How to Get to COTA for F1 2026: Shuttles, Parking and Rideshare
Circuit of The Americas sits about 30 minutes southeast of downtown, and on race weekend that drive can take a lot longer. Here's how to get to COTA for the 2026 United States Grand Prix, Oct 22 to 25: the official shuttles, parking, rideshare and the times that matter.
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The official shuttle is the easiest way in. It drops you at the track, skips the parking lots and costs less than a parking pass. Drive only if you've already bought a COTA parking pass, since you can't park at the track without one. Rideshare works too, but leaving after the race is the slowest part of the day.
Official Shuttles
COTA runs shuttles from two pickup spots. Buses start 60 minutes before gates open, and the busiest window on Sunday is roughly 9:30am to 12:15pm, so go earlier if you can.
COTA F1 Shuttles
- 📍 Waterloo Park downtown, from $49. Travis County Expo Center in northeast Austin, from $34
- 🕒 Starts 60 minutes before gates. Last ride to the track is 6:30pm Friday and Saturday, 2pm Sunday
- 🔙 Friday and Saturday return shuttles run until 60 minutes after the music ends
- 🎟 Buy ahead through COTA's shuttle page. Up to 8 per order, kids 3 and under ride free. Standby isn't guaranteed
Parking at COTA
Every lot at COTA needs a parking pass bought ahead of time. Prices below are the starting prices on COTA's parking page, and the closer lots sell out first.
- Park N Ride and Lot F — From $52. The cheapest options.
- Lot R and Lot K — Lot R from $70.83, Lot K from $82.83.
- Lot L and Lot C Garage — Lot L from $100.17, the Lot C Garage from $113.
- Lot T — From $134.50.
Lots open at 11am Thursday, 8:30am Friday and 8am Saturday and Sunday.
COTA F1 parking passes →
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft drop off and pick up at the North McAngus lot, with free trams to the Grand Plaza. There's no rideshare on COTA Blvd, so don't set your pin there. Expect surge pricing after the races and concerts, and a long wait for a car on Sunday. Fan reports put the post-race exit at 60 to 120 minutes, so some people grab food or stay for the concert and let the crowd thin out first.
Gate Times
- Thu Oct 22 — Gates 11:30am. Grand PrixView Thursday.
- Fri Oct 23 — Gates 9am. Practice 1 at 12:30pm, Practice 2 at 4pm, Maroon 5 that night.
- Sat Oct 24 — Gates 8:30am. Practice 3 at 12:30pm, Qualifying at 4pm, Post Malone after.
- Sun Oct 25 — Gates 8:30am. The race starts at 3pm, and Alesso closes the weekend.
On Sunday, the last shuttle to the track leaves at 2pm. Don't cut it close.
Before You Go
Bags have to be smaller than 12 by 12 by 20 inches. COTA is cashless, so bring a card or your phone. Re-entry is allowed with a ticket scan. Check COTA's know-before-you-go page the morning you head out, since details can change.
Not going to the track? Free things to do F1 week in Austin → Every F1 after-party, night by night →Get the free F1 week guide for everything happening off the track, from fan zones to after-parties.
Get the free F1 week guide → Where to buy F1 merch in Austin →Getting to COTA, Quickly
What's the best way to get to COTA for F1?
The official shuttle from Waterloo Park downtown (from $49) or the Travis County Expo Center (from $34). It drops you at the track and avoids parking.
Can you Uber to COTA?
Yes. Rideshare uses the North McAngus lot, with free trams to the Grand Plaza. There's no rideshare drop-off on COTA Blvd. Expect surge pricing and long waits after the race.
How much is parking at COTA for F1 2026?
Passes start at $52 for Park N Ride and Lot F and go up to $134.50 for Lot T. You need a pass bought ahead of time.
What time do COTA gates open for the US Grand Prix?
11:30am Thursday, 9am Friday, and 8:30am Saturday and Sunday.
What size bag can I bring to COTA?
Bags must be smaller than 12 by 12 by 20 inches. COTA is cashless.
Photos: Praswin Prakashan and Sai Kiran Belana / Unsplash. Shuttle, parking and gate details from circuitoftheamericas.com as of Oct 15.
More from the ATX Weekly blog → Things to do in Austin this weekend →