Formula One Racing in Holland Temporarily Closed to Tourists: Zandvoort Shut for Duration
Driving and Parking at the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort: A Guide
Preparing to attend the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Netherlands, in August 2025? Here's what you need to know about driving and parking in the area.
Due to the influx of visitors and limited parking, official parking permits or passes are essential for driving and parking near the Circuit Zandvoort during the race weekend. These passes are typically distributed to ticket holders who purchase a parking pass alongside their event ticket for the Dutch Grand Prix.
To obtain these passes, you can usually purchase them through the official event websites or authorized ticket sellers well in advance of the race weekend. The local municipality or race organizers may also handle applications for resident or special access permits, with instructions provided on the official event website or local government portals closer to the event.
Public transportation (train or shuttle buses) is strongly encouraged as the circuit is renowned for limited parking, and the public transit access is designed to reduce car traffic in the area. Gate 2 at the circuit is the closest entrance for train arrivals.
In an effort to prevent traffic chaos, the city of Zandvoort is dividing the town into three zones. The first zone includes the racetrack, the second is the town of Zandvoort itself, and both will be closed to cars without the necessary permit. The third zone consists of neighboring towns, some of which may also be affected by access restrictions.
To avoid complications and ensure smooth access, it's best to: 1. Buy official tickets that include or allow you to purchase a parking permit. 2. Check the official Dutch Grand Prix and Circuit Zandvoort websites for the latest instructions on how and when to apply for these permits. 3. Consider using public transportation to avoid the need for such permits altogether.
It's important to note that no general public "permit" allowing free parking or driving to the circuit area without a purchased parking pass is publicly available due to strict event traffic management.
Normally, only four trains run per hour in Zandvoort, and in the winter, there are only two. However, for the Formula 1 weekend, Zandvoort is boosting public transportation options to accommodate visitors. Trains will run every five minutes during the race weekend, and buses from all over the Netherlands will arrive in Zandvoort.
If you're looking for an alternative to Zandvoort during the Formula 1 weekend, Walter Sans recommends Haarlem, which has lakes for swimming though it is not directly on the coast. Last July, frustrated residents in Zandvoort manipulated the Google Maps app to report streets as "closed" due to traffic chaos caused by tourists.
The Formula 1 race in Zandvoort will take place from Thursday, August 28 to Sunday, August 31. Cycling into the restricted area with a bike rack is permitted, and bike parking spots are set up for the Formula 1 weekend. Residents of Zandvoort usually receive the permit automatically, but tourists can only obtain one if they have booked a hotel or vacation rental. Last-minute bookings are not possible for obtaining a permit during the Formula 1 weekend.
In conclusion, to drive and park near the circuit during the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix weekend, you must obtain an official parking permit via purchasing through the event ticket system or local organizers. Public transit is recommended to avoid the need for such permits altogether.
Sports enthusiasts planning to attend the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort should take note that official parking permits or passes are indispensable for driving and parking near the Circuit Zandvoort during the race weekend. If you're keen on securing a parking spot, it's advisable to purchase tickets that include or allow you to buy a parking permit, or check the official Dutch Grand Prix and Circuit Zandvoort websites for application instructions. Public transportation is also strongly encouraged to reduce car traffic in the area.
