General Information

Graz has a well - developed public transport system. 7 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 minutes intervals. For the night owls among you, there are also night buses on Friday, Saturday and before public holidays (hourly till 02.30 am). Due to an act of nature beyond control (restrictions by the Austrian government, e.g. situation due to COVID-19) it could be that some lines are not offered at all, so it depends on the current situation.

Here you will get an insight of how does the network fare system in Styria work. To check how to get from place A to B you can use the route planner. For a faster use you can also download the corresponding app called "BusBahnBim", available in every Appstore. A public transport map of the city of Graz you can download here (at the bottom of the page).

The main train station and the Jakominiplatz (centre of public transport) are the main public transportation hubs in Graz. All trams and many bus lines stop at Jakominiplatz. 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 or 24h-ticket, which covers the 1h-ticket already at your 3rd usage. 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, usually you can buy tickets from the driver but (please make sure to have small change for the payment - this might not be possible e.g. in a situation like COVID-19!). 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 so-called "mobility centre" at Jakominiplatz (the round building in the middle of the square).

Via Ticket shop you can get an overview of all tickets and prices and where you can buy them.

If someone is visiting you in Graz, then a 3-day-ticket 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)

Students can either use the Top-Ticket for 6 months throughout Styria or alternatively the Study ticket for 4 months, which is only valid for the greater area of Graz (zone 101). In addition, the Graz city council offers a public transport voucher for students, the so called mobility cheque. The voucher is valid for significant price reductions but only on the 4-months study ticket and it's only avaiable, if you registered Graz as your principal residence. In this case you have to fill out this form. All further information can be found in the respective links.

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. However, this can be avoided with a little caution.

You can buy cheap bikes for example in one of those stores: REBIKEL, Bicycle or at these internet selling platforms: willhaben, Flohmarkt
It's also recommendable to have a look into the Facebook group Erasmus Graz Marketplace.

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 mobility centre at Jakominiplatz. For your smartphone you can download the app "Bike Citizens", which shows you the fastest and safest routes in many European cities. It works offline and is available for iOS and Android. This Graz-based company has also developed a smartphone mount.

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).

You could buy a "ÖBB Vorteilscard" which costs around 20€ for people under 26 years of age. 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. If you are older then 26, you enjoy the same benefits but the card is more expensive.

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.