VENUE GUIDE
GETTING
THERE
Circuit of the Americas, Austin
Located 15 miles southeast of downtown Austin, the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is a purpose-built facility that experiences massive congestion during F1 weekend. Successful navigation requires choosing a transport method that utilizes dedicated lanes or arriving well before the morning rush to avoid hours of gridlock.
HOW TO GET THERE
Official COTA Shuttle
Highly RecommendedOperating from Waterloo Park (Downtown) and the Travis County Expo Center, these shuttles use dedicated bus lanes to bypass traffic. This is the most efficient way to reach the Grand Plaza gates, with multi-day passes offering the best value over single-day bookings.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
FlexibilityRideshares drop off at the McAngus Lot, requiring a 15-minute walk or a short tram ride to the main entrance. While convenient for arrival, leaving after the race is difficult due to spotty cell service and extreme surge pricing that can often exceed $100.
Driving & Parking
Groups & LocalsOfficial parking passes (Lots A, T, or N) must be purchased well in advance as on-site sales are not available during the race. Be prepared for a slow exit; it is common for cars to remain in the circuit lots for 2-4 hours following the Sunday Grand Prix.
GATE OPENING TIMES
Gates open 2 hours before the first session each day.
Friday
Free Practice 1
Saturday
Free Practice 3
Sunday
Race
Things to Do Between Sessions
Curated activities in Austin matched to every F1 session gap in the race weekend schedule.
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