2026 Hungarian Grand Prix: How to get around and which highway vignette do you need in Hungary?

2026. 07. 20. 13:21

From 24 to 26 July 2026, the roar of engines will once again fill the Hungaroring as Mogyoród, Hungary, hosts the 41st Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix. Friday’s practice sessions will be followed by another practice session and qualifying on Saturday, before the race begins at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, 26 July.

Heavy traffic is expected between Budapest and the Hungaroring during the race weekend. In addition to tickets, parking and your departure time, it is therefore worth planning in advance which Hungarian highway vignette you will need for your journey.

How to get to the Hungaroring by car

The Hungaroring is located in Mogyoród, approximately 20 kilometres from Budapest. It can be reached via the M3 motorway from both Budapest and Nyíregyháza. Take exit 20 and then follow the signs for the Hungaroring. However, it is important to remember that a highway vignette is required to use highways and expressways in Hungary.

Special traffic arrangements may be introduced during the Hungarian Grand Prix. The police may also modify routes depending on current traffic conditions, so always pay attention to temporary road signs and follow police instructions in addition to using your navigation system.

Which route should I take to the Hungaroring?

Whichever direction you are travelling from, it is worth checking and planning your route before departure. You should also set off early to ensure that traffic congestion does not cause you to miss any of the main events.

• Poland: From Poland, Budapest can be reached via Slovakia’s D2 motorway and Hungary’s M15 and M1 motorways. From the capital, take the M0 ring road to the M3 motorway, which leads directly towards the Hungaroring.
• Czech Republic: Take the motorway towards Budapest, then use the M0 ring road to join the M3 motorway.
• Germany and Austria: From Germany, take the A8 motorway towards Salzburg, followed by Austria’s A1 motorway to Vienna. From there, take the A4 motorway to the Hungarian border, then continue on the M1 motorway towards Budapest. Use the M0 ring road to join the M3 motorway towards the Hungaroring.
• Romania: Take the A1 motorway to the Hungarian border, then continue on the M43 motorway towards Szeged and the M5 motorway towards Budapest. From the M0 ring road, take the M3 motorway towards the Hungaroring.
• Slovakia: Take the D2 motorway from Bratislava to the Hungarian border, followed by the M15 and M1 motorways towards Budapest. From there, use the M0 ring road and the M3 motorway to reach the circuit. From Košice, the Hungaroring can be reached via the M30 and then the M3. A short section of the M30 will be closed, requiring drivers to leave the motorway temporarily before rejoining it.
• Netherlands: Follow the signs towards Vienna, then enter Hungary on the M1 motorway and continue towards Budapest. From there, take the M0 ring road and the M3 motorway towards the Hungaroring.
• Italy: Take the A4 motorway towards Trieste, then travel through Slovenia on the A1 and A5 motorways towards Maribor. After crossing the Hungarian border, take the M70 motorway towards Nagykanizsa, followed by the M7 motorway towards Budapest. From there, use the M0 ring road and the M3 motorway to reach the circuit.
• Serbia: Take the A1 motorway from Belgrade to the Hungarian border, then continue on Hungary’s M5 motorway towards Szeged, Kecskemét and Budapest. From the M0 ring road, take the M3 motorway towards the Hungaroring.
• England: Cross to France via the Channel Tunnel or by ferry, then take the A26 and A4 motorways towards Strasbourg. In Germany, take the A5 motorway towards Karlsruhe, followed by the A8 towards Munich and Austria’s A1 motorway towards Vienna. In Hungary, take the M1 motorway towards Budapest, then use the M0 ring road to join the M3 motorway towards the Hungaroring.
• Croatia: Take the A4 motorway towards Zagreb, then continue in Hungary on the M7 motorway via Nagykanizsa towards Budapest. From the M0 ring road, the Hungaroring can be reached via the M3 motorway.
• Slovenia: Take the A1 motorway towards Ljubljana, then the A5 motorway towards Maribor. In Hungary, continue on the M70 motorway towards Nagykanizsa and then the M7 motorway towards Budapest. From there, use the M0 ring road and the M3 motorway to reach the circuit.

Which highway vignette offers the best value for the race weekend in Hungary?

The right e-vignette depends on how many days you will be staying in Hungary.

Visiting for one day? A daily vignette may be enough

A Hungarian daily vignette may be a good choice if you are only visiting the Hungaroring for one day and both your outward and return journeys take place on the same date.

It is important to remember that the daily vignette is not valid for 24 hours from the time of purchase. Instead, it is valid from midnight until midnight on the selected calendar day. When travelling home late in the evening, make sure you leave all toll roads before midnight.

For the entire weekend, the 10-day vignette is more practical

For a programme running from Friday to Sunday, the Hungarian 10-day e-vignette is the most cost-effective option. It allows you to use all vignette-controlled roads in Hungary during its validity period. This makes it the ideal choice if you are also planning to visit other destinations.

It may be particularly beneficial for visitors arriving from another county or from abroad, as well as for those combining the Hungarian Grand Prix with a longer trip around Hungary.

What should you check when buying a Hungarian highway vignette?

During the preparations for the race weekend, it is easy to enter a detail incorrectly. However, an incorrect registration number or vehicle category may cause serious inconvenience later.

Before making your payment and again after receiving your confirmation, check:

• the vehicle registration number;
• the country code;
• the vehicle category;
• the vignette type;
• the validity start date.

It is advisable to purchase your Hungarian highway vignette before departure. At hungary-vignette.eu, you can buy an e-vignette without a service fee or registration, helping to ensure a smooth and worry-free journey on Hungary’s highways.

Parking and expected traffic around the Hungaroring

The Hungaroring provides free parking for a large number of passenger cars in the designated P1, P2 and P3 car parks around the circuit. One change from 2026 is that the car park inside Gate 2 will require payment, with a daily parking fee payable on site.

Due to the high level of interest, it is advisable to set off several hours before the programme begins. Particularly heavy congestion may develop before and after Sunday’s race on the M3 motorway, in Mogyoród and on the roads serving the car parks.

Public transport is recommended instead of travelling by car

To reduce traffic, the organisers recommend using public transport or car-sharing. During the race weekend, H8 suburban railway services will operate more frequently than usual, running every 10–15 minutes.

A free shuttle bus for spectators will also operate between Kerepes suburban railway station and Gate 3 of the Hungaroring. The circuit can also be reached from Szilasliget station with a walk of approximately 30 minutes.

Checklist before departure

Before setting off for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, check that:

• you have your admission ticket;
• you have selected the correct entrance gate and car park;
• you have a valid motorway vignette covering your entire route;
• you have allowed for the expected traffic congestion;
• you have water, a hat, sunscreen and a raincoat with you.

Buy your Hungarian highway vignette before departure

Heavy traffic is expected on the M3 motorway and around the Hungaroring during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. Do not wait until you are about to enter the motorway to start looking for a vignette. Buy it online, check the details you have entered and set off in good time.

At hungary-vignette.eu, you can purchase the right Hungarian e-vignette for your journey within minutes, without a service fee. This means you can focus entirely on the race and the unique atmosphere of the Hungaroring.