About Graz
Graz is the capital city of Styria, Austria, located in the southeast of the country. The city is the second largest city after Vienna. With the Mur River flowing through the city, Graz is famous for its structures built by Italian architects during the Renaissance period and the Schlossberg, also known as Castle Hill. Graz was the capital of the Habsburg dynasty between the years of 1379-1619. It was besieged by the Hungarians in 1481 and the Ottomans in 1529 and 1532. Despite it’s historic structure it is one of the industrial centers of the country. The city’s iron, metal, leather, paper, glass, shoes, and beer industries are quite developed.
It is among Austria’s cities with the highest level of education and student population. There are 6 universities and 45 thousand students in the country. World famous inventor Nicola Tesla studied at a polytechnic school in Graz. Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in Graz. There are 15 bridges on the Mur River, which flows through the city. The river is generally calm, providing the city with serene views. With its strong current the river has a peculiar motion. Due to the lack of depth there is no transportation on the river but you can go rafting or surfing on it. Graz is Europe’s best-preserved city center. The old town, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, it the most popular place in the city among foreign visitors. The city’s main attractions include the modern art museum Kunsthaus, the artificial island located on the Mur in the shape of a seashell Murinsel, Hauptplatz town square, Schlossberg Hill and Clock Tower, Opera building, Sporgasse Street, and the Schloss Eggenberg Palace. Graz has a cold, temperate climate. The Graz Airport is located 9 km south of the city.
Transportation to Graz City Center from Airport
Graz Airport
Graz, the European Capital of Culture in 2003, is the capital of the Austrian province of Steiermark. Due to its proximity to many major cities, Graz is considered a transfer point. The student population is also very high due to the fact that there are many universities in the city which has the only jazz school of Europe. Cultural events are organized in the city, which embraces every branch of art.
You can see the traces of history untouched everywhere in the city, which has managed to enter UNESCO's list of world heritages. The city center is extremely convenient for walking and has safe pedestrian paths. Trams and buses are being used as a means of public transport in Graz. As you can get single tickets, if you use the public transport several times during the day, you can also choose the day tickets that will be more suitable. The single ticket is 2.20 Euros and the daily ticket is 4.70 Euros. There are weekly and monthly ticket alternatives for those who are planning to stay longer in the city.
You can easily get your ticket from the machines at the tram stops. You should remember that you have to validate your ticket via the machines that are in the vehicle and that it is forbidden to talk on the tram with your mobile phone. One of the most enjoyable ways to explore the city center of Graz is to ride a bike. You can easily rent bicycles in the city center and travel around the city which has a bicycle path of 106 kilometers. You can travel safely thanks to these long bicycle paths. The bike route along the Mur River is the most popular one with its beautiful view.
It is very easy to get from Graz to the surrounding cities and countries, as it is also easy to reach Graz with air and railways, as well as with buses or cars. You can easily reach Slovenia and Maribor via the A9 road. The city is very close to Hungary. You can make a comfortable journey to discover nearby countries, especially by taking the train journey and buying your ticket on the internet in advance. You can reach Vienna in an average of 2.5 hours by buses paying 22 Euros and by trains paying 38 Euros. Graz International Airport is located 10 kilometers from the city center of.
If you prefer public transportation, you can go to the city center by bus and train. If you want more comfortable and private transportation, you can use airport shuttle services or you can also choose to take a taxi. Car rental is an important alternative, especially if you want to add different cities to your trip.
Bus
You can easily reach the city center with the municipal buses, which can be found at the bus stops next to the exit gate of the arrival terminal. One way ticket price is 2.20 Euros.
Train
Flughafen Graz-Feldkirchen train station is located about 10 minutes' walk away from the exit of the arrival terminal. Traveling to the city center takes only 12 minutes.
Hotel Shuttle
For passengers who do not want to use public transport or who do not want to describe the hotel to the taxi driver, airport shuttles provided by many hotels stand out as the most practical and convenient means of transportation. Especially if you are traveling in groups, you will be able to benefit from this service by booking in advance with your hotel, as you will receive a suitable fare.
Taxi
You can reach the city center from the airport by taxi for an average of 20 Euros. Taxi stops are located just in front of the terminal exit door. There are official sealed taximeters on each taxi and you are charged according to the time spent in the traffic and distance.
Car Rental
The airport hosts the offices of five different car rental companies. If you are planning to travel to different cities and countries throughout your trip, car rental is a very comfortable choice. In order to rent a car, you must have an international driver's license. The city center is very convenient for walking and it has a very developed and comfortable public transport system, thus renting a car is not suggested for those who are going to stay only in Graz.
Airport Shuttle
The airport has shuttle services operated by two different private companies that work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can reach the city center by bus, taxi or limousine according to your preference and budget by using airport shuttle services. You must book in advance to take advantage of this service. Hotels are helping their guests with booking procedures. The cost is 38 Euros, on average, per person for one way.
