The Autodromo Nazionale Monza sits inside a large park about 20 km north of Milan. The train from Milan is fast and cheap. However, the circuit has no station at its gates, so every journey ends with a shuttle bus, a local bus, or a walk. This guide explains every route to the Italian Grand Prix, what each option costs, and how to leave the circuit after the race without long queues.
Monza travel at a glance
| Circuit location | Inside Parco di Monza, ~16–20 km north of Milan |
| Nearest airports | Milan Linate (LIN), Milan Malpensa (MXP), Milan Bergamo (BGY) |
| Main train station | Monza FS — ~5 km from the gates, with shuttle buses onward |
| Closest train station | Biassono-Lesmo Parco — a 10-minute walk to the North Gate |
| Car access | The circuit area inside the park is closed to cars and motorbikes |
| Official shuttles | Yes — colour-coded shuttle lines from Monza station and the car parks |
| Race-day rule of thumb | Allow up to 3 hours from central Milan to your seat on Sunday |
⚠️ The Monza travel gotcha: the train from Milan takes under 20 minutes, but the journey does not end there. From Monza station you still need a shuttle bus or a 40–60 minute walk to reach the gates, and then a further walk to your seat inside the circuit. We strongly advise you to plan your time around this last stretch, especially on Sunday morning.
The best way to get to the Italian Grand Prix — quick answer
- Flying in from abroad? All three Milan airports work well, since each one connects to the central Milan stations where the Monza trains depart.
- Staying in central Milan? We recommend the train from Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi to Monza station, followed by the shuttle bus. This is the standard route for most visitors.
- Sitting at the Lesmo corners or the Serraglio (grandstands 9, 10 and 11)? We recommend the train to Biassono-Lesmo Parco station instead. It is a 10-minute walk to the North Gate and avoids the main crowds.
- On a budget? The trains and buses around Monza are integrated and cost only a few euros each way. The Italian Grand Prix is one of the cheapest races in Formula 1 to reach.
- Thinking of driving? We advise against it for most visitors. If you must drive, we recommend you pre-book the Blue zone car park and use its included shuttle bus.
Sorting your tickets and travel together? Start with our Italian Grand Prix tickets guide, because at Monza your grandstand number decides which station suits you best.
What is the closest airport to Monza?
Milan has three airports, and all three work for the Italian Grand Prix. Milan Linate (LIN) is the closest to the city centre. Milan Malpensa (MXP) is the main long-haul hub. Milan Bergamo (BGY) is the low-cost airport, and it sits on the Monza side of the city.
| Airport | Code | Connection to central Milan | Best for |
| Milan Linate | LIN | ~8 km from the centre, with a metro link | Short-haul flights and the shortest transfer |
| Milan Malpensa | MXP | Malpensa Express train, ~50 minutes | Long-haul and full-service flights |
| Milan Bergamo | BGY | Direct train to Milano Centrale, ~50 minutes | Low-cost flights across Europe |
We recommend you simply book whichever airport has the best fare. All three feed into Milano Centrale and Milano Porta Garibaldi, which are the two stations the Monza trains leave from. If the fares are equal, Milan Linate is the most convenient.
Milan is also one of the best rail-connected cities in Europe. Direct high-speed trains arrive from Rome, Turin and Zurich, and connecting services run from Paris. All of them arrive at Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi, which is exactly where you want to be.
Can you get to Monza by train?
Yes, and the train is how most fans reach the Italian Grand Prix. Suburban trains run from Milano Centrale, Milano Porta Garibaldi and Sesto San Giovanni to Monza station every 15 minutes or better. The journey takes 10 to 20 minutes and costs only a few euros. The final stretch from Monza station is the part you need to plan.
From Monza station to the circuit
Monza station is about 5 km from the circuit gates. You have three options for this final stretch, and we have ranked them below.
- The official shuttle bus. In 2026 the shuttles run as colour-coded lines. The Black Line connects Monza station, at the Piazza Castello exit, to the park. It is cheap and runs constantly. However, it is not door-to-door, and you should still expect a 10–20 minute walk from the drop-off point to the entrances.
- Local buses 204 and 221. These regular city buses leave from near the station and stop at the Vedano and Santa Maria delle Selve gates. They are often calmer than the shuttle queues.
- Walking. The walk from Monza station to gates A or G takes 40 to 60 minutes. Since thousands of fans walk the same route through the park, it is a pleasant option if you have the time.
