General Information

Graz has a well - developed public transport system. 6 tram lines and 24 bus lines will help you get around quickly. There are also good connections to all universities and dormitories. Bus and tram lines operate between 5 am and midnight, within 5 to 20 minute intervals. For the night owls among you, there are also night buses on Friday, Saturday and before public holidays (hourly till 2.30am). You can download a public transport map here (only in German).

The main train station (Hauptbahnhof) and the Jakominiplatz (in the city centre) are the main public transportation hubs in Graz. All trams and many bus lines stop at Jakominiplatz. The last trams leave there around 23.30. The night busses leave at 00.30, 01.30 and 2.30 am in all directions. Nearby you can also find the Mobilitätszentrum (at Jakoministraße 1), where you can purchase the student pass and ask for further information. From the Hauptbahnhof, all tram lines lead to the city centre (in the opposite direction, you can go to Graz – Eggenberg and Wetzelsdorf).

Tickets and prices

Tickets are valid for all bus and tram lines in the 101 fare zone (Graz plus immediate surroundings, including the airport ), as well as for the Schlossberg funicular. If you use public transportation only occasionally, you can choose between a 1h- (2,20€) or 24h- ticket (5,00€) (7/2015). They are available at the ticket machines located in every tram as well as at the central station, Hauptplatz and Jakominiplatz (1h-, 24 h-, week and month passes). In the bus, you can buy tickets from the driver (but only 1h and 24 h tickets); please make sure to have small change for the payment. Tickets can also be purchased at tobacconists (for example in the main station building) – these need to be validated when you get into the bus or tram at the small orange boxes. Student passes and annual passes are only available at the Mobilitätszentrum at Jakominiplatz.

If someone is visiting you in Graz, then a 3-day-ticket (for 11,80 €, 7/2015) would be a good choice – it is valid for three days from the time of validation on all public transport in Graz and also entitles the holder to reduced admission charges at selected attractions.

Student pass and public transport voucher (mobility cheque)

You can purchase a reduced price ticket for students, which is valid either for 4 , 5 or 6 months. For information about the prices please click on this link. You’ll need an application form, which you can find on your business card in your online account of your university on „Registration Documents“. Generally the BIB of your university will inform you about that. There, you will find an application for “Public Transport” which you will have to print out, fill in and sign. Please note: you need the student pass just for one fare zone (the city of Graz = 101)

In addition, the Graz city council offers a public transport voucher for students, the so called mobility cheque. The voucher is valid for a reduction of -30€ for 4-months student cards, -35€ for 5-months and -40€ for all 6-months or annual passes, but it is ONLY avaiable, if you registered Graz as your principal residence! How you can get it: First, you need to fill in an online application. Here is some help to fill it out. You will then receive a confirmation email which you will have to print out. Lastly, go to the Mobilitätszentrum and bring the following documents with you:

  • the confirmation email you received
  • the document from your universitys online account (application form for the student pass)
  • your Meldezettel
  • a document which states that you have studied in your home country
  • your passport
  • a passport photo

Getting around by bike

Due to the relatively small and compact nature of the city,  the bicycle is a popular means of transportation in Graz, especially among students. The city has an extensive network of cycle paths. A good number of streets also have well-marked bicycle lanes. Graz is also the highlight of a 475-km long riverside bicycle route, the Murradweg, which  accompanies the river Mur from its source in Salzburg to Southern Styria and on to Slovenia. If you own a bike, please take care that it is properly locked (if possible against a bar) when you are not using it, because bike theft is a common problem in Graz.

You can buy cheap bikes for example in one of those stores: Evolution Sports, REBIKEL, Bicycle. Or f.e. at these internet selling platforms:

http://www.willhaben.at/iad/kaufen-und-verkaufen/sport-sportgeraete/radsport, http://www.flohmarkt.at/fahrrad/

It‘s also recommendable to have a look into the Facebook Erasmus group in Graz.

There is a free map available showing all of the bicycle routes in Graz – you can get it  at the Tourist Information (for example in Herrengasse 16 ) or at the Mobilitätszentrum.

 

Travelling by train

If you want to explore not only Graz, but also other cities of Austria and its neighboring countries, a train journey offers a perfect opportunity to do so. There are many convenient connections from Graz, including direct trains to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Zagreb. A route planner is available on the website of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). It’s recommendable to buy a „ÖBB Vorteilscard Jugend“, which costs 19€  for people under 26 years of age (7/2015). With this card you get a 50% Discount on train tickets. This means it already pays off after a few short rides, or even just one longer ride (for example once to Vienna and back again). The Vorteilscard is valid for one year and can be purchased at the ticket counter in the main station building. For more information click here. If you are older then 26, you can get a  „Vorteilscard classic“ for  99€ and enjoy the same benefits.

When you book your ticket online, it is often possible to get cheaper „Sparschiene“ Tickets. Because these tickets are cheap, they have some restrictions: Generally you are not allowed to take other trains than mentioned on the ticket and you may have to change trains 2-3 times. For more information click here.