Traveling to the Qatar Grand Prix: This is your travel guide!
General
- Ludo van Denderen
The Qatar Grand Prix is still a relative newcomer to the Formula 1 calendar. F1 visited the Losail International Circuit just once before, in 2021. From 2023, Qatar will be a regular host for the world's top motorsport class. At least until 2032, the F1 drivers will race in Qatar.
Where and when is the Qatar Grand Prix in 2023?
After a one-year absence due to the Football World Cup in Qatar, Formula 1 will return to the circuit in 2023. On 6, 7 and 8 October 2023, drivers will race at the Losail International Circuit, located in Lusail, north of Doha. The Qatar Grand is an evening race.
How to travel to the Qatar GP?
Hamad International Airport is Qatar's main airport and is easily accessible from many cities around the world, including London, Paris, Amsterdam, New York, and Cape Town. The airport is about 15 kilometres southeast of Doha city centre. The Losail International Circuit is a further 30 kilometres towards the southeast.
The easiest and cheapest way to reach the Grand Prix is to take the metro from Doha to Lusail Metro Station. This is about ten kilometres from the circuit. From the metro station, free shuttle buses run to Losail International Circuit on race weekends. Another option is taking a taxi. A ride from Doha to the circuit costs about ten dollars (one way). Note that in the evening hours, there is a 50 per cent increase on top of that!
Renting your own car is also an option, of course. Moreover, Uber is active in Doha and the surrounding area.
Where to stay during the Qatar GP?
There are a number of excellent hotels in the nearest city of Lusail and the slightly more distant Pearl Island. From there, you can get to the circuit relatively quickly. If you prefer to stay in Doha, two districts are recommended: West Bay houses many luxury hotels and shopping malls. The oldest part of the city is Al Jasra, where most of the sights are. The latter neighbourhood - also known as Downtown Doha - is where the cheapest accommodation can be found.
What do tickets for the Qatar GP cost?
The first edition of the Qatar Grand Prix took place in the coronavirus period. Therefore, only eight thousand fans were present in the stands. For 2023 onwards, the spectator capacity has been increased to 52,000. This makes the Qatar race among the least attended Grands Prix on the calendar.
Most tickets are sold out for the 2023 edition. Visitors in the main grandstand paid converted £450 (520 euros) for a weekend ticket. The North Grandstand is also full. For this grandstand, a three-day ticket costs £340 (390 euros) per person. Late deciders can still go to the T3 and T16 Grandstand in 2023. Then you will have to pay £225 (260 euros) per person for three days. Standing room tickets cost just under £140 (160 euros), but these are no longer available for 2023.