How to get to the Red Bull Ring for the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix  

Since its return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2014 after an 11-year absence, the Austrian Grand Prix has grown into one of the most popular, atmospheric and colourful races of the year. 

Originally known as the Österreichring, then A1-Ring, and now the Red Bull Ring, the track claims the shortest lap-time of the calendar and in distance is longer only than Monaco. The RBR had several guises through its history but remains one of the most scenic circuits set against the dramatic backdrop of the Styrian Mountains.  

Located near the town of Spielberg, the circuit is a driver and fan favourite due to its relentlessly high-speed nature, numerous overtaking opportunities and penchant for producing thrilling Grand Prix. 

Official 2024 Austrian Grand Prix tickets now on sale

The Red Bull Ring’s remote location is part of its charm and many fans opt to camp, giving the event a real festival vibe. Naturally the remoteness requires careful consideration and planning. So, we have put together in this guide to easily lay out the various ways of travelling to the famous circuit. 

Where is the Red Bull Ring? 

The Red Bull Ring is found around five kilometres from the town of Spielberg in Austria’s Styria region. It lies approximately a one-hour drive (75km or 46 miles) from the major city of Graz. The capital Vienna is around 200km (124 miles) northeast of the circuit. Both Vienna and Graz have airports, though Vienna’s handles considerably more direct flights from major international cities. 

Getting to Austria for the Austrian Grand Prix  

Vienna International Airport VIE (202km/26 miles from the circuit) and Salzburg Airport (259km/161 miles away) both offer regular, direct and cheap flights with several low-cost airlines from major international cities. Flights to Graz Airport 92km (57 miles) from the circuit do run but often require additional stops and can prove considerably more expensive. 

For those attending the Grand Prix, we advise you book flights sooner rather than later as the race’s summertime slot will likely see prices rise close to the event. 

Some UK and European fans choose to take in the sights by embarking on an epic road trip to the circuit through France, Belgium and Germany. Check out our guide for five stops to make on a road trip to the Red Bull Ring.  

Closest airports to the Red Bull Ring  

The closest airports to the Red Bull Ring are Flughafen Graz GRZ (92km or 57 miles) and Klagenfurt Airport KLU (104km or 65 miles) which are worth exploring as options depending on your starting location, though flights are often less frequent and require a change at another Austrian airport or nearby European airport. This could prove a more expensive and slower route. 

How to get to the Red Bull Ring for the Grand Prix  

Despite its location there are several different ways of getting to the Red Bull Ring across flights, trains and driving. It may be necessary to utilise a couple of these different transport links to complete the house-to-track journey, so we’ve broken down the best ways to get you there no matter where you’re starting from. 

Getting to the track by train  

Knittelfeld is the closest and most convenient station to the circuit – about 8.2km or five miles away. This station connects trains from all major Austrian cities so is an extremely popular route for racegoers. 

• From Vienna – direct trains to Knittelfeld run every hour from Vienna’s Wien Hbf station with prices from around £45 (€52.70) for a return ticket. The journey takes around two hours and 22 minutes. 
• From Graz – trains to Knittelfeld run every hour from Graz Hbf but do require a change at Bruck/Mur station. Cost of a return ticket is from around £43 (€50.36), and the journey takes about one hour and 19 minutes. 
• From Salzburg – trains to Knittelfeld run about twice an hour from Salzburg Hbf with a change needed at St. Michael in Obersteiermark. A return ticket is from £36 (€42.16), and the journey takes between three hours and 30 minutes to four hours and 30 minutes. 

Upon arriving at Knittelfeld station there is a regular free shuttle bus service across the Grand Prix weekend running every 20-30 minutes which takes fans to and from the circuit. Times and details for the shuttle bus can be found here.

Driving to the Red Bull Ring  

Due to the circuit’s remoteness and the wonderful surrounding Austria countryside, driving to the circuit is the most popular form of transport. Many fans choose to hire a car for the weekend or take their own before camping at one of the tracks many campsites. 

• Driving to the circuit from Vienna – Vienna is approximately a two hours 30 minutes drive away from the circuit, but it is a relatively straightforward journey. Drivers can take the S Autobahn/E59 from Vienna, exit to the S6 expressway and merge onto the S36 expressway – which makes up the majority of the drive. 
• Driving to the circuit from Salzburg – travelling from Salzburg will take about three hours depending on traffic with the journey being around 253km or 157 miles. Fans can take a couple of routes, either via the A1 and A9 expressways or by solely using the A9 expressway which is the most direct route. 
• Driving to the circuit from Graz – a car journey from Graz takes around one hour and is 76km or 47 miles in distance. The quickest route is by taking the A9 northbound before changing the S36 expressway southbound for the second half of the drive. 

NOTE: All drivers must either display a physical toll sticker on the inside windshield of your vehicle as you enter Austria or have a valid digital toll sticker to travel on Austria’s expressways and motorways. A ten-day toll sticker costs just €11.50 and information of how to purchase the can be found here.

Parking at the Red Bull Ring  

Fans driving to the circuit can rejoice as there is plenty of public parking lots available. All public parking locations are free of charge and within a 10–15-minute walk to the track. 

Click here for exact locations of the parking lots and directions to them. 

How to get to the Red Bull Ring from Vienna? 

The best way to get to the circuit from Vienna is by car or train.  

If travelling by car then fans can expect the drive to take approximately two hours and 30 minutes depending on traffic. The distance to the circuit depends on the departure point but is about 197km or 122 miles. 

If taking the train from Vienna, then fans will need to first make their way to Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof) and catch a train to Knittelfeld as detailed in the earlier section of this article.  

Fans arriving at Vienna International Airport can catch the S7 train: S-Bahn line train which connects the airport to the central station. The journey runs frequently and takes around 25 minutes. An adult ticket costs €4.20 and can be bought here.

Book tickets for the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix 

Now the one thing left to do is to book your tickets to the 2024 Austria Grand Prix! Limited tickets remain and with the race almost certain to sell out, buy yours today!