Two small train tips matter at this race. First, buy your ticket at the station machines and validate it before boarding, because inspections are common on race weekend. Second, the trains are busiest between 08:00 and 10:00, so travel earlier if you can.
The Biassono-Lesmo back door
The closest station to the circuit is not Monza station. It is the small Biassono-Lesmo Parco station, which sits about 200 m from the Lesmo corners and a 10-minute walk from the North Gate, with trains from Milano Porta Garibaldi. If your seats are in grandstands 9, 10 or 11, we strongly recommend this route, because it avoids the main crowds at Monza station entirely.
There is one trade-off to know. Biassono-Lesmo Parco is a long walk from the Fan Zone and the main straight. Hence, you should match your station to your grandstand. Our Monza grandstands guide is organised corner by corner to help you make exactly this decision.
New for 2026: Trenord sells a combined train and entry ticket in a single purchase on all three days of the Italian Grand Prix. The ticket runs from Milano Porta Garibaldi to Biassono-Lesmo Parco and covers the general admission lawn or the Serraglio Grandstand. For a budget single-day visit, we think it is the tidiest package at this race.
The metro and bus route
From central Milan you can also take Metro Line M1 to Sesto 1° Maggio FS and then the Z221 bus, which stops outside the circuit at Vedano and Biassono. It costs a couple of euros on integrated city fares. However, these buses become extremely crowded across the weekend. We recommend this route for Friday practice only, and we advise against it on race day.
Can you drive to the Italian Grand Prix?
You can drive, but we advise against it for most visitors. The circuit area inside Parco di Monza is closed to cars and motorbikes all weekend. The official car parks sit between 0.5 km and 5 km from the circuit, access is controlled by the police on race day, and much of the closest parking is reserved for VIP and paddock pass holders. The train from Milan takes under 20 minutes, so driving saves you nothing.
If you do need to drive, perhaps for a campervan or for group logistics, we recommend you pre-book the Blue zone. It is the cheapest official option at around €100 for a three-day pass. It sits about 4 km from the circuit, and its shuttle bus, the Blue Line to Gate G, is included in the price. A Purple Line also links the western car parks to the Vedano entrance at Gate A. Please do not rely on a sat-nav to find closer access on race day, because the road restrictions are enforced.
Taxis and rideshares face the same rules. They can only drop you at the park perimeter, so you walk a similar distance for a much higher fare.
Where should you stay for easy access to Monza?
| Base | Journey to the circuit | How |
| Monza town | 40–60 min walk, or shuttle/bus | The closest beds to the circuit; they sell out first |
| Central Milan (Centrale/Garibaldi area) | ~60–90 min door to gate | Train plus shuttle — the standard choice |
| Sesto San Giovanni | ~45–60 min | Train, or Metro M1 plus the Z221 bus |
| Biassono / Lesmo villages | 10–20 min walk | The insider pick for the northern grandstands |
| Bergamo | ~1h45 | Train to Milan, or direct regional services |
Central Milan is the right base for most visitors. We recommend you book near Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi, so that your race morning starts on the platform rather than on the metro.
Italian Grand Prix travel costs
| Item | Price | Notes |
| Train, Milan ↔ Monza | ~€3 to 5 return | S8/S9/S11 lines; validate before boarding |
| Black Line shuttle, Monza station ↔ park | ~€6 return | Queues peak on Sunday morning |
| Local buses 204 / 221 / Z221 | ~€2 to 3 | Integrated city fares |
| Blue zone parking (3-day pass) | ~€100 | ~4 km out; Blue Line shuttle included |
| Airport trains (Malpensa Express / Bergamo link) | ~€10 to 13 each way | Airport to central Milan |
These prices are set by Trenord, ATM and the circuit, and they change from season to season. We recommend you confirm them on the official channels before you travel.
How long does it take to leave Monza after the race?
The queue at Monza station can exceed 90 minutes straight after the race. However, the Italian Grand Prix gives you a good reason to wait: the famous track invasion. Fans have traditionally been allowed onto the circuit under the podium after the finish. If you stay for it and leave about an hour after the flag, the station queue usually shrinks to a manageable length.
Here is how we rank your options for leaving the Autodromo Nazionale Monza:
- Stay for the track invasion. You get the best moment of the weekend, and the queues clear while you enjoy it.
- Take local buses 204 or 221. When the shuttle queue is very long, these regular buses on the Vedano side often move first.
- Leave via Biassono-Lesmo Parco. If you sit in the northern grandstands, this station lets you avoid the main crowd completely.
