With the arrival of this weekend’s Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, many of the world’s best drivers visit the Magyar metropolis – but you don’t need to be a professional racer to rule the road here. Fasten your seat belts and start your engines with any of these extraordinary motorized attractions found in and around Budapest, from driving a communist-era Trabant through the city to navigating a quad bike across bumpy woodlands to experiencing hair-raising speed when flooring it in a sports car on the Hungaroring racecourse, along with many other ways to get your motor runnin’ here.

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Speeding on the Hungaroring track

Burn rubber on the actual Hungaroring racecourse to experience sensations ordinarily only felt by professional Formula 1 drivers, whizzing with no speed limit through the circuit as adrenaline flows freely with every lap. Wannabe daredevils can make this dream come true and get behind the wheel of a super-tuned sports car under the guidance of a trained instructor while negotiating the same hairpin turns as the pros. This thrilling adventure is only available on specific dates during Open Car Days, with prior registration required, and is certainly not offered during the Grand Prix weekend – but watch out for upcoming dates and events on the Hungaroring website.

Address: Mogyoród 2146, Hungaroring Circuit
Tel: +36 28 444 444
Directions: Get on the Gödöllő HÉV H8 from Örs Vezér Square and get off at Szilasliget station.
Website

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Off-road driving

Test your cross-country driving skills by navigating over rough terrain in the woodland range near the Hungaroring track, with special vehicles and three different training sessions offered to bold adventurers. Each excursion starts with an introduction to off-road driving techniques before participants take the wheel and tackle the course. Steer through the 20-kilometer-long forested course, traversing obstacles like ditches, slopes, bumps, and humps, all with a coach riding shotgun. The half-day and full-day sessions are customizable, while other exciting elements can be added to the program, such as a challenging quad ride. The off-road course is closed during the Formula 1 Grand Prix races, but it reopens in mid-August.

Address: Mogyoród 2146, Hungaroring
Tel: +36 28 441 951
Directions: Get on the Gödöllő HÉV H8 from Örs Vezér Square and get off at Mogyoród station.
Website

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Go-karting

Hungary’s most high-tech go-kart track stretches over 500 meters long in the center of the Hungaroring racecourse, awaiting thrill-seekers with speedy rides. Contenders can keep track of their status on digital displays, while a computer registers the positions, speeds, and lap times, and printouts of every driver’s stats are provided after crossing the finish line. Due to its location, the Hungaroring Kart Center is closed during the Formula 1 Grand Prix (reopening on August 1st), but luckily Budapest features several other go-kart tracks, such as the open-air Budaring in District XI, and the indoor G1 Gokart Center in District XIII or Silverkart in District X.

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Monster Chevy

Roll on jumbo wheels along a bumpy track at the Kőkaland Adventure Park in District XI, taking an extensively converted American muscle car for a ride on 1.5-meter tires. After an introductory round with an experienced instructor behind the wheel, start up the Chevy’s engine and take control over this monstrous vehicle that can take on almost any terrain. Apart from this colossal experience, the adventure park offers a variety of other rolling escapades as well, including the opportunity to drive an iconic Russian 4x4 Lada Niva or military vehicles. The park has no fixed opening hours, so to participate in any of its programs, book in advance.

Address: Budapest 1112, Gyógyvíz Street
Tel: +36 20 454 4641
Directions: Take bus 187 from Kelenföld Railway Station to Kőérpataki Dűlő, then follow the boards to the adventure park, which is a 10-minute walk from the bus station.
Website

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Rent A Trabant

1036 Budapest, Árpádfejedelem útja
Több infó

Any gearheads who want to see Budapest with genuine vintage style can hop into a Trabant and travel through time while discovering Budapest’s treasures. Powered by a roaring two-stroke engine, these plastic-bodied vehicles present a unique way to enjoy city sightseeing; drivers can be provided, but anyone with a valid driver’s license can take the wheel as well. Before puttering into traffic, participants get a brief lesson on driving these once-omnipresent cars produced in East Germany, a moving memento of Hungary’s communist era. Those who choose to take the wheel will find the “Budapest by Night” tour particularly appealing, as you can drive along the Danube banks and cross the city’s bridges without worrying about daytime traffic jams; obviously, air conditioning was not a feature of these autos for the masses. Contact Rent-A-Trabant Budapest for complete tailor-made guided tours or rental packages.