Get the best routes to travel to Milan, Monza and the circuit for the Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix by air, train and road.
The Italian Grand Prix is located in Monza, just outside one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities: Milan. As if being in the crowd for one of the world’s most iconic motor races wasn’t enough, many fans decide to stay in the city.
And that’s true also of fans headed to the city for World Endurance Championship races, FRECA and International GT Open racing.
If you’re thinking about travelling to Milan and Monza for a race, this guide will help you arrange your travel plans and ensure your trip goes off without a hitch.
How to get to Autodromo Nazionale Monza
The Italian Grand Prix is ideally places for international visitors, just outside Italy’s second largest city, Milan. Served by efficient rail lines and and international airports, getting to Monza is not complicated wherever you’re travelling from.
Travelling to Milan
If you’re travelling from abroad, Milan is the closest major city to aim for. You’ll be able to travel to the circuit within an hour, and it puts you in the heart of this exquisite city.
Monza is 23km north of the city centre of Milan. The distance can be covered in just under an hour by car, or just over an hour by public transport. It will inevitably take longer on race weekends.
By air
There are three airports in the vicinity of Milan.
- Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is a major international airport, and the second-busiest in Italy. It’s served by easyJet, RyanAir and WizzAir, making flights from Europe affordable. For American fans, Delta and American Airlines fly from New York-JFK, with the latter also operating flights from Miami.
- Milan Linate Airport (LIN) is much closer to the centre of Milan. It’s served by fewer airlines, but these do include ITA Airways, with which you can book internal flights from Naples, Rome and Palermo. Flights are also available from London-Heathrow with British Airways; Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris with easyJet; and Madrid, Copenhagen and Hamburg with ITA.
- Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) is slightly further out of the city than Malpensa. However, a 50-minute shuttle train direct to Milan Centrale station makes it one of the smart choices. Ryanair flies to Bergamo from wide array of European airports including London-Stanstead, Manchester, Barcelona, Dublin, Lisbon, Prague and Vienna.
By rail
If you are travelling to Milan by train, you’ll want to aim for Milan Centrale. Trenitalia operates high-speed services from Turin, Venice and Bologna, while Italo Treno runs a service that stops at Naples, Rome, Florence and Turin. Many European travellers will already use the Trainline app which operates throughout Italy and often offers good discounts.
Cross-border services make Milan accessible from Basel, Zurich and Frankfurt.
By road
If you are driving to Italy, aim for the European route 25. This route begins in the Netherlands and passes through Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland and Italy. From northern France, it is approximately a 10-hour drive, so those with motorhomes might see this as a useful way of travelling to the race.
Travelling to Monza
The town of Monza itself is slightly north of the city of Milan. You could stay in the town of Monza, which will be approximately a 20-minute walk to the circuit. However, hotels and accommodation might be cheaper in Milan itself. If you do choose to stay in Milan, there are three main ways to get to the race.
By rail
There are two train stations near the circuit you can aim for. Monza train station is the most popular, and is approximately 5km from the circuit. Monza F1 shuttle buses usually operate from outside the station. Tickets cost as little as €3, and the train takes around 15 minutes.
The closest train station to the Monza circuit is Biassono-Lesmo, around 200m from the Lesmo Turns, and you can catch a train from Milano Porto Garibaldi. This entrance to the circuit is quite a walk from the Fan Zone and activities, but a good option if you are in grandstands 9, 10 or 11.
By bus
If you’re staying in central Milan, you could take the metro to Sesto1 Maggio FS, and then the Z221 bus to Monza, which will drop you outside the circuit. But be warned: these buses are extremely busy all weekend. They might be a useful mode of transport for Friday Formula 1 practice sessions, or other race series such as WEC or DTM, but avoid this method for Formula 1 Grand Prix Sunday.
By road
Driving from Milan to Monza can get extremely busy on race weekends and will take around an hour. There are a few car parks around the town, which will cost around €20 per day to park in.
Taxis will also be available throughout the city, and not a bad option if you can split the fare with a group. You’ll be looking at around €60, but it might be well worth it for the ease of travel. It could also be worth jumping on the Metro towards Sesto1 Maggio FS, and jumping in a taxi from there.
Parking at Monza
There are several parking options dotted around the Monza track. Naturally, the further away you park, the less you pay.
The Blue zone is the cheapest and is around 4km from the circuit. The Monza F1 shuttle bus linking the car park and the circuit is included in the price of €100 for a 3-day pass.
Book 2024 F1 tickets for Monza
Tickets for the Italian Grand Prix are already on sale and sell out every year without fail. Avoid disappointment and buy yours now!