After nine years, Formula 1 is finally coming back to Sepang.

For fans who remember the Malaysian Grand Prix, that sentence alone is enough to bring back memories of blazing heat, sudden tropical rain, the long sweeping corners of Sepang and some seriously entertaining races. For everyone who discovered Formula 1 after 2017, this is something different: a chance to finally see one of the sport's most distinctive circuits on the calendar.

And there is an unusual story behind the return. Formula 1 has not been planning a normal Malaysian Grand Prix comeback. The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix was cancelled amid the wider regional conflict, and Sepang has stepped in to host the Bahrain Grand Prix from 2 to 4 October 2026. It means the F1 paddock will return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, turning what was supposed to be a Bahrain race into an unexpected return to one of Southeast Asia's most famous circuits.

For motorsport fans, that makes this a particularly interesting time to visit Malaysia. You are not simply travelling to watch another Grand Prix. You are coming to Sepang for an F1 return that has been nine years in the making, and you can combine it with a few days exploring Kuala Lumpur and the rest of Malaysia.

But there is something international visitors should know before booking everything around the circuit: the race is at Sepang, but your holiday does not have to be.

Sepang International Circuit is outside Kuala Lumpur, around 60 kilometres from the city centre and much closer to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. On an ordinary day, getting there is relatively straightforward. During a major race weekend, however, thousands of fans are trying to reach the same place, often at similar times. That can make accommodation and transport an important part of the experience.

So, if you are coming all the way to Malaysia for F1 or MotoGP, how do you make the most of the trip?

Start by choosing the right base

The first decision is where you want to stay.

You will find hotels around Sepang and KLIA, which can be convenient if your main priority is being close to the circuit. This is particularly useful if you are arriving shortly before the race or leaving Malaysia soon after the weekend.

However, staying close to the circuit is not necessarily the best choice for everyone. If you are travelling internationally and have three, four or five days available, Kuala Lumpur can be a much more interesting base for the trip.

Central Kuala Lumpur gives you access to a much wider selection of hotels, restaurants, shopping and sightseeing. You can spend your race day at Sepang and then return to the city for dinner, explore the local neighbourhoods or simply relax at your hotel. For many international visitors, this provides a better balance between the race and the rest of the Malaysian experience.

There is also a practical consideration. Being closer to the circuit does not automatically mean that you will have an easy journey after the race. Race-day traffic can be unpredictable, so it is better to think about your entire transport plan rather than simply choosing the hotel with the smallest number of kilometres on the map.

Getting from Kuala Lumpur to Sepang International Circuit

Getting to Sepang International Circuit is relatively simple when there is no major event taking place. During F1 or MotoGP weekend, it is worth planning this part of your trip in advance.

Depending on your accommodation and the arrangements available for the particular event, you may have several options. These can include official race-day shuttle services, public transport towards KLIA followed by a road connection, a private driver or your own rental vehicle.

Race-day shuttle services are particularly worth checking. Special shuttle arrangements have been used for major events at Sepang, including services connecting the circuit with locations in central Kuala Lumpur. These can be a convenient option because many other race fans are travelling in the same direction.

If you are staying in central Kuala Lumpur, the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit are also useful to know about. Both connect Kuala Lumpur with Kuala Lumpur International Airport, although there is no train station directly at Sepang International Circuit. You will still need to arrange the final part of the journey from the airport area to the circuit.

The exact transport arrangements can change between events and years, so check the official information for your particular F1 or MotoGP weekend before you travel.

Should you use Grab?

Grab is one of the easiest ways to get around Malaysia under normal circumstances, and visitors will find it very useful for travelling around Kuala Lumpur.

Race weekend is a little different.

Imagine thousands of people leaving Sepang International Circuit after the same session or race. Many of them will open their phones and request a ride at approximately the same time. At the same time, traffic around the circuit can become heavily congested.

The result is that a journey which normally looks simple on the map can take considerably longer. Fares may also increase when demand is high, and there is always the possibility that a driver will cancel or decide not to accept a longer journey during particularly busy periods.

This does not mean you should avoid Grab completely. It simply means that we would not make it your only plan for an important race weekend.

For a couple or small group, having a pre-arranged private driver can be much more comfortable. Your driver can collect you from your hotel, take you to the circuit and arrange a suitable pickup afterwards. For families and groups, the additional cost can also become more reasonable when shared between several travellers.

Another option: rent a scooter or motorcycle

For experienced riders, renting a scooter or motorcycle is another option worth considering, particularly if you are travelling around Malaysia for several days rather than simply going from your hotel to the circuit.

