Budapest Grand Prix Logistics
Discussion
Hi All
I will be heading to the Budapest Grand Prix next month and need to plan some logistics. Wondering if anyone had any advice based on previous experience:
1. Best way to connect from city center to track. There will be 7 of us.
2. Someone is flying in from USA and (still!) not booked flights. Costs into Budapest are sky high unsurprisingly. Any other local cities worth trying?
Cheers
I will be heading to the Budapest Grand Prix next month and need to plan some logistics. Wondering if anyone had any advice based on previous experience:
1. Best way to connect from city center to track. There will be 7 of us.
2. Someone is flying in from USA and (still!) not booked flights. Costs into Budapest are sky high unsurprisingly. Any other local cities worth trying?
Cheers
There are trains that connect BP to the track (stop at Kerepes I think), then free shuttle buses to the track. To take the train to Kerepes, you need to go to Ors Vezer Tere from memory, the end of the red tube line I believe, then change to the overground train.
We got a taxi for the Friday, as we were running late, it wasn't too expensive, but there is a lot of traffic around the track. So be mindful of that.
Whichever way you decide to travel, leave a good amount of time beforehand as the shuttle buses/trains get packed, as you'd expect. On our way back on race day, we actually walked to the previous station, Mogyorod (the stop before Kerepes) and we got in the train without issues (even got a seat). It was busy, but less busy than Kerepes, didn't even stop there!
Hope this helps a bit
We got a taxi for the Friday, as we were running late, it wasn't too expensive, but there is a lot of traffic around the track. So be mindful of that.
Whichever way you decide to travel, leave a good amount of time beforehand as the shuttle buses/trains get packed, as you'd expect. On our way back on race day, we actually walked to the previous station, Mogyorod (the stop before Kerepes) and we got in the train without issues (even got a seat). It was busy, but less busy than Kerepes, didn't even stop there!
Hope this helps a bit
Siao said:
There are trains that connect BP to the track (stop at Kerepes I think), then free shuttle buses to the track. To take the train to Kerepes, you need to go to Ors Vezer Tere from memory, the end of the red tube line I believe, then change to the overground train.
We got a taxi for the Friday, as we were running late, it wasn't too expensive, but there is a lot of traffic around the track. So be mindful of that.
Whichever way you decide to travel, leave a good amount of time beforehand as the shuttle buses/trains get packed, as you'd expect. On our way back on race day, we actually walked to the previous station, Mogyorod (the stop before Kerepes) and we got in the train without issues (even got a seat). It was busy, but less busy than Kerepes, didn't even stop there!
Hope this helps a bit
Yes, you got it. It is the HEV (commuter) train, not the intercity trains. Takes maybe 90 minutes or so from central Budapest. Cheap too!We got a taxi for the Friday, as we were running late, it wasn't too expensive, but there is a lot of traffic around the track. So be mindful of that.
Whichever way you decide to travel, leave a good amount of time beforehand as the shuttle buses/trains get packed, as you'd expect. On our way back on race day, we actually walked to the previous station, Mogyorod (the stop before Kerepes) and we got in the train without issues (even got a seat). It was busy, but less busy than Kerepes, didn't even stop there!
Hope this helps a bit
The shuttle bus from Kerepes is frequent and doesn’t take too long, it’s free with a race ticket but they don’t check as it only goes to the circuit. It drops you off by the water park and it’s ten minutes from there to the track. Kerepes isn’t the best part of town so keep belongings close by and an eye out for shifty locals. Standard European queueing systems apply.
Taxis are plentiful from Pest, the city centre, buddy up with other racegoers and it’s not insanely expensive, it’s worth having an alternative return strategy as most people default to taxis to get home. Two taxis for seven of you may be most convenient.
Budapest is lovely though, good bars and restaurants along Andrassy Ut, the house of terror and st Stephen basilica are worth a visit if you have time too. I like it, the pace of life and general Central Europe vibes are nice
Taxis are plentiful from Pest, the city centre, buddy up with other racegoers and it’s not insanely expensive, it’s worth having an alternative return strategy as most people default to taxis to get home. Two taxis for seven of you may be most convenient.
Budapest is lovely though, good bars and restaurants along Andrassy Ut, the house of terror and st Stephen basilica are worth a visit if you have time too. I like it, the pace of life and general Central Europe vibes are nice
We (wife and i) went last year, having driven via Lake Garda and Venice among other places (Funball Rally)
We drove out on Friday and was relatively easy to park, albeit the road into the carparks goes past the circuit main gate and js slow progress with pedestrians etc
Getting out wasn't so good. The usual challenge of trying to get multiple rows of cars out of one gate.
