One of the best attended races on the current F1 calendar, The Australian Grand Prix never fails to deliver its fair share of drama. Notably, the legendary 2008 Grand Prix is etched in history for its remarkable drama, with only seven drivers managing to finish the race.
Getting to Albert Park to witness the racing action is relatively simple, with Melbourne’s excellent public transport system being the most convenient and cost-effective ways to reach the circuit. Thinking of driving to Albert Park? As this is a street circuit, we wouldn’t recommend it. There are no parking facilities provided near the track and traffic is restricted to local residents and businesses – don’t risk incurring a hefty fine!
Where is the Albert Park circuit?
The famous street circuit is located around Albert Park Lake in the suburb of Albert Park in south Melbourne. This sprawling park offers a scenic backdrop to the race – and it’s certainly an improvement on the Grand Prix’s previous venue, Fisherman’s Creek, which ran alongside a rubbish tip! Even though it’s temporary, the circuit cleverly utilises existing roads around the park, including Aughtie Drive and Lakeside Drive.
Albert Park circuit map
![Albert Park map Melbourne F1](https://motorsporttickets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Albert-Park-map-1024x663.png)
Flights to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix
![](https://motorsporttickets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Mebourne-Grand-Prix-map-1024x630.png)
The main airport serving the city of Melbourne is Melbourne Airport (MEL), located 30km northwest of the Albert Park circuit. While mainly serving domestic routes, Melbourne Airport does offer some international options, with direct flights from Los Angeles, Dallas, Tokyo, Dubai and Singapore, to name just a few.
Flights from USA
Airports and Airlines: Dallas (United Airlines), San Francisco (United Airlines, Qantas), Dallas (Qantas)
Flights from Asia
Airports and Airlines: Abu Dhabi (Etihad Airways), Bangkok (Thai Airways / Jetstar), Beijing (Air China), Delhi (Air India), Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates), Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur (Air Asia / Batik Air Malaysia / Malaysia Airlines), Singapore (Emirates / Singapore Airlines, Jetstar / Qantas / Scoot / Turkish Airlines), Shanghai (China Eastern), Seoul (Asiana Airlines), Tokyo (Jal / Qantas)
Flights from Europe
Although there are no direct flights from Europe, from most major European cities you can fly to Shanghai, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore or Taiwan and take a connecting flight to Melbourne from there.
How to get from Melbourne Airport to the city centre
For those seeking the most cost-effective options, the Skybus is a popular choice. This efficient express service takes approximately 30 minutes and runs 21 hours a day, seven days a week. Tickets cost AU$20 (approx £10.54) each way and can be purchased online or at e-kiosks located in the airport terminals. Timetables can be viewed here.
![Melbourne, Australia](https://motorsporttickets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Melbourne-city-scape.png)
Public transport is a budget-friendly alternative, with regular buses serving various destinations across Melbourne. While the journey is often slower than taking the express Skybus, it offers greater flexibility.
If you’re planning on travelling around Melbourne, it is definitely worth buying a Myki card. With prices starting from as little as AU$5 (approx. £2.64), this reusable travel card is a lifesaver, allowing access to all public transport options, including trams, buses and trains. You can purchase a Myki card online or from vending machines at the airport.
You can also take a licensed airport taxi from the airport to the city centre, with prices ranging from AU$70 – $85.
How to get to Albert Park by public transport
Getting to the circuit from Melbourne city centre is relatively straightforward with a few options at your disposal, including trams, trains buses and private transfers.
Travelling by tram
Melbourne’s excellent tram network is ideal for those who are travelling directly to the circuit. During the Australian Grand Prix, extra tram services are laid on specifically for race-goers. These trams run frequently (every 1-2 minutes during peak times) from Flinders Street Station and Southern Cross Station. The great news is Tram shuttles are completely free with your Grand Prix ticket!
![Melbourne Tram service to Albert Park](https://motorsporttickets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Melbourne-Tram.png)
Please note: Tram services can get very crowded at the end of the day with people leaving the circuit and making their way back home or to their accommodation. It’s worth staying behind for an extra half hour or so to avoid the bottle neck.
Station | Gate number | Grandstands | Tram route |
---|---|---|---|
Southern Cross Station | Gate 1 | Brabham Fangio Jones Moss | 96 (Stop 130) |
Southern Cross Station | Gate 2 | Ricciardo | 96 (Stop 129) |
Southern Cross Station | Gate 3 | Hill Stewart | 12 (Stop 131) |
Flinders Street Station | Gate 5 | Button | 3a,5a,16a,64a (Stop 20) |
Flinders Street Station | Gate 8 | Clark Waite | 3a,5a,16a,64a (Stop 25) |
Flinders Street Station | Gate 9 | NA | 3a,5a,16a,64a (Stop 27) |
Flinders Street Station | Gate 10 | Accessible Platform Lauda Prost Schumacher Senna Vettel Webber grandstands | 3a,5a,16a,64a (stop 30) |
Travelling by bus
Bus timetables tend to change during race week to accommodate the temporary street circuit. Route 96 runs along Collins Street, Bourke Street and Clarendon Street, passing by the edge of Albert Park. For more details on bus services, head to the Public Transport Victoria website.
Travelling by train
The two train stations closest to the Albert Park circuit are:
- Southern Cross Station (4 km from circuit): best for Gates 1,2 and 3)
- Flinders Street Station (4.3km from circuit): best for Gates 5,8,9 and 10)
Please note: On race days, you can catch a FREE train from Flinders Street Station. Stewards will be on hand at the station and upon arrival to help direct you to where you need to be.
Taking a taxi or an Uber to Albert Park
Taxis in Melbourne are quite pricey, and you can expect fares to go up during race weekend. Fares typically start from AU$4.20 (£2.21), then an additional AU$1.62 (£0.85) for every kilometre travelled and the fare is normally paid in advance. Taxi ranks at Albert Park are located at Gates 1 and 2 (Canterbury Road), Gates 3 and 5 (Albert Road), Gate 8 (St Kilda Road) and Gate 10 (Fitzroy Street).
Taking an Uber is likely to be a little cheaper than taking a normal cab, but remember that demand will be very high, especially on the Sunday.
Other ways to get the Australian Grand Prix circuit
By scooter
There are numerous places you can hire Lime or Neuron e-scooters in and around Melbourne. The circuit has dedicated parking zones especially for scooters, as listed below:
- Gate 1 – Corner of Canterbury Rd and McGregor St
- Gate 1 – Corner of Armstrong St and Richardson St
- Gate 2 – Corner of Canterbury Rd and Wright St
- Gate 3 – Corner of Clarendon St and Albert Rd
- Gate 3 – Corner of Albert Rd and Old Aughtie Dr
- Gate 5 – Corner of Kings Way and Albert Rd
- Gate 8 – Corner of Roy St and Queens Rd
- Gate 10 – Corner of Fitzroy St and Lakeside Dr
Please only use the designated parking spaces when leaving your e-scooters.
By bike
Melbourne is an extremely bike-friendly city and there are lots of outlets which rent out bicycle for the day or up to a week. Prices start from AU$3 (£1.58) or $8 (£4.21) for the week. Please note: cycling without a helmet is illegal in Australia and you could incur a hefty fine so make sure you buy or hire head protection for the duration of your bike rental.
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