The Hungaroring is a motorsport racetrack in Mogyoród, Hungary where the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix is held. In 1986, it became the location of the first Formula One Grand Prix behind the Iron Curtain.
Accommodation:
Budapest have some of the cheapest hotels in Europe, even though they tend to bump up the prices for the Grand Prix weekend. Camping sites at the track are also available. AirBnB is most likely the most economical option, as these don’t seem to get bumped as much in price as the hotels. However, hotels are still very cheap (even in centre of the Budapest), just book them early since lots of people come for the GP and tourism.
Even though Hungary is in the EU and they accept euros, try to get forints (HUF, the national currency). Everything will be cheaper in forint and people will appreciate you.
Getting to the track:
The track is 20km away from central Budapest, however, there are plenty of ways to get to the track. Of course, you can drive yourself as parking is available. As for public transportation, there are free buses to and from the track. These leave from Puskás Ferenc Stadion M which is easy to reach on foot or with the metro (The metro station has the same name) from central Budapest. When you get to the metro, validate your ticket on one of the machines before you get to the train. Security can check it, they speak poor english and if you won't, you'll get a hefty fine of 16k forints (if you pay them on the spot, it's 8k. When they offer it to you, don't think it's a scam - it is a legit procedure. The buses are regular, every 5 minutes, and the journey on the bus itself will be 40 minutes. Be aware however, that the buses don’t drive you to the circuit itself but to the town Mogyoród which is near the circuit. This results in a 20 to 30 minute walk with occasional stalls along the way offering refreshments and small store shortly before the bus stop, which usually has a bit lower prices than said stalls. Also, going back from the track on Sunday by the bus isn't the most comfortable option - buses are way overcrowded and you need to get off the track as quickly as possible to catch one, since there are long queues to the gates (takes around an hour to get from the stand to the gate) and last bus leaves around 7 pm.
You can also get to the track by surburban railway which leaves from Ors vezer Square, cheaper than taxi and it's the cheapest solution to get to the track on Thursday or during testing (free buses are not available). It drops you off at Szilasliget and road to the track is mostly paved, so it's less tiring to get to Hungaroring from there than if you went by free bus.
Taxis are also available to and from the circuit. There is a large taxi stand immediately outside the circuit. Taxi’s get a special VIP access road to try and prevent them getting stuck in circuit traffic. There are 3 official companies that operate the taxis, so there are plenty of taxis in waiting. Queues to get the taxi can get quite long.
You can also choose to get to the circuit by Helicopter; several companies offer transfers from either downtown Budapest or the airport to the Hungaroring.
If you go by car, plan to be at the track around 8:30 am. Traffic jams are not that bad at that time. Park on Free Parking (Don't count on what the cop say if you ask, they directed me to the wrong parking). On Sunday after the race, they close the asphalt road for free parking and only allow VIP. Free parking is directed on dirt roads (there was some sand http://i.imgur.com/HDzdQ1m.png) and it goes trough other village. It's little crazy as all the Free parking goes to 1 dirt road, so like 10 lanes merge into one. Luckily some good fan was directing it and it got much faster. I would say you get to Budapest under 1 hour. http://i.imgur.com/WsxGYdg.jpg http://i.imgur.com/ItEhW6R.jpg
I recommend getting the VIP parking, you get separate lane to the track and from the track at least for Sunday.
Seating:
I tried Super Gold on Saturday (https://i.imgur.com/3kAKK1E.jpg), Gold 1 on Friday (https://i.imgur.com/Ia5OPve.jpg) and Red Bull on Sunday (https://i.imgur.com/RHIuFL7.jpg). Expect it to be a little cold at SG in the morning, even when it is going to be 30C during the day, it's under the shade in the morning and little windy. Personally I liked Gold 1 the best, you see some of the pits, you see last corner and part of the track behind it. Red Bull stand is also nice, but the big Pirelli sign is blocking part of main straight. All these have big TVs in front of them. Commentary is switching between English, Hungarian and German. They have 3 stand packages where you sit on different stand each day.
I tried General Admission, and went around on Saturday. There are not many trees so bring sunscreen, but you can have good views (the track is in a dip, with seating always above it on hills). General Admission goes from T9 to a bit after T14. I sat at T12 during the race, under a tree. People are very respectful of each other's space and you have a good view.
Food:
At the circuit, you can only buy 0.5l bottles, no bigger. Water goes for 600 HUF (~2€) and Coca Cola for 700 HUF (~2.30€). Also, the Heineken sponsoring brings draft or canned beer for 1000 HUF (~€3) for 0,5l, which is fairly cheap. Food is of course expensive, but manageable, though the prices almost double on raceday. Hamburgers and (big)Hotdogs around 2000 HUF (or €7) on Friday and Saturday, but 3500 HUF (or €14) on Sunday. You can also pay with Euros, but the exchange rate is not good. Also go there early if you don't want to miss any action on the track, because there are lines (and beer/sodas run out quickly).
You can bring food with you, but no bottles or cans. However, you can smuggle them into the track easily as guards don't give a shit and will simply look into your backpack rather than frisking you. If nothing is visible, they'll let you in. On race day, I had a small bottle with me (0.5l) and it was okay. You can refill freely at every toilet.
What to avoid:
Unless you leave early or really late, I would not recommend driving yourself. The traffic after the race seemed insane.
Misc:
Don't forget sun cream and a cap, sun is scorching and if you can't bear it, choose the main straight stand which is the only one with the roof.
They sell official merchandise on the track, around 45€ for a cap. Or you can get older caps in front of the gates which are way cheaper.
If you plan to go on the track after the race, you have to be super fast. The track walk goes from T14 to T1. You have a pretty good view of the cars in Parc Fermé.
After the race, the path ways behind the stands get over crowded (it didn't move at all). And the track was closed again very soon (less than 30 minutes).
Pit walk on Thursday is nice, but also overcrowded. It starts on main straight, you can go trough the pits (teams may be testing pit stops) and it ends in T1.
Don't bring an umbrella unless you are seating on the top of the stand. Get a raincoat.
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