Realising Saturday would be far worse we decided to get the train via the route described above. Try and buy a ticket for the whole journey as the queue at the terminus station was huge, with one window selling tickets. Took 45 mins or so. Then you head under the road via an underpass and come up at the rail station. There was a train in the platform but doors were shut and the thing was rammed. It sat there for 10-15 mins(I assume due to an issue somewhere). By the time if left , the platform was so busy people were worrying about falling onto the track. An empty train arrived and chaos ensued with people pushing to get on. We couldn't get on and (along with others) called it quits and went back into the city. We watched quali in the Hyatt bar.
Sunday we booked a taxi to take us to the circuit about 8am. Was pretty efficient and definitely the better option for us. You can't book a taxi home but they setup a very impressive (huge) snake system. We were told of 90 min waits in that snake. Thankfully (on Saturday night) I booked a helicopter transfer out for Sunday. Best $180 per person I ever spent as its a short flight to the river bank landing area where they line up a taxi to take you to your hotel.
One bit of advice is to check where your seats are and check what entrance/exit you need. We were at the last corner and helicopters left from beyond the first corner, so we had to walk along the back of the pit straight grandstands. Lots of people were needing to go the other way which created quite a fraught situation with people jammed up against the fences, food concessions etc as two sets of people basically got funnelled into each other.
Am sure we may have just been unlucky with some of the events, so hopefully things run smoother for you. Just book that helicopter though if you possibly can, is my main advice
We drove out on Friday and was relatively easy to park, albeit the road into the carparks goes past the circuit main gate and js slow progress with pedestrians etc
Getting out wasn't so good. The usual challenge of trying to get multiple rows of cars out of one gate.
Realising Saturday would be far worse we decided to get the train via the route described above. Try and buy a ticket for the whole journey as the queue at the terminus station was huge, with one window selling tickets. Took 45 mins or so. Then you head under the road via an underpass and come up at the rail station. There was a train in the platform but doors were shut and the thing was rammed. It sat there for 10-15 mins(I assume due to an issue somewhere). By the time if left , the platform was so busy people were worrying about falling onto the track. An empty train arrived and chaos ensued with people pushing to get on. We couldn't get on and (along with others) called it quits and went back into the city. We watched quali in the Hyatt bar.
Sunday we booked a taxi to take us to the circuit about 8am. Was pretty efficient and definitely the better option for us. You can't book a taxi home but they setup a very impressive (huge) snake system. We were told of 90 min waits in that snake. Thankfully (on Saturday night) I booked a helicopter transfer out for Sunday. Best $180 per person I ever spent as its a short flight to the river bank landing area where they line up a taxi to take you to your hotel.
One bit of advice is to check where your seats are and check what entrance/exit you need. We were at the last corner and helicopters left from beyond the first corner, so we had to walk along the back of the pit straight grandstands. Lots of people were needing to go the other way which created quite a fraught situation with people jammed up against the fences, food concessions etc as two sets of people basically got funnelled into each other.
Am sure we may have just been unlucky with some of the events, so hopefully things run smoother for you. Just book that helicopter though if you possibly can, is my main advice
3anascooter said:
We (wife and i) went last year, having driven via Lake Garda and Venice among other places (Funball Rally)
We drove out on Friday and was relatively easy to park, albeit the road into the carparks goes past the circuit main gate and js slow progress with pedestrians etc
Getting out wasn't so good. The usual challenge of trying to get multiple rows of cars out of one gate.
Realising Saturday would be far worse we decided to get the train via the route described above. Try and buy a ticket for the whole journey as the queue at the terminus station was huge, with one window selling tickets. Took 45 mins or so. Then you head under the road via an underpass and come up at the rail station. There was a train in the platform but doors were shut and the thing was rammed. It sat there for 10-15 mins(I assume due to an issue somewhere). By the time if left , the platform was so busy people were worrying about falling onto the track. An empty train arrived and chaos ensued with people pushing to get on. We couldn't get on and (along with others) called it quits and went back into the city. We watched quali in the Hyatt bar.
Sunday we booked a taxi to take us to the circuit about 8am. Was pretty efficient and definitely the better option for us. You can't book a taxi home but they setup a very impressive (huge) snake system. We were told of 90 min waits in that snake. Thankfully (on Saturday night) I booked a helicopter transfer out for Sunday. Best $180 per person I ever spent as its a short flight to the river bank landing area where they line up a taxi to take you to your hotel.
