If you look at the list of races that are the cheapest for fans to attend on the Formula 1 calendar, Hungary has consistently topped the charts.
The Hungaroring has been a staple of F1’s European swing since the 1980s, and has been the scene of many iconic moments in the sport, including the first victories for current drivers Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon and Oscar Piastri.
It’s situated in a prime location, sitting just 15 miles northeast of central Budapest, and is accessible either by car or via public transport, with a shuttle bus for the final leg.
It’s why the Lenovo Hungarian Grand Prix has become the go-to for fans looking for a summer European getaway, according to Nicky Haldenby of prominent F1 travel website GP Destinations.
“We have a group on Facebook for Hungarian Grand Prix race attendees, and it is one of the busiest and most active of our groups,” Haldenby tells Sector.
“It has close to 5,000 members – some first-timers and some seasoned pros – sharing their tips and questions ahead of visiting the race.”
The cheapest three-day general admission ticket for Silverstone is £269, with that rising to over £400 for a grandstand. Recent races at the Spa Francorchamps and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya have also seen prices rise to £240 and £175 respectively.
By comparison, the Hungaroring has been able to keep its offering below £150, with Gold grandstand tickets also under £400 for three days.
“Although ticket prices have risen in recent years, grandstand prices at the Hungarian GP remain some of the cheapest all year – and the cheapest in Europe – which keeps the overall weekend cost down,” explains Haldenby.
The circuit is expecting to welcome over 300,000 spectators during this weekend’s race, but it’s not just the cheap race tickets that lure potential punters.
“Budapest is one of the most affordable cities on the calendar, and you can see why so many F1 fans make the pilgrimage to the Hungaroring each year,” explains Haldenby.
“Although most hotel prices in Budapest are subject to the so-called ‘F1 surcharge’ on race weekend, there’s a good range and supply of affordable accommodation throughout the city.”
The circuit recently underwent a £200 million infrastructure upgrade to meet F1’s modern standards, enabling it to secure its long-term contract extension through 2032.
This included a new pit and paddock complex, upgraded main grandstands, and better accessibility.
Despite the costs and the new hosting fee from F1, ticket prices haven’t been significantly affected by the upgrades.
“Ticket prices have increased in part to fund the works,” notes Haldenby.
“In 2026, ticket prices are up 8.6% on average from last year, which is around in line with the average increase at other rounds on the calendar.”
As ticket prices continue to climb across sport in general, the Hungarian GP stands out as a reminder of what F1 travel used to be: accessible, exciting, and worth every penny.
