickup points which are all located off major motorway connections:

Sixfields (35 mins to the circuit)

Hinton (40 mins to the circuit)

Bicester (40 mins to the circuit)

Buses leave the sites from at least an hour prior to the circuit opening time and continue through to the late afternoon. They will then leave Silverstone from late afternoon until 30 mins after the activity on the main stage is complete.

The services cost £7 per person per day for a return journey. Vehicle passes are allocated on a 1 vehicle : 4 person basis.

Getting to Silverstone by train

Travelling by train is a convenient and sustainable way to reach Silverstone, especially for fans who want to avoid the heavy race-day traffic. While there isn’t a train station directly at the circuit, several nearby stations provide easy access with shuttle buses, taxis, or coach connections to get you the rest of the way.

Nearest train stations to Silverstone

The closest major stations to Silverstone are Milton Keynes Central, Northampton, and Banbury, all around 30–40 minutes away by road. Trains to these stations run frequently from London, Birmingham, Manchester, and other major UK cities. Milton Keynes and Northampton are served by the West Coast Main Line, offering quick links from London Euston, while Banbury sits on the Chiltern Main Line from London Marylebone.

Banbury – 30–40 minutes by road (Chiltern Main Line, London Marylebone)

Milton Keynes Central – 30–40 minutes by road (West Coast Main Line, London Euston)

Northampton – 30–40 minutes by road (West Coast Main Line, London Euston)

Connecting buses and transfers

During the British Grand Prix weekend, special shuttle services typically operate between the nearest stations and the circuit. These can be pre-booked in advance through Silverstone’s official website. Alternatively, local taxi companies and ride-hailing apps are available, though fares can rise during peak times. Fans staying in nearby towns might also find local bus routes that stop close to the circuit entrances.

Lewis Hamilton wins the Formula 1 British GP 2024

By Coach and Shuttle Bus

Taking a coach or shuttle bus to Silverstone is one of the easiest and most stress-free ways to reach the British Grand Prix, especially if you want to avoid the hassle of driving and parking. Each year, official coach partners and regional bus operators run dedicated services directly to the circuit from major towns and cities across the UK.

Official Coach Services

Silverstone typically partners with national coach companies such as National Express to provide direct routes from key locations including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and Bristol. These coaches drop passengers off close to the main circuit entrances, eliminating the need for additional transfers. Services often run on all three days of the Grand Prix weekend, with return options after the day’s action finishes.

Regional and local Shuttle Buses

For fans staying nearby, local shuttle buses operate from towns such as Northampton, Milton Keynes, and Banbury. These services run frequently throughout the weekend and are a convenient option if you’re travelling from your hotel or campsite. Many of these buses can be booked through Silverstone’s official website or local transport providers.

How to get to Silverstone from London

With Silverstone located around 80 miles (130 km) north-west of London, travelling from the capital is one of the most common routes for British Grand Prix fans. Thankfully, there are several quick and convenient options depending on your budget and travel preferences.

By Train

The fastest and most popular route is by train from London Euston to Milton Keynes Central or Northampton, both of which take under an hour. From either station, you can hop on an official event shuttle bus or grab a taxi to complete the final 30–40 minute journey to the circuit. Alternatively, trains from London Marylebone to Banbury take around an hour and offer another easy connection to Silverstone.

By Car

Driving from London to Silverstone takes around two hours, depending on traffic. You can take either the M40 northbound (exiting at junction 10 for the A43) or the M1 northbound (exiting at junction 15A for the A43). Both routes are well signposted in the days leading up to the Grand Prix, but heavy congestion is common, especially on Sunday morning, so it’s best to set off early. Parking must be pre-booked, or you can use one of the aforementioned Park & Ride sites for easier access.

By Coach

Several coach operators, including National Express, run dedicated services from central London directly to Silverstone during the race weekend. Coaches usually depart from Victoria Coach Station and drop fans close to the circuit entrance, making it one of the most hassle-free travel options for the weekend.

How to get to Silverstone from Birmingham

Birmingham is one of the closest major cities to Silverstone, located roughly 60 miles (95 km) to the north. Whether you prefer driving or public transport, getting to the circuit from Birmingham is quick and straightforward.

By Train

Trains from Birmingham New Street run regularly to Banbury and Northampton, both around an hour away. From there, shuttle buses and taxis operate to Silverstone throughout the British Grand Prix weekend. For fans staying in Birmingham city centre, this can be a relaxing and time-efficient way to travel.

By Car

Driving from Birmingham to Silverstone usually takes around 75 minutes. The easiest route is to take the M40 southbound, exit at junction 10, and follow the A43 directly to the circuit. Alternatively, you can take the M6 south to the M1, then join the A43.

By Coach

Direct coach services also run from Birmingham to Silverstone on race weekend, organised by official partners such as National Express. These services are ideal for fans looking for an affordable, direct, and environmentally friendly way to get to the track without worrying about traffic or parking.

Where to stay at Silverstone

If you have not yet sorted your accommodation at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix, we recommend doing so as soon as possible. Options close to the circuit tend to get booked up quickly and many racegoers elect to stay in nearby towns and cities.

Unsure on where you should stay? Check out our handy accommodation guide below for our tips on where to base yourself for the weekend.

Where to stay for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone

Book your British Grand Prix tickets today

Experience the thrill of Formula 1 from some of the best seats in the house – Silverstone’s grandstands put you right at the centre of the action. Don’t miss out – book your tickets today and get ready for an unforgettable weekend at the home of British motorsport.

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