One bit of advice is to check where your seats are and check what entrance/exit you need. We were at the last corner and helicopters left from beyond the first corner, so we had to walk along the back of the pit straight grandstands. Lots of people were needing to go the other way which created quite a fraught situation with people jammed up against the fences, food concessions etc as two sets of people basically got funnelled into each other.
Am sure we may have just been unlucky with some of the events, so hopefully things run smoother for you. Just book that helicopter though if you possibly can, is my main advice
Hahaha, you made me laugh, we were all looking at the helicopters thinking "posh bWe drove out on Friday and was relatively easy to park, albeit the road into the carparks goes past the circuit main gate and js slow progress with pedestrians etc
Getting out wasn't so good. The usual challenge of trying to get multiple rows of cars out of one gate.
Realising Saturday would be far worse we decided to get the train via the route described above. Try and buy a ticket for the whole journey as the queue at the terminus station was huge, with one window selling tickets. Took 45 mins or so. Then you head under the road via an underpass and come up at the rail station. There was a train in the platform but doors were shut and the thing was rammed. It sat there for 10-15 mins(I assume due to an issue somewhere). By the time if left , the platform was so busy people were worrying about falling onto the track. An empty train arrived and chaos ensued with people pushing to get on. We couldn't get on and (along with others) called it quits and went back into the city. We watched quali in the Hyatt bar.
Sunday we booked a taxi to take us to the circuit about 8am. Was pretty efficient and definitely the better option for us. You can't book a taxi home but they setup a very impressive (huge) snake system. We were told of 90 min waits in that snake. Thankfully (on Saturday night) I booked a helicopter transfer out for Sunday. Best $180 per person I ever spent as its a short flight to the river bank landing area where they line up a taxi to take you to your hotel.
One bit of advice is to check where your seats are and check what entrance/exit you need. We were at the last corner and helicopters left from beyond the first corner, so we had to walk along the back of the pit straight grandstands. Lots of people were needing to go the other way which created quite a fraught situation with people jammed up against the fences, food concessions etc as two sets of people basically got funnelled into each other.
Am sure we may have just been unlucky with some of the events, so hopefully things run smoother for you. Just book that helicopter though if you possibly can, is my main advice
ds"!!!! Good to know for next time though.
.We made it back last night at it was a great trip. Here are my observations.
Getting in and out wasn't as bad as expected. Both Saturday and Sunday we got a Bolt there which cost around £30. Sunday was harder to get a Bolt, but I put Kerepes in and one soon found us. It took us straight to the track too. We has two cars for 6 of us both days and had no real issues getting in. Getting out was fine too thanks to Saio's great suggestion to walk to Mogyorod. It took around 30mins down a busy single track road from Gate 3 then straight onto a train, no queues, got a seat and back to the city. Getting back both days took 1hr 20 from Gate 3 to city centre hotel. Many people who were getting buses and taxis were reporting 3hrs+.
We only had a GA ticket and I wouldn't do it again. Was hard to see that much and there were hardly any screens so was hard to follow. The grandstands tended to have screens. Heat was also a problem, almost no shade and was 30 deg C. Everyone was very hot, but I took an umbrella which helped. We took plenty of water which was a good thing as we soon got through it and the queue for the water fill was almost 1hr! They did take away a 2 litre bottle from me and tip it away on the grass which was fustrating, but we had plenty of 500ml bottles.
Food and drink expensive, but similar to Silverstone. Overall a fun race that I would go back to, but not a patch on Silverstone in my opinion, although prices were much cheaper.
Getting in and out wasn't as bad as expected. Both Saturday and Sunday we got a Bolt there which cost around £30. Sunday was harder to get a Bolt, but I put Kerepes in and one soon found us. It took us straight to the track too. We has two cars for 6 of us both days and had no real issues getting in. Getting out was fine too thanks to Saio's great suggestion to walk to Mogyorod. It took around 30mins down a busy single track road from Gate 3 then straight onto a train, no queues, got a seat and back to the city. Getting back both days took 1hr 20 from Gate 3 to city centre hotel. Many people who were getting buses and taxis were reporting 3hrs+.
We only had a GA ticket and I wouldn't do it again. Was hard to see that much and there were hardly any screens so was hard to follow. The grandstands tended to have screens. Heat was also a problem, almost no shade and was 30 deg C. Everyone was very hot, but I took an umbrella which helped. We took plenty of water which was a good thing as we soon got through it and the queue for the water fill was almost 1hr! They did take away a 2 litre bottle from me and tip it away on the grass which was fustrating, but we had plenty of 500ml bottles.
Food and drink expensive, but similar to Silverstone. Overall a fun race that I would go back to, but not a patch on Silverstone in my opinion, although prices were much cheaper.
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