Navigating To Spielberg, Austria: Travel Guide And Tips

The Austrian Grand Prix takes place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, a small town in the Styrian region of Austria. The closest airport is Thalerhof (Graz) Airport, located 53km away, serving both internal and international flights. Those flying in for the event may also choose to fly to Vienna, which handles more air traffic and has more low-cost carriers. From there, it is a two-hour drive to Spielberg. Alternatively, you can take a bus or train to Spielberg.

Flying to Vienna or Graz

If you're flying to Spielberg, Austria, you'll likely fly into Vienna or Graz. Vienna International Airport (VIE) has a wider selection of European and long-haul flights, and it's the hub for Austrian Airlines, with a major presence from EasyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. The airport is located about 124 miles from the Red Bull Ring, and it takes about 20-25 minutes to get from the airport to the city centre.

Graz Airport (GRZ) is smaller, with direct flights to 18 destinations in 8 countries, including Vienna, Berlin, Munich, and Zurich. It's closer to Spielberg than Vienna, at 52 miles from the Red Bull Ring, and has more convenient transport to the circuit. Graz is also a great base for the Austrian Grand Prix, with its World Heritage-listed Old Town, the Schlossberg (Castle Mountain), and several modern architectural attractions.

If you're flying from the US, you can find flights to Vienna from several cities, including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.

Driving from Graz

Driving is the best way to get to the Red Bull Ring circuit in Spielberg, especially if you intend to camp. The circuit is located next to a major motorway, so you shouldn't get stuck on small local roads. The drive from Graz to Spielberg is around 75 km or 46-48 miles and takes about an hour.

If you are driving from Graz, take the B317 via Neumarkter Sattel towards Judenburg. Then, take the S36 towards Graz/Vienna or B78 towards Weißkirchen in Styria. Follow the signs to the race track. Take the A10, change onto B96 towards the St. Michael junction. Continue via Tamsweg, Murau, and Judenburg, then follow the signs to the race track. Take the A9 through Bosrucktunnel. Then you have two options:

• Continue onto B114 through Triebener Tauern, Pöls, and Judenburg. Then follow the signs to the race track.
• At the St. Michael junction, take the S36 towards Klagenfurt/Knittelfeld/Judenburg. Take the Zeltweg Ost/Spielberg exit, then follow the signs to the race track.

Alternatively, you can take the A2 towards Graz, then the S6 towards Bruck/Mur/Semmering/Neunkirchen West. At the St. Michael junction, take the S36 towards Klagenfurt/Knittelfeld/Judenburg. Take the Zeltweg Ost/Spielberg exit and follow the signs to the race track. There are two options from here:

• Take the A9 towards Salzburg through Gleinalmtunnel. At the St. Michael junction, take the S36 towards Klagenfurt/Knittelfeld/Judenburg. Take the Zeltweg Ost/Spielberg exit, then follow the signs to the race track.
• Take the A2 towards Klagenfurt. Then take the Bad St. Leonhard exit towards Zeltweg, then the B78 towards Obdach and Weißkirchen in Styria. Follow the signs to the race track.

Note that the Bosrucktunnel and Gleinalmtunnel are toll tunnels, so you can book your digital toll in advance.

Taking a bus

If you are flying into Vienna Airport, you can take a bus to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. This journey will take around 6 hours and 43 minutes. You can also take a bus from Graz, which is around 75km from the Red Bull Ring. This bus ride will also take you to the gates of the circuit.

During the Grand Prix weekend, there are also buses that shuttle fans to and from the circuit and nearby train and bus stations. The closest train station to the Grand Prix circuit is Zeltweg, which is about 5km away. However, it is more convenient to get off at Knittelfeld, which is about 7km from the circuit, as there are frequent buses to the circuit gates.

If you are staying in a hotel for the Grand Prix, you can book your hotel and circuit transfers with F1 Experiences. Return bus transfers from your hotel to the circuit can be added to your booking.

For those coming from further away, it is possible to get buses directly to the Grand Prix. Coaches organised by EVENTBUS pick up from several destinations across the country, including Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, and Vienna. Tickets start at €40 return and can be purchased on the EVENTBUS website.

Currency, language, and emergency information

The official language of Austria is German. Austrian German has some differences in vocabulary and pronunciation from the German spoken in Germany, but you may find that many Austrians are fluent in multiple languages, including English.

The official currency of Austria is the euro. The previous currency, the Austrian schilling, was phased out in 2002 when Austria and many other European countries adopted the euro.

In the event of an emergency, you can contact the police, ambulance, fire brigade, and mountain rescue by calling 112 from any phone in Austria. This European emergency number can also be called from locked mobile phones. Alternatively, you can use the DEC112 app to contact emergency services via a text-based system. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can also use the police's deaf service by calling 0800 133 133.

If you require non-emergency medical assistance or need to find a doctor, the Austrian health portal (gesundheit.gv.at) provides information on health and healthcare services. You can also use the Apothekerkammer website to find a pharmacy near you. For rescue operations and assistance in the event of disasters, you can contact Wiener Berufsrettung, which is part of the Vienna rescue association.

Things to do in Graz

Graz is Austria's second-largest city and is known for its unique blend of old and new, traditional and modern, elegant and quirky. Here are some of the best things to do when visiting:

Explore the Old Town

Graz's Old Town (Alstadt von Graz) is a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through the cobblestone streets and admire the colourful stucco facades of historic buildings, such as the Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II and the Styrian Armory, the world's largest preserved historical armoury.

Visit the Schlossberg

The Schlossberg, or Castle Mountain, overlooks the Old Town and is a must-visit for panoramic views of the city. Take the lift or ride the funicular up to the top, where you'll find the iconic Clock Tower, one of the oldest buildings in Graz. The clock dates back to the 16th century and has a unique feature—the hands are reversed, with the long hand indicating the hour and the short hand indicating the minutes. From the tower, you can also explore the artsy tunnel inside the hill, lined with neon installations.

Discover the Hauptplatz

The Hauptplatz is Graz's main square and a great place to start your exploration of the city. It's home to impressive historical buildings and is a lively hub, hosting numerous festivals and street food stalls. From here, you can easily access Herrengasse, Graz's main shopping thoroughfare.

Explore the Schloss Eggenberg

This unique Baroque castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important great houses in Styria. It features impressive state rooms, magical gardens, and priceless collections of the Universalmuseum Joanneum, offering a fascinating panorama of Styrian culture through the centuries.

Visit the Cathedral and Burggasse

Don't miss the opportunity to step inside the cathedral, which may not look like much from the outside but boasts a sumptuous and richly decorated interior. Nearby, you'll find the Burggasse, where you can explore Graz Castle, home to an astonishing spiral staircase. One of only five such staircases in the world, it features two intersecting spirals on each floor.

Enjoy the Modern Architecture

Graz was named the European Capital of Culture in 2003 and awarded UNESCO City of Design status in 2011. Discover modern structures built to commemorate these titles, such as the "Island in the Mur," a café and amphitheatre floating in the middle of the Mur River, and the Kunsthaus Graz, an arts complex nicknamed the "friendly alien" by locals.

Frequently asked questions