How to Get to Albert Park – 2024 Australian Grand Prix

Advice on getting around in Melbourne for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2024 and the best ways to get to the Albert Park Circuit.

Melbourne’s main airport, Tullamarine (MEL), offers plenty of international connections, though many flights have been cancelled during the pandemic.   There are also scores of daily flights between the main Australian cities, both with full service carrier Qantas and budget carriers such as Virgin Australia and Jetstar. We recommend flying into the main Melbourne Airport (MEL) at Tullamarine rather than Avalon (AVV), which is a considerable distance further from the city.

Flights from Europe

  • European Hubs: London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam.
  • Airlines flying to Australia from Europe include: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways
  • Flight times: Combined flight/transit time with at least one stop en route is a minimum of 24 hours. You’ll also lose around 10 hours due to the time difference. Qantas now flies direct from Perth to Rome (16 hours) and London (17.5 hours).

Flights from USA

  • North American Hubs: Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Dallas
  • Airlines flying to Australia from North America: Qantas, United, Delta, American Airlines Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia
  • Flight times: 14-15 hours direct from the West Coast. Flights with a stop-over have a combined time in excess of 20 hours. Melbourne is 15-18 hours ahead of US time.

Flights from Asia

  • Asian Hubs: Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Bangkok
  • Airlines flying to Australia from Asia: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways  (Budget airlines: AirAsia, Jetstar)
  • Flight times: Around 8-10 hours from most Asian hubs

Regional Trains & Buses to Melbourne

  • Trains connect all the capital cities in Australia. They are a good choice if you have some extra time to see more of the countryside, but not much cheaper than flying. The Sydney-Melbourne train ride takes around 12 hours; daytime and overnight services are available. A seat can be purchased from $79 AUD, whilst a bed on an overnight train costs from $235 AUD. More information on Sydney-Melbourne trains
  • There are also regular bus services between major Australian cities for budget-conscious fans. A one-way trip from Sydney to Melbourne (10 hours) costs around $60-100 AUD, and day and overnight service are available. Firefly is a reputable bus company with services between Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

How to Get to Albert Park Circuit

The easiest way to get to Albert Park from the city center is to take a tram. Services are frequent on Grand Prix weekend and FREE for F1 fans on trams travelling direct to the circuit. The trams do get very crowded at the end of the day, especially after the race. Consider waiting a bit longer at the circuit to miss the crowds. More information is available on the circuit website.

  • St Kilda Road GP Shuttle services run between the city centre and St Kilda, stopping at the circuit along the way. In the center, trams leave from outside Flinders Street train station on Swanston Street (opposite Federation Square) at 1-2 minute intervals during peak times; these are best for accessing the circuit via Gates 5, 8, 9 and 10. Trams on this route terminate at St Kilda and then return to the city center, so are also suitable for fans staying near the beach.
  • Light Rail GP Express trams head to Gates 1 and 2 from Spencer Street (corner of Collins Street) every 1-3 minutes at peak times throughout the weekend.
  • From the same location on the corner of Spencer Street and Collins Street, Clarendon Street GP Express trams head to Gates 3 and 4 at 1-5 minute intervals during peak times over the weekend.

F1 Experiences Hotel Bookings & Circuit Transfers

Did you know? Circuit transfers are available for F1 Experiences guests who have booked their hotel together with an Official Ticket Package for the Australian Grand Prix. F1 Experiences secures room allocations at some of the most sought-after hotels in Melbourne on race weekend, and return bus transfers from your hotel to the Albert Park Circuit can be added to your booking. View Australia 2024 ticket packages & hotels

Other Ways to Get to Albert Park Circuit

We don’t recommend trying to drive to the circuit. Dedicated parking next to the circuit is not available and parking restrictions apply in the vicinity. Taxis and Uber are a good way to get to the circuit; 13cabs (tel: 132 227) is the recommended taxi service for the race. Taxi/Uber ranks are located at Gates 1 and 2 (on Canterbury Road), Gates 3 and 5 (on Albert Road), Gate 8 (on St Kilda Road) and Gate 10 (on Fitzroy Street).

Melbourne Taxis

The bright yellow taxis in Melbourne are plentiful and well regulated. Fares are increased when you are travelling late at night, if you wish to pay with card or have 5 or more passengers. Expect to pay around $20 AUD for a taxi between the circuit and the city centre, or approximately $15 AUD for routes between the circuit and St Kilda. Here are some reputable taxi companies in Melbourne: Silvertop: call 131 008 (fare calculator) / 13CABS: call 132 227.

Melbourne Bicycle Sharing

Melbourne has an extensive bicycle rental scheme. If you are in town for the Grand Prix, you can purchase either a daily or weekly subscription to the service, with prices starting from as little as $3 AUD per day or $8 per week. Just don’t forget to wear a helmet or you’ll face a stiff fine. Helmets can be purchased for just $5 AUD from a variety of convenience stores in the city. More details on Melbourne Bike Share.

Using Public Transport in Melbourne

Melbourne has an extensive public transport network consisting of trains, trams and buses. In the city centre, the main train station for suburban services is Flinders Street Station, on the corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets. It is possible to catch either a FREE train or tram from Flinders Street Station to the circuit on race days and stewards are on hand to guide lost F1 fans in the right direction. There’s also a free CBD tram zone in the center of the city. To travel on public transport in Melbourne, you will need to purchase a ‘myki’ card. This is a reusable smart card which can be both purchased and topped up at a variety of locations including via machines at train stations and tram stops and at 7-eleven stores. Each time you get on and off public transport, you need to swipe the reader to record your journey. More information on public transport in Melbourne.

Hiring a Car in Australia

If you are staying in the city for the Grand Prix and not planning to go further afield, you won’t benefit from hiring a car –  public transport and taxis will be more effective. Driving to the track each day is not a good idea, as parking and local road access is  severely restricted during the event. If you get the opportunity to spend more time in Australia, hiring a car to see more of the country can be a great option. A mid-size car should cost around $50-100 AUD per day. Petrol is relatively cheap by international standards at around $1.60-1.70 AUD per litre. 

What are your tips for getting around in Melbourne? Leave a comment below.

11 thoughts on “How to Get to Albert Park – 2024 Australian Grand Prix”

  1. we’ll be driving into the city from Ballarat. where’s a good close car park near the tram that takes you direct to the track?

    1. Hi Brendan, I’d be parking in either the CBD (where there are 70,000 spaces apparently) or in St Kilda. From both locations, you can take regular direct and free trams to Albert Park

    2. If you get there early enough, parking at the Crown Casino multi-level carpark is an ideal location as the tram stop is outside!

        1. Multi level car park at Casino is $18 max. Must be the multi level. You can punch that into maps as it is off King St. When you come in from the south on Kings Way you veer off into the Multi level car park. Signage is not good so you need to punch it into maps.

  2. Luck places us in Melbourne at the start of the practices for the 2020 grand prix. I really can only go on the Thursday. But it would be nice to see the cars on track live. Is this sensible and will I see much? Any advice on a way to maximise the day there?

  3. Hi,

    I walked to Albert park as I stayed apartment at Port Melbourne, it took apx.45min but good exercise.

    It seems apartment style accommodations are available at the center of city as well, and nice local wet market is very convenient so it is one idea.

  4. Hi, I will be working (volunteering) at the GP. I will be staying at The Collins Hotel in Collins Street what is the best tram for me to catch to get to Gate 1? Many thanks.

    1. Light Rail GP Express trams head to Gates 1 and 2 from Spencer Street (corner of Collins Street) every 1-3 minutes at peak times throughout the weekend.

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