Last updated: October 25, 2026 · By Ronen, Stay Near The Venue
Formula 1 returns to Circuit of the Americas in October 2027, and Austin hotel prices climb fast once fans start booking. COTA sits about 15 miles southeast of downtown, so where you stay decides whether you spend race day on a shuttle, in traffic, or a short ride from the gates. Here is where to stay, which hotels make sense, and how to get to the track.
Quick answer: Stay downtown near Waterloo Park if you want nightlife and the official COTA shuttle; stay in the airport area (about 5-7 miles from the track) if you want the shortest drive or rideshare. Buda, Kyle and Round Rock are cheaper fallbacks if you have a car.
Top hotel picks at a glance
| Hotel | Location & highlights | |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites Austin Airport East | one of the closest hotels to COTA, about 5 miles away as the crow… | Check price |
| Hyatt Place Austin Airport | about 5.6 miles from the circuit in the airport cluster. A dependable mid-range choice… | Check price |
| Hilton Austin Airport | on Austin-Bergstrom airport grounds, about a mile from the terminal and roughly 7 miles… | Check price |
| Omni Austin Hotel Downtown | on San Jacinto Boulevard, about half a mile from the Waterloo Park shuttle stop… | Check price |
| JW Marriott Austin | a large full-service hotel on East 2nd Street, about a mile from Waterloo Park… | Check price |
| Residence Inn by Marriott Austin Airport | suites with kitchens, about 6.5 miles from the circuit. Useful for families or groups… | Check price |
| Hampton Inn & Suites Austin South Buda | south of Austin off I-35 in Buda, about 20 miles from COTA by road.… | Check price |
Prices change daily – tap “Check price” for live rates on your dates.
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See hotels near Circuit of the Americas – compare live prices and free-cancellation rates for race weekend.
Hotel map: live prices near Circuit of the Americas
United States Grand Prix 2027 dates
The 2027 United States Grand Prix runs Friday October 22 to Sunday October 24, 2027 at Circuit of the Americas, round 19 of the provisional calendar, with the race on Sunday. Austin is not on the 2027 Sprint list, so Friday has practice, Saturday has final practice and qualifying, and Sunday is the Grand Prix. COTA also runs concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings, which keeps crowds (and return shuttles) going late.
Book a free-cancellation rate now and keep checking prices. Most fans need Thursday to Sunday or Monday nights, and the airport-area hotels closest to the circuit are usually the first to sell out.
Best areas to stay for COTA
| Area | Distance / time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Del Valle | 0-5 miles | Vacation rentals right by the track; very few hotels |
| Airport area (AUS) | About 5-7 miles | Shortest drive or rideshare, easy flights |
| Downtown Austin | About 15 miles; official shuttle from Waterloo Park | Nightlife, restaurants, car-free trip |
| Buda / Kyle | About 20-25 miles via SH-45 or SH-130 | Lower prices, drivers |
| Round Rock | About 30 miles via SH-130 | Budget and chain hotels, drivers |
Closest hotels to the circuit
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Austin Airport East – one of the closest hotels to COTA, about 5 miles away as the crow flies. Simple rooms and breakfast; best for drivers with pre-booked parking or anyone happy to rideshare.
- Hyatt Place Austin Airport – about 5.6 miles from the circuit in the airport cluster. A dependable mid-range choice with a short ride to the track and the terminal.
- Hilton Austin Airport – on Austin-Bergstrom airport grounds, about a mile from the terminal and roughly 7 miles from COTA. 262 rooms, good for fans who fly in and want a full-service hotel without downtown prices.
Downtown, near the official shuttle
- Omni Austin Hotel Downtown – on San Jacinto Boulevard, about half a mile from the Waterloo Park shuttle stop used for the latest edition. Easy walk to the bus in the morning and to Sixth Street at night.
- JW Marriott Austin – a large full-service hotel on East 2nd Street, about a mile from Waterloo Park and in the heart of downtown, around 15 miles from COTA. Suits groups and fans who want a lively base.
For families and longer stays
- Residence Inn by Marriott Austin Airport – suites with kitchens, about 6.5 miles from the circuit. Useful for families or groups who want to self-cater over a four-night stay.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Austin South Buda – south of Austin off I-35 in Buda, about 20 miles from COTA by road. Usually better value than central Austin; you will need a car and pre-booked parking.
Getting there, shuttles & parking
- Official shuttles (latest edition, 2026): round-trip buses run from Waterloo Park downtown (from $49) and the Travis County Expo Center in Northeast Austin (from $34), using a dedicated bus lane to a drop-off at the front gate. Children 3 and under ride free. Locations can change, so confirm the 2027 pickup points before booking a hotel around them.
- Shuttle hours: buses start about 60 minutes before gates open. The last inbound bus leaves at 6:30 PM on Friday and Saturday and 2 PM on Sunday; returns on Friday and Saturday run until 60 minutes after the music stops. Sunday’s longest waits are roughly 9:30 AM to 12:15 PM.
- Parking: cars need a pre-purchased COTA parking pass to enter COTA Boulevard on race weekend; check current rates on the official site. Coming from downtown, the usual route is SH-130 south to Elroy Road; from Buda and Kyle, SH-45 east to SH-130.
- Rideshare: COTA Boulevard is closed to all but permitted vehicles and buses. Uber and Lyft use the McAngus Road lot, with a complimentary tram to the Grand Plaza.
- Leaving: exiting traffic is heavy after the race. Waiting an hour or so often beats sitting in the queue.
Sources: COTA – Shuttles, Formula 1 – US Grand Prix 2027 tickets, Formula 1 – Getting to the US Grand Prix, COTA – Getting to COTA
Tips for US Grand Prix weekend
- Decide your transport first. If you will use the downtown shuttle, choose a hotel within walking distance of its pickup point; if you will drive, book parking as soon as it goes on sale.
- Airport-area hotels are close to COTA but have little nearby nightlife; downtown is the opposite.
- Late October in Austin can still be hot. Bring sunscreen, a hat and a refillable bottle.
- Rideshare prices surge after sessions. Budget for it, or head to the McAngus Road lot early.
FAQ
When is the US Grand Prix 2027?
October 22-24, 2027 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, with the race on Sunday, October 24. The calendar is provisional.
Is Austin a Sprint weekend in 2027?
No. The 2027 calendar lists 10 Sprint weekends, and the United States Grand Prix is not one of them.
How far is COTA from downtown Austin and the airport?
COTA is about 15 miles southeast of downtown. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is much closer, with airport-area hotels roughly 5-7 miles from the circuit.
Where does the COTA shuttle leave from?
For the latest edition the shuttles ran from Waterloo Park downtown and the Travis County Expo Center in Northeast Austin. Confirm the 2027 locations on the COTA website when passes go on sale.
Can I stay in Round Rock or Buda for the race?
Yes, if you drive. Both are about 20-30 miles from COTA and usually cheaper than central Austin, but they have no official shuttle, so pre-book parking.
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We start at the venue and work outward: walking time, shuttle and transit options first, then guest review scores and value for money. Hotels can’t pay to be listed. Some links are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability change daily, so always check live rates before you book.