Having your own two-wheeler gives you more flexibility and means you are not dependent on finding a driver when the race finishes. It can also make it easier to explore the areas around Sepang and KLIA during the rest of your trip. Where to rent the bike? You can find the companies on facebook. Keywords: "Scooter rental Kota Warisan", "Sewa motor Sepang". Read the reviews before you book/rent.

However, this is one area where it is important not to take shortcuts. Make sure you are legally permitted to ride in Malaysia and that your driving licence and insurance provide the appropriate coverage. Wear proper safety equipment and be comfortable with local road conditions before choosing this option.

For visitors who are not experienced motorcycle riders, a private car and driver is usually the more sensible choice.

Don't let the race become your entire Malaysia trip

This is where we think international motorsport fans can get much more from their visit.

You may have travelled thousands of kilometres to watch F1 or MotoGP at Sepang, but Malaysia has a lot more to offer once the race is over. Kuala Lumpur is a particularly easy place to extend your trip because you can combine the race with food, culture, shopping and sightseeing without having to make complicated travel arrangements.

Spend an evening exploring the city after a day at the circuit. Visit Chinatown and the historic areas around the city centre. See the Petronas Twin Towers. Try Malaysian food at a local restaurant or hawker centre. If you have more time, consider taking a day trip outside Kuala Lumpur.

For many visitors, the food alone is a good reason to stay a few extra days.

Malaysia's food culture brings together Malay, Chinese, Indian and many other influences, and Kuala Lumpur is an excellent place to experience that variety. A food tour can be a particularly easy way to discover local dishes because you can have someone take care of the route and introduce you to the food rather than spending half your holiday researching restaurants.

You may arrive in Malaysia because of Formula 1 or MotoGP. By the time you leave, the food may be one of the things you remember most.

Why three to five days can make a better trip

If your schedule allows, we would recommend treating the race as the centrepiece of a longer holiday rather than flying in and out around the event itself.

A three-to-five-day trip gives you enough time to experience both sides of Malaysia. You can spend one day exploring Kuala Lumpur, another at Sepang International Circuit and then use the remaining time for food, culture or a short trip outside the city.

For example, an overseas visitor could arrive in Kuala Lumpur, settle into their hotel and spend the first evening exploring the neighbourhood. The following day could be dedicated to sightseeing and Malaysian food before heading to Sepang for the race.

After the race, you could slow things down with another day in Kuala Lumpur or take a private day trip to somewhere such as Malacca.

There is no need for every day to be packed with activities. In fact, leaving some free time can make the trip more enjoyable, especially if you have spent an entire day at a noisy and crowded circuit.

Make the trip your own

Not every motorsport fan wants the same holiday.

Some people want to spend every possible minute at the circuit. Others are travelling with their partner or family and want to combine the race with sightseeing. Some will be travelling with a group of friends and want a private vehicle, while others may be interested in food, photography, shopping or exploring Malaysia beyond Kuala Lumpur.

That is why a race trip can work particularly well as a customised itinerary.

At ZFB Travel, we can help arrange a Malaysia trip around your F1 or MotoGP weekend, rather than asking you to fit your holiday into a fixed package.

Depending on your plans, that could include airport transfers, private transportation, a Kuala Lumpur food tour, sightseeing or a three-to-five-day private itinerary before or after the race.

For example, you could combine your race weekend with a Kuala Lumpur food experience, spend a few days exploring the city and then add a private day trip to another destination. If you are travelling as a group, we can also arrange transportation and activities around your preferred schedule.

The idea is simple: tell us when you are coming, how many people are travelling and what you want to experience, and we can help build the rest around your race weekend.

The race is the reason. Malaysia is the experience.

There is a good reason why travelling for a Grand Prix or MotoGP round is different from watching it on television. You experience the circuit, the crowd and the atmosphere in a way that simply cannot be recreated from home.

But the trip should not end when the chequered flag falls.

If you are travelling from overseas to Sepang, give yourself enough time to experience Malaysia properly. Think about your transport before race day, especially if you are staying in Kuala Lumpur. Do not rely entirely on finding a Grab immediately after the race. Consider a private driver, an official shuttle or a motorcycle if you are an experienced and legally permitted rider.

Most importantly, don't choose your hotel purely based on its distance from the circuit. Think about what you want to do before and after the race.

Come to Malaysia for the racing.

Stay for the food, the culture and the experience.

Planning a Malaysia trip around F1 or MotoGP at Sepang?

ZFB Travel can help you arrange a customised itinerary around your race weekend, from private transportation and food tours to three-to-five-day Malaysia tours.

Tell us your race dates, number of travellers and what you would like to experience, and we can help you plan the rest of your trip.