Daytona 500 2025

Question

Hi, my husband and I are thinking of going to the Daytona 500 in February. We don’t know the area and have never been to a large event like this. We are flying in from Canada and would prefer a package that includes tickets, hotel and shuttle transportation. Thinking we’d stay for 3 nights and then maybe find another area to stay on the beach for another 4 nights. I’m at a bit of a loss in choosing a package. Seems like many on the hotels in the packages are in Orlando…but that seems like a lot of time traveling back and forth to the track. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Are there any nice hotels on the beach that would be part of a package? If we stay near the track, how does one get from the airport to the hotel?

Also, any suggestions for the second part of the vacation?

thanks

Answer

Great idea, and very smart to start planning now. The Daytona 500 is one of the biggest NASCAR events, and packages that include tickets, hotel, and transportation can make things so much smoother — especially for a first-time visit. Below are recommendations and advice based on current (or recent) packages, hotel options, and how to structure your 3-day race weekend + beach vacation.

1. Recommended Daytona 500 Packages

On Location (Official Travel Provider): The Daytona International Speedway’s official travel package partner. Their packages let you bundle your race tickets with hotel stays (2–5 nights) and include round-trip transportation to the track.
- You’ll also get extras like a race-weekend gift, scanner rentals, and Hard Rock Bet Fanzone access.
- They offer various ticket options (grandstand, club, etc.) and different hotel tiers (Daytona-area or Orlando).
GEM Hospitality: They have Daytona 500 packages that include lower “Pit In / Pit Out” grandstand tickets, hotel in Daytona Beach, and transportation on Sunday.
- They offer 3-night or 5-night stays, depending on how much of the weekend you want to be immersed in the race culture.
- Packages often include daily breakfast, FanZone access, and their staff are on-site for race weekend.
eSeats Travel: They have more basic but solid packages — for example, a 3-night hotel stay in the Daytona Beach area plus reserved grandstand tickets.
- They partner with several 4-star hotels near the speedway.
- You can request customizations, like changing your room nights or hotel, through them.
RaceAway Hospitality: Although many of their packages route through Orlando, they are experienced and include motorcoach transport to the track.
- Their “Daytona 500” package specifically lists motorcoach transportation to/from the speedway, race tickets, and hotel.
- This might be less ideal if you want to minimize travel on race day, but it’s a reliable and well-reviewed provider.

2. Hotels Near the Speedway or Beachfront

You’re right to think carefully about where to stay. Staying near the track versus on the beach each has trade-offs:

The DAYTONA (Autograph Collection): This is a boutique, upscale hotel right near the speedway (part of One Daytona).
- Very convenient for race days, and it even has a shuttle to/from the airport per their amenities.
- Amenities include a rooftop terrace, pool, and a restaurant/bar (NASCAR-themed).
Other Daytona Beach Hotels: According to the Daytona Beach tourism board, there are 200+ properties ranging from oceanfront resorts to more affordable accommodations.
- Notable beachfront options include Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront, Shores Resort & Spa, and Daytona Grande Oceanfront Resort.
- Some of these hotels may not be part of the *official* race-package providers, so you'd need to check with your travel company or book separately, then arrange transport or ride-share for race day.

3. Getting from the Airport to Your Hotel / Speedway

Airport Option: The closest major airport is Daytona Beach International (DAB), but many people fly into Orlando (MCO) and then make the drive.
Shuttle vs Rideshare: Some race-package providers (like On Location) include motorcoach transportation to/from the speedway on race day, which is very helpful.
Local Transportation: According to Daytona’s hotel-transportation guidance, many hotels offer shuttle services within the area.
Rideshare Realities: According to Reddit users, Uber or Lyft are common but surge pricing during large events can be steep.

4. Suggestions for the Second Part of Your Trip (Beach Stay):

Since you want to spend another 4 nights on the beach after race weekend, here are some ideas:

Stay in Daytona Beach: Use one of the beachfront resorts mentioned above for the rest of your trip — this avoids the hassle of changing cities and gives you more time to relax by the ocean.
Drive to Nearby Beach Destinations: Consider options like New Smyrna Beach (just south of Daytona) or St. Augustine (north) — both are charming, historic, and less crowded than Daytona during race week.
Rent a Car: If you don’t already plan to, renting a car for the second leg of your trip gives you flexibility to explore the Atlantic coast, do day trips, or simply enjoy the beach at your own pace.

5. Tips & Things to Watch For:

Book Early: Packages for the Daytona 500 often sell out fast, especially for good hotels near the track.
Check Package Inclusions Carefully: Make sure your package includes the transportation to the speedway on race day, or factor in Uber or local travel costs.
Be Realistic About Shuttles / Rides: Race-day traffic will be heavy. Even with shuttles, getting to and from the track takes time.
Airport Choice: Flying into Orlando might offer more flight options, but adds driving time; Daytona Beach Airport is more convenient if available.

Bottom Line: Since you want to minimize race-day hassle and maximize your relaxation time, a 3-night *On Location* package or similar (hotel + tickets + transportation) is likely your best bet for the race itself. Then, for the beach portion, move to a nearby oceanfront hotel (or stay in the same one if it’s beachfront) so you can unwind without the stress of nightly travel. It’ll give you a mix of big-event excitement and true vacation downtime.

Daytona 500 2025

More Daytona Beach Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions