Motorsport and Germany go hand in hand and Scuderia Ferrari has a delighted and rather excited racing driver who’s eager for the return of his home race.
How to get to the Hockenheimring for this year’s German Grand Prix, including detailed info on trains and driving to the circuit.
Closest airports to the Hockenheimring
The Hockenheimring is around 100km south of Frankfurt Airport (FRA), one of the largest and busiest in Europe. It’s the main hub for the German flag carrier Lufthansa and serves short-haul European routes (some operated by discount carriers) and long-haul flights to the USA and Asia. Alternatively, the circuit is 120km northwest of Stuttgart Airport (STR), which is a major hub for Air Berlin and Eurowings. Slightly further afield are Luxembourg Airport (LUX, 237km West), Zurich Airport (ZRH, 320km South) and Munich Airport (MUN, 346km South East).
Trains to the Hockenheimring
If you are staying in one of the larger cities near the circuit, taking the train each day is the most convenient way to get to the track. This is Germany, so the trains are modern and run to a regular schedule. The closest train station is in the town of Hockenheim, approximately 3km from the circuit entrance. From the train station to the track, you can walk in 30 minutes or take one of the free shuttle buses (you may be asked to show your race ticket). Please note: the shuttle buses only operate on Friday to Sunday. If you are attending the Pit Lane Walk on Thursday, you’ll need to walk from the train station or take a local, paid bus.
Direct trains from Mannheim to Hockenheim take around 20 minutes. For all other main cities in the region, you’ll need to change trains in Mannheim. Approximate travel times, including the change in Mannheim: from Heidelberg (50 mins), Frankfurt and Stuttgart (70 mins).
Buy the Baden-Württemberg-Ticket, which gives you unlimited travel in the region for one day. Children aged 14 and under travel free with a paying adult, and there’s decent discounts for groups: single day tickets cost €24 for 1 person / €30 for 2 persons / €36 for 3 persons / €42 for 4 persons / €48 for 5 persons. Schedules and advance tickets are available on Bahn.com.
Driving to the Hockenheimring
Driving access to the circuit is quite good, though traffic can be a problem at peak times on race day. There are several car parks near the circuit, most of which are free on race weekend. Guarded parking closest to the circuit is paid and must be booked in advance via the circuit by calling +49 6205 950 222: spaces cost €30 per day or €80 for the weekend. More information is here.
Driving from the North
A6 Mannheim/Frankfurt: Exit AS29 “Schwetzingen / Hockenheim”
A61 Koblenz/Cologne: Exit AS64 “Hockenheim”, take the L722 to Hockenheim, from Hockenheim follow the signs.
A5 Heidelberg/Frankfurt: Exit AS39 “Walldorf”, follow the signs via B39.
Driving from the South
A5 Karlsruhe/Basel: Exit AS39 “Walldorf”, follow the signs via the B39
A6 Heilbronn/Stuttgart: At motorway intersection “Walldorf” onto the A5 towards Heidelberg/Frankfurt. Exit AS39 “Walldorf”, follow the signs via the B39.
Travel Blog: German GP
If you want to experience the German Grand Prix in true style, then ditch the hotel, the comfy bed and a daily three-course meal. It’s time to pack your tent, the disposable BBQ and of course the deckchair (this is a must), ready to camp it out in the forest. Nothing beats the smell of a Bratwurst over the campfire in the evening, before partying outside with the German fans. Just be prepared for the sore head the next morning as you wake-up to the roar of Formula 1 engines echoing between the trees. When in Rome and all that.
Away from the track, there isn’t an awful lot going on in this rural part of the world. Farmers reluctantly put their summer harvest on hold while the racing is on, and the town of Hockenheim does have a motor museum amongst its two attractions besides the water tower built in 1910. The River Rhine flows nearby, with the nearest cities to the circuit, Frankfurt and Stuttgart, well over 90km away.
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