- Head straight for the shuttle and train. We only recommend this if you have a fixed connection to make, and we advise you to allow generous extra time even then.
For flights home, a late Sunday departure from Milan Linate is realistic. For Milan Malpensa or Milan Bergamo, you must add the full cross-city transfer on top of the exit queues, so we recommend you fly on Monday instead.
What time should you arrive each day?
We recommend you work backwards from the final walk. On Friday, allow about 90 minutes from central Milan to your seat. On Saturday, allow two hours. On Sunday, allow up to three hours, and aim to be through the gates by 10:00. The session times for the whole weekend are in our Italian Grand Prix schedule.
Entry requirements for Italy
Italy is in the Schengen Area. Visitors from the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand currently enter visa-free for short stays, and EU citizens travel freely. If you are a non-EU visitor, we recommend you check the current status of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and the ETIAS travel authorisation before you fly, because the requirements in September 2026 may differ from your last trip to Europe. Your tickets are digital, and you should carry the ID you booked with.
Currency, language and other practical matters are covered in our Italian GP visitor information page.
First time at Monza?
The defining challenge of the Italian Grand Prix is crowd density rather than distance. More than a hundred thousand fans share one park, a handful of gates, and a final walk that no train can shortcut. If you accept the walk, pick the station that matches your grandstand, and give Sunday morning three unhurried hours, we think Monza will repay you with the loudest and most emotional day in Formula 1.
Italian Grand Prix travel FAQs
1. What is the closest airport to Monza?
Milan Linate (LIN) is the closest airport to central Milan. Milan Malpensa (MXP) handles long-haul flights, and Milan Bergamo (BGY) is the low-cost hub on the Monza side of the city. All three connect to the stations where the Monza trains depart.
2. How do I get from Milan to the Monza circuit?
Take a train from Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi to Monza station, which takes 10 to 20 minutes. From there, take the Black Line shuttle, a local bus, or walk 40 to 60 minutes to the gates.
3. What is the closest train station to the Monza circuit?
Biassono-Lesmo Parco is the closest station. It sits about 200 m from the Lesmo corners and a 10-minute walk from the North Gate, with trains from Milano Porta Garibaldi. Monza station is larger and better served, but it is 5 km from the gates.
4. Is there a train and ticket combo for Monza?
Yes. In 2026 Trenord sells a combined train and entry ticket per day via Biassono-Lesmo Parco. It covers the general admission lawn or the Serraglio Grandstand.
5. How long does the whole journey take on race day?
Allow up to three hours from central Milan to your seat on Sunday. On Friday, the same journey takes closer to 90 minutes.
6. Can I drive to the Monza circuit?
The circuit area inside the park is closed to cars and motorbikes. The official car parks sit 0.5 km to 5 km out, and the closest ones are largely reserved for VIP and paddock pass holders. Hence, we recommend the train for general ticket holders.
7. How much is parking at the Italian Grand Prix?
The Blue zone is the main pre-bookable public option. It costs around €100 for a three-day pass, sits about 4 km from the circuit, and includes a shuttle bus to Gate G.
8. Can a taxi drop me at the gates?
No. Taxis and rideshares must stop at the park perimeter, so you walk a similar distance for a much higher fare.
9. Is there a shuttle from Monza station to the circuit?
Yes. The Black Line runs from the Piazza Castello exit of Monza station to the park for around €6 return. Expect queues on Sunday morning and a 10–20 minute walk from the drop-off to the entrances.
10. Which buses go to the Monza circuit?
Buses 204 and 221 from Monza station serve the Vedano and Santa Maria delle Selve gates. The Z221 bus from Sesto 1° Maggio FS stops outside the circuit, but it becomes extremely crowded, so we advise against it on race day.
11. Do I need to validate my train ticket?
Yes. Buy your ticket at the station machines and validate it before boarding, because inspections are common on race weekend.
12. How long does it take to leave Monza after the race?
The station queue can exceed 90 minutes straight after the finish, but it shrinks a great deal within the hour. We recommend you stay for the track invasion and leave once the crowd has thinned.
13. Can I go on the track after the race at Monza?
Traditionally, yes. The post-race track invasion under the podium is a Monza institution, although you should follow the marshals’ directions on the day.
14. Can I fly home on Sunday night?
A late departure from Milan Linate is realistic. For Milan Malpensa or Milan Bergamo, you must add the full cross-city transfer to the exit time, so Monday is the safer choice.
1 thought on “How to Get to Monza: Italian Grand Prix Travel Guide”
Comments are closed.