Discover insider tips for the most convenient accommodation options at COTA
Located half an hour away from downtown Austin, the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is in the perfect location to choose from a plethora of easy and convenient accommodation options. This comprehensive guide will share the best hotel prices and locations to ensure a seamless race weekend at the United States Grand Prix.
Staying in a hotel
Downtown Austin
Downtown Austin is the ideal place to stay in since the circuit is merely half an hour away by car. This area is filled with entertainment and great food, so staying here during the race weekend is one of the best options! If you plan on staying in downtown Austin, make sure to check out 6th Street and Rainey Street as these are two of the most notable areas in Austin that have lots of exciting things to experience.
Two star hotels range from $150 - $200 (USD) during the week and get up to roughly $200 - $250 (USD) on the weekends. Three star hotels start at $170 - $200 (USD) throughout the week but can get up to $290 - $400 (USD) on the weekends. Lastly, four star hotels range from $300 - $500 (USD) throughout the week but prices can get as high as $350 - $900 (USD) on the weekends.
Popular Hotels:
Hampton Inn & Suites Austin @ The University / Capitol ★★
South Congress (SOCO)
South Congress, also known as SOCO is another great area to stay in when visiting for the United States Grand Prix. This shopping district is the ideal Austin strip offering numerous local shops, murals and restaurants. Visitors will never be bored when staying in this particular area in Austin.
Two star hotels start at around $150 - $200 (USD) a night throughout the weekdays but get up to roughly $200 - $250 (USD) a night on the weekends. Three star hotels in South Congress begin at $200 - $300 (USD) a night during the week but get up to about $275 - $400 (USD) a night on the weekends. Four star hotels start at $400 - $550 (USD) a night during the week but can reach prices as high as $500 - $670 (USD) on the weekends. Keep in mind that booking far in advance is ideal during a race weekend as many hotels are subject to a surcharge based on the high demand.
Popular Hotels:
Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown South Congress ★★★
East Austin
East Austin, known as the ‘Eclectic Eastside’ is an area within Austin that is home to many new eateries, boutiques and entertainment options. It has a rich history and the atmosphere is unmatched.
Two star hotels start at $100 - $150 (USD) a night on the weekdays and reach $120 - $180 (USD) during the weekends. Three star hotels start at $150 - $200 (USD) a night throughout the week but get up to $180 - $250 (USD) a night on the weekends. Lastly, four star hotels start at about $250 - $300 (USD) a night during the week but reach prices as high as $300 - $450 (USD) during the weekends.
Popular Hotels:
Tru by Hilton Austin Airport ★★
Residence Inn Austin - University Area ★★★
Staying in a 'Homeshare'
Homeshares are a great option if you are traveling to COTA for the US Grand Prix. There are different accommodation options located all around the city ranging from entire houses, to apartments, to single rooms. Prices are very dependent on the type of accommodation you choose, how many guests there are and lastly how long you plan on staying. Many homeshare options offer long term stay deals, so if that is something that interests you, it may be worth extending your stay in Austin!
Websites to check for Homeshares:
Camping
COTA is one of the unique circuits that offer camping within the track. There are a couple of different options to choose from.
Premium RV Camping:
There are many perks to choosing the premium RV camping. Starting with access to the premium campsite starting on the Thursday of the race weekend and ending on the Monday following the race. This is ideal because it gives visitors time to settle in as well as time to pack their things up, all while missing the chaos of the Friday and Sunday guests. It includes a one vehicle parking pass as well as a paved spot located right on the back straight. There are water/electric hook-ups for your RV with access to on-site bathrooms and showers.
One thing to note is that RV camping does not include race admission. Each individual at your campsite must have their own ticket to enter the circuit.
Prices for the RV camping start at roughly $600 (USD) for the whole race weekend, but unfortunately they are sold out for the 2023 United States Grand Prix.
Dry Camping
Dry camping is another great option if you would prefer to stay at the track throughout the duration of the race weekend. The access is different in comparison to the RV camping experience. This package allows you access to Lot N from the Thursday before the weekend to the Monday following the race weekend. It includes one camping spot in a gravel/grass lot, one vehicle parking pass and access to on-site restrooms. Like the RV camping pass, the dry camping does not include race admission - each individual must have their own ticket to enter the circuit.
Prices for the dry camping weekend start at $865 (USD) for the entire weekend.
For more information on camping at COTA, check out the official Circuit of the Americas website.
Looking for more on the United States Grand Prix?
If you're attending the United States GP now or in the future, we highly recommend starting with our "Know Before You Go" discussion for all the insider tips and tricks you need to maximize your experience, along with our other guides:
- Traveling to Austin - Getting to the Circuit of the Americas
- Exploring Austin - Fun activities at the United States Grand Prix
When you're finished, join the lively Grand Prix Travel community on FanAmp and Reddit to interact with fellow motorsports enthusiasts, ask questions, and gather valuable insights. There are even meetups at races around the world so you can spend time with new and old friends over food and drink.
And be sure to visit our trusted partner, F1 Destinations, for help with tickets and all things travel. They write excellent, in-depth guides on all aspects of each race.